Is this work acceptable (pics)? Central heating system

[alunmorris]

Just had this work done. I'm concerned about the longevity of the joints in this speedfit installation. Please comment on the pics.

https://8fnd1q.sn2.livefilestore.co...D4FJrM_aOJpVghtTyigpmA4t/plumbing1.jpg?psid=1
https://8fnd1q.sn2.livefilestore.co...QgPiQ1j2DJeh8Ids2IxmMcFW/plumbing2.jpg?psid=1
https://8fnd1q.sn2.livefilestore.co...rBw00Kfz168_mN8R_h4UJG26/plumbing3.jpg?psid=1
https://8fnd1q.sn2.livefilestore.co...-nuw3fnl3NhrV6nADHUFBH1t/plumbing4.jpg?psid=1

thanks

 

[wheeto]

It's not how I'd choose to do it, but you get what you pay for. Did you specify an all-copper installation?

As long as the fittings aren't buried in a screed or similar I'd say it's acceptable.

 

[mountainman]

Doesn't look any better than a poor quality DIY job to me.
I would have done it in copper.

Ps. Whatever it is piped up in the pipework needs insulating.

 

[alunmorris]

It's not how I'd choose to do it, but you get what you pay for. Did you specify an all-copper installation?

Our builder hired a plumber. I didn't specify copper. I think Speedfit is fine, it's the joints being under lateral stress that bother me, and no clipping to prevent movement.

 

[mountainman]

I'm not a fan of push-fit personally as I agree with you about the vulnerability of the joints in a constricted area.

As I said before, the job looks DIY standard to me and I'd be unhappy parting with my hard earned readies for something that looked like this.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Im not one for slating other plumbers works as a rule as we are all in same boat trying toe earn a living. However on occasions when you see this type of install i will pass my judgement for what its worth.As already stated it looks a diy install , my guess is that the plumber is not overly experienced .im never a fan how the pipes are drilled through the joists like that and what i did notice is that no indencies (however its spelt) have been used on the speed fit joints.On occasions speed can can jump if none of these are used its rare but does happen .

 

[wheeto]

... no indencies (however its spelt) have been used on the speed fit joints.

Do you mean the collet clips? If so, I've never seen them fitted, especially now most fittings are twist lock. Not saying it's right, just that nobody* does.

*statistically insignificant numbers of installers...

 

[hammers4spanner]

Yep your right nobody does and shockingly alot of plumbers dont know about them.I try to sway away from speed fit personally polyplumb for me.But on occasions i have used them i fit the clips as have known and seen it happen where pressure drops and they ping off .

 

[mountainman]

Correct Wheeto, they are called collets.
To demount the speedfit fitting you push the collar into the fitting thus releasing the clamp.
The collet stops this happening accidentally through pipe movement.

I agree with H4S that we all are trying to make a living but pride in a good job
Is important IMO and leads to recommendations and more work (hopefully)

 

[JCplumb]

As long as the fittings have been 'twist-locked' collets would serve no purpose on the fittings in the pictures above.
Twist-lock don't need collets, pushing the collar into the fitting has no effect once the fitting is locked.
That's not to say that this install is acceptable, it looks a mess as it is. Saying that, I don't know what the circumstances were when the 'plumber' did this, maybe he was on a shoe-string budget and told that other trades would be doing the boxing in, this isn't at final fix stage, so maybe he will clip the pipes etc. when he's connecting the rads up etc.
Time and budget allowing I'd try to use copper over plastic because although it's never happened to me, I've heard of push-fit style fittings failing, but they are becoming more and more commonplace and a well installed plastic system is likely to be reliable for the foreseeable...

 

[wheeto]

Correct Wheeto, they are called collets.

Actually, I was correct to call them collet clips. The collet is present on those fittings (wouldn't work without it!), the collet clip aids pipe ID and might help reduce the chance of accidental disconnection. As JCplumb says, though, if the fittings have the collar tightened as it looks like they have, collet clips don't add much to safety.

 

[mountainman]

I wanted to call them collet clips bit I couldn't find the 'i' on my iPhone
Found it now see iiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

[spooney54]

As previously said by others not the best looking job but should work providing they are pushed in full socket and tightened.. Always give these fittings a good pressure test before droppng the boards or boxing in.A lot of plumbers just screw/nail the boards down without. I repaired a poly plumb joint last year on a heating extension which ended up with a ceiling repair in living room. I dont like the angle of joint in corner of picture 2. I would also have dropped the pipes under floor boards in picture 2.
dont like to see gobbo over new pipework either,that really ****es me off.

 

[hammers4spanner]

about four years ago i worked on a large site of about 100 flats where it was all plastic install of osma gold . Even tho flats were pressure tested we still had some fittings burst on the actuall collar upon filling with water . Due to the water damage that was caused the company i was working for called the rep on site where the rep basically said on occasions plastic fittings may fail like this and when they do your in the mixer .
These plastic fittings in the picture are fine if system has a steady pressure and decent pressure but if the pressure fluctuates or its low pressure then watch out .I have pulled these fittings off the pipe before on low pressure set ups , just because you have not seen it doesnt mean it never happens .Personall going back to the OP i would call plumb back and just ask to tidy it up a bit.

 

[leelister6]

I generally ask the customer (or the builder who is paying me) if they want copper or plastic and explain the upsides and downsides of both (copper is more expensive and more labour intensive but will last for decades if installed correctly, plastic is quicker so even though very similar in price to copper (including the fittings) will work out cheaper, but the rodents love to eat it, the fittings can blow off and generally looks a dogs bollx. Copper everytime for me unless, told different