With demand for skilled installers rising and the industry facing a projected 59,000‑person shortfall of plumbers and heating engineers by 2026, merchants are seeing more pressure than ever from customers who need solutions that save time, reduce on-site risk and support smoother installation work. While copper has been widely used for many years, today’s fast‑paced build programmes mean many installers are looking for alternatives that help them work efficiently and maintain momentum across large plots.

Push‑fit systems such as Wavin’s Hep₂O have been designed exactly around these modern demands. For merchants, understanding this shift is key to making informed stocking decisions that reflect what’s genuinely happening on site.

Here, Steve Harris, Technical Support Engineer at Wavin, explores the growing installer demand for push‑fit – and why it’s becoming an increasingly important part of the merchant offering.

Fast and flexible – and in high demand at the counter

Installers are under pressure to complete more in less time, and merchants regularly hear this reflected in the types of products they ask for. Push‑fit technology gives them an installation method that removes several time‑consuming steps – no flux, no soldering, no hot works – replacing them with a clean, repeatable jointing process designed for speed.

This shift matters because products that speed up work tend to move quickly off the shelf. Wavin’s In4Sure joint recognition feature in its Hep2O range is a good example why – the distinctive “rumble” when a pipe is fully inserted gives installers instant confidence in a secure fitting. On large developments where 100+ fittings may be used per unit, installers will return to merchants who supply fittings they trust and can install rapidly.

Wavin’s new Hep₂O Keyless range builds on this appeal even further, offering a next‑generation push‑fit system designed for modern installation environments. Brought to market in 2024, the Keyless range removes the need for the traditional HepKey unlocking tool altogether. Each fitting is supplied pre‑locked, meaning installers simply insert the pipe and move immediately on to the next connection – a genuine time‑saver on busy sites.

The design includes sleeker, more compact body profiles and clearly marked directional flow arrows, making alignment faster and easier even in tight cupboards, low‑void floors, or modular frames. The reduced footprint also frees up space in modern slimline kitchen units and compact bathrooms – a requirement installers and merchants alike hear more frequently as homes become more space‑efficient.

Because the range uses the existing Hep₂O pipe, merchants don’t need to duplicate inventory or allocate additional space – making it an easy and commercially smart addition to the branch offering.

Built for real-world reliability

Every merchant knows how costly product issues can be, not just in returns, but also in customer confidence and time spent resolving queries. This is where push‑fit systems offer strong commercial value to branches.

Hep₂O’s polybutylene pipework is resistant to common issues that affect copper: corrosion, pitting, and the need for painting, meaning fewer variables and fewer returns to merchants. Noise reduction is another benefit: in modern lightweight construction, copper can transmit unwanted sound while Hep₂O operates quietly – a frequent selling point in new‑build environments.

While not widely talked about on site, theft is also a real consideration. Copper has a high scrap value, making partially completed plots a target for opportunistic thieves. Plastic has no real resale value, reducing the likelihood of costly material losses – driving the installer demand for push-fit systems.

Security where projects demand it

Merchants will serve a mix of domestic installers and those working on public buildings, schools or multi‑occupancy projects. These customers often need tamper‑resistant solutions, and Hep₂O’s traditional Key system meets that requirement because fittings can only be demounted using a HepKey. This offers added security where accidental interference could be problematic.

For domestic and refurbishment markets – where concealment is more common – Hep2O’s Keyless option offers maximum efficiency. Importantly for merchants, both systems use the same pipe, simplifying stock management while supporting a wide range of projects and customer types. Hep₂O’s compatibility with copper and Wavin’s Tigris press‑fit system also adds further versatility, reducing the need for merchants to carry multiple parallel ranges.

Helping installers choose what works best on site

Across the sector, installers are prioritising systems that help them deliver consistent results – quickly. Push‑fit aligns perfectly with this trend. Merchants who stock Hep₂O provide their customers with an installation method that supports fast turnaround, reduces labour pressures and offers long‑term reliability.

For more details on Wavin’s Hep₂O fittings, please visit: https://promo.wavin.com/en-gb/hep2o-keyless