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The reason I don't use flexis...

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bath tap at the back,fit tap with 2 copper tap connectors the 2 tails down to near floor push bath back and join to supply with compression fittings
 
Although I will no doubt keep using flexis, I see your point, and am I right in saying they suggest you shouldn't solder any joints 3-5 inches from the flexi? like ballaffix?
 
glenno1 said:
bath tap at the back,fit tap with 2 copper tap connectors the 2 tails down to near floor push bath back and join to supply with compression fittings
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then you have the ball ache of reaching under to back of bath to tighten comp fittings...not for me
imo
 
claireplumb said:
Although I will no doubt keep using flexis, I see your point, and am I right in saying they suggest you shouldn't solder any joints 3-5 inches from the flexi? like ballaffix?
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its good idea not to imo sweepea 🙂 tho have done it and used cold wet rag wrapped round fitting
 
Flexis have their place - back to wall loos, difficult access hidden situations. Pumps are fitted with flexis to avoid noise transmission, etc.
Modern copper pipe is very thin compared to older stuff.
And anyway, how long do you want it to last? Bathrooms & kitchens are often replaced after 15 years or so anyway, due to changing tastes (and the fact that many taps give up the ghost). Anyone want to buy my old avocado suite with gold taps?
 
I agree with some of what you say DIY BOB. Bathrooms and kitchens do get updated and many are every 5 years. Even although they get updated, the majority of the existing water supply pipework is re-used and new connections are made to it. Copper in my opinion will be there long after the last flexi in the installation.

I don't need to or use flexis on a btw toilet. A concealed cistern can just as easliy be piped up in copper.

Pumps are connected with flexis nowadays as pumps need servicing. I'ts easier to connect/disconnect a flexi going to a pump than it is to repeatedly disturb an olive on a compression fitting. High pressure pumps need a small degree of movement in them too, so that is one advantage of where a flexi is an adavantage. However the flexis are usually very high quality ones that are tested to be used at high pressures.

My original post is about these cheapo imported flexis that are now common place. Even taps come supplied with these poor quality hoses. I know, I've seen a burst one in PTS last week.

As to plastic plumbing, much of what is being said about it is purely conjecture. We are surmising that a brand of push fit will last or fail after a certain period of time as it's not been in service long enough to validate/invalidate any manufacturers claims about the longetivity of it's service life.

I like the tried and tested approach to what I do and in my opinion, copper ticks all my boxes.
 
Cheers System 3. I fitted my back-to-the-wall bath with flexis, mainly 'cos time was of the essence and it didn't occur to me at the time. Too late now! I don't know how to fit a BTW loo without flexis, but don't worry, I'm not intending to fit one either - I made sure I got one with a cutaway at the back so I could pipe it in with copper. As for flexi corrugated toilet waste connections, not for me thanks!

I always use copper for plumbing where possible, but I did use plastic pipe to get to a radiator at the other side of the room - it was easy to feed through. I'll keep a close watch on the ceiling below, though...

Not interested in my avocado suite, then? Don't tell my missus about kitchens being replaced after 5 years, please!
 
system3 said:
I agree with some of what you say DIY BOB. Bathrooms and kitchens do get updated and many are every 5 years. Even although they get updated, the majority of the existing water supply pipework is re-used and new connections are made to it. Copper in my opinion will be there long after the last flexi in the installation.

I don't need to or use flexis on a btw toilet. A concealed cistern can just as easliy be piped up in copper.

Pumps are connected with flexis nowadays as pumps need servicing. I'ts easier to connect/disconnect a flexi going to a pump than it is to repeatedly disturb an olive on a compression fitting. High pressure pumps need a small degree of movement in them too, so that is one advantage of where a flexi is an adavantage. However the flexis are usually very high quality ones that are tested to be used at high pressures.

My original post is about these cheapo imported flexis that are now common place. Even taps come supplied with these poor quality hoses. I know, I've seen a burst one in PTS last week.

As to plastic plumbing, much of what is being said about it is purely conjecture. We are surmising that a brand of push fit will last or fail after a certain period of time as it's not been in service long enough to validate/invalidate any manufacturers claims about the longetivity of it's service life.

I like the tried and tested approach to what I do and in my opinion, copper ticks all my boxes.
Click to expand...

And the moral of tis 14 PAGE thread is......DA DA......DONT USE CHEAP IMPORTED FLEXIS....:6:
ROFLMAO 🙂
 
....copper is still best Dancin. Here's a new debate:
Copper olives are better than brass olives because........
 
system3 i think you protest too much............your van must be full of flexis and pushfits, its all in the name...........

plumbing systems-



system 1 ----- lead
system 2 ----- copper
SYSTEM 3 ----- FLEXI FLEXI FLEXI........... :tounge_smile:


KJ
 
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i put this question (to use or not to use flexis) to mu tutor at college. his answer was, 'why would you spend years at college pulling bends in copper pipe to then go and use a nasty flexi hose in someones house'. this isnt my argument as i havnt got the experience to even take part, i just thought id share my tutor's view.
 
WaterTight said:
I#m pretty sure, the more I think about it, that the reason I use flexi's is because it's quicker and more lucrative than copper.
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That hits the nail right on the head. Flexi's and plastics save time and time is money.

I still won't use flexis unless they come with the taps or it is a btw pan or plastics unless it is virtually impossible to run a copper pipe through the space without major disruption.

Maybe i'm old fashioned but i take pride in what i do and the materials i use. Plumbing is easy, Most people could use plastics and flexis without any skills. However i believe when i leave a job the customer can look at it and know he /she has had a professional job done and can see the quality they are paying for. The same can not be said for flexi's and plastics.
 
Sadly, I find most of the public are totally ignorant of what materials a plumber uses. Oddly, they often will pay high prices for an unprofessional job. A job that uses plastic plumbing & flexis should be much cheaper for the customer, IMO, otherwise there is no point a plumber bothering to use copper.
 
well just now i have had 3 jobs in the last two weeks that i have been out to leaks on heating or leaks in lofts because plastic has been used, Mice are eating the pipes as there looking for places to nest just now a real pain in the bum but pays the wages
 
I had a call to a house in Kilsyth last year where a room in the top floor of the house was like a waterfall. Mice were having a banquet on the plastic pipework in the attic.
Even the cleanest, most expensive houses can have mice at one time or another and they just love eating plastic pipe.

It's interesting that no plastic pipe manufacturer has come up with a solution to this problem.
 
Plastic pipe manufacturers probably don't like to broadcast the problem of rodents eating pipes. Small print says, not suitable for places with rodents. That could mean anywhere! They also won't like the dangers of too hot water destroying the pipes, when a boiler overheats.
 
Best said:
They also won't like the dangers of too hot water destroying the pipes, when a boiler overheats.
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That happened to me last year and a plastic joint blew into orbit. Once was enough and won't use it again.
 
system3 said:
That happened to me last year and a plastic joint blew into orbit. Once was enough and won't use it again.
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At a boiler today, that the control stat failed & the plastic flow pipe disintegrated in several places - even 4 metres from boiler! This does, & will happen, occasionally,- this is the third job I have seen with same thing. Had it have been copper - then no problem.
 
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