How to Transition Your Entire Plumbing Business to MLCP Without Downtime

Making the strategic choice to modernize your business is one thing, but completely overhauling your daily workflows on active sites is another challenge altogether. Every heating engineer and commercial mechanical contractor in the UK knows that Multi-Layer Composite Pipe offers unmatched installation speeds and long-term reliability. Sourcing premium MLCP and fittings for your projects is the first step toward increasing your profit margins.

However, the biggest worry for most plumbing business owners isn't the material itself—it's the fear of operational disruption.

How do you retrain your team, invest in new kit, and reconfigure your van stock without turning away high-value clients or suffering costly delays on active jobs? Transitioning your entire business to an MLCP press system does not mean stopping work.

With a calculated, phased approach, you can upgrade your tools and techniques smoothly while keeping your daily income completely protected.

Phase 1: The Dual-Stock Staged Rollover

The most common mistake business owners make is trying to flip a switch overnight—throwing away all legacy plumbing fittings and forcing engineers to work exclusively with new materials instantly. This creates immediate friction, especially if an engineer encounters an unexpected on-site layout requiring an obscure adapter.

Instead, execute a structured, multi-stage inventory transition over a set period:

Phase 2: Standardizing the Tooling

An efficient team requires uniform tooling. If you have three different engineers running three completely different press gun brands with incompatible jaw profiles, your maintenance schedule will quickly become a nightmare.

The Compatibility Rule: Standardize your fleet around a reliable system. Choose high-tier pressing platforms like Novopress or REMS, ensuring every engineer can seamlessly share jaws and accessories across different job locations.

To eliminate capital layout strain during this upgrade, prioritize your highest-revenue installation teams first. Equip your primary installation van with a top-tier electric gun and a comprehensive range of jaw profiles, allowing that team to quickly establish the core workflow. Use the increased profits and saved labor hours generated by that first vehicle to systematically fund the tooling upgrades for the rest of your fleet.

Phase 3: Mitigating the Real Risk of Downtime

The ultimate threat to a smooth transition isn't your staff learning how to use a pipe reamer; it's mechanical tool failure. If you purchase your new equipment from an uncertified online retail broker, you are exposed to significant business risks. If a tool develops a fault or reaches its mandatory service cycle count, an uncertified retailer will not provide an immediate replacement, leaving your field operations completely stalled.

To guarantee zero downtime, you need to partner with an authorized, full-service trade specialist.

Partner for Success with PressIt

At PressIt, we act as your dedicated business partner throughout your entire operational transition. Our fully integrated online store provides everything your business needs to scale up, allowing you to source high-grade MLCP and fittings alongside the highest tier of Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing. We stock state-of-the-art pressing tools, specialized jaws, and battery-powered guns from premium manufacturers, including Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger.

Crucially, we understand that tool protection equals income protection. PressIt is an approved, fully authorized warranty and 5-star service agent for the UK's leading press tool brands, including Novopress and REMS. Our in-house technical workshop handles certified digital calibrations, rapid repairs, and warranty claims for all major brands of pipe tools across the UK and Ireland.

By sourcing your kit through PressIt, you secure an expert support network that provides fast turnaround times and technical assistance, ensuring your business stays operational and highly profitable every single day. Explore our complete range or contact our service workshop to plan your fleet transition today.

For decades, copper has been the default benchmark for British plumbing. We all know how it behaves, how to clean it, and how to sweat a neat joint. But as raw material markets shift and project schedules tighten, heating engineers across the UK are looking critically at their balance sheets. More and more installers are swapping out their traditional metal tubes and stocking up on MLCP and fittings from our online store to keep their pricing competitive.

If you only compare the invoice cost of a 3-metre length of rigid copper to a 3-metre straight length of Multi-Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP), you might assume copper wins the affordability battle. However, calculating the true profitability of a heating system requires looking past raw material metrics.

To determine the most cost-effective solution, let’s analyze a real-world financial breakdown comparing traditional copper runs to modern MLCP installations.

The Raw Materials: Face-Value Costs

When evaluating base material costs, the initial numbers can be deceiving. Let’s look at typical trade pricing for a standard residential or small commercial layout:

• Copper Pipework: Due to global market volatility, a standard 15mm copper tube averages roughly £3.50 per metre. Step up to 22mm for central heating flow and returns, and you are looking at £5.50 to £7.00 per metre.

• MLCP Coils: Sourcing premium MLCP and fittings in bulk coils significantly lowers the raw cost. A high-quality 16mm multi-layer coil typically averages between £1.50 and £2.50 per metre, with 20mm equivalents tracking well below copper alternatives.

The Catch: While the raw tube is cheaper per metre, MLCP press fittings (tees, changers, and elbows) are highly engineered components that generally cost more apiece than standard solder fittings. If your pipework layout requires dozens of tight connections, the material cost gap can narrow quickly.

However, looking strictly at component invoices ignores the single biggest factor in your business overheads: labor hours.

The Stopwatch Factor: Where MLCP Wins the Bill

As a heating engineer, your most valuable asset isn’t the stock in your van; it’s your time. The average plumber or heating installer in the UK bills between £40 and £60 per hour. This is exactly where MLCP shifts from a competitive alternative to an absolute goldmine.

Because MLCP features a flexible aluminium core, it can be unrolled from a coil and bent around corners by hand or with a bending spring.

Consider how this structural flexibility impacts a typical radiator circuit install:

The Labor Math: On a full central heating installation or a multi-zone underfloor heating project, switching to an MLCP press system reduces total labor installation time by 40% to 60%. Saving 12 hours of on-site labor across a domestic project instantly translates to roughly £500 to £700 in saved business expenses—far outweighing any difference in fitting costs.

Eliminating Sacrificial Site Overheads

Beyond basic material and labor costs, relying on copper brings several hidden expenses that cut directly into your profit margins:

• Hot Works Permits & Insurances: Operating a blowtorch on commercial sites requires safety permits, formal risk assessments, and an unproductive one-hour "fire watch" period before you can go home. MLCP press tools use cold mechanical joints, allowing you to walk off site the moment the last press click finishes.

• Material Scrappage and Theft: Offcuts of copper tube are treated like currency by site thieves. Leaving copper in an un-secure van overnight is a massive liability. MLCP holds zero scrap metal value, rendering it useless to thieves and lowering your stock loss risks.

Protect Your Margins with Serviced Tools from PressIt

To consistently unlock massive labor savings on your MLCP installations, you need to ensure your physical press tools are performing at factory specifications. A mismatched jaw profile or a hydraulic pressure drop will lead to under-crimped fittings, resulting in costly, profit-draining leak repairs down the line.

At PressIt, we support professional installers by stocking everything required to scale up production. Our digital store is fully provisioned with premium MLCP and fittings alongside the highest tier of Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing. We supply advanced pressing tools, calibrated jaws, and electric guns from industry-leading manufacturers including Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger.

Crucially, we ensure your tools remain a reliable business asset. PressIt is an authorized warranty and 5-star service agent for major plumbing press tool brands like Novopress and REMS. Our expert technicians handle high-accuracy digital calibrations, diagnostic testing, and rapid repairs for all makes and models of pipe tools across the UK and Ireland.

By upgrading to an MLCP workflow and partnering with PressIt for your ongoing tool maintenance, you can complete jobs faster, trim down project overheads, and take home more profit from every single quote. Explore our range or book your tools in for a precision service today.

What Happens During a Press Tool Service? (And Why Buying From a Box-Shifter is a Risk)

Investing in a professional press fit system completely changes the speed and efficiency of your business. Dropping heavy copper tubes and messy blowtorches in favour of high-grade MLCP and fittings allows you to breeze through tasks, getting jobs completed up to 60% faster. However, your entire business model now relies on a highly sophisticated piece of electro-hydraulic machinery.

When you purchase premium equipment, it can be tempting to buy from the cheapest online "box-shifter" just to save a few quid on the initial invoice. But what happens when that machine hits its service threshold, flashes an error light, or loses its calibration on a major site?

A standard internet merchant doesn't know how a press gun works; they simply move boxes from a warehouse shelf onto a delivery truck. If your tool fails, they will tell you to contact the manufacturer directly, leaving you facing weeks of site downtime and lost income.

Understanding exactly what happens during a professional press tool service highlights why your choice of tool partner is just as critical as the quality of the MLCP and fittings you install.

Step-by-Step: Inside a 5-Star Service Workshop

A press tool service is far more than a quick wipe-down and an oil top-up. These tools generate over 30 kilonewtons of force to squeeze metal sleeves into airtight bonds. To achieve that safely, every component must be structurally perfect.

A certified technician handles your equipment using a highly regulated, multi-stage maintenance workflow:

The Box-Shifter Risk: The True Price of Cheap Sourcing

When a main contractor walks onto a commercial site, they will often ask to see the calibration certificates for your press tools. If your certificate is expired or missing, you can be ordered off the site immediately.

If you bought your tool from an uncertified box-shifter, you are entirely on your own when trying to organize a legal calibration. You will have to pack up your kit, find an independent laboratory, pay premium external rates, and wait weeks for its return.

The Downtime Calculation: If an unserviced tool forces you off a site for two weeks, the cost of that lost labor can easily exceed thousands of pounds. Suddenly, that small initial discount from the box-shifter looks like an incredibly expensive mistake.

Keep Pressing Forward with PressIt

At PressIt, we believe that when you buy a premium plumbing tool, you are purchasing an ongoing relationship, not just a plastic case. We supply the absolute best in Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing, allowing installers to source industry-leading tools, jaws, and guns from Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger directly from our online store.

Crucially, we back every single sale with our expert, in-house technical setup. PressIt is an approved warranty and 5-star service agent for the UK's most popular plumbing press tool brands, including Novopress and REMS.

Our technicians repair and calibrate all brands of pipe tools across the UK and Ireland. Because we maintain an extensive inventory of genuine factory spare parts and replacement jaws, we can handle your annual calibrations and emergency repairs with incredibly fast turnaround times, ensuring your business suffers zero unnecessary downtime.

Don't leave your primary source of income to the luck of an anonymous internet box-shifter. Protect your tools, protect your site warranties, and partner with a dedicated trade specialist who keeps your business pressing smoothly.

One of the greatest feelings in modern plumbing is finishing a major installation, turning on the mains, and watching a system hold pressure perfectly. When you install premium MLCP and fittings, you are putting your faith in a highly engineered connection designed to last for generations. The speed, neatness, and structural integrity of multi-layer composite pipe have revolutionized the UK plumbing trade.

However, there is a silent threat that can jeopardize even the neatest installation. Just because an MLCP joint looks perfectly pressed from the outside, and just because it passes a rapid on-site pressure test, does not guarantee it is genuinely leak-free.

If you are operating with an uncalibrated press tool or worn-out jaws, you are essentially sitting on a financial time bomb. Let's look into the hidden mechanics of the press-fit workflow, how subtle tool wear causes major system failures, and why regular tool maintenance saves your business thousands of pounds.

The Illusion of a Perfect Press

To understand why calibration is critical, we have to look closely at how a press fitting seals against the pipe wall. Inside the metallic sleeve of an MLCP fitting sit precision-engineered rubber O-rings. When your press gun cycles, the profile jaws must exert an immense, mathematically precise amount of force—often between 19 and 32 kilonewtons, depending on the tool size—to permanently deform the metal sleeve around those O-rings.

When a jaw profile falls out of calibration through standard wear and tear, or when the hydraulic fluid in the gun degrades, that compression force drops.

• The Danger Zone: The tool might still cycle completely. The jaws will close, and the fitting sleeve will show a physical crimp mark. To your eye, it looks completely identical to a solid joint.

• The False Positive: This under-crimped joint will often pass a standard initial air or water pressure test. Because the rubber O-ring is slightly compressed, it holds back immediate pressure.

The real disaster happens months later. As heating systems cycle between hot and cold, the copper, plastic, and brass elements contract and expand. Under the continuous stress of these thermal cycles, an under-crimped sleeve will slowly relax, allowing the O-ring to shift. Suddenly, you receive a catastrophic emergency call-back for a hidden leak behind a freshly tiled wall or above a high-end commercial ceiling.

The Compounding Costs of Tool Neglect

Ignoring your press tool’s service schedule is an incredibly expensive way to run a business. A single major leak call-back on a commercial or residential contract can instantly wipe out your entire profit margin for the project.

Beyond the immediate water damage rectification costs, look at what else is on the line:

Protect Your Investment with PressIt

Your press gun isn't just another piece of kit in the back of the van; it is the absolute heartbeat of your daily business. To ensure every connection you make is genuinely secure, your tools require routine preventative maintenance.

At PressIt, we make it our mission to keep the UK and Ireland’s plumbing fleets operating at peak precision. In our comprehensive online store, you can quickly source top-tier MLCP and fittings alongside the highest quality Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing. We stock state-of-the-art pressing tools, specialized jaws, and electric guns from industry-leading manufacturers, including Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger.

Crucially, we don't believe in just selling a box and walking away. PressIt is an approved, fully authorized warranty and 5-star service agent for major plumbing press tool brands like Novopress and REMS. From our advanced workshop bases, our technical experts perform high-accuracy digital load-cell testing, mechanical diagnostics, jaw alignment corrections, and certified calibrations for all major pipe tool brands across the UK and Ireland.

Don't leave your reputation to chance or rely on the illusion of a good crimp. Keep your business running smoothly, protect your manufacturer warranties, and book your press tools in for a precision service with PressIt today.

If you walk onto any major UK commercial or residential site today, the traditional soundtrack of plumbing is changing. The hiss of blowtorches and the scratch of steel wool are being replaced by the clean, mechanical click of a press gun sealing Multi-Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP). UK installers are rapidly moving away from traditional copper plumbing, opting instead for high-performance MLCP and fittings to keep their projects moving.

This isn't just a temporary trend or a lazy preference; it represents a major industry shift driven by raw economics, safety standards, and project efficiency. If you are still relying on traditional solder or expensive copper press systems, you are likely losing dozens of billable labor hours every week.

The Real-World Stopwatch: Solder vs. MLCP Press Fit

Let's break down the actual mathematics of a typical installation on site. Think about the physical steps required to install a standard hot and cold water run using traditional copper:

1. Measure out the rigid pipe lengths.

2. Cut the copper, deburr the internal edges, and clean the outer surface with wire wool.

3. Apply flux to the pipe and fitting.

4. Set up your heat proof mats, strike your torch, heat the joint, and feed the solder.

5. Wait for the joint to cool down completely, wipe away the toxic excess flux, and visually inspect for pinholes.

Now, contrast that entire laborious process with modern MLCP and fittings from an online store. With a quality multi-layer system, the install process drops down to three swift steps: Cut, Calibrate, and Press.

Because MLCP combines the flexibility of plastic with the rigid strength of an aluminum core, you can unroll it and bend it easily around corners by hand. This completely eliminates the need for dozens of 90-degree elbows, instantly cutting your fitting count by more than half. When you do need to make a solid joint, you simply slide the press fitting on and use an electric press gun. The gun completes a secure, permanent, leak-free connection in less than five seconds.

The Time-Saving Reality: On an average domestic property or small commercial project, switching from soldered copper to an MLCP press system reduces total labor installation time by up to 40% to 60%. A job that used to tie up two installers for a full day can now be comfortably finished before lunch by a single engineer.

Three Reasons Why the Trade is Making the Switch

Beyond the undeniable stopwatch advantage, shifting your everyday supply chain toward MLCP and fittings addresses three major challenges modern plumbing businesses face:

• Zero Hot Works Permits: Carrying a naked flame on a modern site means dealing with expensive hot works permits, safety sign-offs, and mandatory fire watch periods after you pack up. A press system completely eliminates fire hazards, meaning you can pull up on site and start earning money immediately.

• Drastically Lower Material Theft Risk: Copper prices fluctuate wildly, making raw copper tubes left in an un-secure van or storage container a primary target for site thieves. MLCP holds zero scrap value, giving business owners peace of mind overnight.

• Perfect Uniformity on Every Joint: Human error is a major financial risk. If you drop focus on your fiftieth solder joint of the day, you risk a catastrophic leak call-back. A calibrated press tool delivers the exact same mechanical pressing force every single time, giving you a perfect seal.

Don't Let a Broken Tool Cause Costly Downtime

Moving over to a rapid MLCP workflow means your business relies directly on the health of your electric power tools. If your press gun loses its calibration mid-job or suffers a battery circuit failure, your entire site grinds to an expensive halt.

That is why you shouldn't buy your kits from standard online "box-shifters" who drop-ship tools but offer zero after-sales technical support.

At PressIt, we only supply the very best in professional Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing. Installers can find top-tier pressing tools, jaws, and guns from industry-leading brands like Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger right in our store.

Crucially, we don't just supply the gear—we keep your business moving. PressIt is an approved warranty and 5-star service agent for major plumbing press tool brands, including Novopress and REMS. Our dedicated in-house technical team handles precision testing, digital calibrations, and quick turnaround repairs for all brands of pipe tools across the UK and Ireland, ensuring you experience zero unnecessary downtime on the job.

Ready to upgrade your workflow, slash your labor hours, and back your business with true technical support? Explore our complete range of press guns, or stock up on premium components for your next project today.

The Installer’s Guide to MLCP: What is the Best Profile (U vs. TH) for Your Fittings?

Transitioning from traditional copper to Multi-Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP) is one of the smartest business moves a modern UK plumbing or heating engineer can make. However, once you decide to upgrade your workflow, you are immediately confronted with a critical technical hurdle: choosing the correct jaw profile. Unlike standard copper press systems, which predominantly use M or V profiles, the MLCP market is split into distinct internal geometries. Finding the right MLCP and fittings for your system heavily relies on understanding the differences between the two industry heavyweights: U profile and TH profile.

Using the wrong profile on a commercial or domestic install is a recipe for a catastrophic on-site failure. To help you navigate the choice, this guide breaks down exactly how U and TH profiles differ, which one you should choose, and why your tool setup matters.

What Do "U" and "TH" Actually Mean?

When you look at an MLCP press fitting before it is joined, you will notice a metal sleeve surrounding the plastic insert. The letters U and TH refer to the specific configuration of the ridges inside the pressing jaw, which correspond to the shape and spacing of the plastic or brass shoulders on the fitting.

• U Profile: Designed with a distinct U-shaped indentation. The jaw cradles the fitting sleeve tightly, and when the tool cycles, it indents the metal sleeve uniformly around the dual internal rubber O-rings.

• TH Profile: Features a more rounded, distinct contour. The jaw has specific ridges that physically lock over matching plastic collars or rings on the fitting sleeve before pressing, ensuring the tool cannot slide or align incorrectly.

Because they grip the sleeve at different intervals, a U profile jaw will crimp a TH fitting in the wrong location, likely crushing the plastic body or missing the internal O-rings entirely. This results in an incomplete mechanical seal that might pass an initial pressure test but blow off under long-term thermal expansion cycles.

U vs. TH: Which One is the "Best"?

Technically speaking, neither profile is inherently "better" at holding water than the other. Both systems deliver an incredibly robust, 50-year mechanical bond when matched correctly with the corresponding MLCP and fittings. The question of which is best for your business depends entirely on system compatibility and manufacturer choice.

To choose the right profile, look at who manufactures your preferred pipe system:

When to Choose U Profile

The U profile is exceptionally popular across mainland Europe and the UK, serving as the default choice for major brands like Uponor (Unipipe). If you plan to source a wide variety of independent European brass press fittings, you will find U-profile compatibility widely supported across the industry.

When to Choose TH Profile

The TH profile is heavily championed by premium technical brands such as Emmeti (Gerpex) and Maincor. Many installers prefer TH fittings because the jaw physically locks into the plastic guide ring on the fitting, making it nearly impossible to execute a misaligned press on site.

Important Site Tip: Some modern multi-jaw fittings (like Wavin Tigris K5 or Brymec) feature engineered bodies compatible with both U and TH profiles. However, always check the manufacturer’s technical data sheet to ensure your specific jaw configuration carries WRAS (Water Regulations Approval Scheme) approval for potable water systems.

Don't Guess Your Press: Back Your Business with PressIt

No matter which system you settle on, your installation is only as reliable as the calibrated tool in your hand. If your jaw profile is mismatched, or your tool's pressing force drops below specification, you risk expensive system failures.

At PressIt, we are the trade experts who take the guesswork out of press-fit technology. When you browse our online store, you can find all the premium MLCP and fittings your business needs, alongside the highest quality Press Fit Press Tools for plumbing. We supply a comprehensive selection of tools, jaws, and guns from world-leading brands like Novopress, REMS, and Rothenberger.

Crucially, we understand that site tools require absolute precision. PressIt is an approved warranty and 5-star service agent for major plumbing press tool brands, including Novopress and REMS. Our in-house technical team services and repairs all brands of pipe tools across the UK and Ireland, ensuring your jaws are perfectly aligned and your press guns hit the exact mechanical force needed to secure a permanent seal.

Whether you are looking to build a fleet of U-profile guns or upgrade to a dedicated TH system, explore our range today or get in touch with our specialist team for expert technical advice.

MLCP pipe is a strong choice for installers who need flexible, durable pipework for heating, water and retrofit projects.

Short for multilayer composite pipe, MLCP combines the handling benefits of plastic pipe with the stability of a metal layer. This makes it useful when pipework needs to be routed neatly, connected quickly and supported by a full range of press fittings, reducers, adaptors and tools.

At PressIT, you can shop MLCP pipe and fittings in popular sizes including 16mm, 20mm and 32mm, with options for non insulated coils, insulated coils, copper transition fittings, bends, tees, couplers, pipe clips and installation tools.

Browse the full MLCP and fittings collection for pipe, fittings, adaptors, tools and accessories.

What is MLCP Pipe Best Used For?

MLCP pipe is best used when you need a pipe system that is flexible to install, suitable for heating and water applications, and supported by reliable compatible fittings.

It is especially useful on jobs where long pipe runs, direction changes, retrofit routes or mixed pipe systems make rigid pipework more difficult to install.

Common Scenarios for Using MLCP Pipe

When to Use 16mm MLCP Pipe

Use 16mm MLCP pipe for smaller heating and water routes where flexibility, neat installation and compact pipe sizing are important.

It is commonly suited to radiator drops, smaller branch pipework, underfloor heating, wall heating and domestic water pipe routes where 16mm is the correct design size.

• Best for smaller heating and water pipe runs.
• Useful where pipework needs to be routed through tighter spaces.
• Good for branch connections from larger pipework.
• Available in non insulated, insulated and conduit-protected options.
• Supported by couplers, bends, tees, stop ends, adaptors, copper transitions and tools.

Useful 16mm MLCP products:

• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 100m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Red 100m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Blue 100m
• Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 100m
• Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 200m
• Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 500m
• Gerpex MLCP in Corrugated Conduit 16x2 Blue 50m Coil
• Gerpex MLCP in Corrugated Conduit 16x2 Red 50m Coil

When to Use 20mm MLCP Pipe

Use 20mm MLCP pipe where you need a step up from 16mm, such as larger branch routes, small distribution lines, manifold feeds or water pipework where the system design calls for a 20mm pipe.

It is a useful middle size for installations that need more capacity than 16mm, but still need a flexible and easy-to-route pipe.

• Best for medium heating and water pipe runs.
• Useful for manifold feeds and larger branch routes.
• Can be reduced down to 16mm with compatible reducer fittings.
• Can be transitioned to copper using suitable MLCP to copper connectors.
• Available with bending springs, deburring tools, calibration tools and pipe clips.

Useful 20mm MLCP products:

• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 100m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 200m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Red 50m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Blue 50m
• Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 20x2 - 200m
• Gerpex Insulated MLCP 20x2 Blue 13mm Thick - 50m Coil
• PE-RT Barrier Pipe 20x2 5 Layer 500m Coil

When to Use 32mm MLCP Pipe

Use 32mm MLCP pipe for larger heating, water and distribution pipework where the system design requires a bigger pipe size.

32mm MLCP is suited to main runs, plant room routes, larger supply lines and installations where the pipe may need to feed smaller branches through reducers and tees.

• Best for larger heating and water distribution routes.
• Useful for main pipe runs before reducing down to smaller sizes.
• Available in non insulated and insulated coil options.
• Can be connected to 28mm copper with compatible transition fittings.
• Supported by 32mm couplers, bends, tees, reducers, calibration tools and clips.

Useful 32mm MLCP products:

• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 50m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Red 25m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Blue 25m
• Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 32x3 - 50m
• Gerpex Insulated MLCP 32x3 9mm Thick - 25m Coil
• Gerpex Insulated MLCP 32x3 Blue 13mm Thick - 25m Coil

MLCP Pipe Size Guide by Scenario

Featured MLCP Pipe and Fittings

PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 100m A flexible 16mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water installations where neat routing and easy handling are important. Size: 16 x 2.0mm Length: 100m Profile: U Profile Best for: smaller heating and water pipe runs View product

PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 100m A 20mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water systems where a medium pipe size is required. Size: 20 x 2.0mm Length: 100m Profile: U Profile Best for: medium branch routes, water pipework and manifold feeds View product

PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 50m A larger 32mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water systems where greater pipe capacity is required. Size: 32 x 3.0mm Length: 50m Profile: U Profile Best for: larger distribution pipework and main runs View product

PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 16x16 A straight press coupling for joining compatible 16mm MLCP pipe in heating and domestic water systems. Connection: 16mm to 16mm Profile: U Profile Best for: straight pipe-to-pipe connections View product

PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 20x20 A 20mm straight press coupling for connecting compatible MLCP pipework in heating and water installations. Connection: 20mm to 20mm Profile: U Profile Best for: medium pipe runs and straight MLCP connections View product

PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 32x32 A 32mm straight press coupling for larger compatible MLCP heating and water pipework. Connection: 32mm to 32mm Profile: U Profile Best for: larger straight pipe-to-pipe connections View product

Emmeti Connector - MLCP to Copper 16x2 - 15mm A useful transition connector for connecting compatible 16x2 MLCP pipework to 15mm copper pipe. Connection: 16x2 MLCP to 15mm copper Best for: retrofit work and mixed pipe systems Useful for: connecting new MLCP routes into existing copper pipework View product

Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 20x2 - 22mm A Gerpex transition fitting for connecting compatible 20x2 MLCP pipe to 22mm copper compression or press fittings. Connection: 20x2 MLCP to 22mm copper Profile: TH Profile Best for: adapting MLCP to copper in retrofit installations View product

Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 32x3 - 28mm A transition fitting for connecting compatible 32x3 Gerpex MLCP pipe to 28mm copper compression or press fittings. Connection: 32x3 MLCP to 28mm copper Profile: TH Profile Best for: larger mixed MLCP and copper pipe systems View product

When to Use Insulated MLCP Pipe

Use insulated MLCP pipe where pipe protection, heat loss reduction or colour identification is important.

Insulated MLCP coils are especially useful for heating pipework, longer routes and areas where pipework needs an added protective layer. Red and blue options can also help make pipe routes easier to identify during installation and maintenance.

• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Red 100m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Blue 100m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Red 50m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Blue 50m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Red 25m
• PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Blue 25m

When to Use MLCP to Copper Transition Fittings

Use MLCP to copper transition fittings when a new MLCP pipe run needs to connect into existing copper pipework or a copper-based system connection.

This is common on retrofit jobs, heating upgrades, plant room alterations and partial system replacements where not every pipe run is being changed to MLCP.

When to Use Reducers and Reducing Tees

Use MLCP reducers when the pipe route needs to step down from one size to another.

This is common when a largerCP reducers when the pipe route needs to step down from one size to another.

This main run feeds smaller branch lines, or when a 32mm or 20mm pipe needs to connect into a smaller MLCP size.

• PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 20x16
• PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x16
• PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x20
• PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x25
• Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 20mmx16mm
• Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx16mm
• Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx20
• Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx26mm

When to Use MLCP Tools and Pipe Clips

Use the correct tools and accessories when preparing, bending and supporting MLCP pipe.

Calibration tools, deburring tools and bending springs help with cleaner pipe preparation and routing. Pipe clips help secure pipework to suitable walls, ceilings or boards and keep the installation tidy.

When Not to Use MLCP Pipe Without Checking First

MLCP is versatile, but installers should always check compatibility before using it.

• Do not mix pipe and fittings unless the manufacturer confirms compatibility.
• Do not press fittings with the wrong jaw profile.
• Do not assume U Profile and TH Profile fittings are interchangeable.
• Do not use transition fittings without checking the connection type and pipe size.
• Do not install pipe without preparing the pipe end where calibration or deburring is required.
• Do not exceed the system guidance for temperature, pressure or application.

U Profile vs TH Profile: Why It Matters

One of the most important checks with MLCP systems is the pressing profile.

PressIT and Tweetop Heating/Water fittings commonly use U Profile. Emmeti Gerpex fittings commonly use TH Profile. The pipe, fitting and jaw must be compatible before pressing.

Quick Answer: When Should You Use MLCP?

Use MLCP pipe when you need flexible, easy-to-route pipework for heating, water, cooling, retrofit or distribution systems, especially where long pipe runs, fewer joints, neat routing and compatible press-fit connections are important.

Choose 16mm MLCP for smaller branches and tight routes, 20mm MLCP for medium runs and manifold feeds, and 32mm MLCP for larger distribution pipework and main runs.

For the full range of pipe coils, fittings, adaptors, reducers and tools, shop the PressIT MLCP and fittings collection.

View all MLCP and fittings

16mm MLCP pipe is a popular choice for professional heating, water and retrofit installations where installers need a flexible, durable and easy-to-route pipe system.

Whether you need a non insulated 16mm multilayer pipe coil, an insulated coil, a conduit-protected option or matching press fittings, PressIT stocks a wide range of products for MLCP pipework.

Browse the full MLCP and fittings collection for 16mm pipe, fittings, adaptors, tees, bends, tools and accessories.

What is 16mm MLCP Pipe?

MLCP stands for multilayer composite pipe. It is designed to combine the flexibility of plastic pipe with the strength and dimensional stability of a metal layer.

16mm MLCP pipe is commonly used in heating and water systems because it is easy to handle, suitable for neat routing and compatible with a wide range of press fittings when the correct system and profile are used.

Common Uses for 16mm MLCP Pipe

• Central heating pipework
• Underfloor heating installations
• Wall heating systems
• Hot and cold water pipework
• Chilled water and cooling applications
• Retrofit plumbing routes where flexibility is helpful
• Connections to manifolds, valves, copper pipe and threaded fittings using the correct adaptors

Why Installers Choose 16mm MLCP Pipe

• Flexible pipe structure makes it easier to route around obstacles.
• Multilayer construction helps provide strength and stability.
• Smooth internal surface can support efficient flow.
• Oxygen barrier options help protect suitable closed heating systems.
• Insulated and non insulated coil options are available.
• Press-fit fittings can help create fast, clean and consistent joints.
• Compatible tools and calibration accessories help prepare pipe ends properly before fitting.

16mm MLCP Pipe Options at PressIT

Pressing Profiles: Check Compatibility Before Installing

Different MLCP systems can use different pressing profiles, so it is important to match the pipe, fittings and jaws before installation.

Always check the product page, fitting markings and manufacturer guidance before pressing.

Featured 16mm MLCP Pipe Coils

PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 100m A flexible non insulated 16mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and water installations where a clean, easy-to-handle pipe run is needed. Size: 16 x 2.0mm Length: 100m Best for: general heating, water and cooling pipe runs View product

PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Red 100m An insulated 16mm MLCP pipe coil suited to heating pipe runs where insulation and clear pipe identification are useful on site. Size: 16 x 2.0mm Length: 100m Best for: insulated heating pipe runs View product

Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 200m A Gerpex 16x2 MLCP coil for hot and cold plumbing, heating and chilled water applications when installed with compatible Gerpex fittings. Size: 16 x 2mm Length: 200m Best for: Gerpex MLCP pipe installations View product

Emmeti Gerpex Insulated MLCP 16x2 Blue 10mm Thick - 50m Coil A blue insulated 16mm Gerpex MLCP coil for neat, protected and identifiable pipe runs in compatible plumbing and heating systems. Size: 16 x 2mm Length: 50m Best for: insulated Gerpex pipe runs View product

Emmeti Gerpex MLCP in Corrugated Conduit 16x2 Red - 50m Coil A conduit-protected 16mm MLCP coil for installations where additional pipe protection and colour identification may be helpful. Size: 16 x 2mm Length: 50m Best for: protected pipe routes and colour-coded runs View product

Featured 16mm MLCP Fittings and Adaptors

PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 16x16 A straight 16x16 press coupling for joining compatible 16mm MLCP pipe in heating and water systems. Connection: 16mm to 16mm Profile: U Profile Best for: straight pipe-to-pipe connections View product

PressIT Heating/Water 90degrees Bend 16x16 A 16x16 elbow fitting for creating a neat 90 degree change of direction in compatible PressIT MLCP pipework. Connection: 16mm to 16mm Profile: U Profile Best for: directional changes in MLCP pipework View product

PressIT Heating/Water Equal Tee 16x16x16 An equal tee fitting for creating a 16mm branch connection in compatible MLCP heating and water installations. Connection: 16mm x 16mm x 16mm Profile: U Profile Best for: branch connections and system layouts View product

16 mm x ¾" Adaptor Female Union A female union adaptor for connecting compatible 16mm MLCP pipework to threaded system components. Connection: 16mm MLCP to female union Best for: adapting pipework to threaded fittings Useful for: manifolds, valves and system connections View product

Emmeti Connector - MLCP to Copper 16x2 - 15mm A practical connector for transitioning 16mm MLCP pipe to compatible 15mm copper pipework. Connection: 16x2 MLCP to 15mm copper Best for: retrofit work and mixed pipe systems Useful for: joining MLCP to existing copper runs View product

Emmeti Gerpex 90degrees Bend 16mm A TH Profile Gerpex 16mm bend for creating a secure 90 degree direction change in compatible Gerpex MLCP systems. Connection: 16mm Gerpex Profile: TH Profile Best for: Gerpex MLCP direction changes View product

Emmeti Gerpex Equal Tee 16mm A 16mm Gerpex equal tee for creating branch connections in compatible hot and cold plumbing, heating and chilled water systems. Connection: 16mm x 16mm x 16mm Profile: TH Profile Best for: Gerpex branch connections View product

Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 16x2 - 15mm A transition fitting for connecting compatible 16x2 MLCP pipe to 15mm copper pipework or suitable copper fittings. Connection: 16x2 MLCP to 15mm copper Best for: connecting Gerpex MLCP to copper Useful for: upgrades, extensions and mixed-system installations View product

Useful 16mm MLCP Tools

Emmeti Gerpex External Bending Spring Tool 16mm A useful tool for forming bends in 16mm multilayer composite pipe without kinking the pipe. Size: 16mm Best for: helping form controlled bends Useful for: neat pipe routing on site View product

Emmeti Gerpex Pipe Calibration Tool 16mm A calibration tool for preparing 16mm Gerpex pipe ends before fitting, helping installers create a cleaner, more reliable connection. Size: 16mm Best for: preparing pipe ends before fitting Useful for: Gerpex MLCP installations View product

Choosing the Right 16mm MLCP Product

Installation Tips for 16mm MLCP Pipe

• Always use pipe and fittings from compatible systems.
• Check whether the fitting requires U Profile or TH Profile jaws before pressing.
• Cut the pipe cleanly and square before preparing the end.
• Use a calibration tool where required by the system.
• Avoid kinking the pipe during bends. Use a bending spring where needed.
• Check pipe depth, fitting alignment and jaw placement before pressing.
• Pressure test the installation according to the relevant system guidance.

Shop 16mm MLCP Pipe and Fittings at PressIT

PressIT supplies 16mm MLCP pipe, insulated MLCP coils, Gerpex pipe, press fittings, transition adaptors and installation tools for professional plumbing and heating work.

From simple straight couplers to full pipe coils and specialist connectors, the range gives installers a practical choice for heating, water and retrofit projects.

View all MLCP and fittings