PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020
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Product Spotlight
How to simplify the pipe mesh under the sink
these jobs fast and easy. These 2-in-1 appliance taps and valves are specially designed to simplify the second fi x kitchen installations. They feature a built-in water isolation function and remove the need to install a separate isolation valve and connector for appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. These fittings can directly connect to appliances from one end and the feeding pipework from the push-fit end.
Modern day consumers and housing developers want more and more out of their kitchens, which means extra strain on plumbing installers. But there are ways to simplify these installations in tight spaces under the sink and behind cabinets and appliances, as igel Sanger from RWC explains.
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t’s no secret that plumbing and heating installers have been hit hard by Covid-19. While many are now back to working full time on housing developments and domestic projects, there are numerous challenges that still need to be tackled. Time is money. While this phrase is hardly new, the current economic climate means plumbers need to complete more jobs in less time to realise greater profits. And kitchen plumbing is one such area that can add to the job complexity as so much pipework gets routed from here to connect various appliances and fi xtures. ishwashers. Washing machines. American fridge freezers with water coolers. Boiling instant hot water taps. Water filtration systems. Sinks, taps and boilers. That’s just to name a few.
That sinking feeling
This means the space under the sink can quickly become a mesh of pipework, with no room to manoeuvre. Soldered and compression fittings are particularly hard to install in these confined spaces, given that plumbers need to use
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Nigel Sanger
Divisional director technical support at
spaces need to adopt smarter, timeproducts to complete the job faster
The Speedfit 2
isolation of appliances simply push on to the pipe, and thread the appliance hose
JG Speedfit’s 1 mm push-fit appliance tap the isolation of appliances such as
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additional tools for installation, and visibility can be low in these areas. Using copper pipes and soldering to connect appliances and fi xtures can even increase the risk of fire due to the proximity of naked flames to wooden kitchen cabinets. Any approach that allows for pipework to be assembled without a blowtorch offers a real advantage in terms of safety and in this regard, push-fit fittings and flexible pipework are worth their weight in gold.
Push-fit fittings and flexible ayflat pipe from our Speedfit brand are the ideal fit for kitchen installations. Pipe connections can be completed by simply pushing the pipe into the fitting, without the need for tools. And our ayflat pipe, available in long length coils, can bend and flex behind the cabinets to enable a fast and easy connection to appliances. From check valves and elbows, to tees and flexi hoses and more, we offer a range of push-fit products to help simplify installations under the kitchen sink.
Double duty
One of the trickiest areas of kitchen installation is second-
fi x plumbing. very appliance and fi xture needs an individual water connection and service valve for future repair and maintenance jobs. Installers often find themselves struggling in tight spaces while installing all the various components. This is where push-fit combination valves can offer a helping hand. Our market leading Speedfit brand offers a range of 2-in-1 appliance taps and valves with push-fit connections that makes
CUT TO THE CHASE Use of a variety of kitchen appliances and fi tures o ten leads to a mesh of pipework in confined spaces ush-fit fittings and e ible pipe ork are real proble solvers under the kitchen sink -in- valves ith push-fit connections can make second fi plu bing uicker and easier ouble check valves should be installed ith outlets that pose a greater risk o backsiphonage orking in confined spaces forces the need to work smarter
To comply with water regulations, appropriate backflow prevention valves need to be fitted to the mains water supply in the kitchen. This is because several appliances and fi xtures can cause backflow – these range from external hosepipes, washing machines and dishwashers, to kitchen sink taps. Waste water from these areas can carry anything, from stagnant water from garden pools to cleaning chemicals, all of which can present a serious health hazard if they enter the mains water supply. To ensure adequate protection from backflow, a double check valve should be installed with outlets that pose a greater risk of backsiphonage. This type of valve allows the water to flow in only one direction and features two internal valves to provide additional safety. If one fails, the other can still prevent backflow and contamination of the mains water supply. To enable faster installation of backflow prevention valves, we offer brass and plastic pushfit double check valves from our Speedfit and SharkBite brands. These compact and lightweight valves are quick and easy to install, as no tools are required. We also offer a push-fit double check service valve that features a builtin water isolation function, making it a 2-in-1 valve that brings additional benefits while carrying out repair and maintenance work.
Installers working in small, confined spaces need to adopt smarter, time-saving and reliable products to complete jobs faster. Moving away from techniques such as soldering, and opting for smarter methods like push-fit fittings and valves, and flexible pipes can enable quicker and easier installations. At RWC, we can help you select a range of time saving and reliable plastic and metal push-fit products from our Speedfit and SharkBite brands. So, get in touch with our team of experts who can simplify your next kitchen plumbing project. ◼ /820/ 8
01/10/2020 14:08