@david-s Thank you. That is very helpful. Do you have a link to the joint covers?

From these photos, it is obvious that the joints have not been sealed to MIs ( see attached Link to PDF ) 

All materials expand and contract; it is important to not only bond. Seal and Cap as advised, but to allso use the  right amount advised ( one tube of Bond & Seal to 3 lengths of 28mm , if a bigger size than more needed)

Last year, we manufactured over 1.8 million insulation lengths in the six years since its launch. Our guidance has always been to form correct joints and ensure enough Bond & Seal is left to seal the sleeve through the wall, typically three tubes for every three lengths of 28mm insulation.

Based on this guidance, approximately 533,000 tubes of Bond & Seal should have been used alongside the insulation supplied. However, we identified a shortfall of around 290,000 tubes. This highlighted that joining can be time-consuming and messy for some installers, which led us to develop additional solutions.

As a result, we introduced joint covers for straight runs and 90° bends. These not only speed up installation but can also be used as a repair solution for issues such as those shown in the images in this post.

@l8again 

@transparent 

All insulation expands and contracts 

If not sealed correctly, it can leave a gap

The insulation you mention will have the same issues, and if sealed with tape, this can stretch, and the gaps is no visibel 

Also, check the thickness and conductivity, as all insulation is not the same 

Also, check that the insulation has a high water diffusion resistance 

@l8again 

That's not right, if the MIs are followed and the correct amount of bond and seal this will seal the gaps 

Also, the manufacturers don't advise one tube to one length; they advise one tube to three lengths of 28mm 

Your installer is right about it's easy to rectify, just use the joint covers and add when every length of insulation needed ( making sire is fully bonded and sealed as advised 

That's extremely helpful to have technical information direct from the manufacturer, @david-s 

Good news regarding your introduction of joint covers.

Do you have a photo which shows how you apply Primary Pro in the vicinity of the valve/isolators which are usually positioned behind an ASHP?

Should householders expect to see those valve handles pointing downwards in order to prevent ingress of rain?

I'd just like to gather as much useful information as possible in the same Topic.
That would help us to direct other forum-users here in future.
Thanks

Posted by: @transparent

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That's extremely helpful to have technical information direct from the manufacturer, @david-s 

Good news regarding your introduction of joint covers.

Do you have a photo which shows how you apply Primary Pro in the vicinity of the valve/isolators which are usually positioned behind an ASHP?

Should householders expect to see those valve handles pointing downwards in order to prevent ingress of rain?

I'd just like to gather as much useful information as possible in the same Topic.
That would help us to direct other forum-users here in future.
Thanks

Take a look at this link of what I did to encapsulate a thumb air valve, I see all to often where the joins come apart, its why I assumed earlier on this post that the pipe may have dropped if the weld was not inserted all the way inside like the MI's video explains. What you see in my video is the same as what we do on the valves and antifreeze valves on the rear of the ASHP.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-baseden-956a3517_a-bit-of-primary-pro-practice-before-i-start-activity-7454229223877193729--9jS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAOIwhIBc_aNi5SDJAs_E9YZfUkq24W9Pe8

Here is the link for the isolation valves we use as well, the stem allows us to vapour seal around the top as its goes through the insulation, its very belt and braces.

https://www.bes.co.uk/inta-full-bore-ext-key-type-ball-valve-1-bsp-f-sw-x-28mm-comp-27862/   

@transparent so long as they're sealed correctly, they don't have to point down.

https://www.youtube.com/@primarypro1627

@ashp-bobba

great video 

Making the insulated cover for the Inta KT is a great solution 

Sealing each joint as advised and using the correct amount of Bond & Seal is very important, as it forms like a welded joint 

This is important on vertical runs, as when the 28mm pipe is filled with water, the weight of every 1 m length is around  1.2 KG 

when the rubber-lined clip is fitted, it supports both the insulation and the copper pipe filled with water. 

as you can see, we have tested pipework over the last few years with 1 3KG weight 

all the products and tools in the primary Pro range have been designed to help professionals provide maximum efficiency and can help maintain the life of the heat pumps 

Nice video clip @ashp-bobba - you make it look like creating a piece of sculpture.

And I'm just adding a screenshot of that 28mm full-bore ball valve from Inta.

That high upstand provides plenty of room for adequate insulation and sealant.

£28.86 each from BES is a reasonable price for a well-designed isolation valve.