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Default Plastic Pipes in central heating


"BillR" wrote in message
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Zetor wrote:
Hi,
I just had a new combi boiler fitted by 2 extremley efficient gas
fitters, they did a really good tidy job, on talking to them about the
use of plastic pipes I ask why they still use copper, they said that
they still use copper for the central heating pipes as it is far
better then plastic as they didn't believe plastic was as air tight as
a good soldered joint. They had even replaced boilers of only 2 years
old which had corroded due to poor installtion and extensive use of
plastic pipes. Does anyone know what conditions air could get into a
sealed system like me combi? I have one radiator which is plumbed in
plastic and now wonder if I should maybe get it piped in copper.

Zetor


British Gas won't allow maintainance contract on system with plastic pipe
that doesn't have a barrier layer.
That doesn't mean to say that such systems are no good, its just that they
are very fussy (and seriously overcharge). You can see the barrier layer

if
you look at the pipe end, its a ring in the middle of the wall.
All the hepworth stuff in my local Jewson's seems to have it.
Allegedly without it minute amounts of oxygen can permeate through the
plastic.
You can plumb a system with far less joints in plastic, so its quicker and
overall less risk of leaks.
You cannot use it for gas or within 1/2M or so of the boiler CH

flow/return.

Marley Equator and Speedfit pipe is barrier pipe. The other makers have two
types. Non-barrier and barrier. You need the barrier pipe for CH. the
none barrier is fine for hot and cold water systems. It is all silly. All
pipe should be barrier pipe then there will be no problems.

If you can fit copper then do so, and only fit plastic where it is required.
If speed and ease of installtion is the point then use copper with brass
push-fit fittings, which now are about the price of plastic fittings.


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