Plumbing Advice

Are Pipe Heaters Safe? Discussion Thread

I have an ouside garden tap that freezes every winter, while I am away and the heating is down to 10C, despite a protective insulating cover over the tap on the house wall. Is it safe to wrap the pipe (inside the outer house wall) with a pipe heater wire - one that wraps around the copper pipe? These devices seem to heat up to 70C which seems very high. If so, is it best to maybe just switch it on at night with a timeswitch?

Are Pipe...

 

Mains Cold Water Supply - Think I had a cowboy plumber at my house ! Discussion Thread

Hi Guys,

I have had various plumbing issues in my house after having a few plumbers in and I cant seem to find one who knows what they are doing or how to fix issues so I have decided to investigate them one by one and fix them myself or tell the plumber what to do.

Roughly a year agoI had a leak in the mains cold water supply tap/stopcock under the kitchen sink - this got worse and worse and...

 

Downstairs Bathroom - Sewage smell Discussion Thread

Hello,

We have had a bad sewage smell coming from the downstairs toilet for the last few years. We had a new suite put in back in 2019 which didn't resolve the issue. The smell seems to be coming from the sink side of the room. I have removed the sink unit now and can see that the waste pipe just seems to fit in a hole in the ground. The pipe in the ground also seems to be damaged. Is this likely to be the cause of the issue...

 

Choice of pipe for hot water secondary/recirculating system Discussion Thread

What plastic based / barrier pipe can you use in a hot water secondary/recirculating system. I note Hep20 and Polypipe make it clear in their specs it must not be used. Other than copper what do you use.

Choice of pipe for hot water secondary/recirculating system for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Plumbers Talk Group on Facebook; need helpers and moderators etc Discussion Thread

Usually end up on good terms with suppliers who we allow to join.

WWW.FACE BOOK.COM/GROUPS/PLUMBERSTALKCOUK/

Join and PM me on here with your FB name and I'll make you contributors if you want.

Been growing it in background for a while we have 10k users.

ONLY IF YOU ALREADY USE FB IT IS STILL FULL OF TRASH MOSTLY

Plumbers Talk Group on Facebook; need helpers and moderators etc...

 

Trainline Ticket Discounts - Plan early save up to 61% Discussion Thread

"Cheap train tickets - buy in advance and save 61%*We're here to help you save on train tickets for your next rail journey. Our Journey Planner compares train times and prices across hundreds of operators in UK and Europe so you don't have to. One of the best ways to secure cheap train tickets is to buy your tickets in advance – the sooner you book your Advance tickets, the more you’ll save."

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Radiator change Discussion Thread

Hi. I'm trying to change a radiator but I've took off the trv to replace with a new one and there is a reducing olive on the pipe. If I get this off can I replace it with a new reducer with a bit of scoring, dent on the pipe or is it best to cut off the top of the pipe

Radiator change for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Vaillant echTEC Plus 838H over pressurising Discussion Thread

Hello.

Not to long ago I took off a radiator to paint behind, since I put it on for about 2 weeks the pressure kept dropping to zero, I topped it up when I noticed it had happened, then 1 day it over pressurised and went to max, I then released some water out of the radiator, this happened a few times until I got it serviced and the prv replaced, and the expansion vessel replaced, it is still doing it but not going to max...

 

Salus mag filter Discussion Thread

Hi my boiler is fitted with a salus filter, the boiler devolped a noise. The heating engineer found blockage in the heat exchanger plate. Does some sludge still get passed mag filters. The system was flushed out a earlier this year and sentinal x100 added. Is salus a poor make of filter. The bolier is 10 years old so is this to be expected. Serviced every year.

Salus mag filter for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Issue replacing 22mm pipe on central heating Discussion Thread

Hi all

I was hoping to make good this corner of my central heating (22mm) (where the old magnet was) and fit a new Adey Pro 2 just above but on cutting the pipe at the lower end its really difficult to get a coupler on. I tried chamfering the pipe as much as I can but its a struggle to get the coupler on and I know with flux it will probably be worse. I'm guessing this is because its coming off a bend and it may have...

 

Oil line to boiler. Discussion Thread

Evening all.

I'm doing a new build house that's out in the sticks so they have chose an oil boiler.

After discussing location with them and agreeing to this, they have moved the tank 70 metres away from where the boiler is going.

Due to this distance it's saying I need 12mm copper for the oil line to the boiler. Does anyone know where to get coils of this from as I can't seem to find it, or if there is another solution.

Boiler is a...

 

Milky hot water. Recently had a Viessmann 100-W combi boiler installed. Now when the hot water reaches any tap it is very 'milky'. This appears to be Discussion Thread

Milky hot water. Recently had a Viessmann 100-W combi boiler installed. Now when the hot water reaches any tap it is very 'milky'. This appears to be micro bubbles and clears, upwards, in a few seconds leaving no residue. Though this is a hard water area in 45 years have never had this cloudy water. What is the...

 

water help no hot water Discussion Thread

hi we have an issue with our heating and water system . new flow switch and new pump , system bled , all done by a professional but still no hot water or heating. when the plumber left yesterday we had boiling radiators and some hot water although the heating was switched off. my suspicion is diverter valve but unsure as to why nothing is working again now. boiler tries to kick in but says FD error (flow)

would be really happy for some advice...

 

Inspection chamber leak Discussion Thread

Would someone be able to advise please. I’ve attached an image of an inspection chamber. There appears to be crack /split in the gully at the base of the chamber where the property's main outflow intercepts it.
Waste water seems to be happily disappearing down this ‘crevasse’.
Is this fissure repairable… do I need to contact the water company before starting work etc (the chamber is within a property boundary. However I believe STW is...

 

Aliddin easyfit isolator, Anyone with a bad experience of these? Discussion Thread

Hi all, thinking of fitting the said isolator to my heating system from boiler to circulation pump in 22mm copper, so I can fir a MagnaClean Atom ( I know the position of the MagnaClean is not ideal but the return to the boiler runs down the living room wall within boxing in). I would normally drain down the system if I had more time to deal with airlocks upon refilling etc BUT with work at the moment I...

 

Ultra compact wall hung toilet frame Discussion Thread

I'm redoing our 4' x 4' downstairs loo. My wife took a shine to an L shaped basin loo unit & the blurb states that the toilet unit can take a frame. However it's only a 500 wide unit (470 inside) and only 820mm high. Been looking around at frames and stumbled across Arezzo who do one that would fit. Stocked by Victorian plumbing, which doesn't enthuse me, but also other places.

I asked chatgpt about Arezzo (market segment and...

 

Pressure test query? Discussion Thread

Hi all
I’m having to fit a Stuart Turner pump to an install that will be fed from a tank.

However, I’d like to get the install tested including the pump if possible but without it connected to the break tank, as that isn’t available at the moment.

Would I have to bypass the pump to test the rest of the pipe work or could I temporarily connect to the pump via an incoming mains?

I believe the pump operates at 1.5 bar.
Cheers

Pressure test...

 

So... Does anyone know what this is?? Discussion Thread

As I said, any ideas what this is for? It was in line with an outside bib tap.

So... Does anyone know what this is?? for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Potterton Promax 15 HE Discussion Thread

Been called out to an issue with a Potterton Promax 15 HE. Boiler fires up and runs for 30 seconds, no heat leaves the boiler, then you get loads of clunking which sounds like air/crap. Then flow and return get red hot and it cuts out. Have disconnected flow and returns from boiler and and checked that water passes through the boiler without obstruction, which it does. Have checked where cold feed and vent enter the system no blockage there...

 

Best flush cones for low level cistern connections? Discussion Thread

Any recommendations other than the usual clear ones that seem too rigid most times?

I’ve tried the white rubber ones as well but sometimes they don’t allow the pipe to insert fully.

Best flush cones for low level cistern connections? for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Basin taps trickle... Discussion Thread

Can anyone advise?
The problem is - we have a cold water and hot water tap (two separate ones) in a downstairs bathroom - these are basin taps with a 'bell' like housing. Sometimes, when turning the taps on the water flow is very restricted - ie a trickle - other times they work okay... BUT... if I lift upwards on the tap then the water flows out okay - I wonder why this helps?
ANY suggestions as to what the problem might be and how to fix it...

 

customer wants boiler in unheated storeroom Discussion Thread

unheated storeroom, with louvre doors open to outside due to ventilation system installed in same room
warned them about risk of freezing - boiler will only be used a couple of days a week.
i know it will have a frost-stat, but that would not protect if there was a power failure, RCD trip etc.
Insulation of pipework would have to be 35mm, but that leaves valves,, filter, de-aerator - difficult to insulate them.
What else...

 

Seized Filling Loop Tap Discussion Thread

Hi, any ideas on how I can get this seized tap to turn? I can get it replaced in a couple of weeks but I need to fill the boiler as the pressure is on the low side. Any ideas what size they are so I can have it ready for the plumber when he comes?

Seized Filling Loop Tap for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Non-return rat flap/blocker at drain exit Discussion Thread

Hi folks! I have a question re rat flaps / blockers - can they be mounted on the exit side of a pipe? We have a rat problem and think they are coming into the house via the sewage system. We live in a semi-detached property and the rat people have fitted a non return rat flap inside our inspection chamber where the pipe leaves our system. Unfortunately this empties into a shared drain with our neighbour and we suspect the...

 

Texture metal lined pipe? Discussion Thread

Hi guys
Any of you use the above pipe at all? If so, do you use only tectite fittings or any other manufacturers?

Texture metal lined pipe? for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Rusted screw removal tool?? Discussion Thread

Hi guys any advice on removing rusted screws on toilet pans?? Had 3 today and ended up braking one pan. No wiggle room at all.

Rusted screw removal tool?? for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

An Boiler be left on with water tuned off? Discussion Thread

I have a Worcester Greenstar boiler and would prefer to turn off the water supply to the house during 2-week absence. Is it safe to do this?
Advice appreciated.

An Boiler be left on with water tuned off? for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Concealed cistern o/flowing any tips what make is it. Pics encl Discussion Thread

Concealed cistern o/flowing any tips what make is it. Pics encl for the original thread on Plumbers Forums

 

Boss your bathroom - Join the Tile High Club Discussion Thread

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Mixer Tap Cartridge change advise. Discussion Thread

Hi

Our kitchen mixer tap is leaking around the bottom. Unsure where the leak is coming from but suspect/hope a new cartridge will fix it.

I am not a confident DIY guy, our mains pressure is really high and so plumbing makes me nervous 😂 but I feel like this is a job I should really be able to do for myself.

Am I ok to isolate the tap using the isolation valves, pictures attached? Or will I need to go through the pain of turning...