Qual-Pex plumbing pipes?

J

johnnyapple

Registered User
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Hello,

I was wondering is it possible/feasible to replace all or most of my current copper piping, which is at least 30 years old and starting to wear due to the slightly corrosive water we have, with Qual-Pex pipe? If so, could these be connected everywhere, like from the immersion, the drinking tap, to the shower etc?
 
Qual-Pex is being used successfully instead of copper for plumbing needs, theoetically, should not be a problem. However, your pipes should last longer thn 30 years.

Is there another underlying problem that needs o be looked at?
 
When you say your water is "slightly corrosive", what exactly do you mean- do you live in a soft water area? I'm surprised that you are having problems with your copper piping, that said there have been a number of problems with older copper installations where perforation has been a problem. This has mainly been due to the use of poor quality copper pipe during the late 70's and early 80's, this pipe was not produced in the european union and was not stamped or marked. Other than this copper pipework should have a life of 60 years or more. But to answer your question: Qualpex is a perfectly acceptable alternative to copper but note than all connections to storage cylinders and boilers must be in copper, for up to 1m from their point of connection, due to the high temperatures involved.
 
Yes, I live in a soft water area, and the house was built in the 70's so might fit the bill for a dodgy copper time period. Any idea how much it would cost to replace the relevant pipework in th house, I think I'd get someone in. How on earth would say, the rising main be replumbed though?
 
Generally the rising main from the road (tapped off the council main) will have been run in HDPE (black plastic) or what is generally referred to as Wavin or Hydrodare, at least up to your domestic stopcock, beneath the sink. Impossible to give an estimate of cost, how big is the house, are the pipe runs concealed etc. Too many variables- best to get two or three competent plumbers to quote for the work and see what the market dictates. I've come across quite a lot of the poor quality copper, which is only starting to give problems now in many instances.
 
Well, it's a 4 bedroom semi-d, from what I can see the pipework around the stopcock is all copper, but presumably you're correct about the hydrocare running up to it. I think for whatever sort of slightly acidic water we have, copper is just not suitable, and has started to fail. I know a plumber who I'm sure just won't do it, as he just doesn't believe that the type of water itself plays a major part. Parts of the pipe run would be concealed by the way, particularly the pipework in the kitchen that runs up to the attic tank.
Any other help/suggestions?
 
I got a plumber to replace all the gun barrel pipe to the rads in my house, cost E1800 inc materials, i'm guessing double this if you want all pipes done. should take 4-5 days.
 
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