Pipework for downstairs radiators on new builds

[Mgrant]

Hi on some new new build houses I plan to first fix the up stairs radiators in 15mm copper coming up though the floor at the pipe centers for the radiator. i,e rad. length add 45mm per side and the correct distance from the finish wall. However I am debating how to feed the downstairs radiators, this pipe work is usual feed behind the dot and dab plaster. What do people find is the best way of doing this. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Mgrant]

is coming up though the chipboard in 10mm not a bad idea as microbore can be knocked and squashed easily? For down stairs are you saying drop the pipes then run them horizontal above skirting board height?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

is coming up though the chipboard in 10mm not a bad idea as microbore can be knocked and squashed easily? For down stairs are you saying drop the pipes then run them horizontal above skirting board height?

yea and no, thats how most people i seen do it thats why i like to do everything in 15mm +. and depends on what the builder wants see a few just drop it center of rad straight down and then others bring it down in a corner and either behind the skirting or higher than it

 

[AWheating]

Double post, soz

 

[AWheating]

There are several ways and each has its own benefits. The neatest and quickest is 10mm plastic into 1st fix triangles. The best would prob be 15mm copper coated or wrapped fitted inline with the valves, and alternative would be 10mm copper and chrome pushfit rad valve elbows, that would be nester than 15mm. As for upstairs go up the dab and out so when finished they look the same as downstairs.

You will get 15mm pipe behind most dabbed boards.

If you use 10mm as a rule if thumb upsize as soon as possible, but keeps each flow and return under 5m if it's plastic pipe.

 

[Mgrant]

Thanks for the replies. Sure I have seen it done dropping 15mm pipes down in plastic in the corner of the wall were the rad is to be then the pipes are swept/ bend so they run just above the skirting board. ( to avoid nails). Then elbowed out in copper. The pushfit elbow is just chased in to the wall. Does his sound right?/ acceptable?

 

[AWheating]

Not a good idea to fit a plastic elbow or any plastic fitting in the dab void, if the plasterer incases the fitting and pipe next to it in board adhesive it's grab ring can be stopped from biting down on the pipe correctly. Seen it on a job the other week, 5 grands worth of damage to a new property.

You also need to be able to detect the pipe with a wall scanner, you can use trace tape of course but it's just as cheap and safer to drop in copper inline with the valve or in the middle of the rad, either of these positions is easy for the owner to remember the position of the pipe work.

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

The way I've done it is tee off the 15mm at the wall and run up behind the dot dab in 10mm and elbow out with 10mm, 90 degree copper tails into the rad. IMO upstairs should look like downstairs.
Make sure you check the fittings before you put the copper tails in as they can get caked in dab mix. I think when it's done like this it looks neat and tidy

 

[Mgrant]

So I am struggling to find a viable option for feeding the downstairs radiators in 15mm?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So I am struggling to find a viable option for feeding the downstairs radiators in 15mm?

no easy do it right the first time and chase them in prob take 2-3 hours to chase all of down stairs rads in with multiple drops

 

[Mgrant]

yea but more work chase the pipes in and use either plastic or 15 mm coated copper

How would you recommend bringing the pipes out for the rad then if using this method and using plastic

 

[ShaunCorbs]

How would you recommend bringing the pipes out for the rad then if using this method and using plastic

in coated copper and you know you centers of valves bring them out about 2 - 3 inches below and once dry lined and plastered soldered elbow and short piece done

 

[ShaunCorbs]

whats your trade james ?

 

[AWheating]

Pegler Push-fit Elbow 10mm | Chrome Compression | NoLinkingToThis

get your pipes level and fit these.

 

[gassafe]

Pegler Push-fit Elbow 10mm | Chrome Compression | NoLinkingToThis

get your pipes level and fit these.

Not much room for error fitting these if your pipe is coming straight from the wall... I always think new builds look smart when they bring the plastic out behind the Center of the rad & then flex into the valve with one of these fittings!

 

[AWheating]

if you know your valve dimensions it should be easy and there will be alittle movement unless the plasterer dabs the end.

the new build way does look good, just have to take into account that it can be dangerous on very small rads as kids can knock the rads off the brackets very easy.

 

[wattsie1987]

22mm copper primarys to 2 zone valves then manifolds. x2 return manifolds 10mm plastic pairs to each rad with foil insulation tape behind drops and pipes centers of rads 100mm above base of rad. V plates after drylining pushfit chrome m&f elbows into valves.

 

[Mgrant]

Thanks for the advice may drop in 10mm plastic and use a back box. Is it then usual to use back boxes for the upstairs radiators?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks for the advice may drop in 10mm plastic and use a back box. Is it then usual to use back boxes for the upstairs radiators?

back box wtf do it right

and you can do upstairs the same or have them coming straight up into the valve (copper)

 

[Mgrant]

You not recommend back boxes?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You not recommend back boxes?

no how do you seal around/infill