Is this a plumbing quick fit connector?

cymruchris

I'm wanting to split my cold supply in two to feed a washing machine - I'm in a house that doesn't have copper piping, but the 15mm plastic pipes - this looks to be a quick fit connector - but having not seen one or removed one before - can someone just confirm that it is? And if so, is it a case of unlocking the grey collars by twisting them and then pushing against the pipes to release?

rob7475

That's a polyplumb fitting I think. I've never used them (I prefer JG Speedfit) but my understanding is they can't be easily reused once you dismantle them. To dismantle after isolating the supply, just unscrew the end and I believe they more or less just pull apart.

cymruchris

rob7475 said:

That's a polyplumb fitting I think. I've never used them (I prefer JG Speedfit) but my understanding is they can't be easily reused once you dismantle them. To dismantle after isolating the supply, just unscrew the end and I believe they more or less just pull apart.

I'd be using new ones - but that sounds like it should be easy to dismantle - thanks for confirmation. 

sjones12121994

cymruchris said:

I'm wanting to split my cold supply in two to feed a washing machine - I'm in a house that doesn't have copper piping, but the 15mm plastic pipes - this looks to be a quick fit connector - but having not seen one or removed one before - can someone just confirm that it is? And if so, is it a case of unlocking the grey collars by twisting them and then pushing against the pipes to release?

Yes, it sounds like you have a quick-fit connector. To disconnect, twist the grey collars to unlock them, then push against the pipes to release. Make sure to turn off the water supply before you start.

ThisIsWeird

If you can ID the make, then a Tee fitting should directly replace it. 
Looks like the collar will unscrew, but there is also a smaller collar around where the pipes exit - I wonder if that presses inwards to release the pipe?

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

If you can ID the make, then a Tee fitting should directly replace it. 
Looks like the collar will unscrew, but there is also a smaller collar around where the pipes exit - I wonder if that presses inwards to release the pipe?

No, it is just part of the moulding on the cap piece.

cymruchris said:

rob7475 said:

That's a polyplumb fitting I think. I've never used them (I prefer JG Speedfit) but my understanding is they can't be easily reused once you dismantle them. To dismantle after isolating the supply, just unscrew the end and I believe they more or less just pull apart.

I'd be using new ones - but that sounds like it should be easy to dismantle - thanks for confirmation. 

The joint can be disassembled, but there is a single-use metal 'ring' which grips the pipe to give the joint physical strength.  This can't be removed very easily (it digs into the pipe) and even if you do manage to cut it off then the end of the pipe is likely to have been damaged by the ring. The ring traps the sealing components (including the end cap) on the end of the pipe. The official instructions are to cut the end of the pipe off - which isn't ideal if there is little slack in the pipe run.

The body of the fitting can be reused, but the manufacturer says all the other components should be replaced and never reused (there is a danger of the joint failing under pressure).

ThisIsWeird

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

If you can ID the make, then a Tee fitting should directly replace it. 
Looks like the collar will unscrew, but there is also a smaller collar around where the pipes exit - I wonder if that presses inwards to release the pipe?

No, it is just part of the moulding on the cap piece.

cymruchris said:

rob7475 said:

That's a polyplumb fitting I think. I've never used them (I prefer JG Speedfit) but my understanding is they can't be easily reused once you dismantle them. To dismantle after isolating the supply, just unscrew the end and I believe they more or less just pull apart.

I'd be using new ones - but that sounds like it should be easy to dismantle - thanks for confirmation. 

The joint can be disassembled, but there is a single-use metal 'ring' which grips the pipe to give the joint physical strength.  This can't be removed very easily (it digs into the pipe) and even if you do manage to cut it off then the end of the pipe is likely to have been damaged by the ring. The ring traps the sealing components (including the end cap) on the end of the pipe. The official instructions are to cut the end of the pipe off - which isn't ideal if there is little slack in the pipe run.

The body of the fitting can be reused, but the manufacturer says all the other components should be replaced and never reused (there is a danger of the joint failing under pressure).

Ah, the successor to Bartol 'Acorn' fittings!
If you can find the matching Tee, just swap bodies, leaving all the O and grab rings on the pipe for reuse.
Edit: Hepworth Hep2O fittings, I believe?

cymruchris

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

If you can ID the make, then a Tee fitting should directly replace it. 
Looks like the collar will unscrew, but there is also a smaller collar around where the pipes exit - I wonder if that presses inwards to release the pipe?

No, it is just part of the moulding on the cap piece.

cymruchris said:

rob7475 said:

That's a polyplumb fitting I think. I've never used them (I prefer JG Speedfit) but my understanding is they can't be easily reused once you dismantle them. To dismantle after isolating the supply, just unscrew the end and I believe they more or less just pull apart.

I'd be using new ones - but that sounds like it should be easy to dismantle - thanks for confirmation. 

The joint can be disassembled, but there is a single-use metal 'ring' which grips the pipe to give the joint physical strength.  This can't be removed very easily (it digs into the pipe) and even if you do manage to cut it off then the end of the pipe is likely to have been damaged by the ring. The ring traps the sealing components (including the end cap) on the end of the pipe. The official instructions are to cut the end of the pipe off - which isn't ideal if there is little slack in the pipe run.

The body of the fitting can be reused, but the manufacturer says all the other components should be replaced and never reused (there is a danger of the joint failing under pressure).

Good info there thanks - there's not much pipe coming out of the wall - not sure if there's any slack behind as they're bonded into place, but if I get a dedicated pipe cutter, I hope to be able to get a clean cut not too far behind that metal ring you mention. 

I'm looking at the Hep20 system for all the new connections.

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Ah, the successor to Bartol 'Acorn' fittings!
If you can find the matching Tee, just swap bodies, leaving all the O and grab rings on the pipe for reuse.
Edit: Hepworth Hep2O fittings, I believe?

I think rob7475 was right with Polyplumb - the end cap has grooves (for grip) all around the circumfrence, but varying in length in a distinctive 'wave' pattern. The end cap of equivalent Hepworth fittings have blocks of 4/5 grooves with smooth sections between.

Again, leaving the old sealing components on the pipe and reusing them isn't what the manufacturer recommends... so if you do that it is at your own risk.

Section62

cymruchris said:

Section62 said:

Good info there thanks - there's not much pipe coming out of the wall - not sure if there's any slack behind as they're bonded into place, but if I get a dedicated pipe cutter, I hope to be able to get a clean cut not too far behind that metal ring you mention. 

I'm looking at the Hep20 system for all the new connections.

There is also paint on the pipe which will need carefully cleaning off - otherwise the sealing 'o'-ring might not achieve a good seal.

A ratchet cutter like this should give you the best chance of getting a clean cut as close as possible to the end -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/faithfull-3-42mm-manual-plastic-pipe-cutter/587gc

Some people might cut through the metal ring with side cutting pliers and remove it first - but that has to be done with extreme care as the metal is very sharp, bits of metal might fly off, and it is really easy to scratch/damage the pipe end that could result in the finished joint leaking.  Also don't use your best quality side cutters as the ring is usually made from fairly hard stainless steel which side cutters aren't usually designed to cut.

cymruchris

Section62 said:

cymruchris said:

Section62 said:

Good info there thanks - there's not much pipe coming out of the wall - not sure if there's any slack behind as they're bonded into place, but if I get a dedicated pipe cutter, I hope to be able to get a clean cut not too far behind that metal ring you mention. 

I'm looking at the Hep20 system for all the new connections.

There is also paint on the pipe which will need carefully cleaning off - otherwise the sealing 'o'-ring might not achieve a good seal.

A ratchet cutter like this should give you the best chance of getting a clean cut as close as possible to the end -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/faithfull-3-42mm-manual-plastic-pipe-cutter/587gc

Some people might cut through the metal ring with side cutting pliers and remove it first - but that has to be done with extreme care as the metal is very sharp, bits of metal might fly off, and it is really easy to scratch/damage the pipe end that could result in the finished joint leaking.  Also don't use your best quality side cutters as the ring is usually made from fairly hard stainless steel which side cutters aren't usually designed to cut.

Although I'd chosen a different brand - that's the type of tool that's in my screw fix basket at the moment as I work out the bits I need to get the whole job in mind done. I'll definitely go down the route of a clean cut as close to the end of the existing pipe as possible. Thanks for the useful insights.