Burying Heating Pipes in Walls
Discussion
When the solicitors sort themselves out, we'll be moving house in the next month or two. It has the original heating system in (~30yrs old) and is on microbore pipes with radiators which are in need of replacement, definitely for looks, probably for performance as well. it'll be done as we go through and refurbish each room.
I'd like to get rid of the microbore, partially to neaten up a bad installation, to future proof for a heat pump and because microbore can be a right pain in the backside. The current system will all be on drops, so planning to just mimic that (downstairs, obviously).
It's got dot and dab, and was planning to run the pipes in the wall, but cant quite find out how best to go about it. I think the floor is beam and block, so don't think running it under that is an option. My plan was cut a run out of the plasterboard, then chase into the wall behind by 20mm or so and bury the pipes in that which should give enough space.
I cant find much decent information on the best way to do this though. Current thought is run the pipe in 20mm plastic conduit, clip this to the wall and then cover back over (either with bonding then plaster, or bonding, plasterboard and plaster). Other option would be clip direct to the wall, expanding foam and then re-cover as above. Anyone got any decent ideas or experience doing this and willing to share?
I'd like to get rid of the microbore, partially to neaten up a bad installation, to future proof for a heat pump and because microbore can be a right pain in the backside. The current system will all be on drops, so planning to just mimic that (downstairs, obviously).
It's got dot and dab, and was planning to run the pipes in the wall, but cant quite find out how best to go about it. I think the floor is beam and block, so don't think running it under that is an option. My plan was cut a run out of the plasterboard, then chase into the wall behind by 20mm or so and bury the pipes in that which should give enough space.
I cant find much decent information on the best way to do this though. Current thought is run the pipe in 20mm plastic conduit, clip this to the wall and then cover back over (either with bonding then plaster, or bonding, plasterboard and plaster). Other option would be clip direct to the wall, expanding foam and then re-cover as above. Anyone got any decent ideas or experience doing this and willing to share?
It sounds like a deeply messy, expensive job, for some aesthetic gain?
No direct experience, but I suspect hiding behind the skirting board could be an easier option? There was also a product "ThermaSkirt"? which is/was a skirting board radiator, i.e. the pipes would be built directly into the skirting board.
No direct experience, but I suspect hiding behind the skirting board could be an easier option? There was also a product "ThermaSkirt"? which is/was a skirting board radiator, i.e. the pipes would be built directly into the skirting board.
It might be worth doing the maths to see if 10mm pipe makes any difference.
Particularly if you go for two smaller rads per room.
Two houses ago, we had a microbore system which was absolutely fine.
It was installed in the 60s or 70s I think, and coped with the pathetic insulation of that era.
With good double glazing and lots of loft insulation, everything was fine using a condensing boiler and low-ish flow temps.
Once I'd got the system clean that is!
We were working odd hours at the time and were more concerned about the place warming up quickly than with economy.
I did chase some pipes in, it's messy.
You can also hide pipes behind bookcases etc, the cupboard under the stairs
Burying hot pipes in the cold wall outside dry lining seems wrong. Probably doesn't waste much heat if you've got cavity insulation I suppose.
Particularly if you go for two smaller rads per room.
Two houses ago, we had a microbore system which was absolutely fine.
It was installed in the 60s or 70s I think, and coped with the pathetic insulation of that era.
With good double glazing and lots of loft insulation, everything was fine using a condensing boiler and low-ish flow temps.
Once I'd got the system clean that is!
We were working odd hours at the time and were more concerned about the place warming up quickly than with economy.
I did chase some pipes in, it's messy.
You can also hide pipes behind bookcases etc, the cupboard under the stairs
Burying hot pipes in the cold wall outside dry lining seems wrong. Probably doesn't waste much heat if you've got cavity insulation I suppose.
Might be worth a Google, but aiui hair felt lagging might be what you’d want if plastering over.
Personally the idea of drops from the ceiling terrifies me, especially if in the middle of walls where people might be tempted to bang nails in for pictures. If it’s the only option then it might be worth considering galvanised capping over the chase before making good?
Personally the idea of drops from the ceiling terrifies me, especially if in the middle of walls where people might be tempted to bang nails in for pictures. If it’s the only option then it might be worth considering galvanised capping over the chase before making good?
You can certainly put heating pipes in wall, as you can in floors. The issue with both is obviously in the event of. Joint failure or pin hole, etc, you’ve got to get back to them.
As for plastic pipes in walls, I’d avoid, unless protected to avoid damages to them via nails, etc in the future.
Is underfloor heating a possible answer ? Get rid of all the microbore and radiators and UFH throughout through a manifold system which can be located anywhere you want, ie some always accessible, as this houses the key equipment, ie valves, pumps, etc.
As for plastic pipes in walls, I’d avoid, unless protected to avoid damages to them via nails, etc in the future.
Is underfloor heating a possible answer ? Get rid of all the microbore and radiators and UFH throughout through a manifold system which can be located anywhere you want, ie some always accessible, as this houses the key equipment, ie valves, pumps, etc.
Wings said:
Having had to deal with a leaking radiator heating pipe buried in concrete, I would be very hesitent in chasing heating pipe/s in plaster, concrete etc.
The last time I installed an heating system, I used push fit plastic pipes behind false skirting board.
Likewise. My wife's first flat had pipes inside the walls. It got a pinhole leak in a couple of places and it was horrendous - damp and great big mould patches for meters along the wall. They (wife and her dad) didn't realise the cause for a fair while as it happened to be an outside wall, and they assumed it was water somehow coming in from outside. Once the cause had been established it was a messy fix, too. Absolutely no way I'd have pipes buried right inside a wall.The last time I installed an heating system, I used push fit plastic pipes behind false skirting board.
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