Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

king of pipes

Esteemed
Plumber
Gas Engineer
Subscribed
Dec 20, 2016
6,156
4,335
113
63
Norfolk
Member Type
Heating Engineer (Has GSR)
I have a insurance job to try and rescue a poorly installed quad shower the customer wants to save the tiling if possible and has a few spare so fingers crossed it may work , the loss adjuster allowed em £1500 that will just about cover materials. Kop
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20191031-033038.png
    Screenshot_20191031-033038.png
    400.3 KB · Views: 312
  • Screenshot_20191031-033046.png
    Screenshot_20191031-033046.png
    420 KB · Views: 143
  • Like
Reactions: Admin
I've pulled the pin - mutual agreement between myself, builder and customer on some projects that were about to be started.
In all honesty about 200+ k of work.

Someone is dying every 2 minutes in Italy, 17 minutes in New York and we are about to be under the onslaught of the virus over here.

Anything essential will be done, under strict conditions or premise inspection.
I'm not going to take any adverse risks.

There will be the other side to this pandemic, I want to be around on the other side
[automerge]1585384920[/automerge]
Cheers KOP
👍
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: centralheatking
I've pulled the pin - mutual agreement between myself, builder and customer on some projects that were about to be started.
In all honesty about 200+ k of work.

Someone is dying every 2 minutes in Italy, 17 minutes in New York and we are about to be under the onslaught of the virus over here.

Anything essential will be done, under strict conditions or premise inspection.
I'm not going to take any adverse risks.

There will be the other side to this pandemic, I want to be around on the other side
[automerge]1585384920[/automerge]
Cheers KOP
👍
Getting out of hand here mate 280 deaths today and we haven't peaked yet NHS doing there best to cope but they are at full capacity and falling ill themselves, Boris Johnson has it , the health minister , and the top medical advisor to the government others will follow no doubt . Stay safe OZ self isolate with your loved ones bud . Regards kop
 
Last edited:
I work from home 50% of the time anyway. However we have had to cancel an important board meeting and get it done by email. Our major client at the present in Iraq who was pushing for 5 month delivery has agreed to await a while due to the world wide situation. BIG BUT my Mrs has been told to work from home from Monday after her weeks holiday so I am dreading the state of my office
The companies that make our plumbing and heating devices were on lock down but I expect the forges to be blown down anytime. Centralheatking
We had a board meeting at 11.00 this morning up on Clieve Hill just 4 of us ....quite unreal all went in own trucks and stood quite apart in a gentle off shore wind , they voted (I am non exec dir) after a chat
Our company moves fwds again ....strange days these. Chking
 
Almost at the end of my dad's full bathroom install. This started out as him wanting a new shower and tiling around said area. With his mind changing about what he wants every five minutes myself and my brother (joiner) have ended up taking the whole room back to the brickwork, fully tiled the walls and floor, installed new WC, moved locations of basin and radiator, fitted a new ceiling and installed spotlights and fan. Just got to tile the shower tray now.

We've been getting ale money for our work... and now the pubs are shut.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: king of pipes
Almost at the end of my dad's full bathroom install. This started out as him wanting a new shower and tiling around said area. With his mind changing about what he wants every five minutes myself and my brother (joiner) have ended up taking the whole room back to the brickwork, fully tiled the walls and floor, installed new WC, moved locations of basin and radiator, fitted a new ceiling and installed spotlights and fan. Just got to tile the shower tray now.

We've been getting ale money for our work... and now the pubs are shut.

Must be a lot of ale @Keefy 😀
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keefy
Almost at the end of my dad's full bathroom install. This started out as him wanting a new shower and tiling around said area. With his mind changing about what he wants every five minutes myself and my brother (joiner) have ended up taking the whole room back to the brickwork, fully tiled the walls and floor, installed new WC, moved locations of basin and radiator, fitted a new ceiling and installed spotlights and fan. Just got to tile the shower tray now.

We've been getting ale money for our work... and now the pubs are shut.
And your dads happy ..wish mine was still around and wanted a new bathroom ..well done
Centralheatking
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keefy
The weekend before the lockdown I took my little Mavic Mini out for a flight to get some footage (link below). The intention was to pay proper attention to what I was filming, whilst always flying safely of course, so I could make a proper edited film using the footage and add some music. My other videos are just raw footage up until now although there are some beautiful scenes. I take no credit for the beautiful scenes because Guernsey makes that easy.

I had never edited a video before this and it took me a while to get it right but I had the time during this lockdown to go through the footage I had gathered before all this madness really kicked off here. 40 minutes of flight footage around the area condensed into 8 minutes for the video. Then I found a bit of rights-free music to hopefully go with it.

If you want to relax (I hope it's relaxing for you!) please take a look. It's 8 minutes of scenery on one of our small peninsulas with an old fort and a long distance rifle range on it. On my channel is other raw footage of a few coastal flights over Guernsey.

Here is my video. Best viewed at 1080p
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73GqDAdhMhM
 
Last edited:
Nice.
I have fitted quite a few heating coils in changing rooms and drying rooms

I have only found one improvised heating coil possibly for drying and it was sat on top of a cylinder in an airing cupboard. The stupid thing was it was plumbed into the hot distribution pipe. It was cooling the water down before it reached the hot taps. It was about ten metres of 22mm tube in a coil just on the hot distribution in the airing cupboard. Such a coil on the heating side would have been ok as it would be just like another radiator but on the hot distribution it's seems pretty daft to me.

My other thought was it was a silly "energy saving" device that whoever put it there thought maybe it'd pick up some of the cylinder heat loss and put it into the hot water. I made a thread on it here ages ago and nobody could give a definitive answer.

What a silly way to go about it I thought. It was generating a "parasitical loss" on the cylinder and cooling the water in the distribution system down.
 
What we all working on this week ?
This week I've been sorting my car out for its' MOT in a couple of months.
Oil and filter change yesterday, today I planned swapping both front anti-roll drop links, started quite late so only managed one as it was awkward as hell.
Tomorrow I'll do the other drop link and on Friday it will be the offside track rod end. Then should be good to go and will have saved £240 garage fees 😀 😀 😀
 
First boiler swap since lockdown friend of my daughters so sorted it out for her , only been in the house since Feb and inherited a Baxi duo Tec mk1 poorly maintained a leaking heat exchanger took the board out as well , with things as they are and money tight went for a entry level Ideal Classic 30 all in all a decent little boiler doddle to fit 5 year warranty keep safe all . Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200421_100534.jpg
    IMG_20200421_100534.jpg
    116.8 KB · Views: 45
  • IMG_20200422_142126.jpg
    IMG_20200422_142126.jpg
    116.5 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_20200422_125950.jpg
    IMG_20200422_125950.jpg
    92.2 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_20200422_121119.jpg
    IMG_20200422_121119.jpg
    116.2 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_20200422_121110.jpg
    IMG_20200422_121110.jpg
    106 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_20200422_135200.jpg
    IMG_20200422_135200.jpg
    44.8 KB · Views: 41
Last edited:
Boiler £492 + Vat - flue £69 - 29 + Vat Scott, I got the boiler & flue , Honeywell T4 , Magnaclean micro , chemicals , 6m of 22mm + 6m of 15mm , £180 piece fittings bucket , filling loop and 15mm salamander inline descaler for £1000. Cheers kop
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scott_D
Boiler £492 + Vat - flue £69 - 29 + Vat Scott, I got the boiler & flue , Honeywell T4 , Magnaclean micro , chemicals , 6m of 22mm + 6m of 15mm , £180 piece fittings bucket , filling loop and 15mm salamander inline descaler for £1000. Cheers kop
I wish they didn’t put mechanical clocks in the cheaper boilers!
 
I wish they didn’t put mechanical clocks in the cheaper boilers!
Agreed mate I supposed they are aimed at rental and landlord type properties may be ? add a stat job done may not meet boilier plus but loads out there that don't and who is going to police it nowadays a the best bud . Kop
 
Agreed mate I supposed they are aimed at rental and landlord type properties may be ? add a stat job done may not meet boilier plus but loads out there that don't and who is going to police it nowadays a the best bud . Kop
You can’t meet boiler plus with the mechanical clock and room stat as far as I know.
So you need Weather comp.
Or an external programmer/stat and tell the user not to touch the built in timer as it must be permanently on.

I fitted an Independant c24 recently for a landord, I used a Salus wireless room stat as it was the cheapest available. Doesn’t comply but like you say, who’s going to check.
 
You can’t meet boiler plus with the mechanical clock and room stat as far as I know.
So you need Weather comp.
Or an external programmer/stat and tell the user not to touch the built in timer as it must be permanently on.

I fitted an Independant c24 recently for a landord, I used a Salus wireless room stat as it was the cheapest available. Doesn’t comply but like you say, who’s going to check.
That's what I did mate timer on constant and Programmable Honeywell T4 which meets boiler plus bud .
[automerge]1587622515[/automerge]
Better picture Scott
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20200422-185305.png
    Screenshot_20200422-185305.png
    252.5 KB · Views: 43
  • Screenshot_20200422-190206.png
    Screenshot_20200422-190206.png
    324.4 KB · Views: 46
Last edited:
My first biggish job near completion since lockdown started stripping out Thursday and Friday last week , this shower room needed turning round quickly so went for multi panel to blend in with the existing tile that was installed 5 years ago and still looking good , the Victoria plumb shower and tray installed hadn't faired so well was leaking badly and looked shabby , I installed a Aqualisa Zuri smart shower with the processor box installed above in the loft connected to a Viessman 100 combi and Qualitex shower tray and wetroom glass, just the wiring, commissioning, lagging , and the clearing up to do today so 4.5 days which I think is reasonable cheers chaps keep safe . Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200611_161234.jpg
    IMG_20200611_161234.jpg
    116.3 KB · Views: 37
  • IMG_20200612_134110.jpg
    IMG_20200612_134110.jpg
    107.1 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_20200615_162825.jpg
    IMG_20200615_162825.jpg
    70.1 KB · Views: 42
  • IMG_20200616_164111.jpg
    IMG_20200616_164111.jpg
    81.6 KB · Views: 37
  • IMG_20200616_145550.jpg
    IMG_20200616_145550.jpg
    166.2 KB · Views: 41
My first biggish job near completion since lockdown started stripping out Thursday and Friday last week , this shower room needed turning round quickly so went for multi panel to blend in with the existing tile that was installed 5 years ago and still looking good , the Victoria plumb shower and tray installed hadn't faired so well was leaking badly and looked shabby , I installed a Aqualisa Zuri smart shower with the processor box installed above in the loft connected to a Viessman 100 combi and Qualitex shower tray and wetroom glass, just the wiring, commissioning, lagging , and the clearing up to do today so 4.5 days which I think is reasonable cheers chaps keep safe . Kop

Panels actually look decent. Which ones you use and how do you attach them?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20200617-193412.png
    Screenshot_20200617-193412.png
    204 KB · Views: 39
Hi KOP, I was told by aqualisa that a flow limiter can damage the pump so could only go down to 10l/min (if I remember correctly) - what do you go down to and have you had any problems?
I too have wanted to hold the bugger back occasionally!
 
  • Informative
Reactions: king of pipes
Hi KOP, I was told by aqualisa that a flow limiter can damage the pump so could only go down to 10l/min (if I remember correctly) - what do you go down to and have you had any problems?
I too have wanted to hold the bugger back occasionally!
9 litres a minute bud I will contact Aqualisa and check ? after second thoughts I may adjust where I limited the flow to the incoming supplies that way theres no back pressure , the stainless steel grate is the problem luckily my brother is the production manager in a factory that produces sheet metal products so hes going to fabricate a new one with 40 more holes in then restriction can come out ??? cheers Kop
 
  • Like
Reactions: Scott_D
You’ll probably have a market for those grids! I find positioning the riser rail/fixed head makes a hell of a difference to waste removal - but of course this has to be run past customer, if it wasn’t for them this job would be easy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: king of pipes
Update chaps after talking to Aqualisa technical , I have adjusted the processor control unit to HP eco mode from combi mode this reduces the flow by 2 litres a minute and removed the flow limiter it is not guaranteed to work faultlessly and can fluctuate slightly on temperature but a 2 litres a minute saving is worth trying also getting a grate made with 40 extra holes so should help. Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200618_113022.jpg
    IMG_20200618_113022.jpg
    151 KB · Views: 36
  • IMG_20200618_104935.jpg
    IMG_20200618_104935.jpg
    180.4 KB · Views: 41
  • Screenshot_20200618-183059.png
    Screenshot_20200618-183059.png
    95.6 KB · Views: 38
Started a bathroom upgrade this week new owner hates the assisted bathroom look and it's fixtures and fittings so a full strip and new tiling is taking place, updating everything . Kop
 

Attachments

  • MVIMG_20200622_085813.jpg
    MVIMG_20200622_085813.jpg
    127.8 KB · Views: 32
  • IMG_20200622_085827.jpg
    IMG_20200622_085827.jpg
    68.6 KB · Views: 31
  • MVIMG_20200623_100728.jpg
    MVIMG_20200623_100728.jpg
    122.2 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_20200623_100732.jpg
    IMG_20200623_100732.jpg
    144.7 KB · Views: 31
  • IMG_20200623_100739.jpg
    IMG_20200623_100739.jpg
    103.5 KB · Views: 35
I hate bathrooms 😄
This is the tray I asked for advice on another thread. Went for SBR and flexible tile adhesive in the end.
View attachment 44319View attachment 44320
Looks tidy Scott 👍 sorry bud must of missed that one I would have done the same . What were the wall panels made of ???? Kop
[automerge]1593064039[/automerge]
Got a few tiles up it all taking shape nicely . Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200624_164605.jpg
    IMG_20200624_164605.jpg
    81.3 KB · Views: 35
  • IMG_20200624_164553.jpg
    IMG_20200624_164553.jpg
    126.9 KB · Views: 36
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Aquarius
To frigging hot today so sacked off the bathroom job come 1 o'clock and fixed a Baxi duo tec for a mate .
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200626_091718.jpg
    IMG_20200626_091718.jpg
    114.3 KB · Views: 31
  • IMG_20200626_100901.jpg
    IMG_20200626_100901.jpg
    123.8 KB · Views: 36
Was the tray a 2 man job?
Yes mate me and the plasterer sorted it had to chop in the wall at one end, flexible tile adhesive to bed it in siliconed up before tiling bud
[automerge]1593204712[/automerge]
Monday’s job oooo goody
Love a tight fit 😂😂
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200626_142412.jpg
    IMG_20200626_142412.jpg
    134.7 KB · Views: 39
  • IMG_20200626_091726.jpg
    IMG_20200626_091726.jpg
    52.3 KB · Views: 35
You back up and running H ??
[automerge]1593205799[/automerge]
Update chaps after talking to Aqualisa technical , I have adjusted the processor control unit to HP eco mode from combi mode this reduces the flow by 2 litres a minute and removed the flow limiter it is not guaranteed to work faultlessly and can fluctuate slightly on temperature but a 2 litres a minute saving is worth trying also getting a grate made with 40 extra holes so should help. Kop
Laser cut drain grate
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20200626-214134.png
    Screenshot_20200626-214134.png
    776.4 KB · Views: 38
Last edited:
First ever main heat exchanger replacement for a Vaillant Ecotec today - 3 & 1/2 hours, including adding inhibitor, and dropping off a part to a mate.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: king of pipes
Just use multi finish, think of it as an investment in your future happiness, not having to try and grab a plasterer at short notice when all the walls fall apart as some as you drop your tool bag a bit heavily on day one!
 
Just use multi finish, think of it as an investment in your future happiness, not having to try and grab a plasterer at short notice when all the walls fall apart as some as you drop your tool bag a bit heavily on day one!

I see. Just keeping adding layer after layer until I can get a decent finish. Nice idea. Thanks
 
No that’s not what I meant mutley.

multi- finish is the product name.

The usual method is to apply it in two layers, the second being applied whilst the first is still live - it’s getting the timing right that is the trick.
Same again in terms of timing for your final trowel up; too soon it all moves around too much and goes wavy; too late and .... well it’s too late!
 
No that’s not what I meant mutley.

multi- finish is the product name.

The usual method is to apply it in two layers, the second being applied whilst the first is still live - it’s getting the timing right that is the trick.
Same again in terms of timing for your final trowel up; too soon it all moves around too much and goes wavy; too late and .. we’ll it’s too late!

Ah I see Ben-Gee. But, you could keep adding coats on top until you get it to a level you are happy with hey?
 
Nice. What's that onnthe floor under the tiles, levelling compound?
[automerge]1593622865[/automerge]
No that’s not what I meant mutley.

multi- finish is the product name.

The usual method is to apply it in two layers, the second being applied whilst the first is still live - it’s getting the timing right that is the trick.
Same again in terms of timing for your final trowel up; too soon it all moves around too much and goes wavy; too late and .. well it’s too late!

Easy to order a Marshalltownntrowel but getting hold of some finish plaster....in my dreams. Bought a bag of lime and a couple of bags of sand so going to have a go on my garage wall this weekend.
 
Will look nice once complete mate. Pop a few more up once done. You tilling underneath or around the toilet?
Yes mate will do, its the old toilet H i will pull it out tomorrow and lay the rest of the floor with quick set , before installing the bathroom units and sanitary ware.
[automerge]1593628376[/automerge]
Yes Mutley its levelling compound topps fast track stuff goes off quickly and leaves a hard clean surface to tile onto prime with sbr the old floor and before levelling, and again before tiling i couldn't build it up to much nearer to the doorway . Kop
[automerge]1593631525[/automerge]
Looks nice but them floor tiles will be a bit slick with water on them.

Really like the grey wall tiles.
Not that bad bud
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20200701-191819_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20200701-191819_Chrome.jpg
    78.9 KB · Views: 36
  • Screenshot_20200701-194221_Photos.jpg
    Screenshot_20200701-194221_Photos.jpg
    53.1 KB · Views: 38
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SimonG
Three hours to fit an outside tap on a new build this morning, I had a nightmare!
Hardly any space between fittings and the shelf wouldn’t come out. Tightening up the isolation valve and the two soldered tees straight after the stop tap came apart. They were butted together and no solder inside either fitting! Just the lip of either tee.
Easiest £60 I ever made 😅
FBCF3F42-8143-4595-A902-F03BAC09D877.jpeg
 
Three hours to fit an outside tap on a new build this morning, I had a nightmare!
Hardly any space between fittings and the shelf wouldn’t come out. Tightening up the isolation valve and the two soldered tees straight after the stop tap came apart. They were butted together and no solder inside either fitting! Just the lip of either tee.
Easiest £60 I ever made 😅
View attachment 44425
Ugh, I feel for you. I have been there many of times.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: king of pipes
New build plumbing is abysmal, throw it in and get away. No thought for future repairs or work. But if you're being paid bottom dollar...
It should still be a set standard though mate. I want to know who signs this stuff off before the plasterboard goes up and is skimmed.
 
It should still be a set standard though mate. I want to know who signs this stuff off before the plasterboard goes up and is skimmed.

I agree but it seems nobody gives a monkey's.

Took a bath out of a new build to put a shower in, bloody thing fell out. Water stains on plasterboard under bath from it leaking. It was only 6 months old.
 
I agree but it seems nobody gives a monkey's.

Took a bath out of a new build to put a shower in, bloody thing fell out. Water stains on plasterboard under bath from it leaking. It was only 6 months old.
I see it all the time mate. My estate is a new build and there is loads of others by where I live.
 
Floor and wall tiling completed WC unit fitted temporarily so they have a toilet to use , vanity unit and ceramic sink top to install tomorrow . Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200702_174628.jpg
    IMG_20200702_174628.jpg
    82.9 KB · Views: 39
  • IMG_20200702_174616.jpg
    IMG_20200702_174616.jpg
    107.2 KB · Views: 36
Lights and fan done today i got the towel rail fitted shower doors installed and sealed up all ready to use. Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200703_175012.jpg
    IMG_20200703_175012.jpg
    117.1 KB · Views: 35
  • IMG_20200703_175026.jpg
    IMG_20200703_175026.jpg
    91.8 KB · Views: 37
  • Like
Reactions: SimonG
Nothing as nice as that today KOP. Revisit a bathroom I did about 8 years ago to change the bath and basin taps.
The shower enclosure has never been used. Extremely low water pressure due to steel supply pipe, was going to be replaced a couple of months after I did the shower. They still haven't got round to doing it.

20200703_105556.jpg20200703_105549.jpg20200703_105532.jpg
 
  • Love
Reactions: king of pipes
All in one worktop Mate?
Yes H it is all in one bud , It came from Victorian plumbing and for the cost it's hard to beat only gripe I had was the internal components of the hideaway cistern which were inferior quality in my opinion I swapped them for fluid master and changed the toilet flush cone, the shower doors were a pain to assemble and needed two of us it had to be done in the bathroom because of the size fitting instructions were next to useless but it got done mate 👍 . Regards kop
 
  • Like
Reactions: SimonG
Yes H it is all in one bud , It came from Victorian plumbing and for the cost it's hard to beat only gripe I had was the internal components of the hideaway cistern which were inferior quality in my opinion I swapped them for fluid master and changed the toilet flush cone, the shower doors were a pain to assemble and needed two of us it had to be done in the bathroom because of the size fitting instructions were next to useless but it got done mate 👍 . Regards kop
Looks good though mate.

I did these on a Friday
 

Attachments

  • 28C21F1D-9447-4938-ABE9-0121CD45E450.jpeg
    28C21F1D-9447-4938-ABE9-0121CD45E450.jpeg
    143.3 KB · Views: 38
  • 659B1263-9C30-4206-B4D4-4F266DB07A14.jpeg
    659B1263-9C30-4206-B4D4-4F266DB07A14.jpeg
    151.2 KB · Views: 37
  • C007FD5C-9BA6-4012-B172-0D5AC7A94FE3.jpeg
    C007FD5C-9BA6-4012-B172-0D5AC7A94FE3.jpeg
    125.9 KB · Views: 36
  • Like
Reactions: SimonG and Scott_D
Yes H it is all in one bud , It came from Victorian plumbing and for the cost it's hard to beat only gripe I had was the internal components of the hideaway cistern which were inferior quality in my opinion I swapped them for fluid master and changed the toilet flush cone, the shower doors were a pain to assemble and needed two of us it had to be done in the bathroom because of the size fitting instructions were next to useless but it got done mate 👍 . Regards kop

I'm finding I'm always changing the guts on toilets before installing when customer supplies. Not worth the hassle of some of the tat you see when you open them up.
It's got to the point now where I just add money on when I do the estimate.
 
Last edited:
Nice job H good to see you back .
Nice H good to see you back bet they will be put to good use next week 😂😂
[automerge]1593962219[/automerge]

Spot on mate turn up on time and no breakages 😄

Thanks mate. Doing more now. But will not be doing as many hours as before lock down. I’m enjoying family time to much if I’m honest.
 
Update chaps job is done and dusted and in use moved on to two kitchen first fixes , and a couple of designer type rads, another shower room to start next week . Regards Kop
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200707_143928.jpg
    IMG_20200707_143928.jpg
    99.9 KB · Views: 33
  • MVIMG_20200707_143920.jpg
    MVIMG_20200707_143920.jpg
    117.2 KB · Views: 31
  • MVIMG_20200707_143955.jpg
    MVIMG_20200707_143955.jpg
    108.5 KB · Views: 27

Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk

Similar plumbing topics

We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.