Plumbing bods

[Nickyboy]

Am about to replace my sink/toilet and was wondering about these plastic push-fit connectors everyone seems to be using, anyone used them before? I've done plenty of soldering of copper pipes before but i'm thinking ease of fitting etc plus the fact i'll have to buy all the soldering stuff again.

Any experiences?

[Trevelyan]

Well most new build houses are built using these now so in theory they should be fine.

That said I've never chosen to use them myself. I've heard a few horror stories of the things coming apart (normally put down to a mistake by the installer though). I prefer the security of a soldered joint myself. Each to his own though...

[Ferg]

I don't know a proper plumber that uses push fit except in very specific places.
The house-bashers use plastic for speed, but even then it's normally crimped.

Essentially, it looks st where exposed, air-locks easily due to it's shape memory under floors, is a favourite snack for rodents and is eaten by solder flux when it's allowed to run down through floors.
You get what you pay for with plumbing.

[Nickyboy]

I'm only doing a small section behind the sink/toilet and getting access to strip all the painted copper for resoldering as well as getting decent access for blow torch is what made me think these would be easier for such a small area

[Ferg]

You'll need to get the paint off for push-fit fittings too...

[Nickyboy]

Stupid in accessable council built places

[Spragnut]

You can get copper push fittings from screwfix.. I've used them for somewhere in-accessible and they seem pretty good, really easy to use and all they require is the end of the pipe to be wire-wooled and they push straight on.. seem a lot more secure than the plastic ones, I had one spare so put it on a bit of scrap and tried to get it off, only way of doing it was to bend the "clamp" part of it out with a screwdriver, even tried hammering it off and that was a no go.

Cheers

Jim

[Simpo Two]

Ferg said:

You get what you pay for with plumbing.

Push-fit cost more than solder ring

I've used both and generally favour soldering for neatness and feel-good factor, but there are times when you can't get a blowlamp into a tight corner, or you might need to disconnect it for something.

If you go push-fit, I'd say get a good brand - I like the ones with a concentric ring you push to release rather than the screw-up ones - and make sure you get the pipe lined up straight. I failed to do this once and the joint blew off. Luckily I was in the room at the time - opened the cupboard and it was like a car-wash inside!

[Ferg]

Simpo Two said:

Ferg said:

You get what you pay for with plumbing.

Push-fit cost more than solder ring

But having the job done properly costs more.

[Ricky_M]

Avoid pushfit at all costs. Nearly every concealed leak I go to reveals a speedfit fitting.

Unless they are fitted perfectly square with no stress they will leak. Honestly don't bother with them, they are a waste of time and are taking the skill out of the trade.

A well prepared, soldered and cleaned copper joint will last a lifetime. A plastic fitting with a rubber O-ring constantly heating and cooling will not.

[Simpo Two]

Ferg said:

Simpo Two said:

Ferg said:

You get what you pay for with plumbing.

Push-fit cost more than solder ring

But having the job done properly costs more.

I know Like having a photographer to do the company brochure and not the marketing assistant!