Chasing Pipes in Walls

[ParanoidAndroid]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question. Currently gutting the bathroom and putting a new one in. Will need to chase some pipework into the walls for the wall mounted radiator/towel rail and wall mounted bath controls etc.

Question is what should I put the pipes in to stop the copper reacting with the mortar, read somewhere that you can wrap them in tape but wondered if there is a preferred method? Obviously the pipes need to be able to expand/contract slightly with the heat.

Cheers,
Graham

[Gingerbread Man]

Use plastic in the wall.

[anonymous-user]

Is it realy that wrong to bury copper pipes in mortar? My house was built in 1970 & all the ground floor pipes are buried in the screed, under parquet flooring. No leaks in 40+ years....

[DrDeAtH]

wrap copper in denso tape if burying in concrete/plaster.

it has been known for people to use insulation tape, but a few good layers.

the problem with using plastic pipe is that you will need either a bulky pushfit elbow or compression fitting in the wall.

[mattdaniels]

Having seen what a mess push fit connections can make of a lounge following the cold weather before Christmas, I'd avoid them.

[hairyben]

mattdaniels said:

Having seen what a mess push fit connections can make of a lounge following the cold weather before Christmas, I'd avoid them.

If pipes freeze, they can push just about anything apart, including soldered, compression joints etc. Ice is very powerfull.

[Simpo Two]

hairyben said:

If pipes freeze, they can push just about anything apart, including soldered, compression joints etc.

Yes, the ice this winter broke a solder joint outside. It was at the end of a 10' run so the linear expansion would have been a lot, and muggins didn't turn off/drain the supply in time.

[B17NNS]

Gaffer tape (rape tape ) would be fine.

[mattdaniels]

hairyben said:

If pipes freeze, they can push just about anything apart, including soldered, compression joints etc. Ice is very powerfull.

The pipes weren't frozen though. Push fit connectors are the work of the devil and should not be buried in walls.

[CedGTV]

As mentioned above, Denso tape to wrap the pipe before burying in mortar etc etc.

It would help to be wearing a pair of latex gloves when applying it as well as the grease on the tape is like st to blanket......sticky as....