Speed fit fitting blown

[Ruskie]

Hi, was just wondering if anybody else as had problems with jg speed fit fittings blowing and appearing cross threaded. I have a client that is blaming poor workmanship even though I check and double check for leaks. This is the first time I have had this happen and would generally endorse speed fit.
I now have a claim for water damage to utility room and a new ceiling to pay for.

 

[woodsy]

Don't fit speed fit but have to say that all plastic fittings that I have seen go, including one of my own were down to incorrect installation as in, they were not inserted far enough

 

[lame plumber]

did you hydraulic test the system post installation and leave it charged as per the MFIs, to ensure the locking rings bite?

 

[jtsplumbing]

Only ever had a problem with Hep fittings and only 2 in all the time I've used them also used most other makes never any problems , Hep, 1 had rubber 'o' ring missing and the other had a faulty grab ring, waste of time trying to claim off maker according to them its always down to installer they have a 1001 reasons why its never there fault.

 

[Last Plumber]

Only seen two blow off.
Both Hep.
One was frost -17 deg ( no surprise then )
One was due to no sleeve/insert.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

As Above just pay for the damage yourself and forget chasing JG!

Cant see them paying out....

 

[hammers4spanner]

Unfortunately thats plastic for you , had a couple polyplumbs go in the past worst one been tested signed off and then decided to blow off under an oak floor nigh on year later.

As above just have to suck it on as a loss and try to fit more copper.

 

[gerrym11]

Unfortunately thats plastic for you , had a couple polyplumbs go in the past worst one been tested signed off and then decided to blow off under an oak floor nigh on year later.

As above just have to suck it on as a loss and try to fit more copper.

LOL, I was waiting for someone to come along and state it was because you hadn't fitted copper!

 

[SimonG]

Should have fit copper

 

[gerrym11]

Should have fit copper

 

[Best]

Same reply from me, - fit copper and all careful solder joints and never a fitting will blow off.
I have seen where Hep fittings blew off without any obvious reason. Also seen heating systems overheating and melting the pipe and the plastic pipes splitting and also coming out of fittings.
All other work where fittings I heard that came off I think was pipes only half into fittings

 

[SimonG]

Can't remember the last time I used plastic. Might have been for a temporary supply.

 

[Best]

I feel that plastic push fit is only okay for somewhere it won't do serious damage if it blows off, - like below ground floors, or basements, or perhaps in an outside building.
Tiny grippers in bits of plastic just seem risky and short term to me.

 

[Last Plumber]

I agree.
I don't use it except on rare occasions.
It makes me feel like I'm cheating at plumbing!

 

[gassafe]

All these new builds have gone back to plastic push fit so hopefully plenty of leaks to fix for us yet!

Is the pressure up to 17 bar really necessary to make the grab rings bite? What about a simple repair job where you cut into existing plastic, hardly going to repressurising the system then... Plus the rads wouldn't hold that sort of pressure etc

 

[mfgs]

On a new install then I always pressure test as per MI's, but when adding to an existing system its not always possible. Who wants to put 10 bar through a boiler or radiator.