1970s Red line copper piping question

[lindyhobbit]

Hi. I've just joined and was hoping one of you experts out there might be able to help:
We've had a leak from our 1970s top floor flat, and we're wondering if maybe the copper piping is sub-standard and should never have been used for mains water feed. The section of pipe removed has a red line down it, and our neighbour below, who has also had a leak in the same month in exactly the same pipe location, has the initials 'Y T W' stamped on the pipe as well as the red line. I Googled it and found that the red line could mean that the pipe was 'unbendable', but I'm trying to find out more, ultimately to determine if we need to have the whole flat re-plumbed (nightmare as we've just nailed down a hardwood floor). Or could it be other external influences which have caused the leak, such as the fact the pipe was buried in concrete at that point, and there may have been pressure surges due to nearby new-build development work.
Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Rusty333]

Hi. I've just joined and was hoping one of you experts out there might be able to help:
We've had a leak from our 1970s top floor flat, and we're wondering if maybe the copper piping is sub-standard and should never have been used for mains water feed. The section of pipe removed has a red line down it, and our neighbour below, who has also had a leak in the same month in exactly the same pipe location, has the initials 'Y T W' stamped on the pipe as well as the red line. I Googled it and found that the red line could mean that the pipe was 'unbendable', but I'm trying to find out more, ultimately to determine if we need to have the whole flat re-plumbed (nightmare as we've just nailed down a hardwood floor). Or could it be other external influences which have caused the leak, such as the fact the pipe was buried in concrete at that point, and there may have been pressure surges due to nearby new-build development work.
Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

I remember fitting this stuff in the 70,s due to the copper shortage at that time, as i remember (long time ago) we were only allowed to use it on low pressure , heating & tank fed Hot & cold ( no combis back then ) also there was some that had a visible seam running down it, the red line stuff was bendable, the seamed was not. as to why its decided to leak now is anyones guess, probably the concrete, and the fact it was junk pipe.

 

[Deleted member 25704]

41 years is not bad for a cheap product, which was burried in concrete.

Perhaps you know what to do, if you don't want the worry.

 

[stevetheplumber]

its outlived its guarantee by 16 years what can you buy now would have a cat in hells chance of doing that

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Y T W is short for yorkshire thin wall,its thin pipe thats part tin part copper best advice if its giving trouble rip out and replace

 

[lindyhobbit]

Thanks everyone for your useful comments. Guess we will have to lift that floor after all