How to remove metal insert from plastic Pipe

Mmark · 29 Apr 2016

I have a plastic pipe used in a brass elbow compression fitting. The things leaking, so i've had to remove and replace but I don't have much leeway and cannot damage the pipe in anyway - the other side is embedded in concrete, under a tiled path and would be prohibitive to have to fully replace.

I got the olive off, but I cannot seem to get the metal insert out. Any ideas? Is there a special tool for this?

Mark

Dan Robinson · 29 Apr 2016

Hep inserts have barbs, so if you have them then you're screwed.

Pictures please.

Mmark · 29 Apr 2016

Dan Robinson said:
Hep inserts have barbs, so if you have them then you're screwed.

Pictures please.

I found this article, suggested using an expanding rawbolt. Tried it, worked great. Luckily the insert was smooth.

Mark

Tipper · 29 Apr 2016

I've always yanked them out a little with a pair of pliers then prised them out with a screwdriver.
Only the newer Hep2O sleeves have barbs, the older ones don't. Both come out OK.

sooey · 29 Apr 2016

Why did you have to replace the insert if you'd got the olive off?

Agile · 30 Apr 2016

I was wondering that too.

In fact I wondered how it was leaking and thinking that a little PTFE usually solve small leaks!

SandyLyon · 30 Apr 2016

Since you're got the olive off replace it with a copper one (softer than brass) if needed a bit of PTFE tape as Agile says.
Don't use jointing paste with plastic and make sure you put the insert back into the plastic pipe.

DP · 30 Apr 2016

Wire with a hook will remove many insets, others like speed fit and ones DR mentioned might need to be cut out if you cannot find replacements

Cut the pipe with a cutter instead of saw (rough saw cut often not square so seal may be compromised or plastic barbs etc causing leak)

In past have used PTFE with mixed results

dilalio · 30 Apr 2016

I usually try sticking a speedfit pushfit stop end on the pipe and then take it off again as the inserts often come out inside the stopend!

Mmark · 30 Apr 2016

Thanks all.

I'm just going to replace everything except for the plastic pipe that cannot be moved, the parts are not expensive. The copper pipe is oxidised and covered in bonding, and I read that inserts can be damaged, so best to replace. Maybe they could just be re-used, but the parts where cheap, so I thought it simpler to do it, and make sure it was right.

I have to stick with a brass elbow as the plaster space is small and a plastic elbow will protrude otherwise.

Definitely going with a brass olive on the copper side, that was something I learnt yesterday - thanks for confirming this is a good idea. I will stick with a copper olive on the plastic side.

I have some paste for the copper side - it seems the world is split 50/50 on paste vs ptfe tape.

Was just reading today about whether paste can or cannot be used on the plastic side, thanks for confirming it cannot, will need to look into what I can use that side, maybe just ptfe for that side.

Fingers crossed

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How to remove metal insert from plastic Pipe

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