Do-it-yourself installation of polypropylene pipes: drawing up a project and wiring, instructions for welding pipes. Installation of polypropylene pipes with your own hands - instructions for work Installation of polypropylene pipes with your own hands

Purchase pipes made of polypropylene. The material used in the manufacture of pipes extends their service life to 50 years. Polypropylene pipe does not rust, so it does not require painting, and no welding is required when installing the pipeline. In this article we will talk about installing polypropylene pipes with our own hands, give step-by-step instructions, and also demonstrate photo and video materials.

Advantages of installation

No welding work is required to install the pipeline. All connections are made using soldering. The pipe is joined in a fitting and then soldered with a special coupling. The advantage of such soldering is that within an hour after soldering the entire system, the pipeline is ready for use.

Tool preparation

In addition to having all the necessary parts and materials, all the tools must be prepared to install the pipeline.

The most important tool for the job is a soldering iron, which will be used to solder the couplings. There is no need to save money when purchasing this tool. This can affect the quality of soldering and the speed of work, and the soldering iron itself can stop working very quickly. A high-quality soldering iron, when used for a long time, will not harm the Teflon coating layer of the nozzles.
For soldering you will need pipe fittings. Basically, they come complete with a soldering iron.
The main part of the work will be performed stationary, so a stand is needed for the soldering iron.
To cut the desired section of the pipe, you will need special cutters; you can use a pipe cutter.
The aluminum layer is removed from the pipe using a shaver.
In order for the soldered pipe to fit freely into the fitting, you will need to chamfer the edge of the pipe using a chamfer.

Visit a hardware store first and buy all the necessary tools.

What can you save on?

Soldering a polypropylene pipe with improvised means will not work. But still, you can save money on some tools. If you have a small amount of work to do, you can cross off wire cutters or a pipe cutter from your shopping list. Cutting the pipe can be done with a grinder. The shaver is only used if there is an aluminum layer. If this layer is missing, then you don’t have to buy the tool.

Work plan

Having decided to install the pipeline yourself, you need to draw up a plan for the work to be performed. It is necessary to calculate everything so that the soldering of couplings in most cases occurs not in weight, but stationary. At the end of the work, all that remains is to connect the entire system and solder the last connection points.

Before starting work, there must be a carefully designed pipeline diagram. This will make your work much easier, and you won’t have to buy extra materials. A well-done calculation will allow you to solve all the inconvenient soldering spots on the table.

Features of pipeline soldering

To perform strong soldering, the outer edge of the pipe and the inner side of the coupling are heated. Only that section of the pipe that fits completely into the coupling is heated. After connecting the heated areas, the polypropylene is soldered.

At the beginning of soldering, it is necessary to prepare the material itself. The required length of the pipe is measured and cut. At the edge of the cut pipe, from the outside, a chamfer with a depth of 3 mm is removed, and at an angle of at least 15 degrees. The edges of the materials to be soldered are cleaned of contamination and degreased with a special solution. And only now can the product be soldered.

Soldering pipes

Before starting soldering, the soldering iron is installed using a stand on the table and connected to the mains. Soldering occurs at a temperature of 260°C. Therefore, if the soldering iron has a temperature regulator, it must be set to this value. Please note: at other temperatures, soldering of products is not performed. Therefore, you should not overpay for buying a soldering iron with a temperature controller.
When the soldering iron is completely warmed up, you can begin the process of welding parts. The fitting must be heated simultaneously with the pipe, so a fitting is put on one side of a special pin; the pipe inserted into the sleeve is put on the second side of the heater. After complete heating, the parts are quickly removed from the soldering iron and connected.
When soldering, it is necessary to observe the heating time of the parts, otherwise the part will quickly deform and become unsuitable for joining. An insufficiently heated part cannot be reliably soldered, resulting in a leak at the joint.

To determine the heating time, a table has been developed, which is used by specialists when installing polypropylene pipes.

Pipe diameter, mm	Welding belt width, mm	Heating time, sec	Connection time, sec	Cooling time, min

The pipe is inserted into the sleeve with little effort, as is the fitting that is put on the heater rod. This is due to the design of the cone nozzle, which is made at an angle of 5 degrees. Only the middle of the fitting coincides with the diameter of the pipe.
Before heating the pipe, you need to measure the depth of the edge of the sleeve. The measured distance must be marked on the edge of the inserted pipe. This is necessary in order not to put excessive pressure on the pipe. Otherwise, the soft edge of the pipe may wrinkle into a thickening, which will lead to a reduction in the cross-section of the pipe. With experience, such emphasis will be felt automatically.
After heating, the connection of the pipe to the coupling is carried out quickly. The pipe is inserted into the coupling strictly straight, without turning. It will only take a couple of seconds to correct the connection. After cooling, they will stick together, and the force applied to adjust the connection can ruin the quality of the soldering.

System installation

Installation of the pipeline system around the house begins after preliminary soldering of all its parts. For ease of installation, it is advisable to perform as much soldering of turns and fittings as possible in a stationary position. For floating soldering, transitions in the walls and connection points for plumbing fixtures must remain. Places for attaching the pipeline are marked on the wall and holes are drilled according to the markings. Using dowels, clamps are attached to the wall, and pipes are inserted into them.

When installing heating in a house, keep in mind that a polypropylene pipe cannot be attached to a heating boiler. The boiler is connected using a transition fitting connected to a metal pipe. The length of the transition pipe must be at least 50 cm and it must be connected directly to the heating device.

Unlike threaded connections, soldered joints are not subject to maintenance. Therefore, the pipeline can be hidden in the wall so as not to disturb the beauty of the home’s interior. True, such installation must be carried out after a thorough test of the pipeline with water under pressure.

In this article we looked at the main issues related to implementation. You see, there is nothing complicated or scary about it. Install polypropylene pipes first for yourself, and then, having acquired the skill, you can consider this work as a source of additional income.

Video

This video shows the technology of soldering polypropylene pipes:

Photo

Metal pipes are confidently being replaced by more modern analogues. When renovating or constructing a new building, it is increasingly common to install plumbing and heating in an apartment with your own hands from polypropylene.

DIY installation.

Anatomy of polypropylene pipes

Externally, polypropylene pipes differ only in diameter and color. Other indicators are much more important: material density, internal structure, wall thickness. These characteristics affect application and installation.

Based on their structure, there are 3 types:

single-layer - only homogeneous polymers are used;
three-layer with fiberglass reinforcement, which is located in the middle of the pipe;
multilayer with aluminum foil - the design is similar to the previous one, but with some differences.

Polypropylene pipes are reinforced to reduce the negative effects of thermal expansion. When heating products without a layer, it is 15 mm per 1 m.

Pipes began to be made multilayer, placing aluminum foil or fiberglass between the polymer. The main purpose of such a gasket is to reduce thermal expansion. Fiberglass reduces it by 4-5 times, aluminum - by half.

The reinforcement material has different properties. Products with fiberglass can withstand heating up to +90°C, which is not enough for some heating systems. The temperature range of aluminum foil is slightly higher.

Pipes are perforated if aluminum mesh is used for reinforcement. Plastic flows into its holes, forming a strong connection of dissimilar materials. Polypropylene pipe rolling with aluminum foil is smooth.

Classification of PP material

There are 2 large groups of polypropylene pipes: single-layer and multi-layer. The features of the former are determined by the material used in production. Homopropylene (PPH) is suitable for cold water, random copolymer (PPR) is suitable for hot water and heating with temperatures up to +70°C. More temperature resistant PPS. For heated floors, pipes are made from block copolymer (PPB).

Multilayer PP pipes are more rigid and less susceptible to thermal expansion.

They are durable, but the use of aluminum foil has disadvantages:

if it is in the middle, it is necessary to clean it before welding, which takes a lot of time;
Half of the pipe is soldered to the fitting, an error leads to a weak connection;
if the foil is inside, it looks like metal-plastic, water can penetrate to the metal and become dirty.

Classification of polypropylene pipes.

Products reinforced with fiberglass are much superior in performance. Manufacturers specially color it.

Positive aspects of using fiberglass for reinforcement:

no cleaning required before welding;
increased rigidity;
less thermal expansion;
the walls are monolithic, not multi-layered.

For cold water, the best option is single-layer; They are cheap and easy to install. It is better to run hot water through a fiberglass-reinforced pipeline. For heating systems in a private home, polypropylene pipelines with an aluminum layer are more suitable. It is better to choose those where it is located closer to the surface, and not in the middle - this makes installation easier.

What does the marking look like?

Products have a special designation consisting of Latin letters and numbers.

Understanding their significance, it is not difficult to choose PP pipes yourself:

PN10 – can withstand low temperatures and pressure. Used in private housing for water supply.
PN16 – thicker wall, suitable for centralized water supply with cold and hot water. Withstands temperatures up to +50°C.
PN20 – maximum temperature – +90°С. Can be used for hot water and heating a private home.
PN25 – ultra-high technical characteristics. It is not profitable to use - cheaper PN20 completely meets the needs.

Buyers can also be guided by color stripes. Pipes intended for heating are red, for cold water they are blue or absent.

Table “Marking of polypropylene pipes”.

Appearance and internal structure

At the end you can see that high-quality products have a regular round shape. The walls are of equal thickness around the circumference. The internal structure can be single-layer or 2 layers of polypropylene with reinforcement. An additional aluminum or fiberglass shell is used. The surface must be smooth, even, reinforcement without breaks.

They are painted grey, white or green, which does not affect the quality. Coloring is chosen for aesthetic reasons. Green color is typical mainly for German companies.

Advantages and disadvantages of PP

The use of polypropylene in the installation of water supply and heating systems is explained by its advantages:

the material is cheap, lightweight, not afraid of impacts;
it is not afraid of corrosion, the internal cross-section is not reduced by plaque - it does not form;
withstands several freezing cycles without damage;
manufacturers indicate a 10-year warranty, but the cold water main lasts up to 50 years;
attractive appearance that lasts for the entire service life - pipelines do not need to be painted;
high sound absorption - the sound of water is not heard;
low thermal conductivity, which makes them effective for the heating system;
completely environmentally friendly, drinking water remains clean.

Advantages and disadvantages of polypropylene pipes.

The main advantage is convenient and quick installation, in which a completely sealed, durable connection is achieved. Installation is simpler and costs less than installing metal analogues.

There are disadvantages when working with PP products:

they don't bend;
elongate when heated;
Special tools are required for installation.

Craftsmen who professionally work with polypropylene have long developed techniques to compensate for these difficulties.

Preparation for installation of PP pipes

Before installation, you need to prepare everything you need - tools and materials for connecting pipes. You must choose which wiring method to use.

Drafting

So that after work it does not turn out that the installation of polypropylene pipes was completed with errors, a detailed diagram is drawn up indicating the connections. They try to keep the length to a minimum, avoid intersections, and reduce the number of bends to a minimum. The drawing can be transferred to the walls by drawing with a pencil.

Before purchasing materials, determine the wiring diagram.

For heating there are 4 ways to connect batteries:

flow-through;
with bypass;
with valves;
through a three-way valve.

The final scheme depends on financial capabilities - the cost of shut-off valves is significant.

To install a water supply system with your own hands, use tee or manifold wiring.

The first is more suitable for apartments with a small amount of plumbing equipment that is connected in series.

The second scheme is parallel, the outlets from the collector at the inlet each go to a separate device. They use a closed or open method of laying pipelines.

The first option is more complex and requires precise calculations, in particular the calculation of the thermal expansion of polypropylene. An open one is less conspicuous if done carefully. Vertical pipelines are located in the corners, horizontal pipelines are located near the floor. Easier to install and easy to maintain.

Preparing tools

The main tool is a polypropylene soldering iron with attachments.

In addition to this you will need:

pipe cutter for cutting plastic;
shaver - used to remove the reinforcing layer before soldering;
calibrator with bevel remover.

You will also need other tools - a tape measure, wrenches, a marker, a knife.

Selection of polypropylene fittings

Types of polypropylene fittings.

The diagram determines the connection locations and what fittings will be needed:

couplings – connect straight sections;
corners - to change the direction of the pipeline;
bypasses - carry out the transition of one pipe through another;
tees and crosses - for connecting branches;
plugs - close the pipeline.

Adapter couplings are used to connect polypropylene pipes of different diameters. To connect a polypropylene pipeline to a metal one, use a fitting. It has a thread on one side.

Selecting a connection diagram

For polypropylene with a diameter of up to 63 mm, the socket soldering method is used, when the pipe with its molten end enters the coupling. If the size is more than 63 mm, solder butt.

The presence of threads on the parts allows you to make the connection detachable. 2 fittings are used, one with external thread, the other with internal thread. If 2 polypropylene products are soldered, the connection is permanent.

Step-by-step instructions for welding PP pipes

When the scheme has been thought out, everything necessary has been purchased, we begin welding.

Pipe cutting

Use a pipe cutter that provides a smooth end without bevels. You can use a hacksaw for metal, placing the pipe in a miter box. If you cut unevenly, a bead will form on the longer end during soldering, which will block part of the internal passage.

The pipe cutter is designed in such a way that, pressing the wide base against the product, it provides a right angle. When choosing a tool, pay attention to what maximum diameter is available.

Pipe processing and chamfering

Step-by-step instructions for welding polypropylene pipes.

Burrs are removed from the cut pipe and a chamfer is formed on the side that will fit into the socket of the fitting.

There are many types of calibrators, chamfer removers, and screwdriver attachments that cope with this task.

The top layer and foil are removed from aluminum-reinforced pipes. They use a shaver - a cylinder with handles. It is designed for products of the same diameter.

After the operations are completed, the parts are wiped, removing dust and abrasives that spoil the nozzle. It is also cleaned and inspected to see if there is any melted plastic left inside.

Mark the depth of planting of the PP in the fitting. For products of different diameters, the welded joint deepens differently. This parameter is measured and a mark is applied to the tubular product with a marker. If planted too deep, the passage narrows.

Preparing the soldering iron

The welding apparatus is placed in a convenient place and firmly secured. If the design does not provide for fixation, it is better to work with an assistant so that your hands are free. Then install the nozzle and turn on the power. The soldering iron heats up, which takes about 10 minutes.

Working temperature of soldering +260°С. This is the optimal mode for polypropylene and gentle for Teflon nozzles. It is better for a novice master to buy a tool without setting the temperature - it is set by the manufacturer. When the device heats up, the green LED will light up or the red LED will go out, depending on the model.

Table of heating and connected parts.

After preparing the parts and warming up the soldering iron, begin welding:

The fitting and pipe are simultaneously put on the nozzle heated to operating temperature. They are inserted with little effort because the nozzles have a slight taper. The workpiece is pressed until it stops.
The waiting time depends on the diameter of the products. Use the table that is in the instructions for the tool. Violation of the standards leads to defects - the internal diameter decreases due to excessively heated plastic, which forms an influx. Subsequently, water circulation decreases.
Remove the elements and smoothly insert the pipe into the fitting up to the mark. Hold for 5 seconds, then release. This is the time during which the error can be corrected. You can rotate hot products no more than 10°.

How to secure the pipeline

It is necessary not only to solder it correctly, but also to separate the polypropylene water supply and secure it so that it does not sag or become deformed. Fixation is carried out using special fasteners. Clips (single, double, clamping) allow free movement of the pipeline along the axis. Clamps are designed for tight fixation.

Hot water leads to an increase in the length of PP products. If the fastening is rigid, a rupture at the soldering site is possible. The tension is relieved with various types of compensators: ring and similar in configuration to Z, G, P. Polypropylene pipelines cannot be mounted tightly in a corner - a small distance is necessary for the pipe to move freely when expanding.

Polypropylene pipes are increasingly used when laying various systems - from plumbing to water heating. Thanks to the excellent characteristics and optimal prices for this building element, its popularity is constantly growing.

Advantages of the material

The possibility of using plastic pipes for the design and implementation of various systems: water supply, sewerage, drainage, water heating. Most often they are used for installation in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen.
Polypropylene is an environmentally friendly material that allows the transport of both industrial and drinking water.
Being lightweight, they are easy to install, making installation quite easy.
Thanks to the material they are made of, they are not subject to corrosion, and deposits do not accumulate on the inside, which significantly increases their service life.
By designing a water supply system using polypropylene pipes, you can count on 50 years of uninterrupted operation.

Types of pipes

During construction, 3 types of pipes are most often used:

Markings PN10, intended for cold water;
PN20 markings intended for sewerage systems, supplying warm and hot water;
PN25 markings intended for heating systems.

The last two types - pipes PN20 and PN25 are reinforced with reinforcement, which allows them to conduct warm and hot water without deformation.

When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the condition of the material: the cuts must be smooth and clean, without sagging or burrs. The same applies to fittings, that is, connecting elements.

During installation, the following types of connecting elements made of the same material are used:

Couplings: connect pipes of different diameters; facilitate the transition from threads, both internal and external, to another type of connection; connect elements from different materials. For example, switching from cast iron to polypropylene.
Angles: allow you to rotate the designed system by 45 or 90 degrees.
Tees: help organize the branching of the system and bring three pipes into one.

Stages of work

Before installation, you must make sure that not a single purchased building element has dirt, sagging or any other defects. It is advisable to install pipes at warm, but not hot, ambient temperatures.

It is not recommended to carry out work at temperatures below 5-10 degrees.

For installation you will need:

Machine for polyfusion welding with various attachments.
Scissors (hacksaw) for cutting.
Knife for preliminary cleaning of pipes and connecting elements or for removing sagging.

Installation begins with cutting polypropylene pipes to the required length: using a marker, mark the places of future cuts and prepare the parts for further processing.

After preparation, you need to select fittings for individual parts. Having marked with a marker the depth of insertion of a certain fitting onto the pipe, you can begin welding.

Direct installation is carried out using a welding machine. It is designed to soften certain polypropylene parts at high temperatures and then join them together. To do this, it is heated to 260 - 270 degrees. When the desired temperature is reached, the prepared parts are put on one by one on the pre-selected nozzle of the welding machine. The thickest part should be heated first.

The prepared pipe or fitting must fit tightly onto the nozzle - otherwise the installation will be of poor quality.

The heating time directly depends on the diameter. The smaller the diameter (from 16 to 50 mm), the shorter the time period lasts: from 5 to 15 seconds.

Having warmed up both parts, they are carefully connected according to the marks made, while trying to avoid any distortions. This must be done carefully and quickly: after all, the hardening time of heated polypropylene is no more than 30 seconds. During this time, you need not only to connect the two parts, but also to fix them until they completely harden.

Any rotation during this time will deform part of the pipeline.

When connecting one part to another, there is no need to use force in excessive quantities: heated parts are easily deformed, which means the integrity of the building materials may be compromised.

After installation is complete, if necessary, you can use a knife to remove any drips that formed during the connection.

The result of correctly installed polypropylene pipes will be a smoothly functioning system, be it water supply, sewerage, water heating or drainage. All that is required for this is attention, accuracy and thoroughness.

Video

This video will show the process of working with polypropylene pipes during their installation.

Have you decided to do a major renovation in your apartment? Then it is worth considering that without replacing the water supply it will be incomplete. Agree, it would be a shame if immediately after the repair one of the pipes leaks, and, what good, you flood your neighbors. An excellent alternative to outdated water supply lines are plastic pipes.

Making plastic wiring for a heating system or water supply in an apartment is quite simple. To install polypropylene pipes with your own hands, you only need a set of special equipment and a minimum of technical skills.

Next, we will tell you what tools are needed for the job and how to use them correctly. In addition, in the article you will find information on how to correctly draw up a wiring diagram for a plastic pipeline, as well as step-by-step instructions for welding polypropylene pipes. To help the home craftsman, we have selected thematic videos.

Most polypropylene (PP) pipes are the same at first glance. A more detailed examination of them will allow you to notice differences in material density, internal structure and wall thickness. The scope of application of pipes and the features of their installation depend on these factors.

Classification of PP material

The quality of a polypropylene weld and the operational characteristics of pipes are largely determined by the PP manufacturing technology.

There are the following types of parts, based on the material they are made of:

PRN. Single-layer products made of homopolypropylene. Used in industrial pipelines and cold water supply systems.
RRV. Single-layer products made from PP block copolymer. Used for installation of underfloor heating networks and cold pipelines.
PPR. Single-layer products made from random copolymer PP. They are used in water supply and home heating systems with water temperatures up to +70°C.
P.P.S.. Refractory type of pipes with operating temperatures up to +95 °C.

There are also multilayer reinforced PP parts.

They have an additional internal aluminum shell, which dramatically reduces thermal expansion, facilitating wiring installation and operational safety.

The disadvantage of these products is the need to remove the top polymer layer and aluminum to the depth of penetration of the pipe into the fitting before soldering.

We examined in more detail the types of PP pipes by material of manufacture and fittings in.

What does the marking look like?

You can select the required pipes and fittings for plastic wiring in the construction market yourself. You just need to know the labeling symbols.

To determine the scope of application of polypropylene products, the main indicator is PN. This is an indicator of the nominal pressure in kgf/cm2 (1 kgf/cm2 = 0.967 atmospheres), at which the operational life does not change. The base temperature of the coolant in the calculation is assumed to be 20 °C.

In the domestic sphere, 4 main types of PP pipes with different PN values are used:

PN10– for cold water supply;
PN16– for cold and warm water supply;
PN20– for hot water and heating systems;
PN25– for heating systems, especially central type.

Products with PN25 often have a large linear length, so they are almost always reinforced with aluminum foil or strong fiberglass for less expansion when heated. We recommend that you take a closer look at heating.

Appearance and internal structure

High-quality PP pipes have a perfectly round shape when cut. The thickness of the walls and reinforcing material should be the same around the entire circumference, and there should be no breaks in aluminum or fiberglass.

To trim the top layer of plastic and foil on reinforced pipes, you need to purchase a special tool - a shaver. It is inexpensive and easy to operate

A reinforced pipe traditionally consists of three layers: inner and outer polypropylene and middle aluminum or fiberglass. The surfaces of the pipes must be smooth, without sagging or depressions.

The color of the material can be green, white or gray, but the quality and characteristics of the pipes do not depend on this at all.

Advantages and disadvantages of PP

The advantages of PP pipes in the installation of internal heating and water supply are obvious and are confirmed by their undivided dominance in this area.

The properties that make this product a priority for the assembly of intra-house communications are:

noiselessness;
impact strength;
ease;
corrosion resistance;
durability;
tightness of connections;
cheapness;
immunity of the internal walls to plaque.

But polypropylene pipes also have negative sides that cause inconvenience during installation:

lack of flexibility;
strong relative elongation when heated;
the need for special tools when connecting individual products.

Specialists who assemble PP pipes every day have long developed ways to compensate for the listed disadvantages, so there are no special alternatives to polypropylene.

Preparation for installation of PP pipes

It is impossible to do plumbing with hands and pipes alone, so you should understand the heating and water supply schemes, the necessary tools, connection methods and materials used.

The assembly of a water supply system from PP pipes includes a number of traditional steps:

Image gallery

Schemes with adjustable valves allow you to regulate the power of radiators separately in each room of the house without compromising the hydrodynamics of the system

The water supply system also has basic design diagrams for wiring, but there are only two of them: collector and tee (traditional in apartments).

Step-by-step instructions for welding PP pipes

After purchasing all the necessary pipes and fittings, you can begin welding them. This process will be discussed step by step, with illustrations, so that no questions remain.

Step #1 – cutting the pipes

This process is done using . If the cut is beveled, then the longer edge can form a bead during soldering and narrow the internal passage of the fitting.

The pipe cutter has a wide base, which helps maintain a right angle when cutting, but this does not mean that you do not need to control the perpendicularity of the cut yourself

Pipe cutters have a maximum diameter limitation, so you need to choose the model that fits the purchased pipes.

Step #2 - pipe processing and chamfer formation

After trimming, it is necessary to form a small chamfer on the part that will fit into the socket. For this purpose, hand calibrators or screwdriver attachments of various sizes are used.

Both tools have built-in knives that form a chamfer with standard parameters.

You can form a chamfer using a screwdriver attachment directly in your hands, without resorting to rigidly fixing the pipe in a vice.

To obtain a cut, you need to place the pipe on a hand calibrator and rotate it around the axis several times with pressure.

On reinforced pipes, in addition to chamfering, the top layer of PP and aluminum foil is removed using a shaver. It looks like a cylinder with handles and fits only one specific size.

After chamfering and removing the aluminum foil, you need to wipe all parts clean.

Step #3 – preparing the soldering iron

Before turning on, you need to put double-sided attachments (mandrel and sleeve) on the soldering iron and place the device on a cross-shaped stand.

The more powerful the soldering iron, the greater the number of pipes it can weld per unit of time, but for home work an 800-watt device is sufficient

Then you should turn on the soldering iron. When it reaches a temperature of 260 °C, the green signal light will light up.

Step #4 - heating and joining parts

It is necessary to connect and disconnect polypropylene parts with a soldering iron directly without twisting movements. A similar rule applies when connecting heated products.

To maintain the depth of the connection, you can make a corresponding mark on the pipe with a marker in advance and focus on it when inserting the product into the socket.

The table below shows the standard heating, connecting and cooling times for pipes, depending on their diameter, as well as the depth of insertion into the socket. When working in a cold room, the heating time can be increased by 1-2 seconds.

After heating, the parts to be joined must be joined with force and direct movement to the intended line. It is important to prevent parts from rotating.

Shifts of the pipe and fitting relative to each other are allowed only for 4-12 seconds. After this, any progress will have a very negative impact on the quality of the connection.

When connecting parts, their axes should be as parallel as possible, because after 20-30 seconds it will be impossible to correct the curvature

After joining, it is necessary to allow the polypropylene to cool for the time indicated in the table. It is advisable to look at the resulting internal seam to make sure that the overlap does not block the passage. Otherwise you will have to resolder the parts. This completes the soldering process.

To avoid popular mistakes in the process of welding plastic, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

How to properly secure the pipeline?

Good heating or plumbing installation is not only about the quality of the connection, but also about the implementation of knowledge on how to install assembled polypropylene pipes.

Proper fastening of plastic wiring to the walls will prevent it from sagging and deformation when heated with hot water.

When making repairs, sometimes you have to forcefully pull the pipe out of the clips, so the dowels must firmly fix this small element against the wall

For fixing pipes, the following are used: clips (single, stacked, with a clamp) and clamps (on a hairpin, paired, wall).

New models are constantly appearing on the market, so it is better to produce clips directly in the store. Clips basically ensure free movement of pipes along the axis, and clamps firmly fix them in one position.

A particularly dangerous consequence of improper installation is neglecting the thermal expansion of pipes.

The length of simple PP pipes can change by 10-15mm/1m when heated. When they are rigidly fixed, deformation occurs at the adhesions, which can lead to rupture of the connection. To relieve stress, the following types of compensators are used:

The above-described technologies for installing polypropylene pipes and fittings are simple and do not require professional skills. The videos clearly demonstrate the stages of the soldering process, which you can master yourself in a few minutes.

Therefore, to assemble a plumbing system with your own hands, it is enough to purchase the necessary materials, find equipment and follow the action algorithms described in the article.

Do you want to assemble a plastic pipeline, but have not fully understood the nuances? Ask for advice - we will try to answer you as fully as possible.

Not everyone can lay their own heating and water mains. But even those whose hands “grow from where they should” cannot do without theoretical knowledge. This is especially true for complex processes. One of these is the installation of polypropylene pipes with your own hands. The main difficulty lies in welding polypropylene products. The reliability and durability of the pipeline depends on the quality of the work performed. The pipes themselves have a high degree of strength. Therefore, problems with the main line only occur due to a violation of welding technology. What this technology is today is what we will cover.

Types of polypropylene pipes and fittings

Polypropylene pipes are either unreinforced or reinforced. The former, due to their large thermal elongation, are used only for cold water supply. Reinforced - can be used in hot water supply systems, "" and heating lines.

For pipeline installation work you may need:

pipes, their diameter varies from 20 mm to 160 mm;
bends 45° or 90° are necessary to turn the pipeline in the desired direction;
couplings that connect pipes to each other;
tees, used to branch the pipeline in three directions;
crosses, branch the pipeline in four directions;
adapters for connecting pipes of different diameters;
detachable connectors, taps;
bushings, plugs;
clips for pipeline installation.

You can learn more about the types of pipes from the video:

Detailed description of the welding process

To master the process of installing polypropylene pipes, you need to study welding technology. Tools required for work: marker; measuring tool; precision shears, auto shears or pipe cutter; for reinforced products shaver; welding tool.

How to properly prepare a polypropylene pipe?

Using a tape measure, measure the required length of pipe. Use a marker or pencil to make a mark on the product. An incision is made along the mark left. During the cutting process, the pipe should be positioned at right angles to the shear blades. If you need to cut a short piece of pipe, position it so that the longer section of pipe is to the right of the tool. This way you will avoid its deformation.

If polypropylene pipes with reinforcement are used, then before starting welding work you need to clean the aluminum layer at the junction of the parts. Otherwise, when it comes into contact with water, it will be subject to corrosion, which over time will lead to defects in the connection, which in turn will cause a leak.

Cleaning is done with a shaver. Its depth is half a centimeter greater than the socket of the fitting used. An important condition for high-quality welding of pipes is their degreasing at the joints. Alcohol wipes work well for this process. Gasoline and solvents should not be used to degrease polypropylene pipes.

To ensure an even cut of the pipe, it must be positioned at right angles to the blades of the cutting tool. For a strong connection, the pipe section must be degreased before welding.

If the aluminum layer of the reinforced pipe is not cleaned before installing the pipeline, over time the connection will corrode and its integrity will be compromised.

The fitting is also degreased before welding. The welding depth is marked on the pipe. This will help control the depth of insertion of the pipe into the fitting.

You need to make a mark on the pipe by trying on the fitting to it. This way you will clearly know the welding depth.

Must stand on a flat, stable surface. The process uses two attachments: a sleeve and a mandrel. The first is used for the pipe, the second for the fitting. They are selected taking into account the size of the pipes. Before putting on the parts, it is advisable to degrease them too.

Attention! Attach attachments to the welding machine only when the device is turned off.

The nozzles are made of Teflon, which, when heated, does not cause polypropylene to stick to the surface. After putting on the attachments, turn on the device. When the indicator on the device body goes out, you can start welding.

Polypropylene pipe welding technology

If the work is being carried out for the first time, it is advisable to practice on a small section of pipe. Since you will have to deal with high temperatures, it is better to use construction gloves. They will help protect your hands from burns.

Advice. After the device reaches the desired temperature, you need to wait 5 minutes before starting the process. And only then start welding.

Holding the pipe in one hand and the fitting in the other, I simultaneously put them on the heated nozzles. In this case, you need to apply a little force, but be careful not to melt the pipe beyond the mark. The time during which the required heating of the parts occurs is calculated according to the table. Counting begins after the parts are completely seated on the device.

As soon as the time is up, the parts are removed from the device and the pipe is inserted into the fitting up to the mark. After this, you need to wait a few seconds, and then do not make any impact on the alloy until it cools completely. During the process of heating and joining parts, it is not recommended to displace them along the axis.

When pushing the fitting and pipe onto the nozzles, you need to apply a little force. At the same time, you need to ensure that the parts do not warm up deeper than necessary.

When working with polypropylene pipes, the heating, connecting and cooling times of the elements should be observed. The quality and durability of the pipeline depends on this

You can check the connection by looking inside. The formation of “noises” is considered a defect, since they affect the throughput of the highway. They can result from failure to maintain the melting temperature or if the pipe is inserted into the fitting further than necessary. In any case, such a defect affects the efficiency and service life of the pipeline.

Attention. Work on the installation of polypropylene pipes cannot be carried out in rooms where the air temperature is below 0°.

If polypropylene pipes are walled up, then before installing them in the wall, you must first assemble the entire section of the pipeline. And only then fasten it into the groove.

Connection of polypropylene pipe with metal

To connect pipes made of different materials, such as metal and polypropylene, you need to use fittings that are equipped with threaded metal inserts. First, the fitting is welded to a polypropylene pipe, and then a metal pipe with an internal thread is screwed onto it. For a better connection, tow or flax is used.

Installation of polypropylene pipes to the surface

In the process of laying a pipeline, it becomes necessary to attach it to the surface. This can be done in two ways:

conventional wall mounting;
sealing pipes in the groove.

Both options use special clips. They are selected according to the size of the pipes. The clips are attached to the surface using dowels and screws.

The section of the main line that will be walled up in the groove is first assembled, all its components are welded and only then mounted to the wall

There are two options for attaching pipes to the wall: rigid and sliding. Installation of water supply from polypropylene pipes can be done using rigid fastening. But for heating lines, in places where expansion is compensated, sliding fastenings should be made.

Other installation nuances

When using polypropylene pipes in heating lines, you need to know how to install them to the surface, taking into account thermal expansion. If work is carried out at a temperature of 20°, and the maximum value of the transported liquid is 110°, then each meter of unreinforced pipeline is extended by 12 mm. Therefore, only reinforced products must be used for heating lines. Their extension is 2.4 mm. However, it must be taken into account when laying the highway.

If the pipeline will be walled up, you can use special casings. Thanks to their soft structure, they reduce pipe stress. In addition, the casing reduces . To compensate for expansion on the external pipeline, temperature compensators are installed. They can be made in the form of loops, U-shaped or Z-shaped. Since polypropylene pipes are not plastic, bends are made using fittings.

Having studied the theory of working with polypropylene pipes, you can begin the practical implementation of the process. The main thing is to strictly follow the technology. If you are not completely confident in your abilities, it is better to invite a specialist. After all, mistakes can be costly. The quality of the measures taken can be judged after checking the line under pressure.