Drinking water plumbing?

[swanny]

Hi, I need to replace the distribution manifold for my three water tanks. The existing manifold is I think an old galvanised affair connected to rusty valves etc. Is there any problems in using a plastic manifold as used with garden hoses etc?? There will be minimal pressure at this point in the system. I have seen a four in one out mainfold for 29 euros which would be perfect - I think!

 

[ThereAndBack]

I would be very wary of using hose fittings of any type. On a pressurised system leaks can (and do) happen with the correct pipework and a leak can mean your water tank emptying itself into your boat.

Perhaps plastic piping and joints as used in home plumbing would be a better bet. They are relatively inexpensive now and easy to work with. Building a 'manifold' using pipe and 'T' pieces should not be too difficult.

Alan

 

[stuartwineberg]

I agree with ThereandBack. We are having major rebuild work done at the moment and the preferred plumbing for hard to get at places is now push fit plastic connections and piping. I reckon that anything designed to last 50 years hidden under a concrete floor is OK for use on the boat. ALso on my Hardy all the plumbing and fittings are plastic but definitely NOT garden hose quality

 

[sarabande]

the pipes and fittings used for garden water systems contain plasticisers which are not approved for drinking water.

Try Hep20
http://www.hep20.co.uk/

or similar domestic systems used in EU.

 

[savageseadog]

A second warning on plasticisers, some of the most horrible chemicals around which can leach into drinking water.

 

[Cantata]

Hep2o were standard fit in Moodys in the 1990's. Excellent product, and dead easy to make alterations.
There are a couple of alternative product ranges whose names escape me, they do the same job.

 

[TrueBlue]

Plastic pipes are fine, but I have seen comments to the effect that the pushfit joints are designed to be kept under pressure (even low pressure in gravity systems). When pressure is removed the locking assembly relaxes and the joints weep.

However, at least one manufacturer (?J-G speedfit) has special locking rings available to resolve this problem.

 

[Norman_E]

I agree with the others who recommend Hep2O. You can easily make up a manifold by using tee joints. The pipe is drinking water safe and is best desribed as slightly flexible, which makes installation simple.

 

[John100156]

Agreed Hep2O

 

[gianenrico]

IMHO definetly John Guest's SpeedFit.
Final.