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**The wtf plumbing thread**

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭corkgsxr


    Lockheed wrote: »
    Our immersion tank heater switch had the bath/sink switches the wrong way around. The shorter water heating filament was absolutely caked in limescale and the longer filament looked as if it could have been brand new. Wish I took a picture because I feel like it would have fit in well with this thread. Culprit was a plumber by trade who should have called an electrician to install but decided he'd do it himself and ended up making a balls of it. Hot water never lasted for more then 5 mins and I used to wake up a solid hour before my other family members just to have a hot shower in the morning... the water was always cold if I woke up after them.

    Did it ever occur to you to try other way around. Especially with the glaring hint that you didn't have much water


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 697 ✭✭✭Lockheed


    corkgsxr wrote: »
    Did it ever occur to you to try other way around. Especially with the glaring hint that you didn't have much water

    We never took any heed. We always leave the immersion on and never even thought that was the reason we had no hot water. Looking back it was glaringly obvious - especially after we got a new boiler fitted and we seemed to have less hot water then before. Hindsight is 20/20 though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,803 ✭✭✭✭Charlie19


    Lockheed wrote: »
    We never took any heed. We always leave the immersion on and never even thought that was the reason we had no hot water. Looking back it was glaringly obvious - especially after we got a new boiler fitted and we seemed to have less hot water then before. Hindsight is 20/20 though.

    If you're using the boiler to heat the water, then you wouldn't really need the immersion.

    Unless you mean that the "new boiler" was really a new hot water cylinder.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 697 ✭✭✭Lockheed


    Charlie19 wrote: »
    If you're using the boiler to heat the water, then you wouldn't really need the immersion.

    Unless you mean that the "new boiler" was really a new hot water cylinder.

    yeah thats what I meant sorry!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,970 ✭✭✭chooseusername


    corkgsxr wrote: »
    Did it ever occur to you to try other way around. Especially with the glaring hint that you didn't have much water

    If hindsight was foresight, I'd be rich


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 6,522 Mod ✭✭✭✭Irish Steve


    Fszn0s0.jpg?2

    Not what you want to find on a busy Saturday morning when you are trying to move a washing machine drain. It was wrapped in Denso Tape, but that was it, nothing to indicate it was there, or give a warning that it was so close to the surface. The only redeeming aspect was that it was downstream from the meter, so could be turned off very quickly.

    Shore, if it was easy, everybody would be doin it.😁



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,332 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    Fszn0s0.jpg?2

    Not what you want to find on a busy Saturday morning when you are trying to move a washing machine drain. It was wrapped in Denso Tape, but that was it, nothing to indicate it was there, or give a warning that it was so close to the surface. The only redeeming aspect was that it was downstream from the meter, so could be turned off very quickly.
    Dangerous looking run. What was necessary to put it right?

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Fszn0s0.jpg?2

    Not what you want to find on a busy Saturday morning when you are trying to move a washing machine drain. It was wrapped in Denso Tape, but that was it, nothing to indicate it was there, or give a warning that it was so close to the surface. The only redeeming aspect was that it was downstream from the meter, so could be turned off very quickly.

    As dodgy as it seems, it wasn’t against regulation when it was installed.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 6,522 Mod ✭✭✭✭Irish Steve


    Wearb wrote: »
    Dangerous looking run. What was necessary to put it right?

    We had to open the cut up to make enough space to put appropriate solder fittings in either side of the piece that had to be cut out, and then make good, wrap it all in Denso tape again, and perform the relevant pressure/leak checks, and then the RGI who came out to us was able to sign off on the repair and get everything back on line again.

    As DTP said, it was legal when it was done, albeit not best practice, for all sorts of reasons.

    I guess we should be thankful that the 9" angle grinder diamond disc didn't catch it when the edges of the slot were being cut, that would have been a fire scenario very easily, at least the hammer drill chisel only broke the pipe, without sparks to ignite it.

    We never even gave a thought that a gas pipe would have been run so close to other services like the drain it is passing, or that they would have put it so close to the surface, it was embedded in the path slab, not even slightly covered by sand or similar just below it

    Have to admit it makes me wonder why the most expensive purchase that most people make comes without any information about how things have been done, and where they are. A certified manual, giving locations of pipes, which circuit breakers control what, what the valves on the heating system do, and where they are would save so many people so much trouble over the life of the property, yet it seems that producing such a document is not deemed as a good idea.

    At least they now know it's there, and will be suitably cautious if any other work has to be done in that area.

    Shore, if it was easy, everybody would be doin it.😁



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,421 ✭✭✭dathi


    1.6 USER INFORMATION
    1.6.1 The owner of the building should be provided with sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable in the circumstances. A way of complying would be to provide a suitable set of operating and maintenance instructions aimed at achieving economy in the use of fuel and energy in a way that householders can understand. The instructions should be directly related to the particular system(s) installed in the dwelling. Without prejudice to the need to comply with health and safety requirements, the instructions should explain to the occupier of the dwelling how to operate the system(s) efficiently. This should include:

    (a) the making of adjustments to the timing and temperature control settings;

    (b) what routine maintenance is needed to enable operating efficiency to be maintained at a reasonable level through the service life(lives) of the system(s) and

    (c) the operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.

    that was added to the new partL of the building regulations but it doesn't realy go far enough


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,873 ✭✭✭✭Andy From Sligo


    if that were me in the future I would have run one of those hand held metal detector thingys across the concrete I were gonna cut out - I got a cheepo one that has done me for years with a 3 position switch on it 'Stud' 'Metal' & 'Electric' and that has done great for detecting buried pipes and electric cables in walls and floors before drilling or cutting plaster.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 841 ✭✭✭autumnalcore


    Found weeping in an attic

    518769.jpg

    Oh christmas tree
    Oh christmas tree
    Why would I bo-ther
    Disconnecting thee


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Found weeping in an attic



    Oh christmas tree
    Oh christmas tree
    Why would I bo-ther
    Disconnecting thee
    It that top nut cross-threaded as well, on the fitting just out of shot, or the fitting bent?


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,332 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    MOD NOTE: I've moved some of the posts about water pressure to the general P&H forum. See link below.

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058093625

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I robbed this from the ylyl thread in cool pictures, but I think it belongs here as well!
    Pity there isn't a picture of the inside connection.

    Ec1vTmLWAAEOi0o?format=jpg&name=900x900


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,873 ✭✭✭✭Andy From Sligo


    I robbed this from the ylyl thread in cool pictures, but I think it belongs here as well!
    Pity there isn't a picture of the inside connection.

    Ec1vTmLWAAEOi0o?format=jpg&name=900x900

    ingenuous :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭Cerco


    Now that the hose pipe ban is lifted. ��


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭TheBoyConor


    dathi wrote: »
    1.6 USER INFORMATION
    1.6.1 The owner of the building should be provided with sufficient information about the building, the fixed building services and their maintenance requirements so that the building can be operated in such a manner as to use no more fuel and energy than is reasonable in the circumstances. A way of complying would be to provide a suitable set of operating and maintenance instructions aimed at achieving economy in the use of fuel and energy in a way that householders can understand. The instructions should be directly related to the particular system(s) installed in the dwelling. Without prejudice to the need to comply with health and safety requirements, the instructions should explain to the occupier of the dwelling how to operate the system(s) efficiently. This should include:

    (a) the making of adjustments to the timing and temperature control settings;

    (b) what routine maintenance is needed to enable operating efficiency to be maintained at a reasonable level through the service life(lives) of the system(s) and

    (c) the operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems.

    that was added to the new partL of the building regulations but it doesn't realy go far enough

    Hardly much point going any further. Sure it all flies over the head of the average householder and when they cannot figure out how to set up the heating, and can't be bothered to learn how to, they will just hit the boost button a few times, turn the temp dial up and open a few windows when it gets too warm.

    Waste of time providing information that'll just rot in the bottom of a kitchen drawer.

    I think what Irish Steve is referring to is a Safety File, which has been necessary for all new constructions since, I think, 2001. However, i have yet to see a safety file that isn't a piss poor effort. Usually consists of a bunch of drawings of dubious accuracy and manuals flung together as fast as possible by someone who is just told to "get it done" who hasn't a clue what a safety file actually is.
    And safety files, good or bad, just end up disappearing into oblivion once the job is finished.

    The only place where proper safety files are kept is in industrial settings like pharma plants and food processing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Dug this hose pipe connector up when I replaced our leaking mains water tap.

    Previous occupier (a plumber) had used it to T into the watermain to provide water for a trough in a nearby field.

    That's half inch heavy duty whittled down so it fits in a garden hose fitting. The other pipe I disconnected was half inch standard gauge which actually fits very well. Its worth noting that the joint didn't fail despite our water pressure being 150psi and sometimes higher and had probably been in situ some 20 years. Needless to say while I was at it I replaced it with a new Philmac T piece.

    529968.JPG

    Wake me up when it's all over.



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  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,332 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    Those fittings were widely used for standard gauge hydrodare.

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭Odelay


    Wearb wrote: »
    Those fittings were widely used for standard gauge hydrodare.

    Yep, don’t see anything wrong with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Odelay wrote: »
    Yep, don’t see anything wrong with it.

    So on the mains water supply for a house you'd whittle the end of half inch heavy down with a box cutter to so it fitted into a fitting branded Hoselock that was designed for use with a garden hose?

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    So on the mains water supply for a house you'd whittle the end of half inch heavy down with a box cutter to so it fitted into a fitting branded Hoselock that was designed for use with a garden hose?

    It wasn’t designed for a garden hose. It was designed for hydrodare piping years ago. Whatever the original fitter did to make some pipe fit was wrong


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'll just leave this here, someone did this! :eek:
    557410.jpg


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Its absolutely shocking what the ESB gets away with. Putting in that around the pipes.:eek:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    I'll just leave this here, someone did this! :eek:
    557410.jpg

    Wtf is that


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    Wtf is that

    Looks like a UK install with the blue water pipe that they use over there.

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Looks like a UK install with the blue water pipe that they use over there.

    That blue pipe is used here too


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,376 ✭✭✭jack of all


    At least the copper service was sleeved going through the cavity wall!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭Yellow_Fern


    Speaking as a mere mortal, a non plumber, can a water supply ever be run through the meter box?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Speaking as a mere mortal, a non plumber, can a water supply ever be run through the meter box?

    I thought not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 697 ✭✭✭Lockheed


    Speaking as a mere mortal, a non plumber, can a water supply ever be run through the meter box?

    Electric, gas and water should have 'adequate separation' I believe


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭Cerco


    I think this is a “windup”.
    Cannot see any signs of solder on the joints. Perhaps there are other standard forms of jointing copper pipe?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Cerco wrote: »
    I think this is a “windup”.
    Cannot see any signs of solder on the joints. Perhaps there are other standard forms of jointing copper pipe?

    Not a bad thought? The copper pipe into the plastic fitting doesn't look particularly legit? Not saying you couldn't make a joint like that but it doesn't look quite right to me (non plumber).

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,468 ✭✭✭CoBo55


    I thought it was a condensate drain.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    CoBo55 wrote: »
    I thought it was a condensate drain.

    I know there will be some argument over the blue pipe but blue pipe has been used for the mains water supply for houses for the last 30 years if not longer in the UK. Its just not a pipe you'd think of using for any type of drainage.

    Of interest are also the cables going out of the box. Looks like one supply in and two similar cables (on the right) going back out - thats not normal is it?

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,803 ✭✭✭✭Charlie19


    Cerco wrote: »
    I think this is a “windup”.
    Cannot see any signs of solder on the joints. Perhaps there are other standard forms of jointing copper pipe?

    It looks like a crimp/press fitting. I also think it's legit, the pipe is insulated before it enters the box and basically too much detail for a joke.


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Cerco wrote: »
    I think this is a “windup”.
    Cannot see any signs of solder on the joints. Perhaps there are other standard forms of jointing copper pipe?
    Charlie19 wrote: »
    It looks like a crimp/press fitting. I also think it's legit, the pipe is insulated before it enters the box and basically too much detail for a joke.
    The push fittings are this type by the looks of it.


    6486G_P&$prodImageMedium$

    https://www.screwfix.ie/p/tectite-sprint-copper-push-fit-equal-90-elbow-15mm/6486G?gclid=CjwKCAjwlYCHBhAQEiwA4K21mxZnZLRWGEKFMg5m7qCXACTTdMI3bS8TsCeCTz7qhJ7j4vedy2rJJxoC1joQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,287 ✭✭✭The Continental Op



    And https://www.screwfix.ie/p/tectite-sprint-copper-push-fit-equal-135-street-elbow-15mm/819fj

    819FJ_P&$prodImageMedium$

    Would work for that dog leg from the plastic fitting.

    Still has me wondering why and Irish plumber would be using UK metric fittings when everything else here is imperial?

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'm sure the picture is from the UK, more and more metric stuff appearing here every year.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 14 jerseyman


    I've just read this from start to here and found very informative cheers, now paranoid about my own gaff. Main thing I take away is not to get an oil boiler as no guarantee of being serviced or installed correctly...

    But the question comes up how do people get away with shoddy work, most Customer's don't know and need to take their word unless the work is glaringly obviously wrong. my own story had a new gas boiler installed and the condensate pipe came out about a meter and half and left pointing into the ground, that didn't look right and from the manual of the gas boiler there are 2 options (drain or soakaway). It was then moved back to the house wall but straight into the ground, still not right. then was moved back into original spot meter and half away from house with lime stone chippings thrown on top.

    from googling at the time it seemed common enough for the condensate pipe to point anywhere but where it should go

    rest of work seemed correct and yes they were RGI and got cert



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I robbed this from another site, wtf were the fitters thinking!



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 24,789 Mod ✭✭✭✭KoolKid


    Clearly they weren't. Probably working directly off some idiots design drawing.



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    It's more likely a case of the wrong handed sink was deliverd, but they fitted it anyway.



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]



    I reckon the sparky must have pissed him off!



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,332 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,937 ✭✭✭zg3409


    When I moved into a new house I put the immersion on bath. A few days later I noticed while flushing the toilet the water smelt warm. It turned out in bath mode the immersion went on full blast forever and the hot water backed up into the cold water tank so the cold tank became hot. So we flushed the toilet with hot water! It wasn't a faulty thermostat on the immersion, instead a bad wiring of the immersion so the thermostat was not used in bath position. Not quite a plumbing fault, but a weird one.

    Post edited by zg3409 on


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Really!!!



  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,332 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    So that it can be serviced when no one home 😅

    Probably to be built around soon. 🤔

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



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  • Posts: 533 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    While that's similar to an Irish meter installation there are few details that would tend to point toward it being in the UK, or possibly somewhere that uses UK inspired specs? The two breakers on the little sub panel don't make sense here and the ESB would hit the roof if you left their main fuse on a loose board like that.

    I'd say if a meter reader saw that you'd end up with the fuse pulled and probably with potential legal action.



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