Plastic & Insulation

[peteisfishing]

Hi all, quick one, is there any requirement to insulate Central Heating pipes in the attic if they are plastic??....going to anyway, just wondering if there is something written down somewhere

 

[Gray0689]

Yes if it's a cold area I sugest you use 19mm armflex

 

[fuzzy]

when weve had a winter like last year id say yes! plastic has better thermal qualities but still freezzes

 

[Gray0689]

Make sure you lagg the fittings too the plastic nut tends to crack and break in bad freezing

 

[GPSNewcastle]

By plastic do you mean Hep pipes? There is no need to lag this, complete waste of time...it is a barrier pipe...even better protected from the elements than copper with lagging on it

 

[D34no]

Gpsnewcastle dont think building inspecor would agree lol he makes us lag all hep2o pipes in loft with 19mm lagging or house doesnt get signed off

 

[GPSNewcastle]

Well he sounds like a bit of a jobsworth...I think we all know that a building inspectors job is to find fault in everything...they arent happy if they arent pointing things out

 

[Dotty]

By plastic do you mean Hep pipes? There is no need to lag this, complete waste of time...it is a barrier pipe...even better protected from the elements than copper with lagging on it

I used to think that way too till this winter just gone. My boss wouldn't believe I had burst hep pipe in a temp building in stormont until i showed him all the sections I'd replaced! 19mm armaflex all the way now!

 

[tamz]

The pipe itself may not burst too often but the fittings do and it certainly freezes and it is a pain to thaw. You are quicker repiping it.

 

[fuzzy]

id lag it, over confidence may be your undoing one day my freind

 

[doitmyself]

By plastic do you mean Hep pipes? There is no need to lag this, complete waste of time...it is a barrier pipe...even better protected from the elements than copper with lagging on it

You don't lag a pipe to protect the pipe; You lag it to prevent the water inside the pipe for freezing.

See Page 43 (PDF page 3) of the HEP2O Performance Data for recommended insulation. The building inspector was right.

 

[GPSNewcastle]

Im talking about barrier pipe. I never use it unless i need to (awkward area under a floor etc) as I hate the stuff and i dont trust the fittings. I dont used push fit fittings when I do have to use it, I use compression but I certainly dont lag it.

 

[Gray0689]

Im talking about barrier pipe. I never use it unless i need to (awkward area under a floor etc) as I hate the stuff and i dont trust the fittings. I dont used push fit fittings when I do have to use it, I use compression but I certainly dont lag it.

I have seen hep pipe with compression fittings blow off in last winter pipe expands and fitting pop off not good

 

[stucky123]

I have seen hep pipe with compression fittings blow off in last winter pipe expands and fitting pop off not good

it also helps with heat lost in ur pipe work more efficient and best practice

 

[GPSNewcastle]

Barrier pipe lads...with 3 liners...you arent going to convince me

 

[tamz]

Of course it will/does freeze. Would you like to try to explain exactly how a layer of resin will stop anything freezing? You have a lot to learn and see.

 

[Gray0689]

Barrier pipe lads...with 3 liners...you arent going to convince me

We will see

 

[fuzzy]

whats the insulation properties of this super doopa barrier pipe?

 

[wheeto]

It does need lagging, as per the maufacturer's recommendations. Speedfit, for instance, tell you to lag as you would copper.

Barrier pipe stops oxygen diffusing across the pipe, it doesn't stop cold getting in! And while plastic will give a bit more as the water expands, it will eventually ruptuer as will the fittings.

Anyone who refuses to lag plastic pipe in the cold is going against common sense, manufacturer's recommendations and regs!