Abstract

A method and article for replacing a fitting included in a fluid system comprised of plastic conduit lengths and fittings with the ends of the conduit lengths received in and cemented to associated fitting branches. When a leak is detected in a fitting or it is otherwise desired to replace the fitting, it is removed from the system by cutting the associated or connecting conduit lengths therefrom generally flush with the fitting branch outermost ends. A replacement fitting having branches geometrically compatible with the original fitting branches and branch lengths greater than those of the original fitting is then placed in the system to receive the ends of the associated conduit lengths. Because the replacement fitting branches have greater lengths than the original fitting branches, they compensate for the shortened conduit lengths caused by the severing or cutting type removal of the original fitting from the system. Conventional cementing techniques are used to rigidly affix the associated conduit lengths in the replacement fitting branches. Internal locating rings or shoulders may be included in the replacement fitting branches for purposes of locating the associated conduit lengths in the same spacial relationship with each other as they were when connected to the original fitting.