Hiding water supply pipe within solid brick wall for electric shower - should I use copper,plastic or s.steel?

Question

I am confident working with copper, but I am aware that cement/plaster can corrode copper piping. I have considered using some sort of conduit to run the copper pipe through, but how I would get the conduit to fit around the elbow that will be needed to connect the supply pipe to the shower?

The other alternative is to use plastic piping, but my electric shower instructions only mention the use of copper or stainless steel.

Answer 1

stick to copper pipe, you can get elbows for conduit.

yes copper can corrode but i dont think you would have a problem. My house is 160 yrs old and quite a lot of pipe is copper that is chased into the walls, I dont appear to have any leaks!!!!!!

Answer 2

It should really be OK unless you have some type of defective mortar. If your really concerned about this then just wrap the pipe with pipe insulator or tape or better yet paint it. Your just really looking for a barrier. If nothing else then use 3/4" copper pipe as a conduit or just use 3/4" pipe when your making the wall then remove it once it is set and stick your 1/2" pipe through and spray expanding foam in hole *** barrier. Plastic pipe going through anything, even wood holes, over time will rub and chafe and cause a pinhole leak under pressure. Have seen many of these.

Answer 3

You can buy sleeve lagging for copper but plastic pipe is great you would only need copper from plastic to shower inlet and all the fittings are push fit

Answer 4

Use copper pipe,The elbow will be inside the shower casing.

Answer 5

Use the plastic. Just do not install closer than 18 inches to the hot water tank.