Copper pipes vs plastic

[Lyndsey_Lou]

Hi,

We're having gch installed in our flat, and have had a couple of quotes done. One of the engineers has quoted use of copper pipes and a 28KW Vokera boiler, the other is for plastic piping to the rads and a 24KW Vokera boiler. The one with the plastic pipes and 24KW boiler is slightly less expensive.
Could anyone let me know the pros and cons of copper pipes v plastic, and if the lower wattage boiler would make much difference to the performance of the system?
The boiler would be connected to 5 double banked rads in a one bedroom Victorian flat (top floor, high ceilings, fairly big rooms)

Sorry if I've missed out any info needed to answer this!

Many thanks!

Lyndsey

 

[doitall]

Th extra will make a lot of difference, more so if you talking Combi.

As for plastic pipe I can see lots of trouble brewing Don't even think about it.

Plastic pipe was made for no hope plumbers and the diy market who couldn't solder copper.

Would you believe we have a guy on here that says you shouldn't fit a steel radiator in a bathroom because it will rust out in weeks

Later he will be on to tell who how much he loves plastic pipe. Maximum profit least quality.

 

[timmy74]

copper pipes use decent inhibitor, the 28kw boiler should give a better hot water flow rate

 

[wilhelm]

mmmmmmm dia i think you could be right.... i had one of these moments

watcha reckon????

 

[doitall]

mmmmmmm dia i think you could be right.... i had one of these moments

watcha reckon????

What I would like to see is the look on his face if a real bullet came out the gun and shot him instead of the flame

 

[wilhelm]

no problem. that man is as hard as a stelrad radiator.

.............

 

[doitall]

no problem. that man is as hard as a stelrad radiator.

.............

One of my all time favourite actors, along with Brett Maverick

 

[wilhelm]

..i was of course referring to the bathroom radiator....comment...

errrrrrr and i had no helpful suggestion to original posting

 

[Lyndsey_Lou]

Thanks for the advice
It is a combi so sounds like I should pay the little bit extra for the copper pipes and better boiler.

The advice is much appreciated

L

 

[Paul Barker]

Yes, it is a much better quote because copper costs more as does a 28kw boiler, and it takes longer to install, and requires more skill, so you would expect to pay a lot more, therefore if the quote is close the copper man is making less out of the job per hour than the other guy. He is also more likely to have a clue when it breaks down. The other guy will probably not even be interested in turning up once he's banked your money he'll be on to the next install.

 

[The_Scotty]

Yes, it is a much better quote because copper costs more as does a 28kw boiler, and it takes longer to install, and requires more skill, so you would expect to pay a lot more, therefore if the quote is close the copper man is making less out of the job per hour than the other guy. He is also more likely to have a clue when it breaks down. The other guy will probably not even be interested in turning up once he's banked your money he'll be on to the next install.

Quite an assumption to make without ever having met the guy!

Whats the problem with plastic pipes lads? Long term issues? Was chatting to the guy behind the counter in a builders merchant the other week and he was telling me about a new development of flats and how quick the plumbers were throwing the plastic pipes in!

Take it its a tenement flat Lyndsey? I had a 24kw installed and its more than adequate for the CH but seems to be struggling with DHW. You'll find the flat will be quite warm anyway, being on the top floor

 

[Paul Barker]

Yes of course people who sit behind counters on minimum wage are the experts. I don't know why we don't get more of them on here giving advice.

 

[Nige F]

Those who`ve lived long enough to have used the first batch of plastic pipes should know the struggle to get copper into every situation. and thru walls without sds etc. but then, hairy arsed iron fighting is a different game just follow the office boys blueprint.....no neck no brain ........

 

[BoxBasher]

Plastic pipe can serve a purpose in awkward places with restricted access, but its ugly and lazy to use it everywhere.

Went to a job once where an old couple had their leaking pipe replaced by an insurance firm that "specialises" in plumbing. The "plumber" had run grey speedfit pipe round the inside 3 sides of the conservatory to save ripping up a new tiled floor. It was about halfway up the wall and the pipe was sagged/bent because he couldn't be bothered cutting to length. Rang him up and asked if this was the £2000 worth of work that the policy covered for, and why he didn't use copper. Can't post his answer here because I'm sure it will break one of the rules.

Re-run it in copper flush with top of skirting so they could box it in or paint it to match, clipped it properly and installed a BS1010 tap instead of the ballofix servicing valve he'd fitted.

 

[pampers]

I carry a coil of 22,15 in the van all the time ,have had the same coils for a very long time as i very rarely use it ,there isn't many occasions i would but it certainly has its uses.

Have done a new build site of 60+ townhouses and the stuff was good as gold but still cant bring myself to use it very often .i don't doubt its ability just it looks too DIY for my liking.