At Dudley College, our Director of Exports and Marketing, Robert Lawton, kicked off the session with an engaging presentation about our company’s journey, core values, and dedication to excellence. Following this, Lee Clayton, our Head of Plumbing and Heating, delivered a thought-provoking seminar highlighting sustainability and fire safety two critical pillars of modern plumbing practices.

Adding a personal touch to the day, our Ambassador Peter Booth, also known as PB Plumber, shared his inspiring story as a third-generation plumber. Now a prominent social media figure and our brand ambassador, Pete also treated students to a live pipe-bending demonstration. The highlight? A thrilling pipe-bending challenge, where students showcased their skills and creativity. Congratulations to Landon, who impressed everyone and claimed the top prize!

_{Students at Dudley College learning how to traditionally pipe bend.}

At Castleford College, the enthusiasm continued with a packed day of discussions and hands-on activities. Robert Lawton and Lee Clayton were joined again by Peter Booth to dive deep into topics such as traditional plumbing, sustainability, and fire safety. Students not only learned about the industry but also got to test their skills in our famous pipe-bending challenge, where the winner walked away with a coveted Velocity Pro Gear Bag!

_{Students at Castleford College learning how to traditionally pipe bend.}

A special thank you goes to Simon McPhee at Dudley College and Graham Adams and the team at Castleford College for making these events possible. Their collaboration helped create an environment where students could learn, grow, and connect with industry experts.

Are you looking to bring a similar experience to your college? At Lawton Tubes, we are committed to inspiring the future of plumbing through education and engaging challenges. Contact us to arrange a visit to your campus!

The post Inspiring Future Plumbers at Dudley and Castleford Colleges appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

We’re proud to announce the launch of Lawton Press, our innovative press fitting’s line, designed to set new standards in plumbing efficiency and reliability. With a broad range of sizes and an industry-leading 30-year warranty, Lawton Press is committed to delivering exceptional quality and peace of mind to professionals across the sector.

Comprehensive Range: 15-54mm for Versatile Applications
The new press fitting range from Lawton Press is available in a versatile size range from 15mm to 54mm, making it suitable for a wide array of applications. Whether it’s residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing, these fittings provide the flexibility and reliability that professionals demand.

30-Year Warranty
Backing our products with confidence, Lawton Press offers an industry-leading 30-year warranty on all press fittings. This extensive warranty reflects the company’s commitment to quality and durability, ensuring that customers can rely on Lawton Press products for decades to come.

Certified Excellence: KIWA, REG4 and WRAS Approval
We have earned KIWA, REG4 and WRAS approval. These certifications demonstrate that Lawton Press fittings are manufactured to the strictest quality control measures and comply with the rigorous regulations governing water safety and system compatibility.

Advanced Features: M Profile
Our M Profile design ensures optimal sealing and ease of installation. Additionally, the fittings incorporate the Lawton Black Pressing Indicator, a unique feature that provides a visual confirmation of proper installation, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring system integrity.

Leak Before Press: O-ring Technology for Added Security
This innovative design ensures that any unpressed connections will be immediately apparent during system testing, allowing for prompt corrections and virtually eliminating the risk of unnoticed leaks.

For more information about the new press fitting range, contact sales@lawtontubes.co.uk or reach out to your account manager directly.

The post Lawton Press Fittings: A Game-Changer for the Plumbing Industry appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

This is not a popularity contest or a PR exercise. These awards are about celebrating those who are making a genuine impact on the plumbing community.

Last year’s winner was Ian Briggs from IRB Heating, who picked up his trophy from none other than boxing legend, Sir Frank Bruno, at the 2023 Installer Show. Ian was nominated multiple times for LPB’s Plumbers’ Plumber of the Year Award for embodying everything the awards stand for. “I was very appreciative of being nominated – and being lucky enough to win the award,” he says. “I don’t usually do things like that!”

Join us in celebrating plumbing’s best!

We all know someone within the industry who deserves special recognition. And as passionate advocates of the plumbing profession, Robert Lawton and PB Plumber’s Peter Booth are teaming up to ensure its unsung heroes are given the recognition they deserve.

Whether it’s a long-serving colleague who’s always got time for others or an up-and-coming apprentice whose enthusiasm knows no bounds, the LPB Plumbing Awards are your chance to let those exceptional members of the plumbing community know what a difference they make!

“We are incredibly passionate about engaging with the industry and ways to constantly improve it; the more people we meet within the plumbing community, the more inspired we feel to connect with its members,” says Robert Lawton. “The LPB Awards is a way to commend those who are making the plumbing industry a better place and helping it thrive!”

The awards – and what’s up for grabs

There are two awards up for grabs: the Plumbers’ Plumber of the Year Award and the Plumber’s Apprentice of the Year Award. Both are now open for you to put forward your chosen nominees, with prizes including a slap-up meal with Robert Lawton and PB Plumber and a coveted copper trophy for the well-deserved winners.

The Plumbers’ Plumber of the Year Award recognises a well-established plumber who’s generously shared their knowledge with new starters, or someone who’s given advice and encouragement to fellow plumbers whether professionally or with their mental health.

“Being nominate for Plumbers’ Plumber of the Year Award was a very big thing for me,” says 2023 Runner-up Gavin Plumley (aka Pablo), who works as a freelance emergency plumber for Valkyrie. “I’m a traditional plumber; the fact that I’d even be considered for such an award really touched me.”

“It’s fantastic Lawton are recognising people in the industry from all aspects of plumbing,” adds fellow runner-up Karen Boot, aka Kaz from Kaz Gas Heating and Plumbing Solutions Ltd. “I felt really honoured to be voted for by other plumbers.”

New for 2024

New for this year is the Plumber’s Apprentice of the Year Award. We’re looking to honour the apprentice that goes the extra mile in their organisation and promises to be a future star in the plumbing community. So, if you know of a plumbing apprentice who has profoundly impressed their colleagues and college, why not nominate them?!

Make a nomination

LPB Awards submissions are now closed! What happens next?

Lucky finalists can be expected to hear from us with an invite to a celebratory meal on 25th June, the first evening of the Installer Show!

The next day, special guests hosted by PB Plumber, will announce the winners live from our stand at 2pm (26th June).

We’re excited to get to know all finalists, and host you on our Lawton Tubes Stand.

The post The LPB Plumbing Awards are back! appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

One problem that can arise when using a traditional scissor bender to bend copper plumbing tube is a rippling or wrinkling of the tube at the site of the bend.

This is an issue for several reasons: Firstly, it wastes time and effort, slowing down the job and forcing you to repeat the same processes. Secondly, it’s a costly waste of materials that leaves you out of pocket with nothing but an ugly bit of pipe to show for it.

So, what causes copper pipes to ripple when you pull a bend, and how can you prevent this from happening?  

Check your copper pipes

Many factors can cause the rippling effect you sometimes get when bending copper pipes. One of the most popular is that the copper pipe itself is substandard, too thin, or faulty.

“When you remove the copper pipe from the bender, you want a nice smooth bend,” says plumber and Lawton Tubes ambassador Peter Booth, aka PB Plumber. “But sometimes, a pipe will get a ripple on it, and people say it’s the quality of the copper, that they don’t make copper pipes like they used to, and the walls are too thin.”

But the reality is this is very unlikely to be the case. Copper tubes are manufactured to exceedingly strict standards, as Robert Lawton, Marketing & International Sales Director for Lawton Tubes, explains:

“In the UK and Europe, industry-standard copper plumbing tubes are manufactured to EN 1057. The most popular UK size, 15mm x 0.7mm half-hard copper plumbing tubes, are covered with a kitemark, a mark of quality audited by British Standards. It also carries a 25-year warranty against manufacturer defects. We work to strict tolerances. There are tolerances on the wall thickness, OD, and length – every aspect of our copper pipe is manufactured according to tight specifications. And every batch is inspected in accordance with British Standards.”

Quality assured

Lawton Tubes is so committed to the quality of their copper pipes that the company carries out in-house testing on any pipe that’s caused customers to question its integrity – including rippling during bending.

“There are a few quick, easy checks you can do on-site to rule out whether it’s the pipe or not,” says Robert. “The first is to use another piece of copper pipe from a different batch. All pipes are batch marked, so it’s easy to see which one they’ve come from. Another is to use a competitor’s pipe to rule out whether it’s a fault with the supplier.”

“If you’ve done both these things and are adamant the copper pipe is the issue, you can send us a sample length, and we’ll carry out some in-house tests. These include a hardness test to check if the pipe is within the tolerances of the hardness, a wall thickness test, and an OD test. Upon request, we can video these taking place, so you can see for yourself if the issue really is with the copper pipe and whether it’s within spec or not.”  

Check your bender

If it’s not the quality of the copper tube that’s at fault, could it be the quality of the scissor bender that causes some copper pipes to ripple when bent?

“It could be the pipe bender you’re using is a bit loose, or it’s not been cleaned, or it’s maybe been dropped,” says Peter. “Sometimes, lost or damaged parts are replaced with ones from another bending tool. All these things can affect the quality of the bend. Given the strict tolerances used in copper pipe manufacture, it’s much more likely to be a problem with the bender than the quality of the copper pipe you’re using.”

Sometimes, it’s not a case of the bender being at fault but that you’re actually using the wrong kind of bender for the job.

“I have a Bacho pipe bender,” says Peter. “Everybody wants one because you can’t get them anymore. I bought mine at a tool fair. It’s meant to be able to pull a 180 in 15mm copper. I’d say 70 percent of the time, it performs okay, but the rest of the time it will ripple 15 x 0.7 copper pipe. I spoke to Bacho, and they said that’s because their pipe bender was designed for use by the European market.”

European 1mm copper pipe

In most European countries, standard plumbing pipes have a wall thickness of 1mm instead of the standard 0.7mm wall thickness used in UK plumbing. That’s because typical European plumbing is designed to cope with the higher working pressures commonly found across Europe.

If you’re looking for a thicker copper pipe, 15mm x 1mm copper piping – classed as Table Y – is available in the UK from Lawton Tubes. It’s manufactured to the same tolerances, has the same 25-year warranty, and has the same certifications as the 15mm x 0.7mm Table X copper pipe. The only difference is that it has a thicker wall.

It also pulls a perfectly smooth 180 bend using a Bacho pipe bender. Proof that using a tool that’s appropriate for the thickness of the pipe you’re working with yields a better result.

“You can use 1mm copper tube in high-pressure systems,” explains Robert. “It’s 30 percent more expensive than the 0.7mm copper tube because it’s using 30 percent more copper. But if you’re after a thicker, heavier copper tube, you can request 1mm copper pipe from your merchant.”

Table Y 1mm copper pipe is compatible with standard UK fittings. That’s because despite the pipe wall being 0.3mm thicker, the OD is the same as standard 15mm copper pipe.

“Fittings are designed to take a higher pressure than the tube,” says Robert. “So standard UK fittings are suitable for use with 1mm copper pipe in high-pressure systems as long as they carry the appropriate kitemark, which all our Lawton Tube fittings do.”

In conclusion

Rippling is rarely caused by poor-quality copper pipes or the result of using copper pipes that are too thin. It can be an issue if the bender you are using is too loose, damaged, dirty, or meant for use on thicker copper pipe, such as the 1mm copper plumbing tube more commonly found in Europe.

Ensuring your pipe bender is well maintained and appropriate for use with the copper pipe you’re bending will give you a smoother bend.  

Do you require a thicker pipe? 1mm copper pipes are available from UK merchants, including Lawton Tubes, which also stocks compatible fittings.

If you’re still experiencing rippling and believe it’s down to the copper tube, Lawton Tubes offers an in-house testing service to determine whether your tube meets British Standards.

All Lawton Tubes’ copper plumbing pipes are manufactured to EN 1057, kitemarked and inspected in accordance with British Standards. It also carries a 25-year warranty against manufacturer defects. See our full range here.

The post Why is your copper tube rippling when you bend it? appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

Copper pipes have been used in plumbing for over 4,500 years. Archaeological evidence suggests the Ancient Egyptians were among the first civilisations to make use of copper pipes for carrying water. In fact, thanks to its incredible durability, the remains of early copper drainage systems have been discovered within the pyramids! There are many practical reasons why copper is an obvious choice for plumbing. But copper also offers several unique benefits that are not found in any other material.

So, what are the superpowers that continue to make copper pipes the perfect plumbing solution thousands of years after their invention?

#1 Reliability 
On average, copper pipes used for carrying water have a lifespan of around 50-70 years. If conditions are right, they can last a lot longer. The lifespan of copper plumbing varies depending on the quality of the water passing through the pipes, the frequency of use, and the physical climate around the copper piping itself. 

As well as providing years of faithful service, copper piping is simple to install, replace, and repair, should it need it. During the Second World War, Coventry cathedral was decimated by the infamous Blitz air raids. Much of the original lead plumbing was destroyed in the bombing. During the cathedral’s repair, it was decided copper piping would be the best replacement. Lawton Tubes supplied the pipework to the cathedral, along with a 300-year warranty as a testament to the reliability of our copper tubes.

#2 Corrosion resistant
Pipes used in plumbing are often exposed to all kinds of abrasive and postnatally hazardous waste, as well as continued contact with water and the environment outside the pipe. Copper is low on the reactivity scale, which means it’s less likely to corrode over time when exposed to other elements, making it the ideal material for manufacturing plumbing pipes.

#3 Malleable
Copper is incredibly malleable. This means it can be shaped and manipulated to suit your needs without it becoming weak or breaking in the process. As anyone who’s ever looked beneath a bath will tell you, pipes used in plumbing rarely run in straight lines; in fact, they’re specifically designed to squeeze around bends and fit into tight corners. Copper’s malleability makes it perfectly suited for this tricky task.

#4 Great conductor
Copper is an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity. Its thermal conductivity in particular makes it an excellent choice of material for the manufacture of plumbing pipes. Firstly, copper pipes make for more efficient hot-water systems. As copper heats evenly and retains its heat, less energy is required to maintain a constant supply of hot water through the pipes, saving both money and the planet. Copper pipes can also be heated and cooled regularly throughout the day without becoming weakened by the process.    

Secondly, these thermal properties mean your copper pipes won’t freeze or crack in winter. So, with copper plumbing, you’ll never have to worry about your heating or water supply when the mercury drops.

#5 Durable 
Copper piping is hardcore. Not only will it withstand extreme changes in temperature, but it won’t crack under pressure either. In fact, 1cm of copper piping can withstand pressures of up to 700psi – that’s more force than a lion’s bite! (Source.)

#6 Recyclable 
Copper is one of the most sustainable metals on the planet. It can be recycled an endless number of times without losing any of its unique properties. Because of this, each piece of copper cut-off that’s not used during the pipe manufacturing process is melted down and recycled, so there’s absolutely no waste material at the end.

An estimated 80% of all copper produced in the last 10,000 years is still in use today. On top of this, recycling copper requires up to 40% less energy than producing it, so reusing it is both eco and economically friendly.

#7 Lightweight 
Transportation is one of the hidden costs when supplying any material to site. Bulky, heavy materials cost more to transport and require more people-power to move them around. From a plumbing standpoint, awkward, heavy pipes are a headache. They need all hands deck to load, carry, and install them, which slows down the whole installation process and ultimately drives up the price.

Using copper pipes in plumbing is the ideal solution. Copper pipes are lightweight, making transport and installation efficient and cost-effective. This leads nicely onto it being…

#8 Versatile 
Copper plumbing is one of the most versatile solutions for getting water where it needs to be. This is because, when it comes to copper, there are many more options available for connecting tubes together and creating a bespoke system that suits your needs.

From traditional solder end feed and mechanical (compression) tubes, to press fit and push fit tubes that match the installation speed of plastic ones, and plastic fittings that help keep costs low, there are endless configurations to help you customise your plumbing. And regardless of what option you go for, Lawton’s 25-year copper pipe warranty still stands.

#9 Clean and safe  
One of the most crucial jobs of any plumbing system is to carry clean, safe drinking water. And when dealing with water that’s likely to be consumed straight from the tap, there’s absolutely no room for error.

Certain metals, like lead, iron, and galvanised steel, can release harmful chemicals, which pass into the water, contaminating it and making consumers ill. Copper pipes, on the other hand, actively preserve the integrity of the clean water running through them. Not only that, the piping itself is also clean and safe, so no harmful chemicals will cross over into the environment where it’s installed.

#10 Antimicrobial 
More than just being safe, copper is a natural antimicrobial. This means it can actually kill germs and bacteria when they come into contact with the metal, sometimes within minutes. When copper touches germs and bacteria cells, it infiltrates the cell’s DNA and proteins, interfering with the way the organism functions and ultimately destroying it. This means that, in the event of any bacteria entering your water supply, the copper piping will neutralise it before it reaches you. Now that’s a superpower worthy of a Pharaoh!

Lawton Tubes have been supplying the plumbing industry with copper pipes for the past 100 years and are on hand to help you with any of your copper piping needs. Get in touch with one of the team today.

The post Plumb like an Egyptian: 10 benefits of using copper pipes in plumbing appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

End-Feed / Braze fittings

End-feed / braze fittings are a means of joining two copper pipes together.

Sizes 8mm to 54mm require the use of lead-free solder and a blow torch to permanently marry the two ends of the pipe and create a watertight seal.

Sizes 67mm and above use brazing rods. The main composites are copper and silver. An air-fuel or oxy-fuel torch is required as rods melt at a higher temperature.

End-feed fittings are mostly manufactured from copper (with a few brass ones available as well). They can be used to effectively build one continuous length of copper pipe, which will only come apart again if it’s reheated, damaged, or cut.  

End-feed fittings come in a wide range of sizes and shapes depending on the type of join you want to achieve. These include:

• Coupling for joining two copper pipes of the same diameter in a straight line
•  45 and 90-degree elbow fittings
• Reducers for joining copper pipes of different sizes
• Tee for joining up to three copper pipes where they intersect at a T junction
• Crossovers for when you need to run one pipe over another
• Male Adaptors Male Union Adaptors – Just two items in the range of brass fittings

Sizes available

All Lawton’s end-feed fittings are available in sizes 8mm to 54mm and brazing fittings 67mm to 219mm for use with our entire range of copper plumbing pipes, which comply with BS EN 1057. We also offer metric to imperial end-feed fittings such as metric to imperial couplings

Applications

All Lawton’s end-feed / braze fittings comply with EN 1254-1. They are all seamless one-piece fittings, making them more robust and straightforward to use.

Our large selection of quality copper end-feed / braze fittings can fit together everything from domestic copper pipes to large-scale commercial installations.

Our larger 219mm fittings are regularly used in projects such as schools, hospitals, and commercial properties. They can also be used in cold and hot-water plumbing and are the preferred choice for high-pressure systems owing to their superior strength and reliable seal.

Lawton Tubes also carries a selection of soldering products for use with our copper end-feed fittings, including flux, brazing rods and leadfree and leaded solder reels.

Solder ring fittings

Solder ring fittings perform a similar role to end-feed fittings in that they are used in plumbing to join two copper pipes with a permanent seal.

Unlike end-feed fittings, solder fittings do not require the addition of a soldering agent because they come with a ring of solder already built into the fitting.

All that’s required to secure a copper solder ring in place is the heat from a heat lamp to melt the solder already inside the fitting, which then forms a permanent seal joining the two copper pipes.

Solder ring fittings are available in the same varieties as end-feed fittings, including 45 and 90-degree elbow bends, reducers, couplings, tee, and end caps.

Sizes available

Lawton copper solder ring fittings use lead-free solder and are available from 8mm to 54mm. Our solder fittings also comply with EN1254-1 and are suitable for Lawton EN 1057 copper tubes.

Applications

Copper solder ring fittings are a fast, effective solution for joining copper plumbing pipes on various installations where time management is essential.

They can be used in domestic and commercial settings, offering a versatile, reliable solution to soldering pipework in hard-to-reach places. They are also an ideal option for fitters with limited soldering experience, as the integral solder within the fitting requires only a gas torch to give a good seal and makes installation much quicker and simpler.

Compression fittings

Compression fittings consist of the body, the compression nut, and the ‘olive’. They don’t require sealing materials because the olive inside the fitting performs this task.

The end of the copper pipe to be joined is inserted into the body of the fitting. The bevelled olive then slips over the pipe to sit between the pipe wall and the inside of the body, creating a snug fit.

The compression nut then slides over the olive and screws onto the body, tightening the olive around the pipe and forming a watertight seal within the fitting.  

Compression fittings come in various shapes and sizes depending on the type of join you want to achieve. Couplings, elbows, tees, crossovers, and reducing are ways to joining copper pipes together using this same compression method.

Blanking discs also work by compression. These can be used to seal or ‘blank’ off the open end of a pipe.

Compression fittings intended for use on copper pipes are usually manufactured from brass.

At Lawton Tubes, we also offer chrome-plated options.

Sizes available

Compression fittings are sized per the diameter of the copper pipe they are to be used on.

All Lawton compression fittings are available from 8mm to 54mm for use with the Lawton range of copper plumbing and heating tubes, which comply with BS EN 1057

Applications

Compression fittings are usually used for low-pressure applications no greater than 125psi.

They are commonly used to join copper pipes in plumbing installations because they are fast, convenient, versatile, and require minimal tooling.

They also offer a good seal, and if the plumbing ever needs upgrading, they are easy to remove and replace.  

There are several different types of compression fitting:

• Coupling: allows you to join two copper pipes of the same diameter, end to end, in a straight line
• Elbows: allow you to join two copper pipes at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees
• Tees: allow you to join up to three copper pipes where they intersect at a T junction
• Crossovers: allow you to join up to four copper pipes at a crossover intersection
• Reducings: allow you to join copper pipes of differing diameters, connecting a larger pipe to a smaller one

The post A Guide to Copper Pipe Fittings for Plumbing appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

Natural progression

A long-standing partner of Lawton Tubes, Wardtec’s relationship with Lawton as an engineering customer spans 40 years. As Operations MD Giles Lawton explains: “We were looking for an acquisition so it seemed a perfect fit as we continue to grow in the fitting and accessories market.”

Alongside its water industry offering, Wardtec also produces and supplies bespoke copper, brass, stainless and aluminium made fittings and fixtures to the automotive industry.

New ranges

The move will benefit both Lawton Tubes and Wardtec. “This acquisition allows us to diversify into a whole new product range,” says Giles. “It also opens a significant opportunity in the renewable energy market. We see significant growth opportunities in the thermal storage market, too. Wardtec can also benefit massively as they join the Lawton Engineering division.”

While Giles is keen to point out that it will be “business as usual” with only IT, health and safety, and accounts being integrated, customers of both companies, old and new, stand to benefit from the move.

Wardtec customers can look forward to accessing Lawton Tubes’ buying power and the opportunity to purchase some of the standard products which Wardtec didn’t supply. And Lawton Tubes customers will now have access to bespoke products using Wardtec’s existing product portfolio.

Giles explains, “One of our existing engineering customers recently placed an order with Wardtec for some bespoke fittings, which wouldn’t have happened if the purchase by Lawton hadn’t been made.”

The next generation

With Patrick Lawton joining Wardtec as General Manager, the company’s integration with Lawton Tubes will see the 5^th generation of the Lawton family become part of the business. “It’s an exciting time for Lawton Tubes, Wardtec, and our customers!” adds Giles.

Get in touch for more information on the new fittings and accessories available thanks to Wardtec joining the Lawton Tubes family.

The post Lawton Tubes acquires Wardtec Ltd appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

That’s because Peter has plumbing in his blood. As a third generation plumber, he’s a proud owner of classic 1950s equipment that has been passed down to him from his grandfather. They represent not just the family trade but also core principles like hard work and being proud of your craft.

“A lot of the time while I’m working, I think about my granddad being a plumber,” says Peter, “and that instils a level of pride in my work. I do use some of my granddad’s tools that he passed on to me. I love using them; I love the fact that every bend I’ve pulled on every piece of pipe I’ve installed has been with the same pipe bender that my granddad used.”

The proper way with copper

To this day, Peter employs a lot of his grandfather’s philosophy into his own work; he continues to work with copper pipes and fittings, known for their lasting and malleable properties; “The main material when you’re a plumber is copper,” Peter states, “there’s a lot of skill in bending and manipulating copper that isn’t necessarily still done today, so yeah, I take pride that my grandad would’ve done all of his work with that tool to a high standard, and I’ve carried that on because I still honour the traditional way of plumbing.”

Infusing a high level of quality into work is something else Peter feels strongly about; when stating the importance of working “proper with copper”, he explains, “It’s a job that can last years, as opposed to a bit of plastic piping which has poor flow rate, poor workmanship, and there’s definitely a difference.” It is abundantly clear that putting your heart and soul into your craft has been key to Peter. His ethos for plumbing is simple and sincere: “You want to be doing the work as if you were doing it in your own house.”

Lawton’s only Copper Ambassador

With his pride and passion for plumbing in copper, it seemed an obvious fit for Peter Booth to join Lawton Tubes in our mission to make the plumbing industry more responsible and sustainable. As our only Copper Ambassador, Peter works alongside our own Copperman (Robert Lawton) to revolutionise the construction and plumbing industries. Their fight for sustainability and change can be traced through the abundance of college visits, factory tours, podcast appearances and even charity work that they have done together. From attending the InstallerMERIT charity dinner to Lawton Tubes proudly sponsoring Peter for charity marathons where he raised money for Parkinson’s UK and Band of Builders. Peter has also put us in touch with Warriors of Warmth, who we supplied copper tube and fittings to for a homeless shelter in Windsor. With many exciting joint projects in the pipeline, Copperman and Peter Booth are proving to be an unstoppable force.

Perks of plumbing

When speaking about his favourite plumbing projects, Peters indicates that there’s more to the profession than meets the eye. From becoming your own salesman, to solving complex problems, Peter likes the variety of challenges his trade offers. “When you do something for so long, it doesn’t offer you a challenge anymore, and I like a job where it’s something new,” he says.

When describing his most recent challenge – which involved safely draining 450 gallons of water out of a tank away from a building “with no drain and nowhere to do it” – he likened his practical approach to a Heath Robinson operation where the materials at hand have to suffice to get the job done.

Peter jokingly recalls his creative solution to the problem, “So, I coupled together three or four bits of pipe, elbows, sockets. One end was held running through a step ladder to hold it up. There was a stick holding the other end up, just to divert the water out of the building to a safe place!” For Peter, finding creative ways around a complex problem and engaging in team work are very satisfying parts of the job. 

Another perk, and one of the key selling points for plumbing according to Peter, is the opportunity to truly help people: “If someone calls you, and they’ve got water coming through the ceiling, they’ve got no heating or hot water, and they’ve got a new-born baby or an elderly relative, to them it’s a major emergency,” he says. “It’s like turning up and saving the day,” hence why plumbing is such an essential and valuable trade.

It may be surprising to some that the plumbing industry demands a multi-disciplinary set of skills; creativity, communication and precision are just a few of the mix that are crucial to a triumphant career in the trade.

Overcoming the market challenge

Aside from on-the-job challenges which plumbers tackle daily, there is one persisting problem arising in the industry which Peter described as “a race to the bottom.” “People are cutting the price and devaluing the trade”, he explains, “It becomes your job to be a salesman for your services because if you’re doing a proper job and taking your time it’s going to cost more. There’s a difference between your price and someone’s who is willing to go the fastest way possible and not do it properly.”

Sales techniques and commercial awareness are becoming an increasingly important part of the job, and Peter believes that having the awareness of changes in the trade and its business is essential: “You’ve got to sell yourself, so you get paid what you’re worth.”

Plumbing in the next generation

Having been in the trade for over 20 years, Peter’s planning to utilise his experience and head in a new direction: “It will be something plumbing related, but I am looking for my next challenge, something to do with college education or promoting the industry in another way.” Peter has been a key advocate for the trade, and joins Robert Lawton on visits to colleges to inspire young people with his incredible work ethic, and “to show them why I think pipe bending is one of the best things they can learn to do.” As an individual who constantly accomplishes goals in his personal and professional life, there is no doubt that Peter Booth will make a lasting, positive impact on the industry.

When asked about his reasons for entering the trade, Peter put it simply, “When you’re a plumber, when you’re trained, the world’s your oyster.” Peter champions the endless possibilities within the trade, stating that, “it’s not just about pipework, it’s about running a business, it’s about being a salesman, and getting paid.

His best advice for upcoming trade professionals is to find what you like within the industry, as you can market your business completely around one sector and be selective with the work you accept. “Do your research, and go on a training course,” Peter advises. In terms of the market, there are plenty of sectors to choose a niche from: “there’s ground source, air source, solar, renewables, or you can stick to gas.” And if there’s one copper rule for starting out in the industry, it would be to “choose the work that you enjoy.”

Peter’s career has taken him through many exciting challenges, as well as opportunities to change perceptions on plumbing, reignite pride for the trade, and build an impressive social media presence through which he continues to share his experiences and insights; you can also catch Peter talking about his passion for the trade on our Lawton Tubes YouTube. 

There’s definitely enough space and freedom for everyone to achieve their goals within the industry, and as far as Peter’s concerned, it’s all worth it: “It’s not an easy job but it’s very rewarding.” 

If you’d like to learn more about the trade, you can read about industry events on our Lawton Tubes news page. Or if you’d like to arrange one of our fun and informative college visits with Peter Booth to get the next generation of plumbers inspired, get in touch.

The post Lawton Tubes Copper Ambassador: PB Plumber appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

You might not have guessed that only a year and a half earlier, she was starting her plumbing apprenticeship and had never done public speaking before.

Taking a leap into plumbing and its online community has been a major confidence boost, to say the least. Now, Sophie is a firm fixture on the plumbing social media scene, inspiring new and established plumbers alike with her apprenticeship journey and continuously growing her following.

It’s precisely her online networking skills that led her to partnering with Copperman, Robert Lawton and PB Plumber, and going into schools to share her love for the trade and apprenticeships.

“At one [school] they were asking us about what jobs we did and what they thought [our jobs] might be,” Sophie recounts. “Then I’m showing them a video of what I get up to in a day and they’re just amazed that I’m using the grinder with sparks or I’m using fire to do a fitting or something. And it’s nice to see kids that go, ‘This seems really cool. I wanna have a go at this!’”

The Apprenticeship Path

Despite the fact she’s dyslexic and didn’t enjoy a traditional academic environment (“Anything that does not involve reading and bookwork and writing, I absolutely love!”), Sophie’s teachers pressured her to pursue the university route. It took a strong will and much support from her parents to pave her own practical yet creative path.

That’s why it’s so important to her to spread the word about the opportunities of apprenticeships.

“Every single day you’re learning, you’re getting to meet different people.” Plus, with commercial plumbing, there are the interesting locations she’s worked in: schools, doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, even a castle! “Seeing the behind the scenes in those places was just amazing. You end up finding out so many cool things like we were finding Victorian artifacts that no one’s ever found in walls because we were putting pipes through them!”

The other appeal of her apprenticeship has been learning how to tackle real world plumbing challenges, devising a plan and design, then seeing it through to a finished system.

Sophie explains that when working on domestic properties, the onus has been on “whoever’s fitting it to design it themselves. I had quite a good start to my apprenticeship with the people I worked with, who always would let me ask a billion questions and would just sit there and go through with me, like, ‘This is how we design it.’”

Building her independence on the job is part and parcel of an apprenticeship: “And also getting to do it at college now where I’m doing boiler sizing, pipe sizing, radiator sizing and being able to actually get that first hand technical [experience], like what you’d have the designers doing and then you see it through to the end when you can turn the tap on and you know it’s perfect.”

Becoming a Plumbing Star

Hearing Sophie talk with such pride about installing heating systems, it’s difficult to imagine a time before she’d found her passion for plumbing.

“I didn’t think I was even going to go down the plumbing route because it didn’t really appeal to me, to be honest, I didn’t really know what was involved in it.” During her construction GCSE, Sophie tried a range of trade skills, including bricklaying and carpentry; “Pretty much everything apart from plumbing!”

However, having submitted over fifty applications for various apprenticeships, “Plumbing was the only interview that I got, and thankfully I got the job from that interview. It was very fortunate because it was during Covid. No one was looking for an apprentice, and everyone was a bit sceptical of taking on a 16-year-old girl who’d never really done any work in her entire life.”

Since then, she has more than proven her mettle.

A particular achievement has been breaking ground as one of the first female nominees for the Rising Star Award at the Installer Show. “It was really nerve-wracking actually, because it’s a national award. You enter yourself into it and I was a bit sceptical but Rob was like, ‘Just do it, see where it goes!’ I had to write a technical challenge about plumbing. We had a list of problems in a house and we had to write about how we’d overcome the problem, how we’d interact with the customer. It was really scary, but it was quite helpful actually to help gain a bit of confidence – and that was thanks to Rob really!”

With advice and encouragement from Copperman and PB Plumber, Sophie has grown her social media presence and joined “a great community” of plumbers online. “I feel like I’ve got so many adoptive brothers and uncles!” – people that have truly supported her when she’s reached out for help.

Using Social Media for Good

Unfortunately, for anyone sharing their story online, trolls will inevitably throw hate your way. Sophie is no stranger to this and has also had to face unfair comments and poor behaviour from people in real life, simply for being a woman in the trade.

When starting out, “I really struggled with the fact that there’s no females in my area and not having anybody to even talk to about it.” However, networking online allows you to break that loneliness and find others with similar experiences who can support one another. “On social media, I met an amazing group of women: plumbers, electricians, brick layers, carpenters. I think that really helps.”

For Sophie, another key benefit of social media is “seeing that everyone has a different way of doing stuff. It was learning, ‘Ohh, actually that’s a better way to do this job,’ and you then learn your own plumbing style from seeing everybody else’s and it’s a nice way to take pride in your work as well.”

Social media is also a great tool for breaking stereotypes, not just around being a female plumber but also a young one.

“It’s really frowned upon, I think. When everyone thinks of young people in a trade, it’s, ‘you’ve failed at school’ or ‘you’ve not done well.’ I got told, ‘Why do you want to throw your life away and do that?’ When actually I was quite happy with my results. The lowest grade I got in my GCSEs was a B up to A** in Construction. It’s actually, I think, a creative outlet and young people just want to be able to show that.” With her social content, Sophie aims to prove that “young people can still take pride in our work.”

Plus, by sharing her experience as a female plumbing apprentice, she’s become a shining example to young boys and girls alike. “Kids follow me on Instagram and TikTok and are like, ‘This is amazing; I love watching this! I want to be a plumber. I want to be an electrician,’ or anything like that.”

The Installer Show experience

Whilst at the Installer Show earlier in the year, “I had this one young girl come up to me like, ‘I follow you! Thank you – I’m keeping up with plumbing!’ and it was the most surreal thing [but] having someone come up to you and actually say thank you was amazing.”

Despite feeling nervous to begin with (her mum joined her for moral support!), Sophie soon felt at home on the Lawton Tubes stand. “It was nice to actually talk to faces behind the brands and meet people I’ve met on social media.”

It was also an incredibly worthwhile learning opportunity from the “talks going on or even talking to people on their stands. I found it such a fun experience. It adds a new side to plumbing that I didn’t realise about. Because now you can order stuff online, you don’t tend to get that kind of interaction with manufacturers anymore, like with the sales reps. Actually seeing all that was a great experience and learning about new things that [have] come on to the market. I think it’s a thing that colleges should definitely try get more kids to go to. I know it’s a bit of an expense or a day off but it’s definitely worth it for the opportunities. It’s so eye-opening and I really enjoyed it. I’m trying to drag all the boys in my class to come next year!”

So, hopefully you’ll bump into Sophie and her classmates at the 2023 Installer Show, flying their flags for plumbing apprenticeships!

At Lawton Tubes, we’re passionate about inspiring and nurturing the next generation of plumbers, which is why we’re so pleased to share Sophie’s story with you. Watch her full interview here and continue to follow her journey on Instagram (@soph_pink.plumbing) and TikTok (@that_girl_plumber).

Robert Lawton and Peter Booth are doing a series of college visits to keep encouraging young plumbers to take pride in their trade. So, if you’d like them to do a talk at a college near you, get in touch.

The post Lawton Tubes interviews Sophie Pink Plumber appeared first on Lawton Tubes.

There is a solid case for copper pipes when it comes to plumbing and heating. They boast many benefits that make them more economical in the long run and help to make a building more environmentally friendly. Plastic, on the other hand, is superior when it comes to flexibility. Both have their place in plumbing and heating but in the copper vs plastic pipes debate, which comes out on top?

Copper Pipes

Copper vs Plastic Pipes: Copper Pros

#1 Reliable: Copper is one of the most reliable materials on the planet, with an average lifespan of 40-70 years (depending on the environment it’s kept in). In addition, copper pipes are reliable to work with as they can be soldered at a high temperature without the metal becoming weaker and losing its integrity. 

#2 Resistant to corrosion: An incredibly beneficial property of copper is its low reactivity. This helps to prolong the material’s shelf life and means that over time it’s less likely to corrode. This quality is important and makes the metal perfect for regularly handling running water at hot and cold temperatures. 

#3 Impermeable: In terms of resistance to leaching and permeation in the copper vs plastic pipes debate, copper is unrivalled. Leaching is the process through which materials rub off a pipe wall and combine with the clear water flowing through. Contaminants, including chemicals, simply cannot pass through copper – the same can’t be said for PVC pipes.

#4 Malleable: Copper is a flexible metal that can be easily manipulated into different shapes without breaking. This makes it ideal for bending to fit the spaces within individual buildings.

#5 Excellent conductor: As an excellent conductor of heat, copper is an ideal material for heating installations when it comes to copper vs plastic pipes. Copper conducts heat evenly across its surface and is capable of maintaining its temperature for a prolonged period. 

#6 Recyclable: When considering copper vs plastic pipes, one of the biggest benefits of copper is its capability to be recycled an endless number of times. Copper pipes that are no longer in use can be melted down and either turned into more pipes or other copper applications such as fittings. The copper product can be manufactured from recycled material and then infinitely recycled – all this happens without any loss of performance!

Copper vs Plastic Pipes: Copper Cons

#1 The initial price: The price of copper vs plastics pipes is a consideration for some. Copper pipes are more expensive than plastic both in terms of the upfront cost and the cost of installation. They require soldering and may also need extra fittings to complete the circuit. Although this might be a large upfront cost, it should last a literal lifetime, meaning the system more than pays for itself in the long run.

#2 If it freezes, it can break: During a cold snap, if your copper pipe system doesn’t maintain its temperature, it can cause the pipes to burst, which can lead to a costly repair. This is why it’s unwise to turn a heating system off completely during the winter. 

Plastic Pipes

Copper vs Plastic Pipes: Plastic Pros

#1 Affordable installations: Plastic pipes are more affordable when compared to copper for installations. PEX pipes are on average 25 percent cheaper, so if you’re working on a tight budget and are willing to compromise on durability, they might be the material you opt for. (But do consider the overall cost of having to replace the whole plastic system sooner.)

#2 Flexible: Plastic is more flexible than copper, meaning it can be shaped into tighter bends than copper piping. This makes it the superior choice when considering copper vs plastic pipes for underfloor heating as many tight turns are required for the pipework to be laid out in the necessary pattern.

#3 Doesn’t corrode: Like copper pipes, PEX pipes won’t corrode after an extended period of use.

Copper vs Plastic Pipes: Plastic Cons

#1 Thinner, less durable material: Plastic pipes have thinner walls, which allows for the pipe to expand and help prevent freezing in a cold snap, but they can only expand so far before they burst and need replacing. The nature of the material also means it is weaker in the joints than a copper pipe; plastic pipes and joints are therefore more likely to become brittle and ultimately need replacing more often.

#2 Can’t be used outside: Certain types of plastic pipe are prone to UV degradation, so it’s advised you don’t use polyethene outside as it can cause the plastic to disintegrate into the water. The pipe will thus need to be replaced more regularly. When considering copper vs plastic pipes for outside installations, copper is preferable as it won’t degrade in this way.

#3 Time-consuming to manufacture: Producing polyethylene is a lengthy process, requiring lots of energy. This results in high carbon dioxide emissions and contributes towards global warming.

#4 Unlikely (and costly) to be recycled. Most plastics, especially PEX, unfortunately don’t get recycled. In fact, the cost of recycling is more than the value of the finished product! Consequently, such plastics are responsible for the biggest carbon footprint issue in the construction industry. In the fight for sustainability, copper is a far more environmentally friendly option vs plastics pipes, which most often end up in landfill.

Proper in Copper

So there you have it! While plastic pipes have their place, copper pipes are simply unmatched in reliability and sustainability in the copper vs plastic pipes debate. The higher upfront cost of copper reflects how durable it is; once installed with proper care, you shouldn’t need to replace the piping in your lifetime. It is the more economical and environmentally friendly option in the long run.

So do it proper in copper! At Lawton Tubes, we provide straight lengths of pipe, coils, fittings and plumbing accessories for use in an array of applications, whether commercial or domestic, plumbing, heating, sanitation and more.

Get in touch to find out more.

At Lawton Tubes, we provide a range of copper pipes, from 6mm copper pipe to 35mm copper pipe. Browse our range of copper pipes.

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