Hep2o and central heating

[philmots]

How good are the push fit elbows etc? I'm after using them with copper pipe. Apparently they're suitable for pressurised central heating systems (like mine which is on a combi) but I'm just a but dubious! Really would be handy if I could use these as i am modifying an existing system under the floor which doesn't leave me with enough room to get the compressions on and tight enough..

Can anyone put my mind at rest!?

[philmots]

^ written on iPhone

[anonymous-user]

I wouldn't trust them, why can't you solder? Get a heat mat if working in tight space. Easy.

[philmots]

That was my other thought.. What kit do I need? Blow torch/gas, joints, would i need extra solder and flux or is the stuff in the joints enough?

Cheers

[jagnet]

The new HEP2O fittings look a lot more reliable and come with a feature that helps ensure that the pipe is pushed fully into the fitting (the main cause of plastic pushfit failing). They give the new fittings a 50 year guarantee now, so they can't be too bad.

Having said that, a properly soldered joint is always going to last longer as there's no rubber o-rings to perish.

I always give fittings with integral solder rings a little extra dab of solder for peace of mind, but given the choice would rather use endfeed fittings.

Edited by jagnet on Friday 13th May 16:15

[dirkgently]

philmots said:

That was my other thought.. What kit do I need? Blow torch/gas, joints, would i need extra solder and flux or is the stuff in the joints enough?

Cheers

If you don't know how to solder Hep will be much more reliable.

[Arthur Jackson]

I wouldn't use a push-fit plastic system in a house I wanted to keep. We've ripped out several boilers on refurb projects due to the cost of sorting out leaks from 'o'-ring joints. The crimped plastic looks like it works well, but it looks hideous. I have my plumbers use copper at all times.

[philmots]

It's looking like I could be best just using a compression fitting then?

[Simpo Two]

philmots said:

That was my other thought.. What kit do I need? Blow torch/gas, joints, would i need extra solder and flux or is the stuff in the joints enough?

Cheers

It's actually nothing to be frightened of. I was until somebody showed me.

'Yorkshire' or 'solder ring' joints are easiest way to do 'proper' plumbing and avoid the scorns of the pros. Clean both parts, wipe flux around both parts where they will join, fit together and blast all round with a blow torch until you see a ring of bright silver solder appear and run round the joint. Immediately remove the heat and allow to cool.

http://www.diyhowto.co.uk/projects/copper-fittings...

This will NOT work on a pipe which has any dribble of water in it.

The disadvantage compared to push fit is that you cannot take the joint apart to make a small adjustment, or rotate it. Hence you have to be totally correct first time.

[philmots]

^ that's exactly how i thought (watched someone do it years ago)

It's just very tight and don't want to rip any more floor up really!!

[andy43]

I use yorkshire fittings and also run around them with a bit of extra solder just as you start to see the solder creeping out of the joint. Practise a bit first on spare bits of pipe, and as above make sure everything is bone dry, timber nearby is shielded from the flame, and you have enough space to work.
Just my DIY opinion but I'd trust pushfit as far as I could solder it to be honest, especially on heating that continually expands and contracts.

[Melchett]

I have just used some Hep2o to install an outside tap. I wanted to avoid having to install push fit elbows but couldnt, so I had to fit a few of them and they worked perfectly well. OK its not CH at 1-2bar, but it is mains pressure. They are much bulkier than copper elbows though.

The Hep2o pipe also had to go into a few compression joints and I had no problems with them either. They recommend using copper olives 'in preferencce to' brass ones. Someone said dont do them up mega tight straight away. I had to gradully tighten each joint until there were no drips. Job done. It is better if the Hep2o pipe goes into the compression joint 'straight', if you have to put a bend in the plastic pipe then leave a nice big radius.

DONT FORGET THE INTERNAL SLEEVES!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Deva Link]

philmots said:

It's just very tight and don't want to rip any more floor up really!!

If you do solder then keep a water spray handy in case anything starts to burn and keep checking after you've finished for 30 mins. I reckon the biggest problem for DIYers is it takes a while with a cheap blow-lamp. It's easy for a pro as with a decent blow-lamp it only takes seconds per joint.

Don't go bonkers with adding solder otherwise it can end up rattling in the pipes.

[Simpo Two]

Deva Link said:

If you do solder then keep a water spray handy in case anything starts to burn

You can provide limited protection with ceramic tiles, if you have any lying around. That said, when I got a real plumber in to work on some CH pipes in the floor, he used compression fittings.

[Deva Link]

Simpo Two said:

You can provide limited protection with ceramic tiles,

Well, you should use a solder mat - I thought someone had mentioned that earlier, but seems not. As well as shielding the surroundings, they help capture the heat so the job is quicker.

[Simpo Two]

Deva Link said:

Well, you should use a solder mat

Yep, I guessed there was some kind of pseudo-asbestos thing - though not something a DIYer would normally have.