Purchase of pipes made of heat-resistant polyethylene. The use of PERT pipes in the arrangement of a water-heated floor

» PE-RT pipes - characteristics of new plumbing pipes

The popularity of PEX plumbing pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene was suddenly called into question. And no one else did it, but the manufacturer himself. The American company "Legend" recognized the undeniable popularity of PEX and at the same time noted the negative properties of this product. A series of PEX pipes was marked by a serious operational drawback - residual traces of chemistry in the composition of the water. Plus, recycling and recycling promises a lot of difficulties. Therefore, the new PE-RT plumbing pipes, based on bimodal polyethylene, are confidently replacing the PEX series from the leading position in the plumbing market.

PE-RT series for sanitary ware

The American company "Legend" in 2015 began to produce innovative sanitary products that are functionally and technically more advanced.

Polyethylene plumbing hoses for heating and hot water, marked with the HyperPure PE-RT brand, increase the efficiency and productivity of the hydraulic system.

The IKAPLAST plant began to produce pipes from PE-RT with increased heat resistance. Standard sizes of pipes from PE-RT with a diameter from 63 to 630 mm. These pipes are designed for laying power cable lines in a trench and trenchless way.

IKAPLAST pipes from PE-RT

Pipes for laying low-voltage, fiber-optic and other cable lines, with a diameter of 20 to 500 mm, are made of heat-resistant black polyethylene (PE-RT brand) with a red marking strip (by default). We can also apply a marking strip of a different color at the request of the customer. Pipes with a diameter of 160 mm to 630 mm can also be made of black PE-RT with increased heat resistance, and have a protective sheath made of a material resistant to mechanical damage.

Depending on the selected diameter, the pipe is marked and marked in red (by default). We can also apply stripes of a different color at the request of the customer.

Regardless of the purpose and type of PE-RT pipes, they can be laid in a trenchless and trench way, and connected using fittings by welding.

Trumpet from			SDR 13.6
Nominal outer diameter, mm	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m., kg	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m., kg	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m, kg
Black polyethylene pipe with red marking strip

*If necessary, it is possible to manufacture pipes with a diameter of up to 630 mm.

It is also possible to manufacture pipes with SDR 7.4

IKAPLAST pipes made of PE-RT with a protective sheath for laying cable networks

Pipes with a diameter of 63 mm to 500 mm can also be made of black PE-RT with increased heat resistance, and have a red protective sheath made of a material resistant to mechanical damage. At the request of the customer, we can produce a shell of a different color.

PE-RT pipe with protective sheath	Protective shell				SDR 13.6
Outer diameter, mm	Thickness, mm	Maximum deviation, mm	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m., kg	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m., kg	Wall thickness, mm	Weight 1p.m., kg
Black polyethylene pipe with red protective sheath
63	0,8	+0,5	3,8	0,913	4,7	1,07	5,8	1,25
75	0,8	+0,5	4,5	1,25	5,6	1,47	6,8	1,70
90	0,9	+0,4	5,4	1,75	6,7	2,06	8,2	2,43
110	0,9	+0,6	6,6	2,56	8,1	3,01	10	3,55
	1,0	+0,6	7,4	3,24	9,2	3,87	11,4	4,59
630	2,5	+1,0	37,4	75,7	46,3	91,0	57,2	109,0

The operating temperature range of PE-RT pipes is from -20 to +95˚С, they can withstand temperatures up to +110˚С for a short time. IKAPLAST pipes from PE-RT are manufactured according to specifications.

Pipes with a diameter of 20-630 mm. are made of black PE-RT with a red marking strip*, pipes with a diameter of 63-630 mm can be made of black PE-RT with a red protective sheath*.

Pipes with a diameter of 20-110 mm are produced in coils or straight sections, pipes with a diameter of 125-630 mm are produced only in straight sections with a length of 6.5 and 13 m (by default). We can also produce pipes of other sizes at the request of the customer.

The PE-RT polyethylene pipes offered by IKAPLAST belong to the class of products with increased heat resistance. Depending on the type, such pipes can be used for laying cable networks or hot water supply lines in a trench and trenchless way.

*At the request of the customer, we can make marking strips and a shell of a different color.

General information about PE-RT pipes

Pipes of the PE-RT brand are made according to technical specifications from the special polyethylene possessing the increased heat resistance. This ensures a wide operating temperature range of the product ranging from -20°C to +95°C. For a short time, exposure to temperatures up to +110°C is allowed without any violations of the integrity and deformations of the existing pipeline.

Service life at the correct laying and observance of service conditions exceeds 50 years.

Due to its increased resistance to high temperatures, the PE-RT pipe can be successfully used to supply hot water to residential and industrial facilities. PE-RT pipes for cable lines are designed for laying and protecting high-voltage and other lines from mechanical and thermal effects. The protective sheath made of polypropylene provides reliable protection of the cable from damage during installation and long-term operation.

Due to the flexibility of the PE-RT (RT - resistance raise temperature) heat-resistant pipe, it can be laid using a small number of fittings. This significantly reduces the cost, speeds up and simplifies installation work.

A protective coating that is resistant to scratches and significant mechanical damage allows the PE-RT pipe to be laid both by trenching and trenchless methods, and connected using fittings by welding.

Plastic pipes for water supply - withstand temperatures from -70°C to 110°C (min and max temperature conditions are indicated), have a blue coating. For gas supply - has a yellow or orange color.

Production of PERT pipes

The HDPE pressure pipe is made of polyethylene and has a protective layer. Manufacturers use different coatings (protection) from modified additives, minerals, light and heat stabilized compositions based on propylene and polypropylene.

Connection methods

To connect pipes made of polyethylene with increased heat resistance, the same methods are used as for cross-linked PE:

• Sliding fittings. Installation is available to a specialist of any qualification. Mainly used for small diameter pipes.
• Crimp fittings. Polyethylene fills the entire docking space, so the connection is reliable and installation is quick.
• Electrofittings. The most reliable connection method.
• Flanges. It is used for pipes of large diameter and connection of sections of critical pipelines.

Connection of pe-rt pipes with pipes made of other material (PP, PA, PB, metal) transitional removable and non-removable couplings are used.

PERT pipe installation

Installation is carried out in several ways:

• Trench method, without the use of sand backfill.
• For laying are used incl. and gentle methods.
• Different types of drilling, for example, horizontal directional.
• Trenchless laying by the methods of punctures with a pneumatic punch.
• It is possible to lay in unstable soils using the plow-rotary laying method, as well as in other soils (rocky terrain, coarse-grained, excluding boulder, crushed stone, pebble-gravel).
• Rotary excavation - backfilling.
• Restoration in a trenchless way without dismantling the old one - relining.
• During the current repair of external systems - renovation.

The system of underfloor water heating, in recent years, has become a leader in comparison with radiator and other heating in private and suburban construction. Many water heated floors began to be used as the main and only heating in a private country house. The quality of pipes, the materials from which they are made, is thought not only by customers, but also by people who independently mount such a system.

Which pipes are better to choose for a water-heated floor - an overview of materials and manufacturers

Basic information about pipes for both underfloor heating and other systems (heating and water supply) that you need to know - this is the manufacturer of the pipe and the country of production. Since it does not matter what material the pipe is made of, if it is not produced according to technology, with savings on the quality of raw materials and quality control, such a pipe will not last long. And as with other products, a good underfloor heating pipe cannot be cheap.

Main properties and parameters of pipes used in floor and panel heating

When choosing a pipe for mounting it in the warm floor of a private country house or an apartment in a high-rise building, they start not only from the quality of the pipe and its applicability in a particular case, but also from the ease of installation. For a person who will install a warm floor in his house for the first time, it will be more convenient and pleasant to work with a more flexible and shape-holding pipe than a rigid and not pliable one, and this should also be taken into account, because. this can affect the quality (uniformity) of underfloor heating in the future.

What material is more suitable for underfloor heating pipes

Metal-plastic pipes

Metal-plastic pipes - the first and most popular, until recently, polymer pipes for underfloor heating. When viewed in section, such a pipe consists of two polymer layers, between which there is a layer of aluminum foil with a thickness of 0.2 mm or more. The most famous pipe for underfloor heating is the Henco pipe. Recently, it has not been very popular, because. the cost of the pipe is quite high. Due to the use of cross-linked PEX polyethylene and high-quality glue for gluing the layers.

Unlike Henco, other European manufacturers have switched to the production of metal-plastic pipes from heat-resistant PE-RT polyethylene. The elongation of this material when heated is several times less than that of cross-linked polyethylene PEX, respectively, the reliability of such a pipe is higher with sharp temperature fluctuations. So many Chinese manufacturers use cross-linked polyethylene, and given the savings on other materials, the overall quality of the pipe turns out to be quite low, so there are a lot of bad reviews on the forums about exfoliating pipes, cracking the outer layer (afraid of ultraviolet).

The presence of aluminum foil in the composition of the metal-plastic pipe allows you to completely avoid the ingress of oxygen into the coolant and reduce the linear elongation up to 5 times.

If you decide to use a metal-plastic pipe, it is better to stop at European manufacturers

1. Uponor (PE-RT/AL/PE-RT) Germany
2. Germany
3. HENCO (PEXc/AL0.4vmm/PEXc) Belgium
4. APE, STOUT (PEXb/Al/PEXb) Italy
5. COMPIPE (PEXb/Al/PEXb) Russia(Application up to class 5 operation)
6. Valtec, Altstream, etc. Russia-China

XLPE pipes

Cross-linked polyethylene is the most popular material for underfloor heating pipes at present. We will not dwell on the description of this material, because. information will be typed into a whole article, and we will tell you which options for pipes are better to stop at.

The highest percentage of crosslinking (from 75%) in the peroxide crosslinking method is PEXa pipes. The most expensive method used by European manufacturers. The PEXb silane crosslinking method is the most common, the level of crosslinking is quite high, but for example, in the USA, such pipes are prohibited for use due to the presence of harmful chemical compounds. It is also believed that the PEXb pipe obtains its strength properties only during the operation of the pipe with a heat carrier.

In the process of exposing the material to charged particles, 60% cross-linked PEXc polyethylene is obtained. The product is irradiated in the solid state. The main disadvantages of the method are the heterogeneity of the material as a result, but there are also advantages - cross-linked polyethylene receives increased elasticity.

With an increase in the degree of crosslinking, strength, heat resistance, resistance to aggressive media and ultraviolet rays increase. However, along with an increase in the degree of crosslinking, the brittleness increases and the flexibility of the resulting pipeline decreases. If you bring the degree of crosslinking of polyethylene to 100%, then in its properties it will be similar to glass.

The biggest problem in choosing a specific manufacturer and pipe is the poor quality of crosslinking in pipes made in China, as well as in some representatives of the Russian one. Another disadvantage of such pipes is the rigidity of the pipe, it does not hold its shape well and after bending it tries to take its previous shape and therefore it is more difficult to work with it than with a metal-plastic pipe, especially for an inexperienced installer.

The disadvantage of PEX material is that it is oxygen permeable. Water in pipelines without protection from oxygen becomes saturated with oxygen after a certain time, which can lead to corrosion of the system elements. To reduce the oxygen permeability of PEX, a thin layer of polyvinylethylene (EVOH) is used. The PEX base layer and the EVOH layer are glued together. It should be noted that the EVOH layer does not completely prevent oxygen emission, but only reduces oxygen permeability to a value of 0.05–0.1 g/m3 day, which is acceptable for heating systems. In the PEX-EVOH pipe, the anti-diffusion layer is made on the outside, i.e. the pipe has a three-layer construction: PEX-adhesive-EVOH. There are also five-layer (PEX-adhesive-EVOH-adhesive-PEX) pipes on the market, but tests have shown that the three-layer construction is more reliable. The notion that the outer layer of EVOH in a three-layer construction is subject to abrasion is erroneous.

Another disadvantage of PEX pipes is a large linear elongation, therefore, such pipes are practically not used for outdoor installation, but only in a hidden one.

One of the advantages of pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene is the presence of a memory effect. The shape memory effect is very useful in editing. If during the installation of the pipeline a fracture, squeezing or other deformation is formed, then it is easily eliminated by heating the pipeline to a temperature of 100-120 ° C. (However, in the passport for the Russian-Chinese pipe Valtec it is written: "In the event of a" crease ", the damaged section of the pipe must be removed.")

On pipelines coated with an anti-diffusion layer, folds form after restoration. In these places, the anti-diffusion layer peels off from the PEX layer. This defect practically does not affect the characteristics of the pipeline, since the main bearing capacity of the pipeline is determined by the PEX layer, which has completely recovered. Slight delamination of the anti-diffusion layer slightly increases the oxygen permeability of the pipeline.

Pipelines made of cross-linked polyethylene, and especially PEXa made in Europe, are better than other polymer pipes for use not only in underfloor heating, but also in radiator heating, by a hidden method.

What pipes can be found on sale:

1. Germany
2. UPONOR COMFORT PIPE PLUS PE-Xa EVOH Germany(application up to class 5, underfloor heating and radiators)

(application up to class 5) BEST CHOICE FOR PRICE-QUALITY

3. SANEXT "Warm floor" PE-Xa Russia-Europe(application up to class 4)
4. Russia-China(application up to class 4)

Heat-resistant polyethylene PE-RT

Very often, heat-resistant PE-RT polyethylene is called cross-linked polyethylene. But the technology for the production of such polyethylene is as follows. In a chemical reaction, "flat" butene is replaced by octylene (formula C8P16), which has a spatially branched structure. In the future, it forms side branches near the main chain, which are mutually intertwined monomer chains. They are interconnected due to the mechanical interweaving of branches, and not due to interatomic bonds.

PE-RT pipes are mainly used for floor heating, where the temperature and pressure are lower than in plumbing and heating systems. Although the manufacturers of PE-RT pipes, pursuing their marketing policy, claim that the properties of their pipes are the same as those made from PEX. However, this is questionable as PE-RT is a conventional thermoplastic with limited combined resistance to elevated temperatures and pressures in hot water systems, as evidenced by hydraulic testing and subsequent practice.

Comparison of regression curves obtained by the independent Bodycoat Institute of Polymers (Belgium) indicates that the durability of PE-X pipes is higher, and the regression curve showing the loss of the ability to perform working functions over time for heat-resistant PE-RT polyethylene has a characteristic fracture (loss of strength continuous operation) already at 70 °C.

BioPipe (PERT) Russia

The most affordable option with the highest quality

Stainless steel and copper pipes

These types of pipes are practically not used in the installation of underfloor heating, and the main reasons are the high price. Due to the fact that polyethylene pipelines of the best German manufacturers are 2 times cheaper than metal pipes, and the service life is more than 50 years (in a warm floor), there is no need for such pipes. Installing a copper pipe floor is more expensive and the installer of such floors must have extensive experience and qualifications.

findings

As for other types of equipment and materials, when choosing a specific manufacturer, we recommend choosing European manufacturers. The fact that the European manufacturer must be determined by the barcode and the inscription "Made in ...". Many sellers offer Italian trumpet, but cannot confirm that it is made in Italy, because. the pipe is actually made in China, and the real home of the brand is Russia. And of course, if the pipe is produced in Europe, then the price of such a pipe will not be the lowest, because. quality cannot be cheap. If you compare an inexpensive German pipe and an expensive Chinese pipe, decide for yourself how confident you are in the real characteristics and quality of the Chinese pipe, for example, in the level of "crosslinking" of cross-linked polyethylene.

If we draw conclusions on the materials for underfloor heating pipes, then our experts arrange the materials in the following sequence, starting with the best:

1. Cross-linked PEXa polyethylene with an anti-diffusion layer
2. Metal-plastic with PE-RT inner layer
3. Cross-linked polyethylene PEXb,c
4. Heat-resistant polyethylene PE-RT

Dreaming of comfort? Do you want a warm floor in winter, and a cold ceiling and walls in summer? All this is possible with modern polyethylene pipes: cross-linked PEX and heat-resistant PERT. They can be mounted without the help of specialists with their own hands. How to choose and install polyethylene pipes, read the article.

1. What are the pipes

There are 5 main types of pipes:

Steel or galvanized (from ferrous metal - an alloy of iron with carbon and other elements)

Copper (from non-ferrous metal)

metal-plastic

Polypropylene

Polyethylene (made of cross-linked polyethylene)

Each of the above types has its own purpose, is suitable for certain methods of laying pipelines and the properties of the transported medium (maximum and minimum temperature and pressure).

Today, heavy, unaesthetic metal pipes are being replaced by light metal-plastic, polypropylene and polyethylene pipes. They come in various colors and do not need to be painted, they can be laid in any way - open, hidden or combined.

2. Purpose of pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene

XLPE pipes

Polyethylene pipes (PE) are used for:

• cold and hot water supply;
• water low-temperature heating (usually up to 80°-95C);
• water heated floor and walls;
• cold panel systems (an alternative to air conditioners, eliminating drafts and excess dust);
• cooling of artificial ice rinks;
• soil heating in greenhouses;
• technological pipelines for food and non-food liquids and gases, etc.

3. Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

low cost; a light weight; ease of installation; resistance to liquid freezing (if the water freezes, the pipes will only stretch a little, and after thawing they will return to their previous size); absorption of noise and vibration during liquid transportation; reliability and long service life (up to 50 years or more) when used in low-temperature systems.

Disadvantages:

low oxygen permeability of single-layer polyethylene pipes, which after a long time can lead to corrosion of the system elements; reduced service life when used in high-temperature heating systems; instability to ultraviolet (solar) radiation when exposed for a long time.

4. What are polyethylene pipes

Depending on the production technology, there are 3 main types of PE pipes:

• HDPE (low pressure polyethylene, its other common name is high density polyethylene);
• PSD (polyethylene of medium pressure and density);
• LDPE (polyethylene of high pressure and low density).

Materials such as:

• PEX (cross-linked polyethylene);
• PERT (heat-resistant polyethylene).

HDPE, PSD and LDPE pipes are manufactured under different pressures, which affect the process of ethylene polymerization (combining small gas molecules into larger macromolecules).

PEX and PERT are made from HDPE and PSD using the “crosslinking” and “coupling” technology.

Cross-linked polyethylene is produced from high-density polyethylene by chemically or physically cross-linking its molecules with “flat” butene molecules.

In the production of heat-resistant PERT, medium-density polyethylene molecules adhere to the "bulk" octene.

Despite these differences, PEX and PERT materials have similar properties. Therefore, it is no coincidence that manufacturers combine them into one category (for example, you can see pipes from PEX and PERT in the same section on the websites of plumbing companies).

PEX and PERT pipes are:

• single layer;
• multilayer.

Multilayer pipes represent in the context of a three-layer or five-layer structure.

In a three-layer pipe, a layer of polyethylene is covered with glue, on top of which an anti-diffusion layer is applied, which prevents the penetration of oxygen and other gases into the water and thereby has an “anti-corrosion effect”. Polyvinylethylene EVOH or ethylene vinyl alcohol EVAL acts as a life-extending "oxygen barrier" system.

In a five-layer pipe, the anti-diffusion layer in the center is covered with layers of glue, on top of which layers of polyethylene are applied.

5. How to choose the diameter of the pipes

When choosing new pipes, pay attention to the size of the old ones. To replace it, it is necessary to choose a product of the corresponding or slightly larger diameter.

For example, “DN 15” is written on your still existing metal pipes: the number in this case means the inner diameter. And on modern polyethylene pipes, manufacturers indicate the outer diameter and wall thickness.

To calculate the inner diameter, you need to subtract the wall thickness multiplied by two from the size of the outer diameter. For example, 20x2.0 is indicated on the plastic. 20 - 4 (2.0x2) = 16 mm. This means that a 20x2.0 polyethylene pipe with an inner diameter of 16 mm is suitable for replacing a steel pipe DU 15.

Table 1. Calculation of the inner diameter of plastic pipes of the most common sizes

6. Which pipes are better to buy

To choose quality products, pay attention to the type of material (indicated on the pipes themselves, on the label or in the product description on the website).

There are two types of PERT material - type I and II. Type 2 PERT withstands 20% higher pressure than the previous generation i.e. Type I.

When compared to PEX and PERT, PEX is considered more durable, as it resists high temperatures and pressures longer.

Usually, the letters a, b or c are added to the PEX inscription, which indicates the method of crosslinking polyethylene and affects their quality. PEXa and PEXb are produced chemically, PEXc - physical, while the degree of crosslinking of PEXa reaches 75%, PEXb - 65%, PEXc - 60%. Tests of the last three types of polyethylene pipes of the same size at 90°C showed the advantage of PEXb.

In addition, the quality of the pipe depends on the thickness of its wall and the method of applying oxygen-impermeable layers.

Tests have shown that a three-layer pipe is more reliable than a five-layer one. In a three-layer pipe, the polyethylene layer is monolithic over the entire cross section of the pipe; in a five-layer pipe, it is interrupted by an anti-diffusion layer and glue, which breaks the intermolecular bonds of polyethylene. If it is overheated by a building dryer during bending, delamination is possible. The hardness of the EVOH layer is significantly higher than that of PEX, so damage and abrasion of the outer layer is unlikely if handled properly.

Table 2. Comparative characteristics of PEX pipes from different manufacturers

Manufacturer	Valtec	Pro Aqua	rehau	Beerpex	Royal Thermo	uponor	TEBO technics	Sanha
Polyethylene material	PEXb, PERT type II	PERT type II, PEXa	PEXa	PEXb, PERT	PEXb, PERT type II	PEXa	PERT type II	PEXc
Number of layers, pcs	1-3	1-5	1-3	there is no data	5	1-3	1-5	5
Outer diameter, mm	16-20	16-40	10,1-63	16-63	16-20	16-110	16-26	16-20
Wall thickness, mm	2	2,2-5,5	1,1-8,6	1,8-8,6	2,2	2-15,1	2-3	2
Working pressure, bar	6-10	6-10	8-10	6-10	10	6-10	10	6
Maximum operating temperature, °C	80-90	90	70-95	80-95	95	95	95	95
Producing country	Italy-Russia	Germany	Germany	Russia	Russia-Italy	Finland	Turkey	Germany
Service life, years	50	50	50	50	50	50	50	50
Manufacturer's warranty, years	10	10	1	5	8-10	10	7	1
Delivery method	bays	bays	bays	bays	bays	bays	bays mi	bays
Price for 1 linear meter, rub.	from 33	from 26	from 96	from 43	From63	from 52	from 68	from 28

*Prices according to online sources are valid as of February 2018.

To assess the applicability of pipelines to a particular system, pay attention to the declared service classes of products according to GOST (and certificates of conformity to them). They will show the share of the influence of temperatures changing in summer and winter periods on the actual service life. Example:

Table 3. Requirements for the reliability of polyethylene pipes according to GOST R 52134-2003

Operating class	T slave, °C	Time at T pa b, year	T max, °C	Time at T max, year	T avar,°C	Time at T accident, h	Application area
1	60	49	80	1	95	100	Hot water supply (60 °C)
2	70	49	80	1	95	100	Hot water supply (70 °C)
3	30	20					low temperature floor heating
	40	25	50	4,5	65	100
4	20	2,5					high temperature floor heating Low-temperature heating with heating devices
	40	20	70	2,5	100	100
	60	25
5	20	14					High temperature heating with heaters
	60	25	90	1	100	100
	80	10
XV	20	50	-	-	-	-	Cold water supply

The following designations are accepted in the table:

T slave - operating temperature or a combination of temperatures of the transported water, determined by the scope;

T max - maximum operating temperature, the effect of which is limited in time;

T avar - emergency temperature that occurs in emergency situations in violation of control systems.

7. Mounting methods

There are three main ways to install wiring:

1. Hidden;
2. Open;
3. Combined.

7.1. Hidden

With hidden installation, the pipeline and all connections are "hidden" in special recesses - strobes. From the outside, only fittings (connectors) and taps for connecting plumbing devices are visible. At the end of the work, the surface is sealed with finishing materials.

This method protects pipes from accidental damage and preserves the aesthetic appearance of the interior. However, the same installation option complicates the process (due to gating - laying channels), increases the cost of work and is not suitable for load-bearing walls.

Concealed installation also includes covering pipes with a concrete screed in underfloor heating systems.

7.2. Open

If the pipes cannot be hidden in the wall (for example, after a recent renovation), they can be laid on the surface. This option is convenient for visual inspection of connections and allows you to quickly clean the area or replace a component if necessary. Additional arguments in favor of the method are the ease and low cost of the work.

7.3. Combined

The combined method involves laying unfinished walls on the surface, which are then closed with drywall boxes or false panels made of plastic, tiles or other materials.

For installation, one of two connection systems is usually used:

• consistent
• collector.

At serial system the pipe is laid from one object to another. This system is suitable for bathrooms with a minimum number of facilities (bathroom, sink, washing machine).

AT collector system all control devices are located in a compact manifold, which is placed in a special cabinet. Using a collector simplifies the workflow and saves money. Suitable for radiator wiring and underfloor heating.

Tips for installing polyethylene pipes

Mounting Tips:

Before starting work, consider how the pipes will be placed. Then, directly on the walls, floor or ceiling, draw the lines of the future pipeline with a pencil or marker. As a starting point, use the place where the pipe connects to a faucet, radiator or manifold.

If necessary, insulate the fittings with a film or the entire pipes with a special corrugated casing before the hidden gasket. Do not use sharp objects to unpack the coil as they may damage the material.

Try to minimize the number of fittings that affect head stability. For convenience, in the process of laying a “warm floor”, you can use special plates or mats that facilitate installation and minimize heat loss.

If you choose not to use thermal mats, use anchor braces and 90°C rotation locks, as the "molecular memory" of the polyethylene pipes will prevent them from maintaining their desired shape.

The same memory effect will help restore the original shape of the PEX pipe in case of excessive bending and deformation: it is enough to warm it up with a building hair dryer to 100-120 ° C (the temperature depends on the material, is indicated in the product passport).

8. What materials and tools are needed

1. Materials:

1. fittings (crimp, press-on, plastic) - special connectors for branching pipes, turns, transitions to a different diameter (read more about fittings below),
2. fasteners - clamps, brackets, brackets, rotation locks and other elements that fix polyethylene structures on supporting surfaces (most often on walls).

So, you decided to lay a polyethylene pipeline yourself. In addition to the pipes themselves, you will need:

2.Tools:

1. pipe cutter or scissors (different manufacturers call this tool differently);
2. electrical or mechanical expander;
3. wrenches for compression fittings, vise (also called a press or tension tool) - for compression fittings (or press fittings).

allows you to cut off a section from the bay strictly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and achieve a tight connection. Extender necessary for temporary expansion of the edge of a polyethylene pipe, while nozzles of the appropriate size are used for a certain pipe diameter. Keys necessary for tightening compression fittings on pipes, vise- for tensioning the sleeve of the pressing fitting.

9. Types of fittings

You can independently install pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene using three main types of fittings:

1. crimp (they are also called compression or collet);
2. press fittings (or fittings with compression sleeve);
3. plastic.

In the assortment of all types of fittings there are connectors of various shapes - straight lines (couplings), squares, corners, water sockets, tees, crosses, which can be conditionally divided into two types:

split compression ring;

screw.

Since compression fittings require maintenance, they are perfect for open and combined installation. They are not suitable for installation in walls or underfloor heating.

Components of a compression fitting:

• body (fitting) with annular notches;
• split compression ring;
• screw.

How to proceed:

1. Cut the pipe to the required length. scissors or pipe cutter.
2. Put the nut on the section first (threaded towards the connector), then the compression ring. The edge of the ring should protrude above the cut by about 1 mm.
3. Insert the fitting into the pipe until it stops, pull the ring and the union nut to the edge of the cut.

The connection of pipes with the help of a sliding sleeve is one-piece, therefore, such connectors can be used for any type of pipeline laying, even hidden.

Components for compression sleeve:

• frame;
• sleeve.

How to proceed:

1. Cut the pipe to the required length with special scissors or a pipe cutter.
2. Push the sleeve on a piece away from the edge (it must not fall into the expansion zone of the pipe).
3. Insert the expander into the pipe and increase its diameter according to the instructions.
4. Remove the expander and insert the fitting body into the pipe until it stops.
5. Pull the sleeve onto the fitting using a vise.

See video instruction:

Remove the tool from the pipe and then immediately insert the fitting into the reamed hole so that the sleeve rests against the restrictive tabs of the fitting.

Hold the fitting in this position for a few seconds until the pipe shrinks around it due to the "molecular memory".

See video instruction:

10. What to do if you do not plan to install pipes yourself

In the online store Santekhmontazh.rf you can buy pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene from PEXb and PERT (type 2) of the Russian-Italian brand VALTEC and the German ProAqua. They are adapted to the conditions of domestic heating and water supply systems and have a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. ProAqua products have been comprehensively tested and certified in accordance with Russian standards. VALTEC sanitary ware received the "Brand of the Year" award in the Russian Federation and is in demand everywhere in the country (only in the Moscow region it is completed with more than 1,200,000 sq. m of residential space every year).

In addition to polyethylene pipes, you can purchase from us fittings, fasteners and tools for their installation, heat-insulating plates, manifold cabinets, blocks, etc.

We will help you choose all the necessary plumbing for your needs, as well as quickly and professionally install it, if after reading this article you still do not dare to change or lay the piping system yourself. Our installation division specializes in laying engineering systems in private and multi-apartment buildings, in non-residential buildings for various purposes.