Removing old push fit elbow

[mountainman]

Don't believe all you read.
Cut the plastic pipe with a hacksaw blade.
Fit a comp coupling and tnsert to cut end then re-run rest in copper.

 

[Koogatubac]

Just out of interest, my property is a bungalow, built in 1989 and all original plumbing for the heating in copper and all under concrete floors (don't know if it is in any sort of channelling or anything). Previous owners added an extension in approx 1995/6 and all the extension of heating system is done in plastic pipe, again under concrete. Over the years I have done quite a lot of work around the house and come to the conclusion that the original property was very well built and everything done to a good standard but whoever did the extension was probably a relation of John Wayne or Wyatt Earp or........ well you get the idea I guess. If you guys think the plumbing was a bit dodgy, you should have seen the electrical work when we first came here!!

Alot of its due to the horrible factor of cost!

I quoted for a full heating, some heatings were going in concrete and i stated you need to use copper. She said other plumbers have said they will do 99% of the whole system in plastic

Main factors are Plastic is easier to work with, faster to install, cheaper HOWEVER

rodents find it very tasty and get excited when they knaul through it and get sprayed by 1.5bar of pressure, more prone to leaks (10-15* tollerance)

I prefer the old fashioned way of copper as when you solder a joint you know fine well if you've created a proper joint. Lasts alot longer. Looks more professional etc

Unfortunately where i am, everybodys getting plastic thrown in. All due to cost

Same goes for other trades i would imagine. Look at new houses compared to old, for a laugh i was on site and ran through the partician walls to prove how bad they were. (joiners got it all on camera and was on youtube for a laugh XD) cant beat strong walls and all the old fashioned ways

 

[Koogatubac]

Don't believe all you read.
Cut the plastic pipe with a hacksaw blade.
Fit a comp coupling and tnsert to cut end then re-run rest in copper.

Just got to file the end and make sure theres no burs. MI state you need a 'clean cut' you can make it clean by filing, cleaning etc

 

[rogdee]

Thanks again mountainman and Koogatubac. Think it will be the cut back pipe and use compression coupler method. Just by the way Koogatubac you posted that I should be able to get the hep fitting off by unscrewing nuts and then cutting off grab ring etc. Don't know if I am missing something, maybe I need glasses, but the old fitting doesn't seem to have any parts that screw apart, just looks like pipe has pushed in and nothing to tighten up. Is that possible, where some of the old fittings like that?
Where do I get pipe insert for plastic pipe before putting coupler on, can I pick them up in B&Q or similar?
It is great to be able to get advice from you guys by the way.
Cheers.

 

[Dotty]

Try your local plumbers merchants, because you're only after one insert you may get it free!

 

[rogdee]

Thanks for that croppie, good idea. Maybe send mrs wifey.......... she is prettier than me!!!!

 

[Koogatubac]

A DIY merchant like B&Q wont be able to help you at all with this.

I think those fittings are similar to speedfit:



To get the inserts for this, if you manage to get the plastic elbow off the plastic pipe you can reuse that insert.
OR
If you decide to cut the plastic and put a compression straight then renew to rad valve you could take the plastic that you've cut off and go to a leading plumbing merchant such as: plumb centre, crosslings, plumbase, PTS etc

They will look at it and try different inserts or try to remove the elbow for you to get the insert out

 

[Koogatubac]

Thanks for that croppie, good idea. Maybe send mrs wifey.......... she is prettier than me!!!!

Yeah!! Send the wife in, they are normally the best to get freebies!! Men are suckers for the female race...

 

[JCplumb]

IMO it's not going to cost much to get a plumber in who will sort this for you in no time. That way you know it will be done right and the work will be guaranteed/insured.

 

[JCplumb]

Oh and you'll be there forever trying to unscrew that fitting, it doesn't unscrew. It's also not one of the fittings in the picture above

 

[TBServices]

It's a slimline hep fitting, not demountable.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[rogdee]

Thanks TB and JC, thats what I thought that it could not be uscrewed! Yeah JC I have thought about getting a plumber but I don't know anyone in the trade and not had to use a plumber before, well not for a long time now anyway. So do I just close my eyes and pick one out of yellow pages? How much do you reckon.... £30/40 or are we into £100's or more?
Just a note, the last time I ever did use a plumber, was a guy recommended to me by a local businessman. He was going to plumb in a dishwasher for me. First thing he did was turn off cold supply and then cut through the hot pipe under kitchen sink. Not the most impressed I have ever been and been a bit wary ever since, but again I don't profess to be a 'good' plumber myself.
Cheers.

 

[mountainman]

You could post on this forum under 'I'm looking for a plumber'

 

[rogdee]

Just one more thought...... at risk of sounding really stupid, I presume there is no way I am going to be able to do this repair without draining down the whole system?
Thanks again.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

it all depends what type of system you have really. if you have a normal boiler with loft tanks or a combi boiler.