Radiator pipe instalation and insulation

[Paul]

Hi all....... I would like to install 2 radiators using all copper pipework in my part finished ground floor extension. The concrete floor is in but still needs a 65mm screed to finish. The walls are block and when finished will be dry lined with plasterboard.

My questions are this:- Can the feed pipes to the radiators be on the floor then covered by the screed? If so, what insulation / covering should be used for the copper pipes ?

Where the pipes must come down the wall, what insulation should be used ? Bearing in mind that they need to be covered by the plaster board, should they be recessed into the blockwork ?

Any advise gratefully received. Thanks, Paul

[Andy Hall]

You can get copper tube covered in a plastic sleeving that makes it suitable to bury in concrete.

Another alternative is to use plastic pipe. Speedfit, among others, make a corrugated plastic outer cover which is laid into the concrete and through which plastic pipe for the plumbing can be run. The advantage of this is that the inner tube can be replaced if ever needed, although unlikely. You can go from the floor level up to thte radiator valves in copper tube if you prefer that.

You probably would want to recess the pipes unless you want the plasterboard to go on wooden studs to space it off from the wall.

Unless the room is vast, 15mm tubes should be enough.

You don't need to insulate them directly if they are inside the building, so the plastic clad copper would be suitable, or you could wrap the pipes with a thin insulation to avoid clicking noises from rubbing against the wall as they expand and contract. They will need to be clipped to some extent anyway for support.