Top Plumbing Tips
The following tips may help you to reduce the risk of a plumbing emergency and could save you from unnecessary expense and distress.
- Find out where your stop valve is located on the incoming water supply main and label it.
- Do you know where other service valves are located? Label them and check from time to time that they are working correctly.
- It's helpful to know the location of any drain valves. These can be used in an emergency to empty your water and central heating systems (once the source of heat has been put out).
- Ensure that the storage system and exposed pipes are properly insulated, particularly in the roof space or attic.
- In very cold weather take special care to prevent water pipes becoming frozen. If you have a storage cistern in the roof space, it's a good idea to open the hatch. Heat from the house will help to keep the cistern from freezing.
- Inspect your cold water storage cistern (tank) regularly and, if it is metal, make sure it is not corroding. Call in your professional plumber if there is any sign of a problem.
- Check the condition of flexible hosepipes to plumbed-in domestic appliances at regular intervals.
- Dripping taps or continuously running overflow pipes are a sure sign that your plumbing system requires maintenance. To avoid them becoming major problems call in the services of your local professional plumber.
- Have central heating boilers and other heating appliances serviced yearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
What diameter and depth of seal should my traps have?
What diameter and depth of seal should my traps have?
Answer:
Building Regulations state that appliances that are connected to a soil pipe should comply with the following table.
| Appliance | Diameter of Trap (mm) | Depth of Seal (mm of water) |
|---|---|---|
| Wash basin* | 32 | 75 |
| Bidet | 32 | 75 |
| Bath ** | 40 | 50 |
| Shower ** | 40 | 50 |
| Sink | 40 | 75 |
|
Food Waste Disposal Unit |
40 | 75 |
| Urinal Bowl | 40 | 75 |
| Washing Machine | 40 | 75 |
|
Dish Washing Machine |
40 | 75 |
* The depth of seal may be reduced to 50mm if basin is fitted with spray taps and a flush grated waste without a plug.
** Where these appliances discharge directly to a gully the depth of seal may be reduced to not less than 38mm.
Question:
Why do I get dirty water from the sink in my washing machine?
Why do I get dirty water from the sink in my washing machine?
Answer:
Check that hose discharge from washing Machine loops up above the minimum height as specified by the machine manufacturer and at least to the underside of the work top for an inset sink before connecting into the sink trap.
Check that hose discharge from washing Machine loops up above the minimum height as specified by the machine manufacturer and at least to the underside of the work top for an inset sink before connecting into the sink trap.
Question:
When should I use an anti-syphon or re-sealing trap?
When should I use an anti-syphon or re-sealing trap?
Answer:
Generally when the waste pipe or discharge pipe from an appliance is beyond the limitations of an un-vented waste pipe. Usually more critical on basin and bidet wastes.
Generally when the waste pipe or discharge pipe from an appliance is beyond the limitations of an un-vented waste pipe. Usually more critical on basin and bidet wastes.
Question:
What is the difference between an anti-syphon trap and a re-sealing trap?
What is the difference between an anti-syphon trap and a re-sealing trap?
Answer:
A re-sealing is designed to allow air to pass through the water seal under negative pressure but will retain sufficient water to ensure the minimum depth of seal is retained. Whereas an anti siphon trap has a small mechanical valve, which opens under negative pressure. Both versions will break the syphonic action thus protecting the water seal. Note. the re-sealing trap may be noisy.
A re-sealing is designed to allow air to pass through the water seal under negative pressure but will retain sufficient water to ensure the minimum depth of seal is retained. Whereas an anti siphon trap has a small mechanical valve, which opens under negative pressure. Both versions will break the syphonic action thus protecting the water seal. Note. the re-sealing trap may be noisy.
Question:
Can I connect my condense drain from my boiler to a rain water pipe?
Can I connect my condense drain from my boiler to a rain water pipe?
Answer:
It depends on where the rain water pipe is discharging. Condense is acidic and should only be discharged via plastic pipe into a foul drain. Where this is not possible it may be discharged into a special soakaway that contains lime chippings to neutralise the acidity.
It depends on where the rain water pipe is discharging. Condense is acidic and should only be discharged via plastic pipe into a foul drain. Where this is not possible it may be discharged into a special soakaway that contains lime chippings to neutralise the acidity.
Question:
Can I fit an air admittance valve outside?
Can I fit an air admittance valve outside?
Answer:
Ventapipe valves are designed for and only allowed for installation internally.
Ventapipe valves are designed for and only allowed for installation internally.
Question:
Can I fit my air admittance valve horizontally?
Can I fit my air admittance valve horizontally?
Answer:
Ventapipe valves should only be installed vertically.
Ventapipe valves should only be installed vertically.
Question:
What is PTFE Tape?
What is PTFE Tape?
Answer:
PTFE is a thin white tape, that is wrapped around pipe threads (usually on radiator tails tapered threads, or occasionally on an olive that is giving trouble), to stop leaks and seepage. Wrap in direction the part or cap-nut turns.
PTFE is a thin white tape, that is wrapped around pipe threads (usually on radiator tails tapered threads, or occasionally on an olive that is giving trouble), to stop leaks and seepage. Wrap in direction the part or cap-nut turns.
Question:
What is a Thermostatic Radiator Valve.
What is a Thermostatic Radiator Valve.
Answer:
As its name implies, it is a radiator valve, but it incorporates an internal thermostat, so that the temperature of the individual radiator, and therefore that specific room, can be better controlled. It is commonly abbreviated to "TRV". Because of the control knob and integrated thermostatic mechanism, they are quite a bit larger than a standard valve.
As its name implies, it is a radiator valve, but it incorporates an internal thermostat, so that the temperature of the individual radiator, and therefore that specific room, can be better controlled. It is commonly abbreviated to "TRV". Because of the control knob and integrated thermostatic mechanism, they are quite a bit larger than a standard valve.