Homemade faucet made of polypropylene. Do-it-yourself plumbing installation: classic wiring diagrams and installation instructions. What tools are needed

Polypropylene pipes are widely used due to their low cost, long service life and ease of installation. Everyone can do the installation of polypropylene pipes with their own hands, the main thing is to plan the installation work correctly and know the features of welding polypropylene pipes.

Fig.1.

Unlike other types of pipes for the installation of polypropylene, you must have a special tool - this is a welding machine for polypropylene pipes and scissors for cutting pipes. It should be noted that, despite the need to purchase a special tool, polypropylene pipes still win in terms of cost, due to the cheapness of the pipes and fittings themselves.

Fig.2.

Where can polypropylene pipes be used?

Polypropylene pipes have no restrictions on applicability, with the only exception being the temperature of the liquid passing through them. It should not exceed 90 degrees. In connection with this, it is not advisable to use polypropylene pipes in heating systems for city apartments, because. often the water temperature in such heating systems is more than 90 degrees. For country houses, where the temperature regime of heating is lower, reinforced propylene pipes are perfect.

Fig.3.

Fig.4.

Fig.5.

Fig.6.

Features of the installation of polypropylene pipes

Installation of polypropylene pipes should start from the riser, gradually lengthening the water supply line according to the scheme, the location of plumbing fixtures. During installation, it is necessary to install supports for polypropylene pipes. Also, in the case of a large length of the pipeline, a compensation elbow should be provided.

Fig.7.

Since during operation the length of the pipes will change due to thermal expansion. The compensation knee will remove the tensile loads on the water supply system, thereby protecting it from damage. Also, when crossing pipelines, you can use a special fitting - a bypass.

Fig.8.

Of great interest and practical value in the installation of polypropylene pipes with your own hands is the correct selection of fittings. The use of simple fittings such as elbows, tees, couplings and plugs is unlikely to cause major problems. The main interest is the selection of fittings for connecting various devices of a mixer, toilet bowl, counters, etc.

Connecting a bath and basin faucet

The connection of the bath faucet can be made using one of two types of fittings: mounting plate and "water socket". To connect the mixer, the mounting plate is more convenient, because. it already provides for the correct relative position of the holes for connecting the mixer. However, the water socket is also suitable for this purpose, thanks to the presence of special holes for mounting to the wall. In the latter case, it is necessary to fix the sockets at a distance equal to the center-to-center distance of the nozzles at the mixer.

Fig.9.

Fig.10.

Fig.11.

When connecting a basin faucet, provided that there are no requirements for the position of the connection holes, it is convenient to use water sockets or combined one-piece fittings.

Polypropylene taps

When installing polypropylene pipes, two types of taps can be used: polypropylene and metal. If the entire plumbing is made of polypropylene, then it is more expedient to use polypropylene taps, it is both cheaper and more convenient.

Fig.12.

If it is necessary to install a valve in the transition between different types of pipes, for example, metal and polypropylene, or on a riser, then it is advisable to use a metal valve, while using a detachable combined fitting.

Fig.13.

It should also be noted that if we are talking about the installation of polypropylene pipes in the country, then it is more expedient to use either polypropylene taps or traditional brass, but not ball valves. Quite often there are cases when water gets under the ball of a metal ball valve and, when frozen, breaks the valve. Ball polypropylene valve under similar conditions does not suffer, because. polypropylene is a more flexible material.

Counter installation

Unlike shutoff valves, there are no polypropylene meters, and, therefore, a special fitting must be used to connect it. To connect the meter to a polypropylene water supply, it is convenient to use a combined one-piece fitting.

Fig.14.

Fig.16.

Water heater connection

It should be noted that the water heater can be connected to the water supply with hoses. In this case, water outlets or combined one-piece fittings are perfect.

Fig.17.

Fig.18.

Fig.19.

If the connection is made directly to the water supply, then it is advisable to use collapsible fittings and polypropylene taps. To be able to turn off and remove the water heater.

Welding of polypropylene pipes

Now that the main points for the installation of polypropylene pipes are covered, we can say about the process of pipe welding itself. Welding of polypropylene pipes is carried out by heating the surface of the pipe using a welding machine. The whole welding process consists in the fact that two parts to be joined are heated at once, after which they are connected and after cooling they are tightly connected.

Fig.20.

Fig.21.

This is the main drawback of polypropylene pipes, that if a node is welded incorrectly, then it is impossible to remake it, it is only possible to assemble a new one. Therefore, the welding process should be treated responsibly so as not to spoil the fittings and pipes.

However, in some cases, an incorrectly welded element can be corrected. Couplings can be used for this. In the photo below, how to fix an incorrectly welded joint using a coupling.

Fig.22.

Fig.23.

Do-it-yourself procedure for welding polypropylene pipes

Using special scissors, cut the required size of the pipe. If the pipe is cut with a saw, then all burrs formed during the cutting process should be removed.

Fig.24.

Next, make a mark on the pipe and fitting with a marker or pencil. This mark is necessary in order to subsequently connect both parts in the correct orientation. It should be noted that some manufacturers immediately establish the risks, which greatly facilitates the work.

Fig.25.

Fig.26.

There are three important points to note here.

• First, most welding machines have a temperature controller. For room temperature, it is optimal to have a welding machine temperature of approximately 270 degrees. If welding is performed outdoors or at low temperatures, the heating temperature should be increased.
• Secondly, for welding polypropylene pipes, exposure of parts during heating is important. So for a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm - 5s; 25mm - 7s; 32 mm - 8 s; 40 mm - 12s. Here again, you should remember the temperature of the welding machine. The selection of the optimal mode lies in the fact that the heating of the places of the parts to be joined is uniform.
• Thirdly, when heating parts, you can’t turn them on the nozzle, you can only put them on, and take them off after heating.

Fig.27.

After the parts have warmed up, they must be carefully removed from the nozzle and connected. During connection, they must not be rotated relative to each other, this will disrupt the quality of welding. After the parts are connected, they should be held stationary for 10-30 seconds so that the welding site freezes.

In conclusion, two pieces of advice can be given for welding polypropylene pipes.

When welding polypropylene pipes, do not connect the parts for the entire length of the heated pipe. The pipe on the welding machine warms up by about 15 mm. When connecting, it should be done for a length of 10 mm. Otherwise, an influx of material is formed from the inside of the pipe, as well as from the outside. Due to the influx of pipe material, the flow area decreases, which contributes to the accumulation of any deposits in this place, thereby clogging the water supply.

Fig.28.

Most welding machines are equipped with a special clamp. It is necessary for fastening to a workbench or table. It is convenient to weld pipes if the welding machine is not mobile, so do not neglect to pre-fix it, for example, to a stool.

Fig.29.

We examined all the features of welding polypropylene pipes and using various fittings to connect the most common water supply devices. Despite the simplicity of welding polypropylene pipes, this work is very responsible, because. pipes will last for many years. Therefore, before starting work, it is necessary to mark the passage of pipes and determine the necessary set of fittings and pipes, and only then begin installation. Installation should start from the riser. The guarantee of high-quality welding is the optimal temperature of the welding machine. Before starting work, it will not be superfluous to make one control connection to check the selection of the correct temperature regime. And remember that the welding machine has a temperature of 270-320 degrees and with careless handling it is easy to get a severe burn, so welding of polypropylene pipes should be carried out in special protective gloves or mittens.

Polypropylene taps cause distrust among many buyers due to the fact that they consider the material of manufacture to be unreliable and short-lived. Meanwhile, modern technologies provide the highest quality of workmanship, due to which, in terms of their properties, such cranes are not inferior to metal products, and in some respects even surpass them. This article will consider the main features of this type of product and the criteria for choosing high-quality models.

Advantages of this product group

Cranes for polypropylene pipes can be very different: steel, brass or from the same material as the main communications. It is the latter option that we will consider in more detail, especially since it has a number of undeniable advantages:

Important!
Another important advantage is the fact that the locking mechanism is made of high quality stainless steel, which guarantees the durability of the structure and its resistance to adverse effects.

Features of polypropylene taps

First you need to understand the main design features, this will allow you to better understand how the system functions.

Device

Products can be made from different types of raw materials, most often the upper limit of heat resistance is limited to 95 degrees. It is best to choose designs from the PPRC raw material brand, the size range of products is quite wide, but the most common are sizes 20, 25, 32 and 50 mm, but other options can be found.

Regardless of the size, the design consists of the following components:

• Housing made from the highest strength polypropylene. It is very important that the assembly is cast with high quality, without any flaws and superficial defects.
• The locking element is a ball with a hole for the flow of water. It is best if it is made of stainless steel and the surface is polished with a laser, this ensures the tightest and most secure fit.
• The stem is the axis on which the locking mechanism is mounted, it must be fitted very precisely to prevent even minimal play.
• O-rings are used to prevent water from penetrating through the stem mounts., they must be made of high quality rubber.
• Two rings are used for a snug fit of the ball to the body, which can be used either from PTFE or Teflon.
• The adjustment of the mechanism is carried out using a handle, which is attached with a special screw..

Product types

Depending on the design features, all such products can be divided into several groups.

For example, depending on the type of case, the following options can be distinguished:

• Non-separable options have a solid body, they are easy to operate and cost a little. But the biggest drawback is the fact that in the event of a breakdown, the assembly is not repaired, but replaced entirely.
• Collapsible cases are more massive and more complex, but in the event of a malfunction, they can be repaired by replacing worn gaskets or entire parts of the system without replacing the entire assembly.

Depending on the flow direction, the following types exist:

• Straight lines through which fluid flows in one direction.
• Corner, in which the direction of the flow changes, they are most in demand when

Do you want to seriously repair and update the apartment? Then it will not be superfluous to find out that one of the most basic stages of a major overhaul of housing is the replacement of old plumbing and pipes with new ones. In addition, this is the most impressive item of expenditure in the budget allocated for these works.

To reduce the already impressive costs is the normal desire of every zealous owner. Do you agree? It is quite realistic to reduce them: do-it-yourself plumbing installation will help. We will tell you how to make the wiring, how to transfer and connect plumbing equipment, what tools and materials are needed.

You will learn how to independently change the pipes in the bathroom and connect plumbing fixtures. And in order to make it easier to understand the repair issue, the article provides thematic photo guides and video instructions.

Not everyone is satisfied with standard projects of high-rise buildings, and the owners of the apartment are trying to remake the plumbing according to their preferences. This set of works is very troublesome and time-consuming, however, if you study the theoretical side of the issue well and follow the instructions exactly, most of the work (if not all) can be done independently.

Metal pipes, which have been massively used for many years in water supply systems, are becoming a thing of the past. They were replaced by the latest generation material - polypropylene. Do-it-yourself polypropylene plumbing is easy to install, resistant to high temperatures and chemicals.

The main advantages are:

• the service life of pipes for hot water is more than 25 years, for cold water - more than 50;
• high resistance to corrosion;
• the smooth inner surface of the walls prevents the formation of growths;
• low hydraulic resistance;
• environmental friendliness of the material;
• tightness of welded seams;
• high strength;
• ease of installation.

In order to avoid problems during the operation of the plumbing system, do-it-yourself installation of a water supply system from polypropylene pipes should be carried out only from high-quality materials. The determining factors in the selection of components are their operating conditions, temperature conditions and operating pressure of the entire system.

Marking of polypropylene pipes

• PN10 - for supplying cold water.
• PN16 - for cold and hot water.
• PN20 - for hot water and installation of heating systems.
• PN25 - mainly for heating systems.

Sometimes the temperature of the liquid passing through the pipes exceeds 90 ° C. In such cases, PN20 and PN25 markings are used, which have a reinforcing layer of aluminum or fiberglass foil. The arrangement of the cold water pipeline is accompanied by the use of pipes of the first two markings.

Remember: If the water passing through the pipes reaches 100 ° C, nothing will happen to the polypropylene pipes. The maximum operating temperature is taken with a margin.

Diameter of a polypropylene pipe for water supply

Pipes with a diameter of 20 mm are used for systems whose length approaches 10 meters. Pipes with a diameter of 25 mm are preferred for systems with a length of 10 to 30 m. Systems with a length of more than 30 m are supplied with pipes with a diameter of 32 mm. The diameter of the riser (if used) must be 32 mm.

Having determined which polypropylene pipes are best for plumbing in your home, carefully review all purchased products. They should not have sags and roughness. When cutting a high-quality pipe, its shape remains round, and the wall thickness remains unchanged.

Water supply system design

In order for the installation of a water supply system made of polypropylene with your own hands in a country house or in an apartment to pass correctly and without incidents, a detailed diagram of the wiring, connection and fastening of pipes is drawn up. When drawing up this scheme, it is necessary, if possible, to avoid unnecessary bends, details and try to organize the shortest length of the pipeline.

Tip: To see the whole picture, namely: the intersections of pipes, the number of bends and bevels, it is best to mark the most accurate marking scheme with a pencil right on the walls.

Do-it-yourself plumbing in an apartment made of polypropylene can be organized in two ways: closed or open. The first is considered the most common, but difficult. This will require accurate calculation and professional execution. Most of the pipeline in this case should be made without joints. Although welding at the joints does not reduce the reliability of the entire system, it is still better to leave such areas open. This is necessary for preventive maintenance and regular inspection.

Another thing is open wiring. When choosing this option, the pipes can also be made less “noticeable” if they are laid at the corners of the room in vertical planes, and along the floor level - in horizontal ones.

Important advantages of open wiring are:

• ease of maintenance;
• ease of installation;
• the ability to replace part of the system at any time in case of leakage.

Wiring options

There are two options: serial and parallel (collector) wiring systems. Each has its pros and cons.

serial wiring

She is also called tee system. In this case, do-it-yourself installation of polypropylene pipes is carried out from the central line to the points of water consumption. From one main riser, on which there is an inlet locking device, two pipelines depart: for hot and cold water. Branches to all points of water consumption from them are organized using tees.

• System Benefits: easy installation, saving materials.
• disadvantages: dependence of water consumption points on each other. To repair or inspect one device or consumer, the entire system is turned off. Water pressure drops occur when all points are opened at the same time.

Parallel wiring

In this system a collector is required, which has one input and a certain number of outputs corresponding to the number of points of water consumption. Each pipeline is displayed individually.

• Advantages: there is no need to shut down the entire system when repairing or maintaining one area. In the event of a pressure drop, all available appliances and points of consumption receive exactly the same amount of water.
• disadvantages: a labor-intensive process, high cost, a fairly large number of wiring.

You can learn how to choose and calculate correctly from our other article.

More information about the layout of the tee and collector water supply schemes is in the article.

If you need to choose a bath faucet, then there are useful tips on this page. We analyze the features of each type.

We prepare the necessary tools and fittings

To equip a water supply system in an apartment with your own hands from polypropylene, you need not only pipes. A large number of additional connections are also needed, also made of polypropylene. Fittings may be threaded or unthreaded.

What are the types of connecting elements for polypropylene pipes:

• Couplings are necessary for high-quality connection of straight pipe sections and for switching to a pipe of a different diameter.
• Corners are needed to install the pipeline at a certain angle and avoid obstacles.
• A bypass (arc pipe) is needed to go around one pipe to another.
• Tees are used in places where pipelines are removed from the main riser.
• Plugs for closing the pipeline.
• Crosspieces are applied in places of cross connection of pipes.
• Clips are needed to fix the pipeline to the wall. The distance between fasteners on straight lines is 1.5-2 m. Clips are also used in corner joints. To fix pipelines located one above the other, double clips are used.
• with rubber gaskets are needed to fix the risers. For rigidity, the connected ends of the clamp are fixed with a bolt and nut.

Please note: All fittings have different diameters and sizes. To purchase connecting elements of the right size and in the right quantity, “walk” again according to the plumbing layout.

What tools are needed:

• Scissors (in extreme cases, a hacksaw, electric jigsaw) for cutting plastic.
• and accessories for it.

How to use the polypropylene welding machine

The welding machine for polypropylene has a fairly simple design, it consists of a heating plate, a thermostat and a handle. Nozzles are mounted on both sides of the heating plate, have a Teflon coating and come in different diameters, which allows you to solve, in principle, any household problems.

• First, the required length of the pipe is measured and cut off strictly according to the mark with special scissors. Using a trimmer, we remove burrs; if there is an external reinforcing aluminum layer, it is also removed. The cut is cleaned and degreased. Nozzles selected by size are also degreased.
• To determine the depth of entry of the pipe into the fitting, they must be connected while still unheated and marked with a marker. Nozzles are installed on both sides of the welding machine, the end of the pipe is put on one of them, and the fitting on the other.
• The device turns on and starts heating the nozzles. As soon as the bulbs on the thermostat go out, it means that the products are heated up to 260 ° C. After that, a pipe and a fitting are installed on the apparatus and the required time is maintained, which depends on the diameter of the pipe. The pipe and fitting are connected to the mark. Your movements are quick and precise! And no spins! In a few seconds, the monolithic part is ready.

To qualitatively perform the installation of polypropylene pipes with your own hands, you will need a little skill in operating the welding device. You can learn this on unnecessary pipe cuts.

Some tips for installing polypropylene plumbing:

• It is recommended to install a do-it-yourself water supply system in an apartment from polypropylene from consumption points to input - switchgear nodes.
• Fastening elements are installed along the entire planned line, pipelines are fixed on them, thereby uniting into a single system.
• If the laying of a water supply system from polypropylene pipes provides that hot and cold water pipelines run side by side, then the cold water line should be laid higher, which will exclude.
• Pipes are located strictly horizontally or vertically and are joined only at a right angle.
• In hard-to-reach places, pipes are installed in a separate stage.

Polypropylene pipes for water supply installation video

On this video you can watch how the installation of polypropylene pipes takes place and listen to the comments of the master.

Finally, I would like to add that the price of polypropylene pipes for plumbing is low. To better represent the price level, let's take a few examples.

The cost of a pipe without reinforcement 4 meters long from the Czech manufacturer Ekoplastik (PN10, diameter 32mm) is 330 rubles. A pipe from this manufacturer with the same characteristics, but with reinforcement - 880 rubles.

A Turkish pipe of the SPK PN25 brand () costs 46-68-110 rubles / linear meter with a diameter of 20-25-32 mm, respectively.

Polypropylene fittings are also inexpensive, for example, a Turkish-made coupling (SPK brand) will cost only 5-13 rubles for a diameter of 20 and 32 mm, respectively.