Which rehau pipes are best for heating and water supply?

Which rehau pipes are best for heating and water supply? Rehau: PINK, FLEX, STABIL, HIS, RAUTHERM main differences and purpose of each.

The article will be extremely useful for those who already want to install pipes from a famous company, but have not fully understood what kind of animal it is and why there is a difference in prices.

I first encountered cross-linked polyethylene pipes in 2010, when the question arose of remodeling the heating system from the developer in my new building apartment. The heating had to be installed in a screed on the floor and soldering the PP was very scary. When I made my choice, and it fell on cross-linked polyethylene, my surprise knew no bounds at the range of prices. And I was tormented by the question of which pipe to buy “purely for heating - pink” or the most expensive one - stabil.

There are several types of pipes, but sellers cannot clearly answer which one is better and for what purpose (perhaps something has changed now, but then...). Conversation from the series, take STABIL, it is of better quality (i.e. more expensive) - why, why, I don’t understand)))).

First, I’ll tell you about the purpose of each pipe and why in one case it is better to use Pink for heating, in another Flex, and in a third you can’t do without STABIL. Too lazy to read, CONCLUSION briefly here - what kind of pipe is used and what is it used for. I hope I will be useful!

RAUTITAN system

RAUTITAN is the name of the entire Rehau piping system made of cross-linked polyethylene and sleeve joints.

Main advantages of the RAUTITAN system:

• The connection is on a sliding sleeve (axial pressing), which is convenient for installation, durable, and can be immediately loaded with pressure and temperature.
• Due to the absence of O-rings, the likelihood of installer error is minimized.
• There are no narrowings at the pipe-fitting transition (in the case of axial pressing).
• Unified fittings for all pipes.
• Pipe diameters from 16 to 63 mm.
• It is allowed to install the pipe directly to heating devices.
• No corrosion.

All pipes of the RAUTITAN system are cross-linked using the chemical peroxide method, have the PEX-a index and have the highest cross-linking percentage:

• among all PEX pipes they have the greatest flexibility;
• creases can be straightened with a hair dryer and the performance characteristics will be fully preserved;
• good “molecular memory”.

Advantages

All Rehau pipe products have the following advantages when compared with analogues from other manufacturers:

• the material is resistant to corrosion;
• low thermal conductivity;
• high operating temperature and the ability to operate under temperature fluctuations without loss of original characteristics;
• absolute tightness of the connection is ensured by the shape memory of the material;
• good sound insulation characteristics;
• resistance to various mechanical and chemical influences, as well as ultraviolet radiation;
• long service life of 50 years.

REHAU HIS pipe

This is a pipe intended only for wiring the water supply system because... does not have an oxygen protective layer. It is washed from chemical residues that are formed when polyethylene is cross-linked using the peroxide method and is certified for use with drinking water. Her color is white. The advantage is lower cost due to the lack of an oxygen protective layer and therefore cannot be used in heating systems. For large volumes of water supply systems, the use of this particular pipe is absolutely justified.

Prices

The cost of Rehau products depends on the series of channels and their sizes.

To see the average price per meter of these products, see the table below.

You can find out more about the prices for the products in question on the websites of the company’s official dealers. There you will find comprehensive information on this issue. We strongly do not recommend purchasing products from resellers or companies with a dubious reputation. There are quite a lot of fakes sold on the market. Therefore, you should not take risks to save money. It’s better to buy quality materials once than to spend money, time and energy on correcting mistakes later.

The cost of installing Rehau pipes depends on the scale of the project. For a small one-room apartment, this figure in Moscow and St. Petersburg can be from five thousand rubles. In Kyiv, these works will be cheaper. The minimum cost of installing Rehau pipes in the Ukrainian capital can be about one thousand hryvnia.

Below you can watch a video in which you will learn a lot of interesting information regarding the products of the German concern Rehau.

REHAU PINK pipes

The pink pipe is intended only for wiring the heating system and for use with technical fluids. It is not washed to remove chemical residues that are formed when polyethylene is cross-linked using the peroxide method and is not certified for use with drinking water. An excellent pipe for wiring heating radiators and underfloor heating systems. Cannot be used for water distribution. For large volumes of heating system wiring, the use of this particular pipe is absolutely justified.

Scope of application of pipes for heated floors

The peculiarity of underfloor heating kits is that they can be used on any heat-insulating substrate and under any floor covering. A variety of installation options (on mats, mesh, tires), the ability to assemble networks in walls and ceilings allows you to install hidden heating in rooms of the most complex architecture.

The service life of all types of products is not less than 50 years, the guarantee on joints, subject to technology, is 100%. This makes it possible to install water heating under permanent floors made of tiles, porcelain stoneware or self-leveling coatings, which are difficult to dismantle for repairs.

Heated floors are connected to boilers of any type, including centralized heating. There is a complete set of components for this.

REHAU FLEX pipes

Universal pipe. Those. it can be used in both water supply systems and heating systems. Has a certificate of conformity and oxygen protection. It differs from REHAU PINK only in color, and it is also chemically washed. In terms of form factor and technical characteristics, they are identical. Favorite by installers because can be used both there and there. When performing installation in small rooms, you should focus on purchasing this particular pipe because... almost all leftovers will be used. But you will never be able to calculate everything down to the millimeter.

Assembly tool

The Rehau company made sure that the installation of its pipelines occurred as correctly as possible, and it was for this purpose that it released a special tool, RehauRAUTOOL. The simplest basic tool kit Rehau RAUTOOL M1 consists of several tools necessary for installation:

• Pipe cutting shears 40 RAUTITAN Stabil.
• Manual pipe expander Rehau RAUTOOL RO system.
• A set of replaceable nozzles for expanders of different diameters.
• Manual press for crimping sleeves, called "basic tool M1", with a set of attachments for sleeves of various diameters and mounting pins.
• Lubricant in a tube.
• Brush for cleaning tools.
• Suitcase for transportation.

It should be noted that a set of tools is quite expensive, but on any construction market it can be rented for the duration of the work.

REHAU STABIL pipes

Also a universal pipe. And it can be applied both there and there. Unlike FLEXa, it has an additional layer of aluminum. But as it may seem to many, this layer is not at all for greater reliability and durability. The big disadvantage of cross-linked polyethylene is its thermal expansion. So this aluminum layer is designed to restrain these expansions. Hence the name “Stabil”; it is more stable at different temperatures. It should be used if you want to conduct heating in a private house using an open method using clips, and not in a screed or under plaster. She is also very comfortable to work with. It holds the shape you give it. Because of this, many installers purchase only it for the entire facility under the pretext of quality. But in fact, you are overpaying a lot of money. The cost with FLEX is much higher.

Installation of heating systems Rehau

The assembly of Rehau metal-plastic and plastic heating systems is carried out in the same way as in the case of using polypropylene products.

There are very few differences, just a few:

1. Installation is carried out using the Rautool tool, which is used to connect products with a diameter of 14-110 millimeters. The drive for it can be manual, electric or battery.
2. When arranging heating, it is necessary to use special polymer fittings of different diameters.
3. The company's own development is the installation of elements with a movable sleeve, thanks to which it is possible to install the pipeline without revisions.

REHAU RAUTHERM S pipes

Another type of pipe that is used only in underfloor heating systems. It differs from its “pink” analogue in thinner walls and because of this it has a larger flow area, a lower operating temperature and, accordingly, a lower operating pressure. These pipes imply a system for quick installation of underfloor heating systems using REHAU Varionova clamps and Speed ​​Plus Velcro.

Speed ​​Plus

Types of Rehau fittings

Conventionally, all connections can be divided into three groups: couplings, tees and elbows. Distribution combs and manifolds can be included in a separate category.

Based on the type of installation, there are three main methods:

• compressor;
• compression;
• welded

The Rehau company produces fittings of all types.

Compression (adjustable)

The compression type of installation is also called serviceable, since such a fitting can be dismantled at any time without damaging the parts. This may be necessary, for example, to replace seals.

This fitting consists of:

• couplings;
• collet ring;
• crimp nut;
• seals;
• gaskets

A ring and nut are put on the pipe. The coupling fitting has two o-rings and a gasket. The coupling is then inserted into the pipe and crimped. The coupling has both special ribs to hold the seals and threads to connect to the nut.

The advantages of such a fitting include the fact that for its installation you only need two adjustable wrenches; wrenches can also be used.

Crimping

This fitting consists of only two elements - a coupling and a ferrule. For installation, you will need special equipment - an expander and a tool for axial pressing. The sleeve is placed on the pipe with a chamfer towards the connection. The pipe itself is expanded by an expander to a size that allows the coupling fitting to be inserted into it. The sleeve is then pushed under pressure over the area where the fitting is located. Dismantling of such a fitting is impossible. You will have to cut the sleeve, which is quite difficult. This fitting is mounted very quickly and reliably.

Welded

As an alternative, the electrodiffusion welding method is used, but it is unlikely to be possible to implement it yourself. Firstly, even the company’s instructions do not clearly describe this connection method and specifically stipulate that such work can only be carried out by specialists. Secondly, for this method of fastening you will need quite specific equipment, which is problematic to obtain. In addition, the price of such an instrument is quite high.

According to the technology, the coupling is put on top of the connection. Inside the coupling there is a wire that acts as a heating coil to which current is supplied. The surfaces to be welded are heated to the melting point and subsequent connection occurs.

What are the dangers of unprofessional installation?

Installation of Rehau pipes in an apartment, which is carried out by non-specialists and without the use of professional equipment, can lead to the most disastrous consequences. If pipes burst, flooding of the living space and all areas adjacent to it is ensured.

If the gust occurs on the heating system, then in winter you are faced with complete defrosting of the system and the difficulty of restoring it. If you order the Rehau pipeline installation service in, then you will not encounter any of the unpleasant consequences.

The work performed by professionals has several distinctive characteristics:

the pipeline laying scheme is the most optimal and does not interfere with other systems and normal life processes for the owners of residential premises;

each pipeline connection is of high quality and has smooth seams;

for installation, the correct type of pipes has been selected, which is compatible in parameters with the system being installed;

Polypropylene pipes: lightness, durability and low cost

Polypropylene pipes for plumbing and heating lead the market due to their performance qualities.
Such pipes weigh little, last a long time, are durable, and are relatively easy to install. To create a mounting joint, you need to insert the tube into the corner and solder it. An additional advantage of polypropylene pipes is their very reasonable cost. It doesn’t break the bank, even if the buyer’s budget is very limited. Products made from pure polypropylene have one feature. They can only withstand low temperatures. So that the pipes can be used for hot water, they are reinforced with aluminum or fiberglass components. This increases the diameter of the pipe wall: reinforced pipes are designated D25 (diameter 25 mm), non-reinforced pipes are designated D20. Reinforcement does not affect strength in any way; it only increases resistance to high temperatures.

Installation of metal-plastic pipes

This article will discuss the installation of metal-plastic pipes with your own hands using threaded fittings.

The advantages of joining and connecting pipes using special fittings are that no threading is required, and the process itself takes little time.

This is important, first of all, because in the vast majority of cases a hidden installation of the pipeline is required, which does not allow the slightest violation of the tightness. There is currently a wide range of fittings (fittings) for metal-plastic pipes on sale.

When you need to install a fitting, we advise you to pay attention to the quality level of the thread. It should be noted that areas where the thread is broken are allowed only when their total length is no more than 10% of the total length of the thread

The ends of the fittings must have an even shape and be perpendicular to the axis of the product. The threads should not contain burrs.

All fittings, depending on the method of connecting them to the pipe, are divided into threaded (screw) and pressed.

When using threaded fittings, the connection is achieved due to the pressure created on the open expansion ring when the nut is tightened. To ensure that the fitting body is tightly connected to the tip, a special gasket is provided.

How to choose flexible pipes

When turning to a specialized store for bendable tubes, you need to rely on the following selection parameters:

Product material. For the street and cold unheated rooms, metal-plastic, steel, and PVC are suitable. If the pipeline section will be additionally subjected to mechanical stress, it is better to choose stainless steel. For interior work, it is advisable to use polypropylene. Section of the tube. Must match the diameter of the main pipeline. Main line material. It is desirable that the flexible pipe and other parts of the water supply system be made of the same polymer or metal. This will eliminate uneven linear expansion of the network under the influence of temperature fluctuations. Purpose of the highway

It is necessary to pay attention to the permissible temperature indicators for the transported medium for each type of flexible elements. Master's skills. It is easier to install PVC and polypropylene pipes

Steel and metal-plastic require more experienced actions.

Budget is not the last criterion when purchasing plumbing elements. Here the master is guided by his capabilities.

RAUTITAN made of cross-linked polyethylene

Pipes produced by the world-famous German concern REHAU are made of high-quality plastic or metal-plastic, which have a high threshold of resistance to damage. For many years, the concern's specialists have maintained a high quality standard, and Rehau pipes and fittings invariably remain popular and in demand in the heating and water supply systems market. A whole team of REHAU specialists is working on developments in the field of polymers. It was under this brand that polymer pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene were first produced. Crosslinking methods vary for pipes for different purposes, but the principle is the same - high molecular weight polyethylene is melted and a pipe of the required diameter is formed from it.

Rautitan fittings for heating installation

Threadless fittings are made from a new generation polymer material – polyphenylsulfone. This material demonstrates the highest strength indicators, several times superior to metal components.

Rehau fittings

Fittings include the following main groups:

• Mounting sleeves;
• Couplings;
• Adapters with external and internal threads;
• Connecting fittings;
• Squares;
• Tees;
• Pipes for connecting radiators;
• Plugs;
• Guides;
• Fixing gutters;
• Distributing comb;
• Brackets;
• Fire cuffs.