(Wrong category I know) Need advice on plumbing my own house?

[Tyrone Thompson]

Firstly I know I’ve posted this in the wrong category, I couldn’t find the right one for some reason. I’m a industrial/domestic electrician, I’m doing a rear extension and loft conversion on my bungalow myself. I’m of course doing the electrics myself and I’m looking at plumbing the CH and DHW/cold myself, either in plastic or copper and getting a plumber in to fit the boiler and pipe the gas.

I’ve looked into pipe sizing etc I’m just looking for anyone who has advice on the best routing for the flow/return, insulating in chased walls and comparability of mixers for showers.
Basically any advice at all would be helpful, thanks

 

[Lister1987]

You may be better asking on plumbers forums.net

Part of the same group as electricians forums.net it focuses on plumbing and has plumbers on who may be able to give you a better answer

 

[Midwest]

You may be better asking on plumbers forums.net

Part of the same group as electricians forums.net it focuses on plumbing and has plumbers on who may be able to give you a better answer

They might say get a plumber in.....only joking

If I was doing what your doing @Tyrone Thompson, I would all joking aside, get the specific trades in. You might save a few pounds, doing it yourself, but it will take a lot longer. Some of the stuff you can do yourself, stud work, plasterboarding, etc but I'd leave the plumbing etc to the tradeperson. Just my opinion.

 

[telectrix]

They might say get a plumber in.....only joking

If I was doing what your doing @Tyrone Thompson, I would all joking aside, get the specific trades in. You might save a few pounds, doing it yourself, but it will take a lot longer. Some of the stuff you can do yourself, stud work, plasterboarding, etc but I'd leave the plumbing etc to the tradeperson. Just my opinion.

if OP is happy with radiators fixed over his sockets, joists butchered for plastic pipes, solder dripped over carpets, water leaks everywhere, then by all means employ a plumber.

 

[buzzlightyear]

the best way of plumbing is plastic piping from the boiler 22 to 15 or 10mm me I prefer copper piping ,but ever bodys different, are you putting in a comb heating .

 

[littlespark]

I’ve changed my radiators, even added to the system, but in my experience you need a heating engineer to size each rad for the rooms and to size the boiler.
And of course, a gas safe registered engineer to do the gas connection.

 

[Tyrone Thompson]

the best way of plumbing is plastic piping from the boiler 22 to 15 or 10mm me I prefer copper piping ,but ever bodys different, are you putting in a comb heating .

Yes a combi, will be 3 bed house, with 2 showers but will not be used at same time, may make one shower electric to ease the demand, would make it more suitable for a family. Would you pipe sleeve in solid walls?

 

[ruston]

If you do use plastic pressure test the pipework for integrity before you lose access to the joints in the fabric of the building.

 

[JBW175]

You’ll want a 22mm supply and the same for return to the boiler. Then use 15mm going to and from radiators accordingly. You can easily join copper to plastic for the tails, it’s easy with push fit connections.

When I chased my pipes into the wall, I didn’t use insulation as space was tight and didn’t want to chop too much out to comply with building regs. You may have more room to play with though.

 

[PEG]

Hi,i would not bury any plastic push or speed-fit fittings,just a personal thing...i know lots of plumbers will disagree,and i couldn't care less.

I have lengthy experience,in the hydraulics industry,and the best life span estimate,i have ever had from a fittings manufacturer,is less years than i've owned my present house.

Truth is,"O" rings,have a finite life,and these fittings function solely,on their integrity.

On a positive note,they certainly store up a healthy bank of work,for plumbers,plasterers and decorators

 

[ruston]

Hi,i would not bury any plastic push or speed-fit fittings,just a personal thing...i know lots of plumbers will disagree,and i couldn't care less.

I have lengthy experience,in the hydraulics industry,and the best life span estimate,i have ever had from a fittings manufacturer,is less years than i've owned my present house.

Truth is,"O" rings,have a finite life,and these fittings function solely,on their integrity.

On a positive note,they certainly store up a healthy bank of work,for plumbers,plasterers and decorators

I agree , I don't trust them hidden either.

 

[Midwest]

Everyone’s a plumber it seems. Much like electrics is just a few wires. Tish, some need to think.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hep2o is what everyone around here seems to be using...this is what I’ve just used on a bungalow refurb I’m doing.

 

[static zap]

Always good to have an alternative.

may make one shower electric to ease the demand,

... Modern boilers do enjoy having a break once in a while !