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[ED57HINDS]

I want to bury 15mm diameter central heating pipes in a rendered and plastered wall. Are there any guidelines I should be following e.g. should I cover/paint the copper pipes before placing in the chased out channel? Is there a minimum thickness of render/finishing plaster I should have over the buried pipes. I can see that the area of wall where the pipes are buried will go through a thermal cycling as the buried pipes are heated and cool down - does this cause a problem and is there a preferred way to minimise the impact of this e.g. how I set the heating controls ?

Many thanks Ed

[thedoctor]

copper pipes buried in walls and floors must be sleeved. A 20mm plastic pipe is ideal for sleeving. The sleeving is as much for expansion and contraction in the pipe itself as for safety. If a copper pipe is not allowed to move (ie buried in mortar) it splits and if the leak is not accessible there are any number of problems. With a sleeve in place the pipe can be capped top and bottom while the buried, leaking length is withdrawn and replaced.

[ED57HINDS]

Many thanks for your help. Like many things in life the answer is "Bleed'n obvious" once someone has pointed it out to you.

Cheers Ed