the previous owner of my cottage has run all the feed and return pipes for the rads above the ceiling and then down (a 8‘ drop) to the rads. the pipes in the loft get red hot, as does the copper tank without the electric heat turned on, but the heat never makes it to the rads. the pipes down get hot, but no more. as soon as the electric pump (operated by pipe mounted stat)turns off, the heat in the pipes seeps back up into the loft and sucks the return water back into the rads. is this because the pipes are all higher than the rads? system is heated by solid fuel stove with 8k back boiler, feeding copper tank and 2 110cm rads and 1 50cm rad. even with all but 1 closed off, no heat. tap water is lovely and hot though!!!
PVC is easier to work with and make repairs when needed and is inexpensive. copper is expensive and unless you know how to sweat copper pipes together you will need someone to do that. PVC just glues together.
The latest homes use PVC, but make sure your connections are right, may have to buy some tools. If you use copper you can get solder less connections, different brands but I believe one is gator grip that works well. If you are not sure do a road trip, find a house under construction and see what you can find out.
I like PVC because it is easy for do it yourselfers. Pex is becoming the norm at least in my state, though I have not had any experience with it- have a lot in my business for runs of water lines, seems ok I suppose. Copper is the choice of most plumbers or was, and is durable. Just takes some experience in cutting and soldering. That's why I like PVC- easy to cut and fit and just glues together.
hi, we've 22mm below floor in bathing room from the immersion heater, then it changes to 15mm to the faucets, won't be able to say we've had any problems. The bathe is 15mm pipes from the mains, that provides a extra direct tension. Any help?
Because hot water rise and cold water settles to the lower points. The cold water is settling in the rads.Thats why you dont have heat.
