Plumbing help. Plastic pipe and compression fittings

Nightglow · 2 Apr 2013 at 15:35

Simon said:
Ah the straight under the floor? That's connected to plastic again (after a 90deg bend just out of shot.

If it's all plastic then no earthing, earthing requirements are so confusing, I'm old school, & my motto 'if in doubt earth it', especially a metal bath.

With respect, by unnecessary mixing of copper compression with plastic, you have made the job more complicated than it needed to be.

Simon · 2 Apr 2013 at 17:20

Yeah can see that now but read a few people recommending it

Participant · 2 Apr 2013 at 19:14

With the right inserts, i.e. metal ones, there's no issue running compression fittings to plastic pipes, even with brass olives though they are stiffer, so I'm not entirely sure why it leaked myself.

Nightglow · 2 Apr 2013 at 19:45

Why mix & match?

You use plastic, then stick with it, can't see any benefits using a odd copper compression fitting to join two pieces of plastic pipe.

And stick with copper olives, less chance of having leaks, plus Speedfit recommend copper olives.

I have some brass olives here, they are very hard, use them with plastic to copper compression, you will damage the pipe before they compress properly.

Simon · 2 Apr 2013 at 21:12

Speedfits are too bulky for the room I had. Especially between the joint and wall for the 90 def fittings.

Got new copper olives and some boss white to help lube things up. Made a massive difference to how it felt tightening up and it's now water tight.

Thanks for all the help. Very pleased

Participant · 2 Apr 2013 at 21:15

Nightglow said:
Why mix & match?

You use plastic, then stick with it, can't see any benefits using a odd copper compression fitting to join two pieces of plastic pipe.

Indeed. But that doesn't answer the question of why it leaked.

Nightglow said:
I have some brass olives here, they are very hard, use them with plastic to copper compression, you will damage the pipe before they compress properly.

Not if you use the right (metal) inserts.

Nightglow · 2 Apr 2013 at 21:15

Good to hear you got it sorted & not a leak in sight.

Nightglow · 2 Apr 2013 at 21:31

Robbie G said:
Indeed. But that doesn't answer the question of why it leaked.

Brass olives, too hard to compress & grip the pipe properly.

Not if you use the right (metal) inserts.

Speedfit use plastic inserts, whereas say Hep o2 still use metal inserts I think.

Boss White should only be used on central heating systems, you should use Boss Green or something similar for potable water.

Simon · 2 Apr 2013 at 23:58

Doh. I just asked in local plumbers and that all they seemed to offer. They felt much better to tighten up with less friction on the threads/olive

I don't plan on drinking water from bathroom and shower is on mains so should be ok ?