plastic pipe joint failure

[THOMAS PATTON]

Hi all
I am flooring my en-suite in my bungalow.I have been using HEP2 barrier
plastic for all the plumbing and have used it under my suspended floor.Being
a D-I-Y job I have used the correct metal inserts all HEP2 fittings and cut
the pipe with the correct plastic pipe cutter.I have taken great care over
ensuring the pipes are fully home in their fittings.The water has been on
for a week now and no leaks.
I am now ready to double ply and ceramic tile over.Just back from Plumb
Centre where two plumbers were having a heated debate about plastic pipe o
rings along the lines of "greatest thing since sliced bread" vs "I dont fit
plastic pipe".
I am not replacing the plastic with copper.
Surely HEP2 is good stuff must admit its an absolute doddle to fit--if you
push the pipe fully home in the coupling.

[Grunff]

<yawn>

--
Grunff

[rob]

I have had two fittings fail after a period of time one was just a
weep but the other caused quite a lot of damage. When i contacted the
plumber he said he had stopped using hepworth and moved to speed fit.
his main reason was that hepworth refuse to agree its thre fittings but
speed fit will discuss damages. In my case its a ceiling to be
repaired.
I too thought i was buying the best, but looking back is it.
Rob

[timeg...@my-deja.com]

Do a search on this group. Lots of views pro and against. One thread
mentioned Hep2O nuts working loose. The hard professionals don't tend
to like it. I have used it, although not 100%, and have only had one
problem in 5 years. Would I put it in my own house? Going by the bad
press, probably no, except in places I have no option. I found it
interesting that many advise using normal brass compression joints
instead of pushfit fittings on plastic pipe. Also, plastic pipe and
fittings are not exactly cheap either.

[timeg...@my-deja.com]

Hepworth give 30 or 50 year guarantee. Like most of these long
guarantees they are worthless.

[timeg...@my-deja.com]

Rob,

I forgot to ask. Was it on a hot pipe? The only problem I have had was
on a hot pipe.

[rob]

yep it was both times.
rob

[Sponix]

On 23 Feb 2006 03:33:59 -0800, timeg...@my-deja.com wrote:

>Do a search on this group. Lots of views pro and against. One thread
>mentioned Hep2O nuts working loose. The hard professionals don't tend
>to like it. I have used it, although not 100%, and have only had one
>problem in 5 years. Would I put it in my own house? Going by the bad
>press, probably no, except in places I have no option. I found it
>interesting that many advise using normal brass compression joints
>instead of pushfit fittings on plastic pipe. Also, plastic pipe and
>fittings are not exactly cheap either.

Personally I use copper with soldered joints in my own house as it
seems less prone to failure.

What worries me about plastic is that the joints are often under
strain, especially when the pipework is bent and some of it also gets
warm (and in the process gets softer).

With soldered pipework the joints are very effectively joined
together...plastic is relying on friction only.

In addition, I question the longevity of the 'O' rings. Will they
really last 50 years?

However, I wouldn't worry about it if it were already installed in my
house.

sponix