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Working with plastic pipes in plumbing - Pipe Fitting

Tools for this pipe fitting section

Small hacksaw, plastic pipe cutters, electric drill and bits, pliers, spanners, file, craft knife. Available to buy here

Plastic pipe is great for DIY jobs because of its versatility. Its easy to cut, requires fewer joints and simple to use. It can be used for hot and cold water supplies and in mains or tank systems as well as central heating - it can even be joined to metal pipe! Plastic water pipe is less likely to freeze but should still be protected in vulnerable areas.

It requires less skill to fit plastic water pipe than it does metal pipe. Lucky for me when pipe fitting, I prefer to use plastic pipes as it saves time for me. In property with wooden floors, when fitting copper pipe in long runs you would normally have to lift floorboards - with plastic piping you can feed the pipe through like cabling, lifting just a few boards at each end and maybe a few more to drill through joists.

Pipe fitting planning tips:

• Clip horizontal runs of water pipe to prevent sagging
• For sharp bends use a formed bend clip.
• Run it under the floor the same as metal pipes
• In long hot pipe runs fit an expansion loop
• Keep o rings clear from dirt to prevent leaking
• Put pipe liners in the ends

Cutting tip:

You can cut plastic pipe either before installing, or as you go along as it is so easy. It is better to use the special plastic pipe cutters rather than a hacksaw.

Bending tip:

There are two ways of bending flexible plastic pipe, either using a free bend (just bending it while you are fitting it or using a form bend. The free bend is best used in long radius and you can restrain the pipe with clips. If you need to make a tight bend you use a former which holds it in place firmly. Make sure you are not kinking the pipe as you fit it, and remember that the pipe is naturally straight and will always try to return to its former position.

Joining tip:

There are two main types of fitting for plastic pipe: push fit and compression. When fitting either joint, ensure you fit pipe liners in to support the pipe walls. File off and loose material and use a silicone lubricant to push the pipe into the fitting.

Plumbworld - buy your plastic and copper pipe here

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