What is the best pipework system for a life inside the wall?

[Jeremy Harris]

I think we're all open to trying new ideas; arguably self-builders tend to push the boundaries when it comes to trying new methods of construction and early adoption of new technology.  Information from the web is inherently untrustworthy though, particularly when content is being commercially funded, or has been produced by someone with a vested interest in a product or system.  That's one reason we work hard to keep this forum non-commercial, so that advice given can be as unbiased as possible and weighted to give more credence to those with real-world experience of a product or system.

 

The key thing here is really how much practical, hands-on, experience that anyone advising any product or system actually has with using it.  Videos can be helpful in terms of illustrating how to use a product, but will inevitably be produced and edited to highlight the view that the person making the video already has.  There's no substitute for practical experience, which is why I'd trust an opinion formed by a decade or more real experience over any video on the web.  If you have a lot of experience of using Uponor Q+E, and can let us know the advantages and disadvantages that you've found from a few years of your own practical, hands-on, experience in a range of installations, then it would be welcome.
 

 

 

[Mr Punter]

I must say that the woman doing the presentation in @scottishjohn's video was rather captivating!

[PeterW]

We did a comparison between a number of systems and the Pex-A systems were not a patch on the JG or Hep2O systems for a number of reasons. 

 

The key ones were :

- hot water  (above 30c) pressure capability is significantly lower than established systems

- warranty of 10/25 years depending on systems vs 50 years (from Wavin)

- interconnects between new / old requiring specialist fittings 

- cost of installation / tooling and skills to install were more complex

- ability to decouple or remake joints or change layouts was restricted with press or weld systems.  

- long term availability of spares / replacement parts were not locally available. 

- standard vs non standard pipe dimensions meant increased number of interconnects and increased price. 

 

The key reason for sticking with a 15/22/28 standard was that it was immediately available and did not require any specialist skills or tooling to install, along with a simple method to connect with existing installations or indtustry standard fittings. 

 

In terms of flow rates and restrictions, neither system (Pex-A or Hep2O) provide any significant restriction to flow as whilst Pex-A uses expanded pipe around a full bore fitting, the Hep2O sleeve is now stainless and does not impede water flow at all. 

 

There are also a whole host of issues around the actual design of the fittings and what happens if you apply lateral stress to them which are based on the material they are made from which makes them susceptible to low flex failure but that’s beyond this discussion I expect....

 

[Hobbiniho]

just to add to this topic, quite a lot of guys local to me use mapress fittings for copper/ stainless and generally speaking hep2o is used elsewhere. I’ve used hep2o and never had any failures.