most reliable copper to plastic

[nickjb]

Our heating is all copper but I need to add a rad that is rather fiddly to get to so it will need to be plastic (15mm). The join will be under the floor so what is the best, leak free way to make the connection?

 

[AngelesPlumbing]

My experience copper is still the best, cant stand with plastic they look awful,up to you for long term i prefer copper. If they dont connected properly they will leak copper and plastic.

 

[Newboy]

JG Speedfit.
Don't forget inserts in the plastic (barrier) pipework and make sure all your copper cuts are clean, square and burr-free - use a pipeslice

 

[gas112]

Fiddly in what way ? as in your doing it yourself and dont have the equipment to bend copper pipe ?

Copper is always best

 

[nickjb]

No, I have decent copper bender etc. It just needs to threaded under the floor and through a plastered wall. To do it in copper would need lifting the finished floor and hacking a hole in the plasterboard. It can be done in single run with plastic, the only join will be to the existing copper at one end and the rad at the other.

 

[Radnore]

I have found plastic to be OK provided its prepared correctly. Seen mistakes were the ends have been cut and not de-burred properly and this has caused leaks, simple few seconds lightly sanding the cut edges really does matter. well IMO anyway

 

[SandyLyon]

No, I have decent copper bender etc. It just needs to threaded under the floor and through a plastered wall. To do it in copper would need lifting the finished floor and hacking a hole in the plasterboard. It can be done in single run with plastic, the only join will be to the existing copper at one end and the rad at the other.

Take care when threading the plastic pipe through walls and under floors, any scores or scratches on the pipe could be a potential source of a weep if the "O" ring sits on it.

Best to protect a section of pipe with a bit of tape and make the connection on the section that has been protected.

Hep2o pipe is PB (Polybutylene) and is more flexible than Speedfit (PEX)

 

[SandyLyon]

I have found plastic to be OK provided its prepared correctly. Seen mistakes were the ends have been cut and not de-burred properly and this has caused leaks, simple few seconds lightly sanding the cut edges really does matter. well IMO anyway

Shouldn't need to if you use plastic pipe cutters as per manufacturers recommendations.

But good advice, use cutters, cut square, use insert, make sure pipe is inserted fully, use one of the main manufacturers and not cheap and nasty.

 

[Radnore]

I have found plastic to be OK provided its prepared correctly. Seen mistakes were the ends have been cut and not de-burred properly and this has caused leaks, simple few seconds lightly sanding the cut edges really does matter. well IMO anyway

Shouldn't need to if you use plastic pipe cutters as per manufacturers recommendations.

But good advice, use cutters, cut square, use insert, make sure pipe is inserted fully, use one of the main manufacturers and not cheap and nasty.

Sadly there are to many DIYer's who are not equipped correctly