Leakproof connections: three tips for minimising leaks

The days are getting shorter, and the colder weather is slowly creeping in – which means plumbers will be ramping up efforts to support their customers with winter maintenance and emergency repairs.

Leaks are a familiar feature of this work, and while they can occur within plumbing systems all year round, they’re a problem commonly associated with the colder months. This is partly down to lower temperatures causing problems with pipework, such as cracks and splits caused by freezing water. Of course, the effects of ageing systems can also lead to troublesome leaks, with the majority originating at worn or failed connections.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key steps plumbers can take to reduce the potential for leaks in their customers’ homes, as well as taking a look at the technology that is minimising leaks.

The success of a plumbing system never comes down to an individual component. Afterall, a system that is reliable, efficient and stands the test of time is one where every element works seamlessly together – from showers and baths through to kitchen taps and home heating. A successful plumbing system really is the sum of all its parts.

Pipe connections are what allow this to happen, enabling every plumbing element to work together as part of a complete system. That’s why it’s essential for every connection to be as strong as possible, as failure at these points can compromise the efficient performance of the entire system. So, with potentially hundreds of pipe connections in a property, reliability is essential when selecting a fitting.

Traditionally, pipe connections will have been made by soldering together copper pipes. As well as being time consuming, this method can also open the gates to problems down the line, with factors such as corrosion compromising the strength of connections – ultimately leading to leaks should the joints fail.

The use of plastic plumbing components – including pipes and fittings – can support plumbers to deliver consistently high levels of quality across every connection. Push-fit technology, for example, means that every connection meets the same standards with minimal room for human error. Installers simply push pipes and fittings together to make uncompromisingly strong connections. No tools, no fuss, and connections that stand the test of time.

So, at a time in the year when installers will be undertaking maintenance work for customers, let’s look at three ways strong connections can be guaranteed, minimising leaks.

Renewing specific parts of a plumbing system is a familiar task for plumbers, particularly when carrying out maintenance work in preparation for the winter. Prioritising the use of plastic pipes and fittings in these situations can help to save time on the job, while delivering consistently high levels of quality to customers.

With no tools required for installation, push-fit connections can be made with a simple push to firmly lock them into position, creating secure connections every time. Internal O-Ring seals built into each fitting further strengthen these connections, ensuring a leak proof seal every time. JG Speedfit’s market-leading range of push-fit fittings and pipes are designed to improve system performance, enhancing reliability and performance while minimising leaks.

We’ve already discussed the importance of connections in a successful plumbing system, but their presence should be reduced as much as possible when looking at minimising leaks – and that can be achieved with innovative plumbing solutions. While strong connections are vital, the more there are within a system, the greater the potential for leaks as they are essentially connection points between two lengths of pipe.

To make this possible, installers’ choice of pipe can make all the difference. JG Layflat allows for long runs of pipe to be installed, significantly reducing the number of connections required across an entire installation. Supplied in a coil and suitable for hot and cold water and central heating applications, the pipe provides greater flexibility around bends and has the ability to lay flat once installed. For more intricate applications, such as in tight spots under sinks or behind baths, flexi hoses can help plumbers to maximise performance and reliability while reducing the need for connections in fiddly and hard-to-reach spaces.

While carrying out maintenance jobs, it’s important to adopt a long-term approach. As well as delivering reliability for customers, improving systems for the future will help to streamline future maintenance requirements. This means putting on your maintenance hat and considering what you’d expect to find on a system and where you’d expect to find them in order to make maintenance jobs smoother.

While the plastic push-fit solutions we’ve discussed so far will aid straightforward disassembly if required, you’ll need to be able to easily control the flow of water in specific parts of the system. Here, isolation valves will be key, so if they’re not already on a system but there’s an opportunity to fit one – seize it. Not only will future maintenance jobs be quicker and easier to work on, but in the event of leaks, specific appliances or parts of a system can easily be isolated, minimising leaks and preventing water from causing additional damage.