plastic or copper pipe?

[minmax89]

Hi all.
Is there any truth in the notion that plastic pipe (qualpex) is better protected from frozen pipes splitting in that, well, they don't split. Like copper would.

Adam

 

[welly2510]

iv not come across the pipe splitting but this last winter i had loads of pushfit fittings forced of and a couple of fittings have been split in half through being frozen so i suppose that plastic pipe could split.

 

[dontknowitall]

I'd agree - not come across a split plastic pipe but attended to frozen plastic fittings that have failed.

 

[Gray0689]

It's always the fitting that will fail first

 

[GQuigley67]

I can't really see ice breaking through plastic pipe, the weak chain in the link are the fittings.

 

[SimonG]

It seems to always push the fitting off before splitting the pipe.

 

[minmax89]

Is that the same for brass push fittings then?

 

[stevetheplumber]

i think theres enough elasicity in the pipe work to accomodate the exspansion of water so its the fittings that split of push of

 

[wheeto]

Hi all.
Is there any truth in the notion that plastic pipe (qualpex) is better protected from frozen pipes splitting in that, well, they don't split. Like copper would.

Adam

Possibly, but the manufacturers say they should be insulated in the same way as copper. Not to mention that when the fitting pops off (as everyone mentions above!) you have a rather large hole for the water to p* through when the pipe thaws...