Bunnings Plumbing Fittings

[Citroënbender]

Just a heads-up, it looks like Bunnies are getting out of capillary fittings. Lots of stuff gone, many brass fittings set to 99¢. Hopefully they’ll write their silver solder way down, too.

[LG17]

Haha. I was in a Bunnings last week and overheard this doddery old bloke ask more than one Bunnings' employee where the silver solder was as he couldn't see it (left his glasses at home). All I saw him get was blank stares.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by LG17

Haha. I was in a Bunnings last week and overheard this doddery old bloke ask more than one Bunnings' employee where the silver solder was as he couldn't see it (left his glasses at home). All I saw him get was blank stares.

That was probably CB

[aussiblue]

This may be the reason:

https://www.9news.com.au/national/le...f-c2dcc3f9279d

The Australian Building Codes Board is about to release a new draft National Construction Code, with a key change to the allowable amount of lead from fittings - reducing it from the current 6 per cent to 0.25 per cent, the standard already used in countries such as the US and Canada.

and

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/austr...er/vi-BB1g3GMQ

So perhaps it's time to get better acquainted with Pex or SmarteX-C Push-Fit type fittings.

[Citroënbender]

Interesting, press fittings are still the norm in most new work up to at least 50mm. I’m in with the “plastic is rat food” believers. Damage a copper line incidentally, hammer it flat in seconds to stop or at least staunch the flow. Try that with PEX.

[aussiblue]

Agreed the SmarteX-Press fittings would be preferable. But using something like these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/18427025...cAAOSw--1fEURM or https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/39249367...cAAOSwgsddrrvv instead of https://www.bunnings.com.au/ridgid-p...-jaws_p0170587

[Stephenlk]

I never use presoldeted capillary fittings myself, just the bare copper silver soldered. I don't like the idea of lead with drinking water.

[aussiblue]

I’m in with the “plastic is rat food” believers.

But your street water mains are probably a type of plastic anyway these days.

[Citroënbender]

CICL, then down to CI. The patches are all poly. Luckily rats don’t dig 600 deep.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Interesting, press fittings are still the norm in most new work up to at least 50mm. I’m in with the “plastic is rat food” believers. Damage a copper line incidentally, hammer it flat in seconds to stop or at least staunch the flow. Try that with PEX.

I had a copper pipe corrode from inside out where it was perforated with small pin holes, caused considerable damage as I had no idea of leaking water; it was like a garden mist spray inside my internal wall.
If I had to build a new dwelling copper will be not used again.

[Citroënbender]

That usually happens not far downstream of contact with something like a section of galvanised steel. Yes, a good chunk needs replacing when it goes bad like that!

[George V]

Good luck with getting silver solder on special.

Last time I found it in tools area, more secure with more cameras etc.

Regards,
George V

[aussiblue]

CICL, then down to CI. The patches are all poly. Luckily rats don’t dig 600 deep.

Must be an old suburb and some of that concrete lining might then be asbestos cement. I think ours is steel mains to the suburbs then PVC for the street distribution.

[Citroënbender]

Yes, the subdivision is from 1947, so getting on. Potable water was serviced in the area from around 1910, and just extended.

It was built “sewer ready” but unsewered - grey water went into the drains, then to the creek. Cans were used for a few years, then the sewer went in - not all the grey water lines were picked up, and a few of them were unknowingly converted to sewer by renovators.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by LG17

Haha. I was in a Bunnings last week and overheard this doddery old bloke ask more than one Bunnings' employee where the silver solder was as he couldn't see it (left his glasses at home). All I saw him get was blank stares.

Wasn't he in one of the Marvel movies?

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Damage a copper line incidentally, hammer it flat in seconds to stop or at least staunch the flow. Try that with PEX.

Been there done that...just fold it on itself...cable tie and flow stops.

or cigarette lighter till she melts and plugs itself....try that with copper...LOL


Best part about Bunnings smartex is a 200mm shifter and press..connections come clean off and can be reused.

Only copper I use these days is the shower breach, even then I mate the tails to smartex onnections....best thing since sliced bread.

Bye bye overpriced plumbing..

[Charliewool]

I’d never heard of PEX before moving here…
Our main house (8yrs old) is all PEX… Magic stuff!
UV is it’s enemy though!
There was a section of PEX connecting h/water to outside kitchen downstairs… someone had used duct tape to protect from sun.. unfortunately, tape perished leaving tube exposed. A month later it burst (brittle as glass)
Hellova time buying pex or crimp rings here!
Ended up ordering through Amazon.. 20 metres tube, fittings, crimp rings and crimping tool.
You can also use “sharkbite” fittings which are push in.. No tools required.
The older house (20yrs) is all 1/2 glued PVC as is the norm here! (Even mains are glued pvc sched 40)
Even corner supermarket & gas station sells pvc fittings & glue.
Big downfall with Tico pvc repairs is they’ve never heard of primer, so joints continually blowing apart!

[slowsnake]

Big dramas here few year back at the now completed Perth Children's Hospital, caused by cheap Chinese brass plumbing fittings, loaded with lead, and all removed after completion, see if I can load link, I also think that's why plastic is the go to for fittings now?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...e=abc_news_web

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by slowsnake

Big dramas here few year back at the now completed Perth Children's Hospital, caused by cheap Chinese brass plumbing fittings, loaded with lead, and all removed after completion, see if I can load link, I also think that's why plastic is the go to for fittings now?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...e=abc_news_web

****ty Chinese brass was the reason, so you could have the lead issue with plastic pipes if they are the same Chinese ****tiness.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

You can also use “sharkbite” fittings which are push in.. No tools required.
!

Good stuff, Sharkbite and Made in the USA. Did my whole place using their stuff. Certainly nothing like that cheap crap the big green shed of Chinesism sell.

[xb74_black]

My old mans HD Holden had a home made heater in it that used two brass garden taps - in winter taps turned on, in summer taps off.

[Citroënbender]

There’s clearly a big push to PEX this year. Even many “standard” copper plumbing products are less available, such as lagged coils. I wonder if domestic AC will change materials for paircoil?

[oldel]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

There’s clearly a big push to PEX this year. Even many “standard” copper plumbing products are less available, such as lagged coils. I wonder if domestic AC will change materials for paircoil?

About 10 years ago they were trying to push aluminium or alloy piping. I think it got some popularity in the UK when the price of copper went up.

I think split bashers might go for that eventually, especially if they're flaring back to back splits. The big issue is field repair brazing is so easy with copper. I knew some installers that always brazed even split systems as they never liked flares. I know even more that couldn't do a leak free flare to save their life anyway.
Another issue is refrigerants always changing, who knows if aluminum can withstand the pressure or not react badly to whatever refrigerant comes out next? Copper is always a safe bet and would always be used on larger systems.

E: Found this in artick paper as of 2019, seems copper is needed for good old A.S. holding us back/to ransom