Tim+ wrote:
Tim+ Wrote in
This?ll be the second time I?ve been cursed with inappropriate use of
braided (probably ?Speedfit?) hoses in a CH system. The last time was on my
Myson kickspace heater.
Lest there is any doubt, these fecking hoses are NOT for use in CH systems!
Speedfit website clearly says so. Do not let any plumber fit them in your
house.
/end grumble.
Braided pipe in situ:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JLEQHgNDXWTU1HDg2
Pipe extracted:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SboH9X72KB1E85DJ2
Cross section of middle:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zWlm3bm0E2lUG0mA2
Cross section of end near coupling:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EcNQthYVIhjakL5h2
As expected it was a bit of a bugger to extract but fortunately
there was enough access to allow me to use my quickcut on the
pipe beyond the inaccessible joint and re-join it all with a
longer loop of speedfit tubing and connectors.
When I cut the braided section in two there was thick black gritty
sludge completely filling the pipe. It could be displaced by
running it under a fast flowing tap though. I then cut through it
immediately adjacent to one end and whilst there was a bit a
moveable sludge. The end of the pipe was filled with a hard plug
of impacted material.
So, it's clearly not the rubber swelling as I imagined but a build
up of either corrosion of the fitting itself or deposition of
crud in the pipework perhaps exacerbated by small internal bore
of the connectors. (About 6mm).
Anyhow, as this is the second time I've seen this happen with
these flexible hoses in CH systems I think that it's a strong
indication never to use them.
The radiator is now toasty and warm for the first time in years.
A very satisfying hour's work.
Tim
I have had one of these braided pipes fail by hardening and leaking in
the cold water supply to a lavatory cistern. Provenance uncertain, age
uncertain (less than 30 years) but bent through 90deg and slightly
kinked by a *hot* pipe. I suspect the hot pipe (and the rubber being
rated for cold) to be the main culprit. But I wouldn't use them unless
I had to (with mixer taps for instance).
--
Roger Hayter