Speedfit elbows or cold forming bend....

[Gossamer]

im moving some rads and am undecided whether to use elbows or cold forming bends (cfb's). Most people seem to use elbows but it seems preferable to use cfb's for a better flow.

Anyone experience of cfb's and their long term reliability?

 

[ScottishGasMan]

When you say cold forming bend, are you referring to using speed fit pipe and just bending it a bit?

If that's the case the bends are fine it's what speed fit is for, as far as reliability goes it's not a 'thing' it's just a flexible pipe that you will have flexed a bit so it's as reliable as a straight pipe, assuming you stick to the minimum bend radius (ie don't get to the point it could kink)

Les fittings is always preferable, but not everyone has room under the floor to bend it to the vertical for the radiator so thus the 90 degree elbow fitting option

 

[Gossamer]

One of these:

 

[ScottishGasMan]

Yea, that's just bending the pipe by hand and using that bit to keep it in shape, if u got the room for them then go for it

 

[Gossamer]

I just put them on and laid the pipe. I assume that's all you need to do?

 

[ScottishGasMan]

Yep

 

[simond]

We use these under/in solid floors so there's no joints to leak.

Pushfit stuff is liable to leak, especially if you slightly scratch the exterior of the pipe during installation (warranties specifically exclude this), so the cold forming bend is a great thing to use where you won't be able to inspect it afterwards.

 

[Gossamer]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm using them under wooden floors rather than elbows, just for better flow.

 

[ScottishGasMan]

Best way to do it, less elbows = less chance for leaks also. And yes there will be a little less resistance also.