Mega-flow Super Water-Flex copper/stainless steel corrugated flexible water heater/softener connectors (Model SWT1) from Falcon Stainless are available in 15-, 18- and 24-inch lengths. The dual-purpose connectors (3/4-inch I.D. stainless steel flex with 3/4-inch FIP by 7/8-inch copper and 1-inch I.D. stainless steel flex by 1-inch FIP by 1 1/8-inch copper sweat) are made to slip over copper pipe and solder or can be cut at the bell and soldered into a ball valve. Kink- and crimp-resistant, the connectors feature a chrome-plated brass nut — no dielectric union is required.

“We use high-temp EPDM washers that are chlorine- and chloramine-resistant,” says Falcon Stainless President Melanie Pender. “The connectors will not corrode or rust. Our connectors come with a lifetime warranty. They’re not going to fail. Plumbers don’t want a callback; they want a referral to the next-door neighbor because they did such a great job.”

The connectors resist work hardening and are 100 percent leak tested. Applications include any- thing with flowing water — all water treatment, water softeners, sinks, toilets, boilers and water heaters (tank and tankless).

The connectors have a working pressure of 200 psi, burst pressure of 1,850 psi, and temperature rating of 40 to 250 degrees F. They comply with UPC, IPC, IMC, IRC and CSA. The connectors are ICC listed, tested and certified, ASME A112.18.6 compliant and NSF-61 section 9.

“In addition to being approved for use throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, we also have special approvals as required by Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Minnesota and south Texas,” Pender says. “We’re approved by LAUSD, California prisons and south Texas schools.” 800/814-8444; www.falconstainless.com.