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

If you don't want scale to form up on the internal surface of the pipe, avoid the G.I or copper pipe.

Go for plastic pipe. Plastic pipe - HDPE, PPR & PVC are widely used. PPR is gaining popularity recently.

For HDPE, the fitting for "T" & elbow are 1 size smaller, if you have multiple bend or joints, be cautious because that will cause a significant pressure drop. A lot brand have HDPE product - Sansico (Hansen) , Kindraco, BBB, etc .

Avoid ABS at all cost. ABS , after a few year, leaking will start to appear. Even most of the manufacturers already gave up the ABS product.

Dont waste time and money using superior products if is for a small section.

Using the existing pvc pipe if done properly by a good plumber is as good a replacement.

Having said the above, no product will last forever !

the stuck material not form the pipe, its the water quality enter your house. you may need a big filter for incoming water

ooops， but i always tot so aiyo

I 100% agree with you. I just want to point out that the pressure does not drop, the flow rate does. After all, 3 bar through a straw is the same as 3 bar through a 20 mm pipe. But you wouldn't be satisfied with a shower with the water coming from that straw.

I notice that piping in M'sia is done without any concept of water flow rate. One small pipe branches off to 2 small pipes, or an entire bathroom is fed by a small pipe. No wonder as soon as you turn on a tap, the shower water slows. And then to get a better flow rate, add on a booster pump, and set the pump to high pressure. No wonder everything starts leaking after some time.

Just think of a bucket of water dumped on your head, versus that same bucket hanging over your head with just a small hole dribbling water. Which would you rather bathe in?

My conclusion is that water supply pipes should be well designed also, with as few turns as possible, and with proper sizing in mind, no matter what type of material is used.

I suspecting my internal pipe is leaking but just don’t know where (I.e. bathroom, underground from outside supply into house). Can recommended pipe leaking expert who is reliable to help troubleshoot and fix it? Location is around Rawang area.

Generally most plumbers will recommend replacement of the entire piping unless he can try to detect the leak without a guarantee that it is the spot. You have to take risk as every job is different. Depends whether he wants to put in the extra effort.

Two months ago I notice the drain outside my house is alway wet even on a hot day. Did some investigation and found that the elbow was leaking.

DIY a bypass using the same material and problem solved. Dont have to use high grade replacement pipe for a small section. Some high profile 'plumber' think that only high grade can solve a problem.





Sorry no plumber to intro as most my house things I diy unless is major.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Oct 17 2022, 09:16 AM

PVC easiest to do and cheaper . . but get the quality ones . Class 7 if not mistaken. The thickest and strongest PVC pipe.

Replacing entire piping for the whole house or only the suspected part (in my case is the pipe running from ground floor bath room to water tank on roof at first floor)?

If can identify the leak spot, then normally is just replacing the area.

Not many would want to do the entire house piping unless is no choice, if is a very old property.

Is not just replacing from the main to the reserved tank but also from the reserve tank to the the various bathrooms for a complete overhaul of the entire system.

Thanks for the input. Guess it’s gonna be slow and painful process of troubleshooting

Residential choices:- HDPE Pipes, ABS pipes, PPR pipes (PPR can also be used for hot water) and copper pipes (espensive)

Hospital grade : Stainless Steel

is buteline reliable?

+1 on buteline

Found a contractor doing my current leaking, they gave me PPR pipe, joints are heated instead of glued..

Are these lasting?

Ya, definitely last longer if they joint correctly . Ask them do a leak check before done. Theoretically, if using cold water indoor it can last longer 30 years and more. Just one thing PPR cannot stand more than 50’c or 60’c water.

I plan to rebuild the whole house. Previously have facing issue water leakage. Currently, I need to put the water pumping machine, the contractor proposed some fiber made the water pipe and claimed that good for the long-term water pressure via the pumping. Is that true? If not, what is the best should be?

What u choose in the end?

My Google research indicates pex pipe if u do whole house water heater, if not normal or or high grade pvc is fine.

My plan is all the pipe explsoure to the sun using the SS pipe, cold water using the buteline PB-1 and hot water not yet decide PPR or copper, need to see the price.

I just thinking cold water still using Pb-1 or choose PPR pipe. Make the whole system in PPR system.

I also worry PB-1 spare part may dificult to find in future.

I don't think PEX is all that available in M'sia