Plumbers help please - plastic push fit fittings

[swanny71]

Looking into removing the rarely used bath in the main bathroom and replacing it with a shower.

A mix of copper pipe, grey plastic pipe and these fittings are used throughout.



To me they look like no brand items from Toolstation. No leaks that I’m aware of in 11 years they’ve been installed.

I’ll need to source some new fittings to re-arrange hot & cold supplies to shower and remove the bath tap pipe work. Google suggests the best fittings are either JG Speedfit or Hep2O but unsurprisingly the manufacturers info implies they should be used with their own brand pipes.

So question is - can I safely/reliably use Speedfit or Hep2O on the existing grey plastic pipes?

Advice/experience from plumbers much appreciated, thanks.

[Dunclane]

I also have these grey push/screw type pipes and fittings in our bathroom so would also be keen to know the answer to this!

[Stiggolas]

Those fittings look like early Hep2o or the Korean rip off version. Fittings will generally work fine with competitor's pipes and should all be made to BS7291 tolerances. The issue may come with warranties if the system has mixed manufacturers. They all say only use their pipes with their fittings or they can't guarantee the performance. In practice, don't worry but do check for the kitemark and BS7291 logo. Some of the newer fittings from screwfix say they are made to BS7291 tolerances but are not kitemarked. I would stick to the big 3, Wavin (Hep2o), John Guest or Polypipe for peace of mind. For reference, I work in the manufacture of one of those 3 but not willing to state which

[geeks]

Almost look like an early version of the PolyPlumb range

[allegro]

call me old fashioned but if I was doing some plumbing that I couldn't get easy access to then copper and solder every time. push fit is fine under a kitchen unit or behind a bath panel but I would never use it under floor boards etc. Nowt wrong with the known brands in lab conditions but if you introduce a keen DIY bod into the mix it's a recipe for disaster

[RGG]

To take your question as a specific -

Assuming you have access to the grey pipe run -

Would it not be better, if you are planning to replace the grey fittings to also replace the grey pipes as well.

I've used copper / JG Speedfit and have been very happy with it.

[Little Lofty]

I’m not sure of the brand, at first glance it looked like early Hep2o but I don’t think it is. They have changed it twice since then anyway. You should be ok using Speedfit onto that pipe, the fittings are all different but the pipe is pretty universal, or you could join on to it with compression fittings. My last house was Hep2o throughout, all the heating and 4 bathrooms, not a single leak in 20 years, whether it will last another 20 is the big question but I have never had issues with plastic pipe.

[Sheepshanks]

If you do use plastic, remember to use the inserts.

[miroku1]

Look like old acorn fittings to me , common on caravans years ago

[swanny71]

Stiggolas said:

Those fittings look like early Hep2o or the Korean rip off version. Fittings will generally work fine with competitor's pipes and should all be made to BS7291 tolerances. The issue may come with warranties if the system has mixed manufacturers. They all say only use their pipes with their fittings or they can't guarantee the performance. In practice, don't worry but do check for the kitemark and BS7291 logo. Some of the newer fittings from screwfix say they are made to BS7291 tolerances but are not kitemarked. I would stick to the big 3, Wavin (Hep2o), John Guest or Polypipe for peace of mind. For reference, I work in the manufacture of one of those 3 but not willing to state which

Thanks for the expert advice - I like the look of JG Speedfit so will use that wherever possible and assume they “should” be OK on the old grey pipe. I’ll do some test fits under pressure before covering the joints.

RGG said:

To take your question as a specific -

Assuming you have access to the grey pipe run -

Would it not be better, if you are planning to replace the grey fittings to also replace the grey pipes as well.

I've used copper / JG Speedfit and have been very happy with it.

The whole house is done in the grey pipe/fittings with the odd bit of copper at isolation valves/taps/radiators etc. Ideally yes all JG Speedfit (which will be used for new pipes etc) but at some point I will have to join it onto grey pipe.

[swanny71]

Sheepshanks said:

If you do use plastic, remember to use the inserts.

[Wacky Racer]

I'd never be without my piping hot bath.

Sign in my bathroom:-

[swanny71]

Had a moment of clarity (I think)

Any reason not to use a traditional brass compression fitting (with pipe inserts) to transition from the original grey plastic pipe to new JG Speedfit pipe?

Then I can happily use all new Speedfit stuff for the rest of the job.

[Little Lofty]

swanny71 said:

Had a moment of clarity (I think)

Any reason not to use a traditional brass compression fitting (with pipe inserts) to transition from the original grey plastic pipe to new JG Speedfit pipe?

Then I can happily use all new Speedfit stuff for the rest of the job.

You obviously missed my post above

[RGG]

swanny71 said:

Had a moment of clarity (I think)

Any reason not to use a traditional brass compression fitting (with pipe inserts) to transition from the original grey plastic pipe to new JG Speedfit pipe?

Then I can happily use all new Speedfit stuff for the rest of the job.

I've done this and it's been a complete / effective permanent solution.

[swanny71]

Little Lofty said:

You obviously missed my post above

I did, apologies and thanks.

RGG said:

I've done this and it's been a complete / effective permanent solution.