Replacing galvanised 3/4" pipe with something

[Fisherdroid]

Gidday
I have some old 3/4 inch galvanized pipe which needs to be replaced. I have been told about the Iplex K2 system which is very popular and would like some more information

Do the fittings that join Iplex PEX pipe to 12mm Copper need to be braised (silver soldered - very hot and a pain in the neck to do) or soldered.

What size PEX pipe to use 16mm or 20mm?

Can you hire the hand crimping tool (Brisbane)?

Considering the cost of the tools would it be cheaper to run copper for a 10m run and if so what size copper is usually used?

[SilentButDeadly]

Do the fittings that join Iplex PEX pipe to 12mm Copper need to be braised (silver soldered - very hot and a pain in the neck to do) or soldered. There will be a compression/flared fitting in the range - Ausplex has one if Iplex (which looks exactly the same) doesn't

What size PEX pipe to use 16mm or 20mm? 16mm

Can you hire the hand crimping tool (Brisbane)? Dunno.....but our local Reece shop will lend out their Ausplex crimp tool in an emergency.

Considering the cost of the tools would it be cheaper to run copper for a 10m run and if so what size copper is usually used? yep - because you'd have to buy a whole 50m roll of the Iplex pipe. 3/4.<!-- / message -->

[davo2310]

What size PEX pipe to use 16mm or 20mm? 16mm

Sorry silent, but if you are replacing 3/4 pipe, you should replace it with 20mm

[wonderplumb]

Or you can go to Reece and buy Auspex (not ausplex) by the length (5m) and they will hire out their crimping tool (really they shouldnt unless your a plumber, but a sale is a sale) and if you can get on to a thread on the gal pipe you may not need to solder at all, unless you do join on to straight copper then you will need a braizing tail, which are designed to be silver soldered, and yes you will need 3/4 (20mm) pipe.
PS Auspex and Iplex look the same but are infact a lot different.

[Fisherdroid]

Thanks for your replies.

I have decided to go with copper. It is a straight run and I am comfortable with soldering joints.

I cannot trust any of the gal. The small section of the same age I replaced to do the laundry taps disintergrated when I tried to unscrew it. I was amazed any water actually got through the pipe and I have had constant problems with tap washers especially the ceramics. I am told this is due to the rust in the pipes.

To stop a small job jumping up and biting me I will just plan to take out all the old gal.

The only question now is 16 or 20mm copper or does it really not matter seeing at though I probably have about a 3mm internal diameter at the moment?

By the way - my hot water is done in 8mm with flared joints - I can't even find where to buy 8mm now but the hot is fine so I will leave it alone.

[Ivan in Oz]

Does this help?
Go to one of the Drop-Down pages

http://www.iplex.com.au/iplex/products/pro-fit.shtm

[wonderplumb]

Go with 20mm mate, as it states in the standards for a water service.