Failing Speedfit plumbing joints

[Crumpet]

Five years ago the house had entirely new central heating, all connected using Speedfit type plastic fittings. I was dubious at the time but was assured they're just as good as soldered copper piping so I accepted them.

Anyway, within the first year we'd had two leaks, both on 90 degree connectors, but both easy fixes. Now, five years later, we've had another massive leak that's taken us six weeks to find (boiler wouldn't hold pressure) and unfortunately it's under the kitchen floor.

My questions are; is this normal for plastic fittings? And, if not, is it reasonable to ask (demand) the plumber to fix it for no charge? Is it just one of the joys of home ownership and a mishap that I should just suck up, or is it likely to be poor parts and workmanship?

[Crumpet]

Thanks guys, the cost of the part is minimal so so any warranty on that doesn't bother me. It's the hassle of either doing this myself or the expense of getting the plumber back.

We have a good relationship with the plumber but do feel he's made a bit of a pig's ear of our installation. Would I be out of order to ask him to fix it free of charge? I don't want to have an argument and have to start finding another plumber as he's usually straight round whenever the boiler packs up!

[Crumpet]

LookAtMyCat said:

Inserts inserted incorrectly, if used.
Inserts not used and bad cuts made on the pipe ends.
Pipe not inserted into the fitting adequately.
Swarf from the pipe cutting fouling the fitting seals.
Constant expansion and contraction from heating cycles weakening the joint and the locking rings aren't done up because, fk, that takes 1 second extra.

That's just off the top of my head. I would never fit a whole heating system in Pushfit EXCEPT when there is a visible manifold made up with no-joint runs to every location. I would not put any joints where I could not see them. Plus, i'm not a fking idiot and can joint Speedfit properly.

That's why I get 9/10 heating installs I quote and I do 100% in copper.

You see this makes me want to tackle the job myself. That way I can see the state of the cuts and whether he's used inserts.

It's strange because the long pipe runs are done in plastic but the last 24" are always in copper so it's not like he can't do copper piping!

I have to say, if I was planning a central heating install I'd have thought it logical to have these fittings in a visible location and either keep joints easily accessible or not have any at all.

[Crumpet]

LookAtMyCat said:

Inserts inserted incorrectly, if used.
Inserts not used and bad cuts made on the pipe ends.
Pipe not inserted into the fitting adequately.
Swarf from the pipe cutting fouling the fitting seals.
Constant expansion and contraction from heating cycles weakening the joint and the locking rings aren't done up because, fk, that takes 1 second extra.

That's just off the top of my head. I would never fit a whole heating system in Pushfit EXCEPT when there is a visible manifold made up with no-joint runs to every location. I would not put any joints where I could not see them. Plus, i'm not a fking idiot and can joint Speedfit properly.

That's why I get 9/10 heating installs I quote and I do 100% in copper.

I'm guessing this makes you correct?

Lock ring not been tightened.

[Crumpet]

Just noticed my thread has been revived! I really shouldn’t have titled it ‘Speedfit’ because I now know that the fittings that failed were the cheapo Polypipe system. And in any case, I don’t think they failed, they just either loosened themselves or the plumber never tightened them.

Since then I’ve replumbed a lot of the house but have used Speedfit and, touch wood, haven’t had any issues.

I did make a mistake recently by using a Speedfit fitting on Polypipe pipe. Good job I did a thorough check after turning the water on as it blew straight off. So all the stuff I’ve replaced recently have to have copper pipe into the last Polypipe fitting and then I can start with the Speedfit onto the copper.

I suppose a reflection of my confidence in plastic is that I have five ‘leak detectors’ placed under areas where it’s heavily used! I just wish they’d automatically turn the stop tap off when activated.