Building the foundations for successful plumbing with MDPE fittings

Through window shot of a woman sitting in her garden summer house cabin at night using her laptop in Hexham, North East of England. The is holding a mug with a hot drink.

Whether it’s driven by the increased number of people working from home, the desire to have a place to escape to, or the need to expand living spaces, the construction of extensions, outhouses and garden buildings is on the rise.

To make these new spaces fit for purpose, plumbing will play a key role. That’s why, in this blog, we’re going to explore the role of MDPE fittings in delivering a safe water supply – from their ability to stand up to tough underground conditions through to delivering reliability year after year.

The growing trend for extensions and outside living spaces

The appetite to improve and extend homes is growing right across the UK. It is thought that around a third of homeowners will look to spend money on home improvements this year, a proportion of whom will commit to building extensions or creating new spaces – such as outhouses and garden rooms.

Whether they’re used as gyms, home offices or just a place to escape to, adding more space to a home can improve functionality and potentially contribute towards greater value. No matter their purpose, a safe and reliable water connection is essential for new living spaces.

MDPE fittings are specifically designed for the purpose of connecting homes to the cold water mains. That means standing up to the challenges of underground conditions from the moment of installation, ensuring they perform reliably for decades to come. Installed in trenches, they must overcome strenuous loads in order to keep water flowing smoothly and safely for users.

In addition to providing a solution to the unique conditions of underground applications, well-designed MDPE fittings will also make installation as straightforward as possible. Not only does this make life easier for plumbers in the trenches, but it also goes a long way to improving safety. The easier the connection is to make, the less chance of foreign objects and bacteria making their way into the system – keeping the supply safe and clean.

The benefits of MDPE push-fit fittings

Designed to create connections of underground cold water mains, MDPE fittings – or medium density polyethylene – provide the strength required to withstand tough environments and underground applications. In doing so, they play an essential role in establishing a safe water supply and prioritising quality and reliability.

Sharing the familiar push-fit technology that features across the JG Speedfit range, push-fit MDPE fittings make installation safe, simple and secure. Featuring a built-in seal to strengthen connections and improve their long-term performance and reliability, connections can be made by simply pushing the pipe and fittings together. The push-fit technology also navigates the problem of compression fittings which have to be rotated during installation and require more space to tighten the fitting, which is often difficult in confined spaces like pipe trenches.

When working in trenches, this simple motion to create strong connections can save time and hassle, improving every installation. To further support plumbers on the job, a secure grip and seal simplifies connections in all weather and ground conditions, while the lead-free, non-toxic and biological growth resistance qualities of the JG Speedfit MDPE fittings supports optimal flow and quality.

With the complete JG Speedfit range offering the versatility required for different applications – including sizes of 20mm, 25mm and 32mm – installers can also access a range of connectors including stop taps, stop ends and tees. By sourcing all components from a single supplier, professionals can be confident in the compatibility and quality, seeing their systems deliver reliably for years to come.

MDPE Fitting with blue pipe

Long-term peace of mind with JG Speedfit MDPE fittings

As MDPE fittings carry out their entire service life underground, they’re completely out of sight from the moment they’re installed, and trenches are filled in. That means that any problems experienced, such as leaks, will require trenches to be re-dug to get to the route of the problem. This makes strong connections and reliable performance absolutely essential.

Made from hardwearing material, JG Speedfit MDPE fittings have a high impact resistance to cope with the pressures of underground applications. This means that individual components are able to absorb thermal and mechanical stresses, as well as withstanding pressure from earth which becomes more compact over time.

In practical terms, this strong performance allows installers to deliver uncompromising systems every time. Supported by the push-fit technology that underpins simple installation, professionals can create a design that answers the demands of even the harshest environments.

With the right MDPE fittings selected and installed, plumbers can deliver a complete system that provides the performance, efficiency and long-term reliability demanded of home extensions and garden buildings. In practice, this allows customers to enjoy their new spaces with complete peace of mind in the systems that underpin their performance.

Discover the full range

Hardwearing and easy to install MDPE fittings for cold water mains.

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Richard Bateman

Product Marketing Manager Plumbing and Heating

About the author

A highly experienced and passionate professional, I have over 15 years' experience as a commercial and domestic plumber and hold NVQ Level 3 qualifications from City and Guilds

Since joining RWC in 2015, I began as a technical engineer, utilising my extensive knowledge to provide exceptional support. Currently, I am thrilled to be working with the marketing department as a Product Marketing Manager. 

This role allows me to combine my technical background with a keen eye for market trends, ensuring that RWC's products meet the evolving needs of the industry. With my wealth of experience and commitment to excellence, I am proud to serve as a spokesperson for RWC, sharing our innovative solutions and contributing to the growth of the plumbing and heating sector.