MLCP questions

[Gone West]

I've not used MLCP before so I have some questions. I've looked at videos of Multipipe and Geberit MLCP systems and the Geberit system looks good for access in tight spaces. Can anyone give me some advice about makes they have used and how easy it is to use an adapter to go back to existing copper or plastic pipe.

[SimonD]

4 minutes ago, Gone West said:

I've not used MLCP before so I have some questions. I've looked at videos of Multipipe and Geberit MLCP systems and the Geberit system looks good for access in tight spaces. Can anyone give me some advice about makes they have used and how easy it is to use an adapter to go back to existing copper or plastic pipe.

 

With pretty much all makes, it's very easy to go back to copper or plastic as they sell them everywhere. For example: https://naturalgreenheat.co.uk/product-category/wras-approved-press-fittings/transitions-mlcp-to-copper-pipe/

I've used Tweetop, Maincor, Riifo, Uni-Press, etc. etc. They are all pretty much the same. The only thing you need to be aware of is what press jaws the brand uses. Some are available that can accept both TH and U, some are only TH or U and some brands have their own. So when you invest in a set of jaws, just make sure you use the compatible fittings. I have both U and TH as I had one supplier who was very good with one brand and then seriously let me down one time by supplying a huge coil of 32mm that was damaged in transit because they couldn't be bothered to package it properly and made it a nightmare to return it, so I had to switch to something else with reliable supply. But for me it's useful to have both sets of jaws because I use the stuff on all my installs.

With all the systems you have to plan out your job carefully to ensure access. Having a set of angled jaws helps but obviously adds to your setup costs significantly. The advantage with MLCP is you can often bend the pipe to give yourself access, but sometimes you need to use your imagination in tight spaces - e.g. crimp and then thread pipe into place.

[JohnMo]

1 hour ago, Gone West said:

I've not used MLCP before so I have some questions. I've looked at videos of Multipipe and Geberit MLCP systems and the Geberit system looks good for access in tight spaces. Can anyone give me some advice about makes they have used and how easy it is to use an adapter to go back to existing copper or plastic pipe.

Why go mlcp, and not just Hep2O? Hep2O is easy to get, pretty idiot proof (that's why I like it) and no special tools needed. Mixes with copper easily.

[crispy_wafer]

used mlcp for my upstairs bathroom rad installs, used geberit press chrome pipe tails.  used mlcp because roll ends left over from ufh install.  Already have a press tool, so found and bought the required jaw from ebay.

 

That said, I'm not sure I'd go out my way to specifically install mlcp, I only did to get rid of them 15-20m sections of pipe I had left over!

[Gone West]

1 hour ago, SimonD said:

So when you invest in a set of jaws, just make sure you use the compatible fittings

I'm only planning on plumbing one room with MLCP because of space for fittings, although if I like it, I might end up using it elsewhere. I was hoping to be able to hire the press tool.

[Gone West]

18 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Why go mlcp, and not just Hep2O? Hep2O is easy to get, pretty idiot proof (that's why I like it) and no special tools needed. Mixes with copper easily.

I plumbed my last self build using Speedfit, which went well, and I was planning on using it for the rest of the plumbing here.

[Spinny]

Take a very close look at the MLCP connectors because they choke down the bore of the pipe to a huge degree at every connection. I think I measured the internal bore of a 16mm MLCP connector as just 6mm diameter.

 

You might like to take a look at this system which flares the ends of the pipe and avoids choking off the flow...

https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/47102-elbow-fittings-flow-loss/#findComment-658055

 

As I have said before MLCP is an attractive system for plumbers, but not for end customers given the risk of flow problems.

[Gone West]

18 hours ago, crispy_wafer said:

used mlcp for my upstairs bathroom rad installs, used geberit press chrome pipe tails.  used mlcp because roll ends left over from ufh install.  Already have a press tool, so found and bought the required jaw from ebay.

 

That said, I'm not sure I'd go out my way to specifically install mlcp, I only did to get rid of them 15-20m sections of pipe I had left over!

Was the Geberit system you used FlowFit? 

[SimonD]

20 hours ago, Gone West said:

I'm only planning on plumbing one room with MLCP because of space for fittings, although if I like it, I might end up using it elsewhere. I was hoping to be able to hire the press tool.

Yes, you can hire the tools. But my honest opinion is that if you're just doing a room, you're better off using push-fit, or copper. I only use MLCP when I have a larger installation to do so if it's whole house, whole heating system, long primaries to a heat pump or something else significant, that's where it will make the difference, plus threading through a house is much easier with a PB push-fit pipe.

[Gone West]

3 hours ago, SimonD said:

you're better off using push-fit, or copper

The space I want to use for running the pipework is small and I was looking for fittings that are slimmer than plastic push-fit. The Geberit FlowFit system looks good on paper but Geberit don't publish the overall diameter of a 20mm fitting. I looked at all their documents and even checked with ChatGPT.

[torre]

Tektite push fit copper might be a decent alternative - slimmer than plastic push-fit externally and wider internally, no need to hire / buy tools versus press fit (which Tektite sprint looks similar to assembled)

 

Working on our own house they're my preferred option if I do need joints in copper but generally I prefer long runs in Hep2o terminating to copper only as needed.