Plumbing advice please

GT60

Ok thank you to all for the help.

Macman it is me being parniod.

Thank you
Niall

ritesh

Hi Niall24, I can understand your position and concern. I had my whole house gutted and new plumbing and electrics installed. We had an extension as well in which we installed underfloor heating. I did a lot of research into the use of plastic pipes with speedfit connecters vs copper as i was concerned that our plumber was using both. I really quizzed him over it and sought advice from others and the internet. In conclusion although the speedfit connectors are not very pretty they are very secure 9probably more so than copper) and less likely to leak compared to copper. They offer several advantages (no solder, quick fitting, plastic pipes easier to route etc..) In any event ensuring that the fittings are correct, tight and pressure tested then you will never have a problem!

We had both copper and plastic pipe fitted and the job is a good one!

Hope this reassures you.

ps Plastic is cheaper than copper

Steve_xx

ritesh wrote: »

ps Plastic is cheaper than copper

Not especially. You will find that the plastic piping often works out cheaper than the copper equivalent. However, copper solder fittings are normally cheaper than their plastic equivalent.

One of the major advantages of plastic is that you can bend it fairly readily to thread through joists without having to fit as many joints as you would have to with copper piping. Fewer joins in the run mean less potential for leaks.

I use both copper and plastic, depending on where I'm placing it. Another plus for plastic is that in central heating systems there is less loss of heat on plastic piping runs than in the equivalent amount of copper pipe.

heating-eng

Steve_xx wrote: »

Not especially. You will find that the plastic piping often works out cheaper than the copper equivalent. However, copper solder fittings are normally cheaper than their plastic equivalent.

One of the major advantages of plastic is that you can bend it fairly readily to thread through joists without having to fit as many joints as you would have to with copper piping. Fewer joins in the run mean less potential for leaks.

I use both copper and plastic, depending on where I'm placing it. Another plus for plastic is that in central heating systems there is less loss of heat on plastic piping runs than in the equivalent amount of copper pipe.

we only fit copper at bg , they wont let us buy plastic pipe :mad: ..

Steve_xx

heating-eng wrote: »

we only fit copper at bg , they wont let us buy plastic pipe :mad:

That's interesting. Why have BG taken that view, is there a reason?

I like to use plastic on cold water systems in areas where there might be condensation issues when running copper piping.

One point to think about though is that if you use plastic as it enters the house, then say you put an electric shower in the bathroom, maybe using a copper spur and you would then normally put an earth strap on it, wouldn't you? I just wonder about the fact that as part of the pipework serving the shower would be plastic, how effective/legal the earth strap would be?

heating-eng

Steve_xx wrote: »

That's interesting. Why have BG taken that view, is there a reason?

we have never been able to use it ..i dont know why ,

Steve_xx

heating-eng wrote: »

we have never been able to use it ..i dont know why ,

I added to my reply in my last post. Have a look at the rest of the reply and let me know what you think about the earthing issue, if you would.

rockin_plumber

heating-eng wrote: »

we have never been able to use it ..i dont know why ,

My boss wont touch it either....

But on a plus side for copper, twice since the start of the year I have been to two different properties in the countryside where a mouse has chewed through the lagging and into the plastic pipework causing it to leak.

Plastic might be easier to install and faster to instal but I know what I would rather have in my house

heating-eng

rockin_plumber wrote: »

My boss wont touch it either....

But on a plus side for copper, twice since the start of the year I have been to two different properties in the countryside where a mouse has chewed through the lagging and into the plastic pipework causing it to leak.

Plastic might be easier to install and faster to instal but I know what I would rather have in my house

i do like copper to be honest ..

rockin_plumber

Whenever a builder questions us about using plastic.....
We inform them.....

Real plumbers wont lower themself to install plastic :rotfl: