A team of plumbers has re-routed some 15mm copper pipework in my house and I asked for about 6 feet of it to be chased into the wall so I could tile over it. When I came home it looks like they have chased it in and then just plastered straight over it.
Apart from heat loss of the hot water into the wall is it ok to plaster directly over soldered joint copper pipework?
Thanks,
Darren.
It should be sleeved if it is copper. Alkaline chemicals can react with copper but I think the main reason is friction. Metal pipes will expand and contract a lot, as well as carry vibration.
You can, although it is better sleaved. You may get hairline cracking of the plaster without the sleave, but if you are tiling over then it won't matter. Unlike cement containing mixes, ordinary gypsum plaster should not attack the pipe.
I've never owned a house where this hasn't been done extensively. Indeed, my main copper rising main is installed in this fashion.
Christian.
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