Mechanical joints __________

• A. Are less expensive than push-on joints
• B. Are more expensive than push-on joints AND take longer to assemble than push-on joints
• C. Are easier to install than push-on joints
• D. Are not suitable for any pipe material

Answer: (B)

Mechanical joints involve more hardware and steps than push-on joints. They use gland pieces, nuts and bolts, sometimes follower glands, and often require lubrication, careful alignment, and torquing to a specified setting, plus any needed restraint. Those extra parts and procedures add both material cost and labor time, so installation is generally more expensive and slower than with push-on joints. Push-on joints are simpler, quicker to assemble, and cheaper, which is why they’re favored when their performance meets the project’s needs. Mechanical joints are still used where restraint or specific alignment is required, but that added complexity explains the higher cost and longer install time.