Can 10mm Plastic Pipes Be Used for Floor Heating

That’s right – positioned beneath the floor, 10mm plastic pipework might even be the very best option to link up to your central heating supply.More than up to the task of safely heating the home, there’s a few traits that define plastic plumbing as an excellent underfloor heating choice.

One such key characteristic is its flexibility – the 10mm pipes can run up to 25 metres beneath the floor without the requirement for any joints.

There’s also no need for flame or soldering with 10mm plastic pipes, in contrast to the case with metallic options or copper piping. Such plumbing is far more solid, difficult to manoeuvre and therefore time-consuming to install underneath the floor. Especially so in a compact property, where there’s quite literally little wiggle room for the fitting.

And as well as saving time with plastic pipework, you also have the potential to save a significant amount of money when selecting it over other types.

For your peace of mind, plastic pipes are properly constructed in line with British standards, and tested to a 10 bar pressure gauge. Furthermore, they offer better resistance to the elements, so are much less likely to freeze in colder winter climes.As if all that wasn’t enough, they’re much easier and cheaper to repair if a leak ever was to occur.

Features of 10mm plastic pipes

Some of the key features of 10mm plastic pipes include:

- They are extremely lightweight and easy to transport.

- They are very easy to work with and can be cut, drilled, and glued with ease.

- They have a very smooth inner surface that is resistant to corrosion and build-up.

- They are very strong and durable, able to withstand high pressures and temperatures.

Plastic pipes are increasingly being used in a variety of applications because they offer many advantages over traditional metal pipes.

One type of plastic pipe that is gaining popularity is 10mm plastic pipe. Here are some of the key features of 10mm plastic pipes:

- They are lightweight: 10mm plastic pipes are much lighter than their metal counterparts, making them easier to transport and install.

- They are corrosion-resistant: Plastic pipes are not susceptible to corrosion, which means they will last longer than metal pipes in most environments.

- They have a smooth inner surface: The smooth inner surface of 10mm plastic pipes reduces friction, which can help improve flow rates.

- They are easy to connect: Plastic pipes can be connected using a variety of methods, including welding and adhesive bonding.

10mm Plastic pipework is used for the conveyance of drinking water, waste water, chemicals, heating fluid and cooling fluids, foodstuffs, ultra-pure liquids, slurries, gases, compressed air, irrigation, plastic pressure pipe systems, and vacuum system applications.
8mm-10mm plastic pipes can’t do everything

Typically if pipes are 8mm or plastic 10mm, this can be a problem.

This is because small volume pipes end up carrying less water around your system but at a higher pressure.

Many homes have been installed using the small gauge pipes. They may have been just about good enough with the initial heating system. As time goes by radiators may be replaced without taking the pipe gauge properly into account. That can put increased stress on the boiler and start causing a range of problems.

Sometimes the home owner or landlord would like to upgrade the radiators but may not be aware of this issue at all.It would normally be up to the gas plumbers that come out to see the job to point out the problem with the overall pipe size. A good gas plumber will be able to properly assess your system pressure requirements and be realistic about what it will take to deliver the heating system upgrade you need even if that involves more work than you thought. Sometimes this means spending more on the job overall.

Adding new radiators too large for small gauge pipes may cause you some severe heating system problems.

Your boiler can get shut down because of too much internal temperature (not enough flow).

Your radiators can be poorly warmed at the extremes of your property.

Radiator valves upstairs can be put under too much pressure and suffer undue wear.

Your boiler can suffer increased wear and develop faults.
How to connect 10mm Plastic Pipes

10mm plastic pipes can be connected together using a variety of methods, depending on the type of pipe and the desired connection. Solvent welding is the most common method for connecting PVC and ABS pipes. Push-fit connections are also available for some types of pipe.

1. Cut the pipe to the desired length with a sharp knife or a plastic pipe cutter.

2. Spread a small amount of PVC primer on the outside of one end of the cut pipe.

3. Apply PVC glue to the same area.

4. Join the two pieces of pipe together, twisting them slightly to ensure that they are fully connected.

5. Hold the joint in place for 30 seconds to allow the glue to set.

Materials needed:

- 10mm plastic pipes

- 10mm end caps

- Tube of clear silicone sealant

- Hacksaw

- File or sandpaper (optional)

Instructions: 1. Cut the pipe to the desired length using a hacksaw. If necessary, file or sand down any sharp edges.

2. Place an end cap on one end of the pipe and secure it in place with a small amount of silicone sealant. Allow the sealant to dry completely before proceeding.

3. Repeat step 2 for the other end of the pipe.

Your 10mm plastic pipe is now ready to use!

What’s my advice if you have 8mm or 10mm plastic pipes but want to upgrade?

If you’re faced with this problem my advice is to take a longer term view of your heating system ambitions. Find a plumber you can trust to help you get a decent idea of the heating system you want for the foreseeable future of your property. Whether you can fund the upgrade in one go or need to do it in stages, it means that you upgrade things in the right order and always to increase the health and performance of the system. Sometimes this means refitting pipes throughout part of the property.

I recommend at least 15mm gauge for most jobs and ensure new installs I do always use them where appropriate. I don’t mind sharing that I practise what I preach. In my own home the heating system that came with my house was using small gauge pipe. I’m very satisfied to say that I ripped it all out and installed a much more capable 22mm and 15mm pipe system and an ideal boiler. Now as I’m upgrading my radiators (I’m going for vertical ones) the system has more than enough capacity to cope happily with the new demands.

If you have already upgraded to oversized radiators and are having issues but don’t want to upgrade to larger pipes right now, often the best course of action is to replace larger radiators (especially on the ground floor), with smaller ones. This can ease the issue and return a system to health but it may take the radiators you want off the menu until the fundamental issue with pipe size is addressed.