Boxing in shower pipework

[Mini]

Hello there
I hope someone can help me. Is boxing in shower pipework standard practice for plumbers, or are we expected to call in builders to do this? Also, is capping even supposedly condemned pipes best practice rather than leaving them open?

Thanks

Lisa

 

[SimonG]

Welcome to the forums Lisa

You need to expand a little more on what you are looking for, maybe even a picture or two.

 

[Mini]

Welcome to the forums Lisa

You need to expand a little more on what you are looking for, maybe even a picture or two.

Hi there
Well we have some plumbers in at the moment who have been thus far been very poor (too many reasons to go into here!). They were required to chase some pipework in the bathroom wall whilst plumbing in an aqualisa shower and control panel. They have asked our builders to box it in - the builders were very surprised as they said this is usually the plumbers job and not their responsibility. Other plumbers I have spoken to agreed with my builder, but I would like to know what others think and what is standard practice when a full bathroom re-fit is taken on.

The pipe that was uncapped is allegedly dead, but I am sure there should be a cap. Also, they used a plastic cap on another pipe which my builders mentioned is not the right one for shower with such high water pressure. The also plumbed it in upside down and the diverter is not working as it is incorrectly plumbed!

 

[SimonG]

Oh dear, doesn't sound as though you have had a good experience.

In general with chasing out walls and boxing in pipework I agree it all with the customer/builder before. For chasing in if it's not going to be tiled over and there's other plastering going on then generally I will say that I will chase it out and for somebody else to make good. If it's only me on the job then I will make good the plasterwork. I don't want to create hassle for the cust in finding a plasterer.

Still can't picture what boxing in work would be required for the shower. But again pipeboxing to me is the same as the chasing in. If there's a joiner on the job I will have agreed upfront he does it (he'll do it a lot quicker than me) if it's just me then I will box them in.

I hope you got 3 or 4 estimates for the work and asked to see previous jobs or spoke to previous customers.

 

[Paulus]

:iagree: with Simon 100%. I would also suggest that any redundant pipe should be removed completly and that a plastic stop-end should not be used as a permanent cap. I would usually solder a stop-end on or use a compression version depending where it is.

 

[Mini]

:iagree: with Simon 100%. I would also suggest that any redundant pipe should be removed completly and that a plastic stop-end should not be used as a permanent cap. I would usually solder a stop-end on or use a compression version depending where it is.

Thanks both. This was my understanding too. It is shocking my builders appear to know more than the plumbers. An allegedly condemned pipe in the toilet also started leaking as they fitted the wrong cap! I will come on this site to source good plumbers next time. These cowboy plumbers give your industry such a bad name. It must be frustrating for all the hard working, decent plumbers out there!

 

[Paulus]

I'm sorry you have had such a bad experience, Mini and thanks for your encouraging support.