Using plastic pipes and fittings for additional radiators

[RyanAirelle]

Hi,

I am installing two new radiators to my house and wondered if its ok to use plastic pipe and fittings? I will use copper pipe from below the floorboard to the valve, but for the rest I would prefer the ease of plastic.

I am sure that I have heard plastic is not best for a sealed system, especially push in type connectors.

Any comments?

Read more: //www.diynot.com/forums/floors-stairs-lofts/adding-new-radiators.294602/#2144709#ixzz1aa7w24lY

 

[hammerswinger]

Yeah it's perfectly fine to use plastic for your new rads, if you use chrome pipe from under the floor to the rad valves make sure to sand the chrome off the pipe where it goes into the push fit fitting as the grip rings in the fitting may not grip the chrome resulting in the pipe parting from the fitting.

Plastic pipe will work fine on a sealed pressurised system.


Good luck with your project.

Cheers.

 

[foxhole]

Unless the boiler safety valve fails shut like my daughter did, the pressure blew the weakest point , a length of plastic pipe under the front room floor, fortunate as it turned out the only room which was unfinished and easily replaced. Had it been all copper would have been a big mess somewhere in the property.

 

[RyanAirelle]

Thanks for the info guys it makes life so much easier when carrying out small jobs like this to use plastic.

One point though, are plastic push fittings OK? and is it equally sound to use plastic pipe for hot and cold water? I am converting my loft and again using flexible pipe would be much easier to install. However, the cold water feed could pose a problem I guess. I have a condenser boiler which delivers from a hot water tank and as such do not expect to many issues (although as it travels up into the ensuite will the force of water be very slow)?

Again, any help / experiences would be appreciated.

Ryan

 

[hammerswinger]

Yeah the plastic push fit fittings will work fine on the central heating system and the hot and cold water system.

...(although as it travels up into the ensuite will the force of water be very slow)?

Not sure what you mean here?

Do you have an open vented hot water system?
Where is your hot water cylinder located?
Where is the tank that feeds the hot water cylinder?
Maybe a picture or two would help.

Cheers.