What kind of pipe is this?

[j80jpw]

Im in the process of renovating an old bath/shower room, I want to put some isolation valves in between the shower supply pipes and the shower valve. Mainly beacuse the shower pump supplies two showers in the house and I want to be able to use the other while im working on this one. Shutting off the supply from the pump shuts off both.

The currently installed pipe is a flexible grey type, can I cut this and fit a conventional inline Valve of would I need to use the exact fittings for the specific pipe already used? If so can anyone identify the manufacturer, there arent any names on the pipes or fittings?

This is what they look like....






Would one of these give a good enough joint? http://www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk/image/cache...

[Neil - YVM]

I think the pipe / fittings are Hep2O.

You can use normal valves, but would need to put inserts into the pipe before tightening

[j80jpw]

Thanks Neil, screwfix do Hep20 and there's one just up the road from me!

[dazwalsh]

Be careful with isolation valves on water feeds, the flow can be restricted somewhat by the inner bore of the valve.

[j80jpw]

Good point, I may leave the current valve in place as long as I can with the hope the new will use the same fittings? Although I'm guessing that's quite unlikely!

Just been to get the isolation valves, when looking through them they do look to reduce the flow potential quite a lot, even when open!

[viscountdallara]

dazwalsh said:

Be careful with isolation valves on water feeds, the flow can be restricted somewhat by the inner bore of the valve.

Ask for a full bore iso.

[roofer]

I would have put a couple of gate valves on the copper at an accessible point. Now you are going to have a join in the pipe behind the tiling.

[Neil - YVM]

roofer said:

I would have put a couple of gate valves on the copper at an accessible point. Now you are going to have a join in the pipe behind the tiling.

Agree with putting them in an accessible place, if possible, but would never use gate valves. Full bore ISO ideal with levers, easier to use and without the issue of them seizing shut when closed.

[ColinM50]

If it were me, I'd replace the poly pipe with copper and put gate valves on the copper pipe in a place where I can get at the valves, maybe even outside the bathroom. I'd also try to move the pump away from that area too - how are you going to stop water getting on it but still be able to get to it to replace/maintain the pump? 240v under the shower head? Hmm, better you than me.

[g7jtk]

Looks like the shower mixing valve needs a service kit

[j80jpw]

Thats not the pump in the pics, whats shown is the mixing valve (tap) with the front removed, this is an old aqualisa valve which im removing so no service required!

The pump is located in the airing cupboard next to the tank. I have also now located a specific shut off for the hot and cold feed in the same cupboard which is a real result!

Next question.... which is the best aqua board to re-line it with and where is the best place to get it? Previously it was just standard plasterboard, which was complelty dry to be fair. How do you typically fit the aqua board? Screw?

[Rickyy]

Those elbows are Osma Gold push fit, not Hep2o.

You can mix and match different brands, but should a leak develop, the manufacturers won't accept responsibilty. Personally, I would undo the compression joints at the shower and stick compression cap ends on the end of the fittings going into it. You can use the nut and olive that is already on there.

If you do cut in the isolation valves, make sure you use pipe inserts!

[j80jpw]

Rickyy said:

Those elbows are Osma Gold push fit, not Hep2o.

Excellent, thanks Rickyy, I had realised they weren't Hep2o today after buying the tool to seperate the joints. I'll see if i can source an Osma tool.