I don't know if it's just me but I have seen more leaks in recent times with plastic than I ever have with good old copper.
I piped my own heating system in my house must be 25 years ago, never had a leak yet.
As for plumbers sharing my routes, it all happens too often.
I'm sure that the plumbers course will have similar regs to our own whereas spacings are concerned.
As for the abortion on the joists, again have seen it too often.
I'm amazed how floors have not fallen through with some jobs. Maybe in time?
Hello stevethesparks,
You are right there is nothing like Copper tube and fittings for small bore Heating and Plumbing / Domestic Gas pipework regarding longevity and quality of materials.
I have been a long time Member of the
`Copper Club` - run for decades by the `UK Copper Board` -
now called `Copper Initiative` - an Industry Body operated to promote the use of Copper tube in Heating, Plumbing & Gas Installations
- plus many other systems / Industries.
They also produce a lot of Training information which is used in Colleges for Apprenticeship training.
In case anyone is interested here is a link to the Organisation:
https://copperplumbing.org.uk/sites...ttachments/copper_initiative_-_who_we_are.pdf
I have been a life long proponent of Copper tube from a Professional Tradesman`s point of view there is nothing to beat it for small bore pipework.
However I will admit that the cost has become prohibitive for some people for even the average size Plumbing and Heating systems - supposedly because of various `Supply & Demand` issues worldwide.
I installed my Heating system 30 years ago and although I am on my 2nd Boiler [ Potterton Netaheat Electronic lasted 26 years and was still working when replaced] and I have replaced all of the Radiators for Convector Radiators [30 years ago they were just double flat panels]
the original circulating system Copper pipework is still in place.
And because I have always had a `double dose` of Fernox MB1 Corrosion Inhibitor in the water the pipework is still as clear as it could be - no sign of any sludge or other `fouling` when I cut into pipework when replacing Radiators in every room.
As even though the Boiler and Radiators will need replacing again in perhaps 15 - 20 years the Copper pipework on my Heating system would probably last for another 50 years if it was protected regularly by replacing the Corrosion Inhibitor - in fact it would have to be badly neglected or actually damaged to cause problems serious enough for it to have to be completely replaced.
Although I realise that entire `Plastic` pipework systems would be replaced perhaps after a maximum of 20 years or get gradually replaced over time with alterations / new Radiators etc. - to even think about `Plastic` Heating pipework lasting for anything like 30 - 40 - 50 years is laughable.
With regard to Joists - I have sometimes found entire First floor hallways where the joists could not be notched for my pipework because of the multitude of old & current Electrical cable holes [no pun intended] - existing Plumbing / Heating pipe notches and Iron Gas pipes.
Regards,
Chris