Plastic pipe blown off shower - what's gone wrong?!

[hoverjumper]

I re-plumbed an old shower with a new shower valve recently. After cutting an access hole in the partition wall, I replaced the old flexible braided pipes with plastic pipes. This morning, shortly after a shower, the hot water pipe blew off from the compression fitting on the shower valve spraying mains pressure hot water into my wall and ceiling cavity. The pipe had pulled out leaving the olive inside the nut. Its a good job I was in, water shut off pronto and no harm done! I've reconnected with a new olive but am wondering if I'm missing something. Photos included below. So what have I done wrong?

should the plastic pipe have some kind of reinforcing insert inside the end going into the compression joint?

perhaps the nut is the wrong one and is not compressing the olive properly?

should i only use copper piping to connect to the shower valve?

Grateful for any pearls!


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• hoverjumper
• 13 Dec 2010
• 1

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• hoverjumper
• 13 Dec 2010
• 1

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• hoverjumper
• 13 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[hoverjumper]

Took me a while, photos now appear above!

 

[EnLiven]

should the plastic pipe have some kind of reinforcing insert inside the end going that goes into the compression joint?

Yes.

 

[hoverjumper]

should the plastic pipe have some kind of reinforcing insert inside the end going that goes into the compression joint?

Yes.

Shame they don't tell you that when they sell you the pipe!

I know, I'm s'posed to know these things

 

[Technotim]

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• Technotim
• 13 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[mickroyds]

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• Technotim
• 13 Dec 2010
• 1

Sure I've seen some were that, that type of 'O' ring insert should not be used on a compression olive fitting, a plain plastic or metal insert should be used ?

I'll stand corrected.

Mick.

 

[MJN]

That's right. The Speedfit Product Guide states to use their standard inserts (code TSM) for compression fittings.

The o-ring inserts are intended when using just their pipe and fittings as the efficacy of the o-ring relies on accurate mating with the inside of the fitting. With another manufacturer's fitting, particularly compression, the inside form and dimensions can vary hence compatibility is reduced.

To the OP, don't be too disheartened - this could've happened after you'd patched and plastered the hole!

Mathew

 

[muggles]

You should also have inserts in all your pushfit joints, as without them these may also blow sooner or later

 

[paul78]

dont forget use copper olives not brass!! if in doubt local plumbers merchants will have the exact parts needed for the job

 

[IJWS15]

As an amateur I have attempted a couple of compression joints on JG pipe, not easy to get right so now I use a straight connector and put a short length of copper in for the compression joint.

Couple of £ more but I am happier with the installation.