"flexible, quick and easy"

It is possible to use pipe similar to that used for UFH to plumb a new property or re-plumb an existing house or extension. Although not a new system using pex-alu pipe for hot and cold services is an efficient and effective way to meet building regulations.

The system differs from conventional copper plumbing in the following ways:

• The only connections (or joints) are above ground at a manifold or tap connection.


• Copper is prone to corrosion when in contact with cement, pex-alu pipe does not suffer from this problem.


• Copper pipe needs to be bent with pipe benders and requires soldering, whereas pex-alu pipe is flexible and can be bent by hand, but also retains its shape unlike other plastic pipes.


• Pex-alu pipe can be purchased pre-insulated for ease of installation.

Using the pex-alu system each area has a manifold to which it is possible to fit isolation valves. This means areas can be independently isolated and flow rates controlled. This will also aid blending of hot water when regulations regarding maximum temperatures at taps come into force in late 2009.

With modern pressurised systems 20mm feed pipes to each manifold and 16mm pipes to each tap will meet most domestic requirements.

Trade and self-install customers can buy pex-alu plumbing products from R A Brown, we will design your system free and advise on installation methods. Click here