How plastic water supply systems help installers handle the pressure

Polypipe Building Services, UK Strategic Project Director Steve Bamforth, explains how they are supporting distributors with installer-friendly plastic water supply systems, that save time on site and support right-first-time installation.

When your customers are installing water supply systems, the pressure is on, because any tiny mistake they make will be exposed. The industry-wide shortage of skilled labour and the drive to reduce project timescales, can lead to hurried and faulty installation. This in turn can increase the risk of water leaks which cause significant problems during and after installation – both for building owners and occupants, and costly comebacks for contractors. 

Quick and easy installation is making plastic systems more popular, but it’s important to understand how to help contractors make the right choices and avoid any potential pitfalls.

Incorrectly connected pipework is one of the most common problems. So, we have designed our MecFlow Press system to simplify the process, ensuring the quality of installation and greatly reducing the risk of leaks. 

A ‘leak before press’ function is designed into its fittings to identify leaks before the system is fully commissioned. Any unpressed joints will be revealed if a system is pressurised to between 1 to 6.5 bar. This ensures that potential faults are detected and addressed during the installation process, giving installers peace of mind that they can work quickly, and still deliver a watertight end-result. 

MecFlow Press fittings also incorporate a large visual inspection window, which allows installers to see directly inside the fitting’s collar and check that the pipe is correctly positioned before the joint is pressed. Having a clear view of what’s going on inside the fitting means the installer can be confident the pipe has been inserted to the correct depth and that the joint is properly aligned. The collars are contoured so that the jaws of the pressing tool align precisely which means that the risk of incorrect pressing is greatly reduced.

Joints between pipes of different materials are at high risk of failure, so the range also includes fittings specifically developed to join MecFlow pipework with metal pipes.

We have also designed a couple of custom tools to help installers overcome common installation issues. The first is a custom deburring tool that can be used across the full MecFlow range, giving installers a simple and precise way to calibrate the external circumference of the pipe which enables accurate insertion of the pipe into the fitting every time. The second is a pressure test plug that can be screwed directly onto the end of the pipe, sealing it ready for pressure testing.

MecFlow Press is a comprehensive answer to the problem of how to install water supply systems with speed, and without mistakes. The system is incredibly simple to use, and to sell, especially when you can get all the support you need from our Technical Team.