Instructions for repairing metal-plastic pipes at home

Metal-plastic pipes are one of the most high-quality and effective materials for organizing a full-fledged indoor water supply. Their main main feature is plasticity and ease of installation, which significantly reduces the time and effort spent on creating a water supply network. Despite all the advantages of such products, their strength and wide scope, the possibility of a network or its individual parts failure cannot be ruled out.

Causes of malfunctions of metal-plastic pipes

A metal-plastic pipe is a relatively new product that has proven itself from the best side when creating indoor plumbing. The material is based on an aluminum base covered on both sides with a durable polyethylene coating. Such a structure makes the material plastic and light, significantly expanding the scope of its application. Thanks to these qualities, the pipe can be molded into any shape without any effort or special tools.

A metal-plastic pipe is able to withstand enormous pressure without deforming or losing its load-bearing qualities. In practice, violation of the integrity of the main line is possible, but it depends on reasons of a completely different nature and does not at all relate to the quality of products. The main factors that can lead to the failure of a metal-plastic water supply system are:

• errors in the connection of system elements;
• exceeding the allowable bending angle of the pipe;
• ultimate mechanical loads;
• deformation of metal adapters due to thermal overloads.

The above list of causes has a direct impact on the functioning of the water supply and its integrity. Therefore, when designing and erecting a system, it is necessary to follow the installation rules, based on the technical characteristics of the material. Ignoring the norms and neglecting existing standards will inevitably lead to the formation of leaks with all the ensuing consequences.

A pipe has burst and fittings are leaking: types of damage

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The longitudinal strength of the metal-plastic pipe has rather high values. Therefore, in a stationary (installed) state, there are very few factors that can lead to a violation of the integrity of the material. Most often, problems arise at joints that have much lower longitudinal stability compared to the base of the pipe. As a rule, the main types of malfunctions of the metal-plastic water supply system are:

• leaking fittings;
• cracks in the metal case;
• cracks in fittings.

The most common problem in the functioning of metal-plastic pipes is the leakage of fittings. Systematic operation and the resulting vibration leads to a gradual deterioration of the waterproofing qualities of the transitional sections of the system. Pipes rub in, nuts and fasteners loosen, and rubber gaskets lose their elasticity. Such changes remain imperceptible for a long time until the fitting begins to leak.

Cracks in the metal-plastic pipe can also cause leaks. As a result of exceeding the permissible bending angles of the material, the aluminum body of the product is deformed. At first, it may remain completely invisible, since the polyethylene sheet does not lose its integrity. However, after some time, in the places of cracks, due to the pressure in the system, plastic delamination occurs and a leak forms.

Another problem that has become widespread is the formation of holes in fittings. There can also be several reasons for their formation, starting with poor-quality material at the base of metal parts and ending with thermal overloads.

How to fix a leak with your own hands

What to do when leaks form? Neutralization of damage to metal-plastic pipes can be done by hand, without the involvement of specialists. The implementation of self-repair not only makes it possible to save money, but allows you to restore the functionality of the plumbing system in the shortest possible time. Depending on the type of damage, there are several options for solving the problem:

• Leaking fittings. To fix the leak, you need to take a wrench and slightly tighten the loose joints. As a rule, half a turn is enough to completely neutralize the leak. In general, the nut should be tightened until it is completely fixed. However, you should not overdo it, as excessive tension can lead to cracking of the fitting body.
• Cracks in the metal-plastic case are sealed with a simple bandage. The principle of such a device is to apply a small rubber gasket to the pipe and then fix it. A patch of dense rubber, part of a bicycle or automobile tire can act as a bandage. The retaining gasket is fixed in 4-5 places with special clamps or by winding an ordinary wire.
• Cracks in fittings. Elimination of such malfunctions is possible only by completely disassembling the system and replacing the damaged element. Other ways to solve the problem are absolutely ineffective and are not able to completely neutralize the leak.

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These options are the most effective and are used to eliminate leaks in metal-plastic water supply systems. In addition, the implementation of such actions will not present much difficulty and will make it possible to neutralize leakage with your own hands in just a matter of minutes.

Features of pipeline repair on press fittings and compression fittings

In the design of metal-plastic water supply systems, 2 types of connecting elements can be used:

• compression fittings;
• press fittings.

The principle of operation of the compression fitting is to screw a special nut onto the place of the threaded connection, which ensures complete fixation of the clamping ring. This type of connection is considered the simplest, since it does not require any special tools. At the same time, it is not the most reliable and requires constant monitoring by a person.

Working with compression fittings is as easy as installing them. Troubleshooting requires:

1. determine the specific place of violation of the integrity of the system;
2. shut off the water;
3. unscrew the clamping nut;
4. press the fixing ring;
5. disconnect the pipe from the adapter;
6. if necessary, cut off a part of the pipe a little, clean it or tighten the ring;
7. put the ring on the pipe, insert it back into the groove and screw on the nut.

The sequence of actions for disassembling and assembling a compression fitting is quite simple and does not require any effort. Troubleshooting press fittings is a much more time-consuming process.

A press fitting is a much more reliable connecting element for metal-plastic, providing high-quality fastening and not requiring systematic control. However, to assemble similar systems, it is necessary to have special crimping pliers, without which it is unlikely that it will be possible to organize a full-fledged pipeline.

The leakage of a compression fitting in itself is considered a fairly rare problem, associated more with violations of the installation technology than with connection defects. To eliminate leakage in press fittings, the following actions are carried out:

• determine the specific place of violation of the integrity of the system;
• shut off the water;
• unscrew the cap nut;
• disconnect the pipe from the fitting;
• cut off the part of the pipe with the old sealing ring;
• reassemble the connection and crimp the fitting.

In any case, repairing a broken press fitting will not be as reliable as replacing it completely. As a result of a violation of the tightness of the connecting parts, the risk of repeated leakage increases several times. Therefore, it is better not to repair this type of adapters, but to completely replace them.

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Recommendations of experts and a list of necessary tools

In the event of a leak, only the connecting parts of the pipeline are replaced. However, it is better to carry out a complete repair of the burst section, including the renewal or complete replacement of the pipe. In the process of being in the joint for a long time, the metal-plastic end is subjected to partial deformation and loses some of its insulating qualities. Therefore, to organize a full-fledged connection at the place of fixation to the fitting, the pipe is cut by 2-3 cm.

A rubber sleeve is an excellent means of local plumbing repair. However, its use is justified only in cases where it is impossible to perform a full replacement of a damaged pipe. The formation of cracking in one place is a signal to act and perform a complete repair of the metal-plastic pipes of the damaged area.

To carry out work to eliminate leaks in metal-plastic pipes, you will need the following tools:

• wrench (one or more);
• specialized pipe cutter or hacksaw;
• roulette;
• pencil;
• pliers;
• crimping pliers (for press fittings).

The presence of such a tool makes it possible to complete the replacement of leaking parts of the pipeline at home. At the same time, the repair will not take much time, as a result of which the system will be ready for operation within half an hour.

Conclusion

Metal-plastic pipes are one of the most high-quality and reliable materials for organizing an indoor water supply system. Subject to all the rules and regulations for working with such products, the finished pipeline will last for many years. At the same time, even with the formation of a leak, it is possible to eliminate it on your own without involving expensive specialists. Moreover, it will not be difficult to assemble, replace and assemble damaged sections.