All about polypropylene pipe connections, technology and installation

Plumbing has become an integral part of a modern country house, along with heating and sewerage.
At the same time, metal products are gradually disappearing calmly and with dignity, giving way to plastic. Thanks to the simplicity and manufacturability of execution, do-it-yourself installation of polypropylene pipes for water supply is becoming the norm today.

The decision to use plastic products is dictated by time; such networks are more durable, they are environmentally friendly, and also have a number of other advantages. But which products are better to choose for water supply - polypropylene or metal-plastic, we will analyze in this article.

Polypropylene pipes: connection methods

The choice of technology for assembling a plastic pipeline depends on the type of products and their properties. The methods used for joining sections are divided into two large groups:

• The first one is “hot”.

This involves welding or soldering, that is, heating the material to change its state of aggregation. This method is used to form a deposit at the joint, and ensures the absence of leaks and uniform distribution of mechanical loads.

A welded joint is, first of all, a one-piece type of installation. This type of pipe connection is permanent and is used until the expiration date of the products. This method is more often used to achieve high pipeline strength. Soldering is done using special equipment or improvised tools.

Method of connecting polypropylene pipes by soldering Source vodatyt.ru

• The second is “cold”.

Involves connecting polypropylene pipes without soldering. This method is used when quick joining is necessary, in the absence of welding skills.

The installation method in this option is detachable or threaded. It can be used when connecting thin pipes, polypropylene and metal. When using this “cold” method, connecting elements are used - polypropylene fittings, the sizes and dimensions of which are selected to match the main product - pipes.

Knowing how to connect polypropylene pipes without soldering, you can pre-select elements suitable for operating conditions and ensure quick assembly.

Installation of polypropylene pipes using improvised means Source moikolodets.ru

“Hot” joining method: welding options

When using this method, 2 welding options are used:

1. Soldering pipe to pipe is the most popular method.
2. Fusion welding of couplings (adapters).

The first method is used when welding pipes with a diameter of more than 40 mm. The second is on pipes with a diameter from 16 to 40 mm. In this case, the fitting is needed not only to adjust the direction of pipe laying, but also as a supply of material for melting.

Various configurations of couplings (adapters) Source education-web.ru

Coupling configurations are selected based on the characteristics of the pipeline. The following types of adapters are available:

1. Corners . Change of direction in any direction.
2. Tees . Distribution of water supply and change of direction.
3. Couplings . Docking without changing direction.

The following elements also apply:

1. Bypass fittings.
2. Ball valves.
3. Combined products including metal-plastic.
4. Threaded inside or outside pipes.

Installation of water supply to the wall

Pre-connect the segments of the future pipeline using electrofitting or polyfusion butt welding. Next, mark the path along the perimeter of the room on the walls.

Important! Install the pipeline with a slight slope. This solution will eliminate the possibility of freezing of the liquid remaining in it even if the room is not heated. We are talking, first of all, about the dacha.

The sequence of stages for laying pipes with your own hands is as follows:

1. Drill holes for the dowel-nails. This is done using a drill.
2. Attach the mounting clips to the wall.
3. Securely secure these fastening elements. To do this, insert dowels into the holes using a hammer and screwdriver.
4. Install the pipes and secure them with clips.

It is allowed to bend polypropylene products without preheating at temperatures up to +15 degrees, and installation is recommended to be carried out at a temperature not lower than +5 degrees.

Plastic clips are used to secure pipes to the wall.

Mechanical joining method without soldering: connection options

Soldering as a method of joining pipeline sections is more often used during installation supervision in production. In everyday life, the most popular technologies are express installation without welding.

The time-tested practice of joining without the use of special tools ensures high quality joints of plastic pipes without soldering using couplings.

The widely known method is based on the use of shaped parts. With their help, you can not only ensure the continuation of the water supply circuit, but also change its direction, distribute the working medium or block the flow.

Advantages of installation technology without heating:

• Finished polypropylene products are cheaper to connect using this method than metal ones due to the low cost of fittings.

Connections of plastic pipes without soldering using couplings Source stroy-podskazka.ru

• The design of the fittings makes it possible to manually assemble a complete engineering system of drainage, water supply, and sewerage.

The size and technical capabilities of parts are determined by their configuration (shape, wall thickness, combination).

Connection using compression fittings

When choosing how to connect plastic pipes for water supply without soldering, many people often use the compression fitting method. With this connection method, the process of heating adjacent parts is eliminated. A special coupling, under mechanical action (crimping), reliably fixes the two ends of the tubes equipped with o-rings inside. After installing the adapter, the joints are lubricated with silicone sealant.

Switching from metal-plastic to polypropylene using fittings is an indispensable way to join pipes made of different materials.

The advantages of this method:

• a minimum set of tools is used for installation;
• Even a beginner can trust the pipeline connection;

An example of lubricant used when installing polypropylene pipes Source construct.smazka.ru

• a reliable connection is created at the installation site of the compression fitting;

This method, first of all, is good because it can be used when updating cast-iron water pipes with polypropylene analogues. This method is also in demand when assembling heating systems, including the installation of radiators.

Connection using adhesives

Among the docking options that make it possible to do without special equipment is the use of assembly adhesives.

The base composition of the adhesive is polyvinyl chloride mixed with a solvent. Manufacturers also add various additives and plasticizers to it to improve adhesion at joints.

Advantages of the method:

• joining products using an adhesive provides the assembled structure with the necessary characteristics of strength and tightness;
• upon completion of work, a reliable connection is formed at the installation site, invisible during visual inspection;
• No special skills are required for docking.

Important ! During work, safety precautions should be observed, do not work near open sources of fire and avoid contact of the composition with the skin.

Fitting polypropylene pipes before gluing Source www.asvshop.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in engineering communications.

How to install with glue

Before connecting polypropylene pipes, you need to prepare the necessary parts, tools and provide conditions for installation work.

The surfaces on which the adhesive composition will be applied should be treated with a degreaser. To apply the composition, a brush with bristles made from natural materials is suitable. It is also recommended to ensure the room temperature ranges from 5 to 35 degrees.

Considering that the pipeline parts will be joined with a minimum gap, a thin layer of glue will be sufficient. Holding the pipes until they set usually does not exceed 20-30 seconds. Upon completion of work, it is recommended to ventilate the room well, while drafts should be avoided.

Is it possible to make a water supply project online?

The owner of an apartment or cottage can develop a wiring plan on a computer (for example, using Project StudioCS Water supply for the AutoCAD program).

When calculating, it is necessary to indicate the entry points of the water supply system of an apartment building or the main water supply system, as well as the number of consumer connection points.

If the owner does not have design skills, then it is recommended to order the development of documentation from a specialized company, which reduces the risk of building an inoperable water supply system.

How metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes are joined

There is only one way to install pipes made of different materials. This is a threaded installation, since soldering and gluing products cannot be used here.

This is explained by the fact that the joint must not only be hermetically sealed, but also be able to experience high dynamic loads (maximum pressure difference).

Quick installation of pipes from various materials Source glawtruba.ru

Before connecting a metal-plastic pipe with a polypropylene pipe, you need to select the necessary parts:

1. Metal-plastic products are equipped with special tips.
2. Polypropylene sections, in turn, are equipped with a coupling on which a thread is applied.

Useful video on the topic

The presented videos and a series of photos demonstrate methods for installing water supply in apartments or individual residential buildings.

Installation work.

The owner can use the video as a teaching aid to learn the intricacies of building a water supply system with his own hands.

It should be borne in mind that if the installation locations of collectors, taps and other devices are incorrectly chosen or if soldering is of poor quality, the joints may be destroyed, leading to flooding of several apartments and additional repair costs.

Bell-shaped technology for assembling plastic pipelines

Fixation using this method is justified only when operating in low pressure systems. The insert into the socket ensures quick and easy installation, suitable for sewer and drainage engineering systems.

The ends of the pipes at the installation site must have a precisely adjusted diameter.

The section with the socket is, accordingly, inserted into the end of the pipe with a seal. The work will not require special knowledge or the purchase of special fittings.

The procedure for assembling pipelines by driving them into a socket

To eliminate possible diametrical errors in the joined sections, there is a rubber ring in the socket tip. The task of this element is to ensure tightness under mechanical stress on the pipeline.

Assembly of various polypropylene pipes Source www.uponor-usa.com

To facilitate the driving process itself, lubricant is used. The composition is applied to the smooth part of the end cut. The docking process is controlled using markings. This will prevent the user from driving the pipe too deep and damaging the section.

Normalized immersion of the bell allows not only to ensure material savings, but also to maintain a standard gap, which is necessary to compensate for loads during linear expansion - phenomena that occur with temperature differences.

Classification of fittings and adapters

Assembling pipelines using special nozzles is the most popular method of wiring engineering systems. In order to select the necessary types of fittings for polypropylene pipes, you should familiarize yourself with their detailed classification.

For the manufacture, release and supply of technical polypropylene products, the provisions of state standard No. 52134 of 2003 are used.

Types of fittings for polypropylene pipes Source ecomont.ru

Installation parameters of pipes and fittings

In the selection of polypropylene pipes and adapters to match the technical design of the building, simple physical principles are used.

The dimensions of fittings for polypropylene pipes in mm can be selected depending on the diameter of the polypropylene pipes, their thickness, and resistance to temperature influences.

For a home where there is free space and the mechanical strength of pipelines is important, elements with a thickness of 16 mm or more are laid. This takes into account the difference between the internal and external diameters of the products. The thickness of the pipes and fittings will compensate for the missing characteristics.

The first among the installation parameters is the operating pressure, indicated by the PN marking.

In this case, you should not focus only on the wall thickness parameters. If there is reinforcement (fiberglass), the outer diameter of the pipes increases.

Selecting fittings for polypropylene pipes by size is not so difficult, you just need to find tables of recommended adapters and their diameters.

Before installing pipes at home without a soldering iron, you need to select the sizes of fittings and couplings in mm or inches Source image.isu.pub

Features of collector installation

The device is a metal or plastic hollow body with a hole for connecting to the riser and several outlets for connecting pipelines.

The inlet cross-section is 25-30% larger than the size of the outlet channels, which supports the supply of liquid to several consumers with a constant pressure.

Metal collectors have threaded couplings for installation. Plastic adapters for polypropylene are equipped with compression-type fittings or solder adapters.

There are designs with conical bushings, which allow the installation of hoses made of metal or plastic and simplify the operation of the water supply system.

When selecting a distributor circuit, take into account the flow temperature (there are models for hot or cold pipelines) and the number of outlets (the standard provides from 2 to 6 outlets).

If a larger number of consumers are used in the room, then several products will need to be connected in a series circuit. Each dispensing unit is equipped with a separate pipeline with a threaded plug.

Installed collector.

Fastening methods used in everyday life

Each apartment owner independently determines the level of installation quality he requires. Some people use soldering, while others use adapters or other alternatives.

"Hot" soldering of pipes

Considering soldering as the most reliable and durable method of fastening, some private property owners use this method of pipeline installation. In the absence of special equipment, they use a gas burner. In this case, you can save on purchasing a soldering iron and work with pipes of any diameter.

Workflow Features:

• The gas burner must be selected according to the type of fuel used. The gas with the highest combustion temperature is suitable for thicker pipes.
• It is best to select pipe sections of the same diameter. This will ensure an aesthetic appearance of the engineering system, preservation of operating parameters in all sections of the pipeline and the absence of difficulties during soldering.
• Before starting installation, it is recommended to mark (cut) the entire contour, clean the ends of the joints, and degrease them with a special compound.

Installation of polypropylene pipes using a gas burner Source ytimg.com

Heating system planning

The main components of the system under consideration include the boiler, the pipes themselves, radiators (batteries) and fasteners.

Heating planning scheme for a private house.

Heating elements (or boilers) vary in fuel types and characteristics. Their installation is recommended in a specially designated area (room, outbuilding) with good ventilation and a gas sensor. The boiler must be installed below or at the level of the lowest point of the heating system, in no case higher.

It is necessary to develop a pipe installation project that includes diagrams in all rooms where the heating installation will be organized. If you are going with your own hands, you should remember that you will need additional components, such as angles and angles of rotation, couplings and various adapters. These points must be reflected in the project at each site where these parts will be used according to the plan. In addition, the diagram should indicate the installation locations of radiators and indicate the length of pipes between them.

You should take care of the fasteners for attaching the pipes. Fastening elements are selected in accordance with the type and diameter of pipes, the weight of radiators (batteries).

There are several options for constructing a heating system made of polypropylene. First of all, there are systems with top and bottom spill.

The first method involves the principle of gravity movement of water. In this case, there is no need to install a circulation pump, since the water will flow through the pipes on its own. This type of heating system is effective in cases of frequent power outages, when the use of a pump is excluded.

Bottom-spout heating systems usually involve radial wiring and the use of a pump to increase water pressure. In this case, it becomes possible to use pipes with a smaller diameter, which, accordingly, allows you to save a little.

The next classification option is a division into one- and two-pipe systems with side and bottom connections to radiators (batteries).

Briefly about the main thing

Lightweight, durable plastic pipes are easily connected to any materials in a variety of ways. There are detachable and non-detachable installation methods:

• The first option includes the use of compression fittings, threaded elements, and couplings.
• The second option uses “cold” and “hot” welding and gluing. The connection occurs using special compounds, for example, solder tapes and pastes, glue, epoxy resin, or simply by heating the plastic to the melting point.

When choosing how to connect metal-plastic with polypropylene at home, pay attention to the technology of compression fittings or threads with plastic elements.

Today, this is the only way to connect dissimilar sections, for example, cast iron and plastic. With compression fittings, the pipe connection can be quickly updated if necessary by replacing parts. The same cannot be said about the soldering method.

When there is no special tool at hand, electrical fittings can be used. Once connected, these elements quickly solder individual sections of the pipeline.

Before installation using the detachable method, you need to select fittings for the pipeline based on operational characteristics (temperature, pressure, dimensions). Fittings marked PPG are suitable for heating systems.

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Our advice

Before you begin the process of soldering pipes, it is better to perform a couple of practice joints. It is easier to work with small joints by installing the welding machine directly on the table. This way you can check how correctly the pipe soldering is performed.

But attaching elements to a partially finished pipeline will be more difficult:

1. Place a soldering iron nozzle on the polypropylene pipe, insert a tee into the other part, holding the welding machine suspended.
2. When preparing the main water supply, it is necessary to alternate subsequent connections. In hard-to-reach areas, it is better to avoid joining work due to the difficulty of using a soldering iron.
3. The material must be dry and clean, because the presence of dirt and water will reduce the quality of the joint. It is known that the material, if wet, can deform when heated.
4. Purchase all products (pipes, fittings) from the same manufacturer, because the chemical composition of elements from different manufacturers may differ, which will ultimately lead to a leaky connection.
5. The temperature in the room where work with polypropylene is carried out must be optimal and not lower than +5̊C.