DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

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

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 With a sleeve in place the pipe can be capped top and bottom while the buried, leaking length is withdrawn and replaced.

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