Tight space for yorkshire fitting so what other options are there ?

[edwardk]

Right, been using copper 22mm & 15mm to add DHW/CH to my house and have been using yorkshire fittings.

I've come to a spot that I reckon would be really hard to use yorkshire fittings with - what are the options ?

Basically it's under a suspended wooden floor that I can wriggle under but in a corner really tight in with joists and wires very close. I thought about cutting the floor above it out but the stairs are above.

It's on a slightly higher level than the rest of the under floor pipework so I was planning on adding an elbow then a short length with another elbow to get it back to the right level.

So options ? Should I use a brass fitting with a spanner (not convinced I could tighten it too well) or a push fit type thing ? Haven't used those two fittings before - do they need tape too ? (Yes I am a beginner ! )

Or would I be better stuffing in a fireproof mat and hoping that the joint heats up enough (I'd be working on my back in a really tight space with a butane/propane torch...

Reckon the rest of the fllor is accessible enough to carry on with yorkshire fittings.

Any advice very gratefully received.
Thanks
Ed

 

[WHPES]

Use a compression fitting with a couple of turns of PTFE around the olive to make sure. As long as you can swing a spanner through 30 degrees you will be OK.

It's best to design out awkward joints but it's obviously too late for that now.

 

[edwardk]

Thanks - I think I should have fitted that end with yorkshires before I did the other end... live and learn...
So just brass compression fittings and PTFE. Are there different types of PTFE ? Ideally I'd like to get a roll that I can use for the rads too.
Ed

 

[WHPES]

It's all the same except for GasTite ptfe on a yellow roll which is thicker and can be handy for gap filling on well mashed up fittings.

The PTFE goes round the olive and NOT the thread!

Make sure you don't under or overtighten the compression fittings - plenty of descriptions on the net.

 

[stevetheplumber]

why not use a push fit either plastic or better strill tectite which is copper push fit

 

[pauls]

dont know what it is about the copper push fit i just cant get on with it and it dosent come off as easy as they say

 

[charitynjw]

If any of the pipes are for gas, you can't use pushfit (or compression fittings in a concealed place ie underfloor)

 

[WHPES]

The reference to GasTite was purely for the PTFE tape. Only a Gas Safe Registered Technician may touch gas pipes.

You don't want to be using push fit fittings in an area you can't see and especially underfloor where it may get damaged by mice.

Stick to compression.

 

[edwardk]

Many thanks for all the advice - finally found a solution which involved a fair amount of contortion, claustraphobia and some carefully arranged heat baffles - got the two pipes with yorkshire fittings in the end but it took a while.

Figured I had nothing to lose by trying as the shops weren't open (did it Sunday night).

This site is a great source of excellent knowledge - many thanks again - Ed