What Is a Street Elbow? The Compact PVC Fitting Every Plumber and Contractor Should Know
When you’re installing plumbing, irrigation, or HVAC piping, space and efficiency are everything. One of the simplest yet most valuable fittings you can have in your toolbox is the street elbow.
Whether you’re a contractor, plumber, irrigation specialist, or HVAC technician, understanding what a street elbow is — and when to use it — can make your installations cleaner, faster, and more cost-effective. In this blog, we’ll cover what a street elbow does, how it differs from a regular elbow, where to use it, and why 247Garden’s Schedule 40 PVC Street Elbows are trusted by professionals.
What Is a Street Elbow?
A street elbow is a pipe fitting designed to change the direction of flow, typically by 90° or 45°. Unlike a standard elbow that has two female (socket) ends, a street elbow has one male (spigot) end and one female (socket/slip) end.
This design lets you connect the elbow directly to another fitting without needing an additional coupling. That means fewer parts, less solvent cement, and a more compact installation.
Street Elbow vs Regular Elbow
| Feature | Regular Elbow | Street Elbow |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Ends | Socket × Socket (both female) | Spigot × Socket (male × female) |
| Requires Coupling? | Yes, for connecting to another fitting | No — connects directly to another fitting |
| Space Efficiency | Larger overall assembly | More compact — ideal for tight spaces |
| Common Angles | 90° or 45° | 90° or 45° |
Because the street elbow has one spigot end, it can plug directly into another socket fitting, saving valuable space and reducing the number of joints. This makes it especially useful in confined areas like under sinks, behind walls, and inside mechanical enclosures.
Common Applications for Street Elbows
Street elbows are widely used across multiple trades for tight or complex piping layouts. Below are some practical applications:
1. Plumbing Repairs and Retrofits
- Ideal for connecting pipes where space is limited.
- Simplifies repairs behind walls or beneath fixtures.
- Reduces the need for extra couplings and joints.
2. Irrigation and Landscaping
- Excellent for valve boxes and manifolds where fittings must fit closely together.
- Provides smooth directional changes in underground or surface irrigation systems.
- Simplifies routing around obstacles without increasing the footprint.
3. Hydroponic and Aquaponic Systems
- Perfect for compact systems where flow paths need to change direction quickly.
- Makes plumbing around pumps, filters, and tanks much easier.
4. HVAC Condensate and Drain Lines
- Used for tight-turn condensate drains in air handlers or rooftop units.
- Minimizes fitting count and allows for quick rerouting in small plenums.
5. Light Industrial and Lab Applications
- Suitable for small process systems, rinse stations, or water treatment setups.
- Allows precise layout adjustments in mechanical rooms and equipment skids.
6. DIY and Home Projects
- Useful for small water systems, garden projects, or temporary plumbing setups.
- Ideal for those who need compact, easy-to-assemble PVC connections.
Why Choose 247Garden SCH-40 Street Elbows
247Garden’s Schedule 40 PVC 90-Degree Street Elbows are built to ASTM D2466 standards and are NSF certified for potable water applications. Designed for reliability and performance, these fittings are a proven choice for both residential and commercial systems.
Available Sizes: 1/2 inch to 2 inch
Connection Type: Slip × Spigot (90°)
Key Benefits
- Compact design reduces the number of fittings required.
- Made from high-strength PVC for long-term durability.
- Corrosion-resistant and non-reactive to most common chemicals.
- Smooth interior bore for improved flow efficiency.
- Easy to solvent-weld for a secure, leak-free joint.
When to Use SCH-40 vs SCH-80 Street Elbows
- Schedule 40 PVC Street Elbows: Best for standard pressure plumbing, irrigation, and HVAC drain systems.
- Schedule 80 PVC Street Elbows: Thicker walls for higher pressure and industrial applications where additional strength is required.
247Garden supplies both SCH-40 and SCH-80 fittings, giving professionals the flexibility to choose the right type for the job.
Other Recommended PVC Fittings from 247Garden
To complete your project efficiently, 247Garden offers a full range of Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC fittings and valves.
Schedule 40 (ASTM D2466)
- PVC Couplings (Slip × Slip)
- PVC Tees (Slip × Slip × Slip)
- PVC Cross Fittings (4-Way)
- PVC Bushings and Reducers
- PVC Ball Valves and Check Valves (1/2"–2")
Schedule 80 (ASTM D2467)
- Heavy-Duty Elbows and Tees
- True-Union Ball Valves
- High-Pressure Check Valves
- Flanges and Union Fittings
Whether you are a plumber, contractor, HVAC technician, or irrigation professional, 247Garden offers consistent, durable fittings designed to meet job-site demands.
Final Thoughts
The street elbow may be small, but its value is undeniable. Its simple male-female configuration saves time, reduces material usage, and makes installation easier in tight or complex layouts.
For dependable performance and precision fit, choose 247Garden SCH-40 PVC Street Elbows, available from 1/2 inch up to 2 inches. Built to ASTM D2466 standards and NSF certified, these fittings deliver reliability across plumbing, irrigation, and HVAC applications.
