The Ultimate Guide to Stainless Steel Bulkhead Fittings

When you need to pass up to 150 PSI pressures, you want to ensure that the bulkhead you’re working with has the right fittings in place. If the wrong ones are used, the bulkhead will fail, and so will your plumbing system! When it comes to sheer pressure, a bulkhead is incapable of handling it. 

Even the thinnest and lightest stainless steel cannot withstand such high pressures for very long. It can also easily deform, which means that once the pressure has been released, any further pressure applied to the fitting will likely result in disastrous consequences. As a result, when looking for stainless steel bulkhead fittings, you need to consider a few key factors.

Look For Quality Assurance and Durability

One of the most important things when buying any engineering equipment is ensuring that the part is quality made and will hold up to the task. If the part isn’t up to snuff, the whole system will quickly fail, be it the plumbing system, the machine tool, or even the equipment manufacturer. 

Read the quality assurance and durability section of each stainless steel bulkhead fitting manufacturer’s website to double-check the part quality. Also, if you’re unsure about a particular part’s suitability for your application, get in touch with the manufacturer and ask.

Must-Have Function

As mentioned above, the must-have function for most applications is one of the critical factors to consider when buying a stainless steel bulkhead fitting. However, it’s essential to keep this in mind to make the best choice for your plumbing needs. After all, if the function isn’t necessary for your plumbing system, then there’s no point in buying a bulkhead with a purpose that isn’t required. 

For example, if you only need a bulkhead to connect your kitchen and bath, then any design that can handle the pressure of a household will be ideal. However, if you have a boat or RV with a much larger plumbing system, you may want to look at other bulkhead fittings, such as flare or elbow valves.

Non-Corrosive, Corrosion-Resistant

As mentioned above, one of the most important things you need to consider when buying a stainless steel bulkhead fitting is its corrosion resistance. Nothing will erode a stainless steel bulkhead like the water supply itself. 

This is why a bulkhead is an essential part of your plumbing system. However, if the fittings inside are Corrosion Resistant (or CR), the plumbing system will also be CR-free. Again, this is done at the manufacturer’s request, so double-check the part’s credentials before buying.

How To Choose The Right Stainless Steel Bulkhead Fitting For Your Plumbing Needs?

When choosing the right set of stainless steel bulkhead fittings for your plumbing system, there are a few things you need to consider. 

First, you must ensure that the part you’re considering is suitable for your application. For example, a single-end faucet might be perfect if you have a small kitchen with a small bath. However, a single-end flushing toilet might be a much better fit if you have a large house with several bedrooms. 

After that, you need to ensure that the part fits your system. Ensure the manufacturer’s measurement charts are correct, as all manufacturing units differ. All this means is that the manufacturer knows more about your system than you do. Once you’re sure, the part fits, move on to the next step.

Conclusion

When it comes to stainless steel bulkhead fittings, you need to ensure that you’re looking for the right ones. The wrong ones can lead to trouble, from deformation to failure. When shopping for bulkheads, ensure you’re looking for quality, lasting materials. Check the BPA-free and lead-free options when looking for stainless steel fittings. Choose the fittings with the best balance of capacity and ease of use. All these things will help make your plumbing system run smoother and longer.