Hi all,
My bathroom water pipe leaking internally so have to hack the wall and replace new one.. Was thinking any other solid materials beside those grey colored pipe which tends to break after some years?

Is there anyone who uses ss piping / aluminium piping and conceal them for long lasting use?

PVC pipe seldom leak if concealed in the wall.

Probably due to poor joints glueing or ground movement.

If you are replacing only the bathroom area, use the same. If is the entire house, there are few types depending on budget.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Oct 4 2022, 09:36 AM

copper pipe

intend to use for bathroom only for this moment.. planning to re-run the whole bathroom with new conceal piping instead of replacing just the leaking area..

any recommendations for long lasting materials?

copper pipe good? long lasting?

https://www.thespruce.com/basic-types-of-pl...g-pipes-1822487

Not sure of the local pricing plus labour.

stainless steel pipe

PPR Pipe.

Yes, PPR. Just google difference between PPR vs PVC vs galvanized iron vs copper

I like:
HDPE, especially Buteline system
PPR
(But both these types need proper tools to install)

I'm ambivalent:
PVC, but only choose the good grade.

I dislike:
Copper - expensive, joints can leak, can corrode depending on the chlorine in the water
Stainless steel - expensive, difficult to work with regards to cutting, threading, jointing

I really dislike:
ABS - leach chemicals, long solvent curing time, more expensive than PVC
GI - Will rust over time for sure.

worse.

HDPE pipes because they are used out in the open and are proven to be resilient.

I agree, but please choose pipe that conforms to SIRIM standard if plumbing a bathroom with buried pipes. I believe that means the pipes will be rated PN12.5 or above.
(PN = Maximum pressure rating, in Bar. 1 Bar ≈ 14.5 psi)
Pressure rating depends on the thickness of the pipe walls, which in turn determines if the joint fittings fit and seal well without leaking or not.

these pipes good for conceal? I worried it will not last as my bathroom is powered with water pump as well..

Hdpe pipes comes in reel and is not easy to conceal compared to those pvc pipes which is straight and long.

The connectors are much much bigger compared to pvc.

How about PEX piping?


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I think HDPE pipe is suitable to be concealed.
1. The pipes are slightly smaller than the equivalent PVC pipe.
2. The joints are smaller than PVC joints.

3. You can get straight pipes in lengths of 4 5 m, or go for a whole 100 m roll.
4. There are suitable mounted threaded connectors to fix your taps

5. The pipe is flexible, so will absorb slight wall movement or foundation settling
6. Water hammer noise is reduced
7. Available with pressure ratings up to PN20
8. Easy to work with, no solvent, joints are immediate.

It's not a perfect system though. Bad points are :
1. You need special crimpers. Each size is ~RM 210 - RM 300, usually 3 crimpers needed
2. You can't joint close to the wall/edge, as you minimum need the space for the crimper to make the joint
3. Not everyone can install due to the requirements of tools
4. I don't think it is prohibitively expensive, but it is more expensive than PVC
(Example of the elbow joints in the picture above.... PVC cost RM 0.60 , HDPE cost RM 2.40)
5. For wet areas the aluminium part of the joints need protection with self sealing tape

Full disclosure : I am not a plumber. But I am doing up my own place by myself as a "hobby" project. I have pressure tested the HDPE pipes I installed to 150 psi and all looks good. (Bought the crimpers and a pressure pump) I do help out friends and family who have plumbing problems, and I always use HDPE when I can. So far none of the things I have done have failed, but who knows 10 years down the line. The above points are strictly my experience using HDPE pipe for plumbing, and does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation. YMMV.


This post has been edited by stormer.lyn: Oct 7 2022, 10:46 PM

I think hardly any contractor out there who will be using these kind of pipes.. most that I came across are those that uses pvc and those black ones..

I don't mind paying extra for those hdpe if they are long lasting in concealed setup.. do share me contacts if there are those who willing to use these pipes..

the usual black pipes I saw them use doesn't have these kind of connectors as showed by @stormer.lyn

Honestly, this HDPE pipe use is getting more common in the KV, as it is a good, almost fool proof system. Just search your favourite online shopping platform for "Buteline" and you will be able to see what is on offer. Contact a plumber, and ask if they install this same name plumbing.

I still use "Hansen" fittings, or those giant Poly O-ringed compression fittings in certain locations, like at the outdoor water filter. So just mix-and-match as you need.

This Sh*pee store has some pictures of the installations https://shopee.com.my/BUTELINE-FITTING-ELBO...753.12119930309 (Absolutely no link to me, just an example of installation and prices)

im not sure la, but my previously knew that, my house' cooper pipe all stuck with rust and other geli thing when crack open the pipe to see coz water so slow, its condition is indescribable..just so poor