Rehau pipes for water supply: how to choose and install?

When arranging a quality pipeline, whether it is water from a well or heating in a house or running water with hot or cold water in an apartment, reliable pipes are needed. Rehau company produces polymer pipes of the highest quality and for various purposes, including for liquid heating. However, their products are durable, designed for high temperature and pressure, equipped with a unique installation system, of course, the cost of such pipes is also not cheap. In order to understand which pipes will provide long-term operation without the slightest problem, you should familiarize yourself with their characteristics in all details.

Rehau company produces pipes designed for operation in pipelines for various purposes.It is advisable to choose products that have positive feedback and good technical characteristics. Wiring can be mounted by hand, given the recommendations of experts. All products of the Rautitan line are divided into types, each of which is focused on certain tasks: the supply of hot and cold water, heating and arrangement of the heated floor. For these purposes, created several types of pipes.

These are pipes of functional purpose, which are made on the basis of metallized polymer and painted in silver color. Structurally, they have a layer of aluminum, and the inner layer is cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X / AI / PE). They can be used in all types of plumbing: cold and hot water, low-temperature heating.

The performance characteristics of Stabil type pipes are as follows:

• operating temperature up to + 95ºС, can withstand jumps up to + 110ºС;
• cross section diameter is 16–63 mm;
• differ in elasticity and have high strength indicators;
• working pressure - up to 10 atm.

The pipe is realized, equipped with a coupling and a sleeve for optimal sealing of the joints.In addition, the installation process is simplified and accelerated. The installation does not require a gasket; immediately after its completion, you can begin operating the pipeline. If necessary, you can create a branching pipeline, apply the swivel elements that are supplied with the pipe in the kit.

The Stabil series is implemented with the following pipe dimensions, where the first value is the external diameter of the pipe, and the second is the wall thickness:

• 16 / 2.6 mm;
• 20 / 2.9 mm;
• 25 / 3.7 mm;
• 32 / 4.7 mm;
• 40/6 mm.

The length of the manufactured products is 5, 50 and 100 meters, the second and third options can be cut into 10 meters. From the conditions of operation varies its duration. The following relationship, where the first is the working temperature in ºС, the second is the working pressure in bars, and the third is the guaranteed operating period in years, shows visual options:

• 20/35/50;
• 70/20/50;
• 95/15/5.

This shows that operation at maximum temperature conditions significantly reduces the service life.

Flex is a universal type of pipe. Unlike the Stabil type, it can be used in all types of heating, and not only in low-temperature. Inside the product is made of PEX-X stitched polyethylene, which is covered with ethylene vinyl alcohol that protects against oxygen. This is the main difference between Flex and Stabil. Its task is to protect the fluid from air penetration, otherwise the structure of the products is almost identical. Flex tubes are connected by special sleeves.

The Flex series is implemented with the following pipe dimensions, where the first value is the external diameter of the pipe, and the second is the wall thickness:

• 16 / 2.2 mm;
• 20 / 2.8 mm;
• 25 / 3.5 mm;
• 32 / 4.4 mm;
• 40 / 5.5 mm;
• 50 / 6.9 mm;
• 63 / 8.6 mm.

The lengths are realized in segments of 6 meters and in bays of 50 and 100 meters with the possibility of cutting into pieces of 10 meters. Operating conditions affect the service life of the pipe. What you can see in practice, the approximate parameters with the followingwhere the first is the temperature of the fluid in the system (degrees), the second is its pressure (bar), and the third is the warranty period under these conditions (years):

• 20/18,2/50;
• 70/10/50;
• 95/9/10.

His pipe line has a universal purpose, it is made of PEX-XA cross-linked peroxide polyethylene. The pipes are painted white. They can be used in plumbing for drinking, hot and cold water, as well as in heating systems. His tubes are connected by sliding sleeves, which provide a sturdy and tight joint.

Characteristic features of the products of this type are the following:

• working temperature up to + 90ºС;
• long service life;
• minimum temperature expansion;
• good memory material;
• excellent strength and wear resistance;
• elasticity and flexibility;
• internal coating prevents deposits;
• simple and quick installation.

Rehau Rautitan His are realized in size variations with an outer diameter of 16–63 mm in 6-meter segments, in bays of 50–100 meters with a diameter of up to 32 mm.

Rehau Rautitan products are made from high-quality polymer compounds using the most modern technologies, which ensures its amazing performance.

Rehau pipes have undeniable merits.

• Unique connection system. Sliding sleeves make it possible to carry out high-quality installation, even to people without special skills, and the chance of incorrect fitting is about 2%. And also it provides the following:
  • installation of the pipeline without welding, soldering or other special means;
  • high reliability and tightness of the joint, in connection with which the pipes can be sewn into the walls without fear of leaks;
  • minimum terms of work.
• Unique inner surface. On the inner walls of Rehau pipes, no deposits of salt, scale and other problems are typical for metal pipelines and other polymer pipes.
• High operating temperature. Its indicators vary depending on the type in the range of + 90–95 ºС.

• Excellent elasticity and flexibility, without kinks.
• High resistance to abrasive materials, mechanical shock, vibration.
• The polymer absorbs noise perfectly.
• Pipes do not corrode, do not shrink, do not rot.
• The polymer is completely resistant to the cycle of freezing and thawing.
• Pipes are made from inert substances that are not harmful to health.
• Excellent memory material. After bending the pipe regains its shape.When stretching, shape recovery occurs if the elongation does not exceed 300%.
• The service life depends on the conditions and ranges from 5 years (with the most severe) to 50 years (with normal).

In addition to positive qualities, Rehau products have their own weaknesses, such as:

• water pipes are very strong and elastic; tools will be needed to bend products with a diameter of more than 32 mm;
• sliding fittings are expensive, and as the pipe diameter increases, their price increases;
• pipe material is vulnerable to direct sunlight.

The approximate cost of pipes depends on the type, namely:

• Rehau Rautitan Stabil with a diameter of 16–32 mm costs about 110–375 rubles per 1 m;
• Rehau Rautitan Flex with a diameter of 32 mm will cost 305–310 rubles per 1 m, and with a diameter of 50 mm - 620 rubles;
• the price for 1 meter of Rehau Rautitan His with a diameter of 16 mm will be about 115 rubles, with a diameter of 32 mm - 445 rubles, and the widest version of 63 mm - about 1,170 rubles.

The installation process is fundamentally different from similar products from other manufacturers. To connect the pipes to each other, no other installation means are needed except those provided by Rehau. For this purpose, special sleeves are used, working on the principle of cold pressing.They provide excellent sealing of the joint, and in addition, are designed so that if not properly connected, it can be seen externally.

The process of connecting pipes is as follows:

• a sleeve is put on the pipe for water supply, so that the chamfer is in the direction of connection with the second pipe;
• the opening of the second pipe is expanded by means of an expander;
• The extended opening is put on the fitting, after which the sleeve is pressed.

Review the Rehau pipes in the next video.