Why plastic pipes for a heating system are evil! The main disadvantages of polypropylene, which many do not even suspect.

  • Dec 10, 2020

As a rule, polypropylene pipes are used for heating systems in multi-apartment high-rises and private houses, since they are one of the cheapest on the construction market. Compared to metal ones, they look prettier. But I do not advise taking plastic pipes for the installation of heating systems. Let me explain why.

Polypropylene pipes have significant disadvantages, which cannot be ignored:

  • 1. When plastic pipes are exposed to high temperatures for a long time, they expand and create a wave. If communications are hidden in the wall, it will be invisible. But if the pipes are installed outside, it will certainly start to catch your eye. Initially, the pipes will be flat, but over time, waves will appear on them. The performance of heating systems does not suffer from this, which cannot be said about the appearance.
  • 2. In stores, plastic pipes are sold at 2-4 meters. That is, joints cannot be avoided, in long systems there will be too many joints. In spacious rooms, the number of corners and turns can be dozens, if not hundreds.
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  • 3. In the process of welding plastic pipes, their inner diameter may decrease slightly. Because of this, water will flow through them in a smaller flow, which will affect the operation of the heating system.
  • 4. Some connectors have a metal insert. Materials can expand in different ways, as a result, over time, the joints will begin to leak.
  • 5. The rules do not prohibit the installation of heating systems made of polypropylene pipes. However, in practice, this can be a problem. The working pressure is 25 atmospheres, and the maximum allowable temperature is 95 degrees. These indicators in centralized heating systems may be different.
In addition, no one is insured against force majeure when the indicators significantly exceed the permissible values. Also, water hammer does not carry anything good. If the pipes are filled with water too quickly, the pressure in them reaches 30 atmospheres. Polypropylene may not withstand such high values.

If you decide to install plastic pipes for heating your home, I advise you not to forget about the oxygen barrier. This is when the pipes have aluminum reinforcement. Here another problem arises - unreinforced fittings. But that is another story.

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