Advice on water softener instalation please

[Tommc]

Evening everyone, i have just got myself a water softener and wanted your expert advice as to the plumbing side of it, i have attached a pictur with how the pipe work is now and what i am planning to do regarding the installation but wanted to know if you all thought it was the best way to go, the current pipework is for the cold fresh water that also has the feed for the dishwasher, although i would rather the dishwasher ran off the soft water, is this a good way to go or does anyone think i could plan it better, im sure the pipes are 15mm but its close to the wall and my pipe cutter wont go all the way round, any tips also for cutting these pipes, what will i be needing to buy to to complete the job?, im not a plumber but a decent diy'er so im sorry if these question seem a bit dumb to you, thanks in advance people

 

[Tommc]

also if i can use the old stopcock to shut off the water i will put new pipe work in and move the newer stopcock down further to give myself more room for the work i need to do, is that a good idea ?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

the new stopcock needs to be the same sort as the old one, not a gate valve, they're only designed for low pressure.

 

[Tommc]

the new stopcock needs to be the same sort as the old one, not a gate valve, they're only designed for low pressure.

im not going to replace the current newer red one just move it down more to give me more room to work with, but if i cant turn the water supply off using the older one then i wont be able to, does that make sense

 

[Ray Stafford]

I think what Steve was saying is that the red-handled valve that you are describing as a stopcock, is NOT a stopcock.

It is a gatevalve - and therefore not designed for a high pressure (mains) supply. Do not rely on it to hold mains pressure, because that isn't what it is meant for.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

lol thanks for the translation ray

 

[Tommc]

I think what Steve was saying is that the red-handled valve that you are describing as a stopcock, is NOT a stopcock.

It is a gatevalve - and therefore not designed for a high pressure (mains) supply. Do not rely on it to hold mains pressure, because that isn't what it is meant for.

oh right now i understand, i thought it was the stopcock and has been what i use when doing any work to the boiler or having to switch the water off to the house, if i can use the old stopcock to switch the mains water off then i will replace the newer one with the right part, the guy who lived here before was a real cowboy when it came to home DIY, i would rather spend more and do it right, so i should replace the red one with a better stronger valve

 

[Tommc]

lol thanks for the translation ray

sorry if i came across as thick or rude, it wasnt meant steve, never really done much plumbing work till recently so i just took it as being the stopcock for the mains water but i will replace it with the right thing, but all that aside does what i have planned seem good or could i improve it ?, again thanks for taking your free time to reply

 

[PETE 123]

Main water has to go direct to kitchen tap for drinking water (important)

 

[Tommc]

Main water has to go direct to kitchen tap for drinking water (important)

yeah i was going to run the mains water for drinking below the input and output pipes for the water softener, would that be right

 

[PlumbBobBob]

sorry if i came across as thick or rude, it wasnt meant steve, never really done much plumbing work till recently so i just took it as being the stopcock for the mains water but i will replace it with the right thing, but all that aside does what i have planned seem good or could i improve it ?, again thanks for taking your free time to reply

not a problem tom

 

[Tommc]

not a problem tom

sorry steve but if i put a proper stopcock in does what im planning seeem ok ?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

yes it does. put the stopcock where the compression straight is just above the old stopcock is. where the gate valve is put a comp tee to feed the softener, and don't forget the kitchen tap needs un-softened water. also your boiler may need un-softened water.

 

[capitanpugwash]

the new stopcock needs to be the same sort as the old one, not a gate valve, they're only designed for low pressure.

I've seen high pressure gate valves around with Max 9 bar accross the handle. Maybe they were once low pressure but modern designs allow high pressure applications?

 

[Mike Jackson]

Gate valves can only be used as a main isolating valve in a property on pipes over 50mm diameter.