On another thread it was stated that solvent weld pipes are the way to go, with regards to 40 mm waste pipes, instead of push fit. I was therefore wondering what your thoughts were with respect to 15 mm pipes required to bring water to a bathroom basin, toilet, bath, and over-bath shower. I noticed five varieties for sale (links below), with the last three being push-fit. Thanks! JG Speedfit BPEX Barrier Coil Pipe http://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-bpex-barrier-coil-pipe-25m-x-15mm/11027 JG Speedfit Polybutylene Pipe http://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-polybutylene-pipe-15mm-x-25m/36617 HEP20 Polybutylene Barrier Pipe http://www.screwfix.com/p/hep2o-polybutylene-barrier-pipe-coil-15mm-x-10m/1615j#product_additional_details_container HEP20 HXX25/15W Barrier Coil Pipe http://www.screwfix.com/p/hep2o-hxx25-15w-barrier-coil-pipe-15mm-x-25m/4791f Floplast PE-X Barrier Pipe http://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-pe-x-barrier-pipe-15mm-x-25m-white/54479
Oh, okay. I had thought that the flexi pipes were what was used nowadays, but presumably it has issues in relation to traditional copper. If using copper, I presume all joints/bends are soldered together (as opposed to some other modern joint which I'm not aware of)?
Ideally you should use enfeed or yorkshire fittings and soldering the joints which by far is the best method. If you have access to a pipe bender you can also pull your bends and offsets. There are fittings now called Tectite which although I have seen them I have never used them as I would always solder with enfeed. http://www.screwfix.com/search?search=tectite#_=p
Move with the times guys! I bet the old lead boys thought copper was summat and nowt and sweating lead were the best. It's an alternative and has a place, just like copper does, and it's called Speed fit for a reason!
I agree, you can't beat it. But in this high speed, modern world in which I seem to be living, it can be slow and very disruptive (compared to "cabling" plastic through floor joists). Still, I'll be retiring soon. Hopefully!
Out of curiosity, what do you guys not like about the plastic coil piping? Is it more likely to develop problems over the long term?
Looks horrible, bulky fittings, prone to rodent damage, differing makes are not fully interchangable, sunlight may cause damage and you are relying on a single O ring on a perfectly smooth pipe to seal it, to name a few
And bad installation by plumbers! A couple of years ago, a friend called me in the early hours,(only peep she could think of) central heating leaking,she had only been in house about a month, popped over, plastic pipe had come apart on a fitting. And the reason why, pipe clip spacing,about 5' between clips,heating came on, plastic pipe sagged pulling fitting apart, also you can't rule out a poorly connected fitting.
What should the distance, or max distance, be between clips on horizontal piping if professionally installed? I might just check already installed plumbing, with regards to clip spacing, if I get a chance.
And another stupid thing with Hep2o pipe, you can use compression fittings by wrapping pipe with ptfe first, doesen't inspire me confidence.
Not sure, will have a look when I get home. Have a look at this Speedfit linky: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwjqobrhifjUAhWsJ8AKHQReB-sQFggrMAI&url=http://help.tradingdepot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/speedfit-installing-pipework.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE0ToUdjuI3B3xrW0W-JtLgcyCX3Q&cad=rja
Most new builds are pretty much all plastic pipe now, only using copper on rad tails and maybe at the tap connections.
I've just thought of a couple of other questions: a) If installing *vertical* 15mm copper piping within a partition wall from ceiling to floor, I presume clips should be attached to attach it to the timber frame as per plastic piping? If so, are regular plastic clips used as for plastic piping, or special clips for copper piping? b) If installing 15 mm copper piping throughout the bathroom, and this is then brought immediately outside the bathroom to be connected up to the rest of the household plumbing system (which is 15mm *plastic* piping), how is the copper connected to the plastic? Thanks!