Pipe systems that keep working for decades

Pinhole leaks in copper pipes are usually caused by corrosion, which depends on water chemistry, flow velocity and the quality of the original installation. Where pitting starts in one part of a system, similar conditions often exist elsewhere, so repairs rarely end the problem. Replacing with a material that does not corrode, such as PB-1, removes that cause.

PB-1 pipes have a 50-year design life at the application class conditions of EN ISO 15876, such as hot water supply at 70°C. Long-term ISO 9080 tests project service lifetimes of 50 years or more at 70°C and 10 bar. Actual life depends on operating temperature, pressure and the disinfection regime.

Yes. Mechanical compression and transition fittings from member manufacturers connect PB-1 pipe to copper, steel and other metal components. That makes a partial replacement possible: sections are renewed one at a time while the rest of the system stays in service. Check the fitting range of the member system you use.

Plastic drinking water pipes must pass national approval for contact with drinking water before they can be used, and PB-1 systems hold these approvals per member system. PB-1 does not corrode, so no metals leach into the water. It is suitable for thermal disinfection within its application class limits; where chlorine dioxide is used, check each system's limits.

In most cases, yes. Push-fit repair fittings join PB-1 pipe without tools, heat or flame, so a trained in-house team can repair a leak without a specialist contractor. Repair methods and fittings differ per member system, so keep the manufacturer's instructions and the right fittings in stock.

PB-1 is a thermoplastic that is not crosslinked, so pipe recovered at end of use can be melted down and recycled. Whether that happens depends on collection: the pipe has to be separated from other construction waste. Ask member manufacturers about take-back or recycling routes in your country.