Thread: Some hotwater pipes are not copper. Is it right?

Rats have been known to chew holes in pex, polybutylene and PVC pipes, but as far as I know they don't chew copper pipes.

Mick

Actually, I know someone who claims that has happened to them. They'll chew through electrical cables, so I don't see why they wouldn't chew through plastic pipes.

A plumber mate down near Brissie refuses to use anything but copper because he's had to replace rat damaged pipes.

Mick

I've just spent the last 2 hrs trawling through information about the dangers of PVC.

I will never buy a tray of meat from woolies with glad wrap on again.

What about tupperware containers.....Jeez I feel sick.

If half this information is correct (some of it is obvious scare mongering by greenpeace etc and some is propaganda by the industrial lobby) some is informative and unbiased.......

What is up with this world where corporations put profits above their customers health ?

What is up with this world where corporations put profits above their customers health ?

Can you believe you just asked that?

PVC has nothing on tobacco and asbestos

Originally Posted by silentC

Can you believe you just asked that?

Yes, sorry about that a momentary lapse of cynicism

The first 15 pages of results on Google for PVC dangers seemed to be mostly greenpeace/blogs/consumer concerns and paranoia sites.

I hate to say it, but the members of these sorts of organisations would happily sign the petition to ban the use of dihydrogen monoxide*. Well meaning, but not a clue (and that's discounting the automatic anti big business slant that often goes with them).

This site likes to actually check what they are claiming by actually looking at the research findings, rather than just running the latest scare story verbatim.



* A major component of acid rain, found in tumors, indicated as a causal factor in many fatal car accidents, causes rapid corrosion of steel, and overdosing on it is fatal.

Originally Posted by Jessie

Hi, all

Our bathroom is being renovated. The plumber just installed hotwater pipes behind the wall today. I noticed that majority of pipes are made of copper but some are not, they look like black plastic and about 50cm to 80cm long. The plumber said they are used to prevent vibration when the tap is turned on. As far as I know, in the old days, all hotwater pipes were made of copper/brass.

Is there something wrong or I am far behind new technology?

Thank you

Jessie

It sounds like some kind of hammer arrester.

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

A plumber mate down near Brissie refuses to use anything but copper because he's had to replace rat damaged pipes.

Mick

They ate out a trap on a sink that I had just sitting in the garage. Chewed out a big hole in it for god knows what reason and they've chewed through a few of my cables as well. I hope they don't start on my drainage.
I've heard that they're putting some kind of poison to repel them from cable nowadays. I don't know about PVC but it's a real problem if these ratbags can get sustenance from sparks and sewer services.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

* A major component of acid rain, found in tumors, indicated as a causal factor in many fatal car accidents, causes rapid corrosion of steel, and overdosing on it is fatal.

That's nasty stuff alright. Watch out for it, it's all over the place.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

The first 15 pages of results on Google for PVC dangers seemed to be mostly greenpeace/blogs/consumer concerns and paranoia sites.

I hate to say it, but the members of these sorts of organisations would happily sign the petition to ban the use of dihydrogen monoxide*. Well meaning, but not a clue (and that's discounting the automatic anti big business slant that often goes with them).

This site likes to actually check what they are claiming by actually looking at the research findings, rather than just running the latest scare story verbatim.

Yes MS as I said in my post I am aware that there is a lot of hippy dippy scare mongering.
But you have to be aware that even when you have a site claiming "We do not earn any income from the chemical Industry" that it doesn't mean that thet are not set up by the industry and get there incomes stream through a third party.

I must admit I didnt read the site blurb that you linked to because as soon as I opened it , it looked like the other "We want to debunk those damn greenies that are spreading these lies" type sites. My oppologies if I'm wrong.
Try this link which I found very unbiased and they manufacture childrens toys!http://www.turnertoys.com/PVC_framepage1.htm

The water pipe they use is poltybutelyne, it is a smoother bore than copper and is also a larger size slightly, eg the copper 1/2 inch is now 18 mm and the 3/4 is now 22mm so the pipe is actually bigger and flows better. There is nothing wrong with it in my job i have tested it under pressure, they ussually blow at (8-9000 kpa) and even then the pipe splits and the joint stay put,.

Pex pipe is used for high pressure gas and has the added benefit of being hard wearing, Its also used for hospital type applications because hospital pipes are often super heated overnight to kill bacteria and the regular pipe cant handle it.

The water pipe they use is poltybutelyne ... Pex pipe is used for high pressure gas

Better tell these guys that, they sell PEX as water pipe:

http://www.iplex.com.au/iplex/products/futurek2.shtm

Originally Posted by bricks

Pex pipe is used for high pressure gas and has the added benefit of being hard wearing.

Pex water supply lines are now becoming standard over here in many cities, especially as the price of copper escalates. While it is expensive, the time saved in labour to install it makes it worthwhile. And you can control the various lines much more easily as it uses a manifold system, not unlike the electrical mains breakers in the house.

But if the house is built on a slab, the pex usuallly runs through the attic. It can be buried in the slab but must be sleeved wherever it penetrates in or out. It would probably be even more widely used except for a lack of trained installers.

Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

Pex water supply lines are now becoming standard over here in many cities, especially as the price of copper escalates.

I believe that you're allowed to do your own plumbing in the states. Is this the case Bob?