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Pressfitting is still considered a relatively new development in plumbing despite it now being around for over 40 years. 

Perhaps this is because it is perceived as innovative, which is more than likely due to the fact that, unlike its rivals, it involves no hot works or the use of hazardous substances.

 The term ‘pressfitting’ does exactly what it says on the tin - joints are made by inserting the pipe and fitting together and pressing the fitting socket and the pipe using either, hand operated or an electrical pressfitting tool. 

The key advantage of pressfitting is the reduction of installation time, which in turn leads to many other benefits. Mapress, Geberit’s metalic pipework pressfitting system, typically takes over 50% less time than traditional threaded steel jointing systems.

Installation times are reduced in several different areas. Jointing is a simple, straight forward process – cut the pipe to size, debur the inside and outside of the pipe, mark the socket insertion depth on the pipe, push the pipe into the socket of the fitting, then press the joint and connecting pipe using the pressing tool.

Immediately the most time-consuming process of traditional methods is removed, whether it be threading, soldering or welding.

The process is enhanced further as installation can proceed using components assembled with dry joints, with pressing following later.

This is particularly useful where work is required at height or for tricky positioning; traditional jointing in such circumstances can add time and components to a job. In addition the components can be pre-fabricated both on and off-site prior to installation, offering further time saving.

The old adage ‘time is money’ is true here, for both the installer and the customer. With labour costs accounting for a large proportion of a project, by reducing the time spent on installation, installers can pass these savings onto their customers; cost reductions which could be the difference between winning or losing a contract.

Furthermore, the less time spent on one project means more time for another and plumbers choosing the pressfitting method find they can complete more jobs in a day.