Yorkshire, Compression, Ordinary Soldered?? Plastic/copper

[aaron1987]

I am probably going to open a whole can of worms here as I am sure that everyone has different opinions! lol

I am soon to be moving some radiators, and installing new bath, shower, wash basin etc.

I am wondering what people advise as best in regards to connections etc.

I do not have any real experience with pipe work, I have done little bits of pipe diy such as fit radiator valves and a shower before etc but not anything extensive.

The pipes I have running around the house are 15mm copper.

So, what would people recommend I am best doing given my limited experience?

1) For connecting pipes together, yorkshire, compression, push fitting, ordinary soldered etc
2) Type of pipe to use, copper or plastic

Any other advice people can give I would appreciate - I am moving a radiator, and when putting new bath and shower in I am moving taps - probably to mount on the wall

 

[aaron1987]

Yorkshire fittings look easy enough.

Prefilled with solder then just heat up? What can go wrong

 

[Charnwood]

Easiest, Push-fit, followed by compression, using either copper, PEX or polybutylene pipe.

Most reliable, end feed (normal solder), solder ring (Yorkshire), preferrably using copper pipe, not plastic.

Cheapest, end feed.

 

[Johnmelad]

but the Yorkshire fittings look easy enough. Prefilled with solder then just heat up? What can go wrong

Clean fitting and pipe, apply flux - then heat.

 

[Andygasman2010]

Copper + soldering is more expensive, takes more time and is difficult if you're not experienced. It's one thing making a joint on a work bench in a vice but on your back behind a bath???

I'm not a fan of compression fittings because it doesn't take much pipe movement to shift the joint and cause a leak. Plastic is better because it'll move all day long without a problem.

Plastic is the way to go, especially for DIYers.

 

[Johnmelad]

Plastic is the way to go, especially for DIYers.

Copper is proper, plastic is spastic.

 

[Andygasman2010]

Can't argue with copper is proper

 

[Johnmelad]

I'm not a fan of compression fittings because it doesn't take much pipe movement to shift the joint and cause a leak.

So how do you join plastic pipe without compression fittings - that you are not a fan of?

Plastic will move more that copper and the compression fitting will give quicker.

Copper is proper...

 

[Andygasman2010]

Join plastic pipe with plastic fittings. Why would you join plastic pipe any other way?

 

[Johnmelad]

Join plastic pipe with plastic fittings. Why would you join plastic pipe any other way?

OMG Pushfit...

The only time I have ever used pushfit are their pushfit stop-ends when I need to cap a copper pipe temporarily.

 

[Andygasman2010]

If the OP is going to use plastic pipe, why would he use anything else to join it other than Push-Fit fittings?

 

[Johnmelad]

If the OP is going to use plastic pipe, why would he use anything else to join it other than Push-Fit fittings?

If I had to, I would use inserts and brass compressions.

Though I do make good money from DIYr's who's push-fits that have failed.

 

[Andygasman2010]

Movement is designed into Push-fit fittings so they don't leak if they do move, brass compression won't.

Brass compression is the wrong way to connect plastic pipes together but it can be done if needs be.

Soldered copper pipe and fittings are obviously best, not solder-ring though! That's the lazy mans choice. End feed all the way! Good to keep some Yorkshire on the van for awkward situations though.

Plastic and push-fit is really good because lots of people these days are on a tight budget and it saves on materials and labour costs.

 

[Andygasman2010]

The only time I have ever used pushfit are their pushfit stop-ends when I need to cap a copper pipe temporarily.

Well aren't you clever

 

[Johnmelad]

Well aren't you clever

And good looking!