Threading PlumbSure plastic pipes to new en-suite

[RobinClay]

I'm installing an en-suite shower/loo/basin in a bedroom, and have seven questions for which I would appreciate answers, please.

The h&c supply pipes have to cross the floor joists, so I've bought a roll of PlumbSure plastic pipe plus inserts.

I've drilled pairs of 18mm dia holes (170mm apart) through each 9 x 2 joist.

1. Is the pipe easy enough to thread?

To get into the bedroom, there are two steps up from the passage; I've drilled holes at 45 degrees through the two joists on either side, and hope I can persuade the plastic pipes to go through - yes, I know it means bending them and then straightening them.

2. Will this work ? Or should I put a sloping length of copper there, with a 45 degree bend on each end?

The "standard" holes through the other joists are roughly in line, but not exactly - the joists are only 14" apart (less than the length of the drill+bit), so not very easy to drill.

When I thread the pipes through to the far wall (about 5 metres away) -

3. Can I bend the pipes to the vertical, or do I use 90 degree bends under the floor? I really would prefer to avoid ANY joints under the floor...

4. What is the minimum bending radius?

5. Can I bend the pipe by hand, or do I have to use a bending tool?

6. Do I have to buy a special pipe cutter (scissors), or will the one I use for copper work OK?

7. What would you do?

Thanks.

 

[Breesey]

Have you drilled the joists per the regs?

You shouldn't 'just' drill joists.

See here http://niceic.com/Uploads/File3777.pdf

 

[RobinClay]

Yup. No problem with that. But thank you for that link.

I used this guide:-
https://www.zurich.co.uk/NR/rdonlyr...E1-BAB80D1377EE/0/500041004BG886604WebOpt.pdf

... which has the same data.

I think yours may be the more useful

But Alas! you answered none of my questions !

 

[Breesey]

1. Is the pipe easy enough to thread?

Fairly. As long as the holes are reasonably well alligned

To get into the bedroom, there are two steps up from the passage; I've drilled holes at 45 degrees through the two joists on either side, and hope I can persuade the plastic pipes to go through - yes, I know it means bending them and then straightening them.

2. Will this work ? Or should I put a sloping length of copper there, with a 45 degree bend on each end?

If you can thread it, thread it!

The "standard" holes through the other joists are roughly in line, but not exactly - the joists are only 14" apart (less than the length of the drill+bit), so not very easy to drill.

When I thread the pipes through to the far wall (about 5 metres away) -

3. Can I bend the pipes to the vertical, or do I use 90 degree bends under the floor? I really would prefer to avoid ANY joints under the floor...

4. What is the minimum bending radius?

Don't know what the manufacturer says but you can check minimum bend by carefully bending a piece yourself!!

5. Can I bend the pipe by hand, or do I have to use a bending tool?

6. Do I have to buy a special pipe cutter (scissors), or will the one I use for copper work OK?

You can bend it by hand. Use plastic pipe cutters!

7. What would you do?

Use Polyplumb!!

 

[hazetimesfive]

warm the pipe up

 

[SandyLyon]

I only use Hep2o so can't comment on PlumbSure.

I don't know what type PlumbSure is, but Hep2o is Polybutelyne PB and is more flexible than PEX pipe

Hep2o bending radius is 8 times the pipe dia (eg: 15mm dia pipe will have a max bending radius of 120mm)

You could always use a cold form bend for coming up at 90 deg instead of an elbow.

Use plastic pipe cutters, never a hacksaw, use pipe support sleeves and always mark the pipe to ensure you are in full socket.

If you do "kink" a pipe when bending it, bin it, it's not worth risking a problem later on.

Use Hep2o.

 

[muggles]

You'll find Speedfit Layflat is much easier to work with, although oddly you seem to be asking whether your choice of pipe is suitable after you've purchased it Your PlumbShite might thread through OK but you'll find yourself fighting with the roll all the time as it wraps around itself.

Drilling holes at 45º through joists is not considered acceptable practise - you clearly haven't read the drilling regs correctly. You should drill straight through, although having done what you've done you'll have to leave it like that rather than butchering it even more by trying to drill a straight hole as well. It also seems that you've made a rod for your own back if you're now worrying whether you can actually get the pipe through there or not. Unfortunately, only the man on site looking at the job can really answer that question.

You can bend pipes to the vertical if you like, providing there is space of course. The minimum bending radius varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, you'll need to check the installation instructions or call them as I can't find any info on it online. If you'd bought a reputable brand there'd be plenty of info of this kind available.

You can bend the pipe by hand but it won't stay bent without support.

You need a proper plastic pipe cutter. It can also be done with a Stanley knife if you're skilled in using one and can cut perfectly squarely with it without also cutting your thumb, but for a DIYer I'd always recommend getting the right tool for the job. Your copper one certainly won't work.

I'd take what you've bought back and buy something decent that has better product support and installation info. Actually that's not quite true, I'd have notched the joists and installed it all in copper, but it's a bit late for you to do that now, so taking it back and exchanging for something better is now your best option

 

[SandyLyon]

Should have mentioned above, when dragging any plastic pipe through walls, joists etc, be careful not to scratch / score the pipe as you can get weeps if the o rings sits on a scratch.

 

[RobinClay]

Thank you, guys - that's really helpful.

When I buy copper pipe, well - copper pipe is copper pipe, right ?
So I assumed plaspipe would be the same, so I just went and bought some.

Then I had these questions... that I couldn't answer....

But you did !

Brilliant. Thanks again.