Old compression fittings: greater risk of leakage

Did you know that one of the most expensive rooms (per square meter) in a house is the bathroom? An average bathroom easily costs between €8,000 and €15,000. A bathroom contains numerous pipes. During a building inspection, our inspector always checks these for quality and security. However, as a buyer, you should inquire about the compression fittings used on the pipes running through the walls and floor.

Connections in the bathroom

To get water from the boiler to the tap and shower, pipes and fittings are needed. In older houses, copper is almost always used for this. It's a very reliable material, but it doesn't last forever. Fittings are used to create branches in the pipe. These are often compression fittings or pipes that are soldered together.

Compression fittings are an easy way to connect two pipes using nuts, fittings, and Teflon. Cutting the pipe and tightening the nuts requires precision. If the plumber isn't paying attention or tightens it incorrectly, there's a high risk of a leak in the future.

To fit the tiles flush to the wall, cement or plaster (for example, Knauf) is often used. Plaster, in particular, carries a high risk of leaks. The plaster reacts with the bonding, and after a few years, the wall leaks! We've seen this happen in many homes. Often, the only option is to renovate the entire bathroom. This is expensive and messy.

Press coupling

Over the past 10 years, traditional compression fittings have been replaced by press-fit fittings. Flexible pipes are pressed around a fitting using special tools under high pressure. This minimizes the risk of leaks. So, if you're planning to renovate the bathroom in your new home, choose a plumber who works with these types of fittings.

Confirmation of pipes

Another important consideration in the bathroom is the pipework. Hot water often comes from the attic, and the pipe is located between the ceiling. If it's loose, you'll hear a "pop" or "thump"-like sound when you quickly turn off the tap. This is called " rattling pipes ," and we discuss this backlash in the pipework in detail in our blog post. Securing pipes with a bracket often solves this problem.

Claim damages from seller

Are you experiencing leaks due to old compression fittings? Then you'll face significant costs. It goes without saying that you'll want to know if you can recover the damages from the seller. Unfortunately, there's no clear-cut answer to this question.

Many factors play a role here, such as the age of the property, the time the leak occurred, and the severity of the situation. Furthermore, it's important to know whether the seller has fulfilled their duty to disclose the property and whether you, as the buyer, have fulfilled your duty to investigate. Always contact your insurer.

Compression fittings often cause problems

As mentioned earlier, compression fittings are usually chosen to avoid soldering or welding. However, there is a significant risk of leakage. If the nut is tightened too tightly, it can deform the leg, and the fitting will not be watertight.

It's often thought that insufficiently tightening a nut causes leaks, but the opposite is true. An overtightened nut often leads to leaks.

Would you like to make an appointment for a building inspection?

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!

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