Is it ok to put copper pipes under cement screed

[Sunshines]

Is it OK to put copper central heating pipes under insulation and then concrete screed on top. Does it comply with UK Building regs.

 

[Phil_Plumb]

yes but you will have to wrap the pipes up well to stop them from being exposed to the corrosive concrete, this is the only time when i will promote plastic piping, as its better for this application.

If you do use copper get a roll of duct tape and wrap it up like a christmas present and then some, ensure that all the copper to be covered in screed is protected by duct tape.

Alternative is to by factory coated copper designed for this but i would hazard a guess its considerably more expensive!

 

[AWheating]

use pipe in pipe system.

 

[Phil_Plumb]

yeah or that never thought of that - could sleeve the 15 mm inside 22mm pipe also!

 

[Sunshines]

Pipe would be wrapped and could maybe put in ducting for protection but it would not be accessible as there are a number of joints and it is several meters long. Would have to remove floor tiles, UFH and screed if needed to access in future. Is this OK?

 

[dancinplumba]

Joints are really a no no

 

[Phil_Plumb]

install plastic piping eg hep20 off a 25 meter roll, that way the only joints would be above the screed therefore eliminating that issue

 

[Sunshines]

So these days would you never put pipes joints under a concrete screed, even if it were protected?

 

[SimonG]

It's the last place I put pipes. Unless it's underfloor heating.

 

[Phil_Plumb]

not really Sunshines, its the last place i would put pipes but if needs must i would not want any joints under the floor just in case of failure. continous piping with no joints or not under floor at all!

 

[zzzjim]

.Expansion in a long run of copper , trapped in solid surroundings ,
stresses out any right-angle joints ,if not enough space to move .
( another reason inaccessible joints are bad )

 

[Phil_Plumb]

.Expansion in a long run of copper , trapped in solid surroundings ,
stresses out any right-angle joints ,if not enough space to move .
( another reason inaccessible joints are bad )

Not to mention the the above ^^^^^^^^

 

[Sunshines]

We can run in the ceiling, a bit more work but may be better to do that.

 

[Millsy 82]

If it was me I would use soft copper already coated run them all back to a cupboard and have a manifold eliminating any joints underfloor. I would never put a joint under the floor I have been out to too many jobs where theyre losing pressure and its under floor and it ends up a repipe.