richo106 Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 I have started installing my UFH pipes and typically on my longest and most complicated run I put the worlds largest kink in it that I not happy with. It’s only 5m from the manifold I have read on here that people have repaired there UFH pipes with a straight coupler Would people take the whole loop out and replace it or replace a small section with a coupler? If so could you recommend any at all? Would plumbers merchants sell them? It’s for my first floor heating and is the fix from below method on spreader plates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 (edited) Pressure test it first. A kinked pipe might be stronger than a coupler. Edited June 29, 2023 by Conor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richo106 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 13 minutes ago, Conor said: Pressure test it first. A kinked pipe might be stronger than a coupler. It’s literally bent at 90 degrees and slightly twisted, it’s right on a bend and I’ve tried to straighten it but as soon as I bend it again it kinks really bad in the same place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenki Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 1 minute ago, richo106 said: It’s literally bent at 90 degrees and slightly twisted, it’s right on a bend and I’ve tried to straighten it but as soon as I bend it again it kinks really bad in the same place. You could try a cold forming bend and then pressure test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richo106 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 16 minutes ago, Jenki said: You could try a cold forming bend and then pressure test. I haven’t got the equipment to pressure test and my plumber who I use is away for 2 weeks from yesterday 🙈 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richo106 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 Do I just bite the bullet and replace it!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenki Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 Just now, richo106 said: I haven’t got the equipment to pressure test and my plumber who I use is away for 2 weeks from yesterday 🙈 The only safe way to proceed is test and or replace, I couldn't sleep knowing that might come back in the future and cause problems. Feel your pain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 4 minutes ago, richo106 said: Do I just bite the bullet and replace it!? Yup, if you’re not comfortable with repairing it without your plumber? Short cuts typically create 3x as much work, so just pull it out, sooty the pain with beer, and thank yourself afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richo106 Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 @Jenki @Nickfromwales my feeling exactly. Tomorrow it will be ripped out and replaced and not thought about again! Thanks again for your replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 Our plumber did this. With his permission we removed the kink with vice grips and eased the pipe hack to a proper curve.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 Found a pic. Obv would have restricted the flow. The screed was next day, I found this, and another like it. the plumber wasn't interested in coming out to help. It straughtened nicely* and I trust this more than a splice. The ufh has run for about 3 solid days subsequently so seems OK. * removed the clips and eased it to a smooth curve. Then crimped the dent back to tube shape . Eased the curve some more then clipped it down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 How big is the room? If its a big room with pipe on a close pitch you might be able to take 5m of pipe out without affecting the heat output significantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 You can also get pipe supports intended to stop kinks at the bend below a manifold. Eg where it transitions from vertical up the wall to horizontal in the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughF Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 6 hours ago, saveasteading said: Found a pic. Obv would have restricted the flow. The screed was next day, I found this, and another like it. the plumber wasn't interested in coming out to help. It straughtened nicely* and I trust this more than a splice. The ufh has run for about 3 solid days subsequently so seems OK. * removed the clips and eased it to a smooth curve. Then crimped the dent back to tube shape . Eased the curve some more then clipped it down. Ouch…. Hope you weren’t paying the labourers who laid that 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, HughF said: Hope you weren’t paying the labourers who laid that 🤣 The third division staff sent by the plumber, who's performance otherwise has been v good. It changes the relationship from total trust to a level of doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 The pipe in that pic is of Pert pipe, so basically like a garden hose. I use Pex-Al which has an aluminium liner and is tough as old boots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, Nickfromwales said: Pert pipe, so basically like a garden hose The pipe was really hard not like a garden hose. Although I guess it was pressurised. I did the reforming with the vice grips myself as nobody else had confidence to do so. I was surprised how well it went back to shape, and with no signs of damage This photo was of a twist through incompetence I think. The rest was better and could be walked on. Should we be concerned? Presumably the choice of pipe is fit for purpose, but not the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Ambrose Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 Good you spotted it. I reckon it will be fine - it's built to withstand a bit of mishandling on site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 1 hour ago, Alan Ambrose said: it's built to withstand a bit of mishandling on site. And now it is encased in screed. Its OK. My main concern is that the plumber allowed it...an insufficiently skilled oppo used to lay it, then no inspection. And a lack of concern when informed. If undetected, it would have been like a valve almost turned off. I checked the whole layout, ( i am hardbittten)whereas our family on site used to assume that all contractors were skilled and cared. Especially the nice ones. No longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Ambrose Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 I've always been a cynical xxxxxxx and a glass half empty kind of guy The benefit of that (!) is you assume everything that can go wrong will go wrong and you don't trust anybody to do a good job 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughF Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 9 hours ago, saveasteading said: The third division staff sent by the plumber, who's performance otherwise has been v good. It changes the relationship from total trust to a level of doubt. How does the labourer even manage to tie his shoes in the morning if he can't see tha ta kink like that is a fail? Probably too busy thinking about skirt, or doing another line of gear in the van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 There has to be a discussion about £££ compensation as you had to re do the work AND replacing the pipe. 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 6 hours ago, saveasteading said: The pipe was really hard not like a garden hose. Although I guess it was pressurised. It’s single wall pipe, vs the multi-layer. All ‘fit for purpose’ but if I posted you an off cut of the other you’d immediately see the difference. The bottom line is, this will be 10 bar capable and rarely see more than 1.5-2. I’d say you can sleep soundly tbh. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richo106 Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 I’ve replaced that loop now so can sleep easy now. one other question do to my layout and pipe runs there is a couple of sections where they run close together and some may even touch, I’ve read on BH that people lag/insulation them near the manifold? Can any one recommended any lagging to use? Need to be able to be added after and it’s just to ensure no pipes touch when going through a hole etc Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughF Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 3 hours ago, Nickfromwales said: It’s single wall pipe, vs the multi-layer. All ‘fit for purpose’ but if I posted you an off cut of the other you’d immediately see the difference. The bottom line is, this will be 10 bar capable and rarely see more than 1.5-2. I’d say you can sleep soundly tbh. pex-al-pex really is fantastic stuff. I've hammered it flat, drilled a hole through it, then used a winch to pull it through a tortuous duct before. Amazing stuff, I love it. I didn't have enough to do my recent UFH so went with some Continal that I had in stock, seems robust but a bit more springy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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