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Discuss Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please! in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at Plumbers Forums
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Guest123
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Use a cutting of white 15mm Speedfit pipe as a spacer on pipe clips that need fixed further out from the wall. Works really well on the pipe clips for 32mm and 40mm waste pipe where a spacer isn't available to buy. Using longer screws going through two 75mm pieces of Speedfit pipe top and bottom of the pipe clip on the waste pipe I was fitting outside today, I was able to clear a gas pipe without using extra bends.
For copper pipe I use the Talon ones.
Use a cutting of white 15mm Speedfit pipe as a spacer on pipe clips that need fixed further out from the wall. Works really well on the pipe clips for 32mm and 40mm waste pipe where a spacer isn't available to buy. Using longer screws going through two 75mm pieces of Speedfit pipe top and bottom of the pipe clip on the waste pipe I was fitting outside today, I was able to clear a gas pipe without using extra bends.
For copper pipe I use the Talon ones.
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
When fitting a shower pump and the head is low, make sure the shower head is clean (could be an old shower you're boosting) and check the shower hose isn't one of those nasty Homebase ones with the reduced internal bore.
When fitting a shower pump and the head is low, make sure the shower head is clean (could be an old shower you're boosting) and check the shower hose isn't one of those nasty Homebase ones with the reduced internal bore.
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- 5,073
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
use industrial wipes to remove silicone, and don't rush things or you'll end up in trouble !!
use industrial wipes to remove silicone, and don't rush things or you'll end up in trouble !!
P
PlumbBobBob
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
baby wipes are just as good just so long as they have citric acid in them and a good sight cheaper as well
baby wipes are just as good just so long as they have citric acid in them and a good sight cheaper as well
C
carpstu
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
those rubber smothing off shapeing silicone tools are pretty fool proof
those rubber smothing off shapeing silicone tools are pretty fool proof
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- 5,073
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
can get industrial wipes for about £4, had mine for ages now
can get industrial wipes for about £4, had mine for ages now
G
Guest123
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Just put a length of masking tape top and bottom of the joint, apply the silicone, smooth it off with a wipe wrapped round the end of your finger and then remove the masking tape. Perfect neat joints every time.
Just put a length of masking tape top and bottom of the joint, apply the silicone, smooth it off with a wipe wrapped round the end of your finger and then remove the masking tape. Perfect neat joints every time.
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- 281
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Yeh used to do that until i got fed up of applying the masking tape. When it gets to the point of sealing everything up i've usually had enough of bathrooms and swear i'll never do another.................... til one comes along.
Yeh used to do that until i got fed up of applying the masking tape. When it gets to the point of sealing everything up i've usually had enough of bathrooms and swear i'll never do another.................... til one comes along.
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- 817
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
when diagnosing faults but dont have the parts and need to book a re-call dont tell the custard the exact problem or you end up with some have a go hero saying he can fix it for cheaper or they try to order the part them selves off the net, remember they are paying for your knowledge its not free
when diagnosing faults but dont have the parts and need to book a re-call dont tell the custard the exact problem or you end up with some have a go hero saying he can fix it for cheaper or they try to order the part them selves off the net, remember they are paying for your knowledge its not free
S
shorticus
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Thought I'd read the whole thread before posting my tip just to make sure no-one else had posted it and found GQuigley67's question...
now before you all shout 'Shorty you don't know diddly-squat' I suggest you try this in your garage, I didn't believe it myself when I was told some 15 years ago, then we did it and tested to 10 bar and it absolutely works!!!
YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILE THE CHROME OFF of chromed copper pipe before soldering IF you use ACTIVE flux i.e. Laco or Everflux (passive or traditional yorkshire flux won't work)
Now here's the theory. Chromium is very porous, when it's used on steel (ferous) for a decorative finish it has to be plated over nickel (not porous and non ferous) otherwise it would give no protection to the steel and it would rust quick-smart. When copper (non-ferrous) is plated with chrome no nickel is used and as just said the chrome is porous so your solder goes straight through it.
Note; This will not work on stainless steel
Thought I'd read the whole thread before posting my tip just to make sure no-one else had posted it and found GQuigley67's question...
now before you all shout 'Shorty you don't know diddly-squat' I suggest you try this in your garage, I didn't believe it myself when I was told some 15 years ago, then we did it and tested to 10 bar and it absolutely works!!!
YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILE THE CHROME OFF of chromed copper pipe before soldering IF you use ACTIVE flux i.e. Laco or Everflux (passive or traditional yorkshire flux won't work)
Now here's the theory. Chromium is very porous, when it's used on steel (ferous) for a decorative finish it has to be plated over nickel (not porous and non ferous) otherwise it would give no protection to the steel and it would rust quick-smart. When copper (non-ferrous) is plated with chrome no nickel is used and as just said the chrome is porous so your solder goes straight through it.
Note; This will not work on stainless steel
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Lighting your BBQ with your blowtorch is safer than using BBQ fluid!
Lighting your BBQ with your blowtorch is safer than using BBQ fluid!
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Pipe splicers are handy for cutting copper pipe however if theres water in the pipework theres no going back. Alternatively a hacksaw slightly cuts into the pipe at first. When in doubt use a hacksaw!
Pipe splicers are handy for cutting copper pipe however if theres water in the pipework theres no going back. Alternatively a hacksaw slightly cuts into the pipe at first. When in doubt use a hacksaw!
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
If powerflushing a heating system and the cylinder is a prismatic type runaway. Or to aviod bursting the cylinders bubble disconnect it and loop the pipework. Personnally I'd leave it alone.
If powerflushing a heating system and the cylinder is a prismatic type runaway. Or to aviod bursting the cylinders bubble disconnect it and loop the pipework. Personnally I'd leave it alone.
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stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Radiator htg probs:
1. Upstairs rads not working (gravity sys): Check for water in F&E tank (ballcock may have jammed) or check htg pump is working.
2. Downstairs rads not working (gavity & sealed sys): Sys may need cleaned/flushed (cost eg £250.00 for 8 rads and £10 for every rad thereafter. Price incl VAT and chemicals, doesnt incl any valves that may need changing say £15 - £25 per pair depending if TRV or not) or new pump required which is more likely (approx £75.00 incl supply and VAT).
3. All rads up and downstairs cold at bottom but hot on top: Sys needs flushed and cleaned (cost as above).
4. If for some reason a rad stops working close all other rads, put on CH and push hot water through the rad that ain't working. If it heats up there maybe air in sys. If it doesnt heat up valves could be faulty (cost as above, plus time to drain/plug sys plus inhibitor if required).
Note: Vent your rads every 6 months or so and on sealed sys check your pressure gauge is around 1.25 bar. Rem htg inhibitor/protector in your CH sys doenst last forever, replenish every few years and the odd powerflush wont go amiss.
Please note prices subject to change. All work guaranteed till check clears LOL!
Radiator htg probs:
1. Upstairs rads not working (gravity sys): Check for water in F&E tank (ballcock may have jammed) or check htg pump is working.
2. Downstairs rads not working (gavity & sealed sys): Sys may need cleaned/flushed (cost eg £250.00 for 8 rads and £10 for every rad thereafter. Price incl VAT and chemicals, doesnt incl any valves that may need changing say £15 - £25 per pair depending if TRV or not) or new pump required which is more likely (approx £75.00 incl supply and VAT).
3. All rads up and downstairs cold at bottom but hot on top: Sys needs flushed and cleaned (cost as above).
4. If for some reason a rad stops working close all other rads, put on CH and push hot water through the rad that ain't working. If it heats up there maybe air in sys. If it doesnt heat up valves could be faulty (cost as above, plus time to drain/plug sys plus inhibitor if required).
Note: Vent your rads every 6 months or so and on sealed sys check your pressure gauge is around 1.25 bar. Rem htg inhibitor/protector in your CH sys doenst last forever, replenish every few years and the odd powerflush wont go amiss.
Please note prices subject to change. All work guaranteed till check clears LOL!
Last edited by a moderator:
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stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
100% fuzzy even if cust insists you should insist more tell them its all part of the service even if you take the rough off and bin it.
All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol
100% fuzzy even if cust insists you should insist more tell them its all part of the service even if you take the rough off and bin it.
All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Always carry a tub of plumbers mait in your van it comes in v handy at times. For example when changing a syphon on a close coupling toilet you notice the spongey flange that sits between the cisterin and the pan is shot to bits its easier to make one up with your plumbers mait than leave the job and run back to the plumbers merchants for a new flange. You can never go wrong extra PTFE either. Better lookin at it than for it!
All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol
Always carry a tub of plumbers mait in your van it comes in v handy at times. For example when changing a syphon on a close coupling toilet you notice the spongey flange that sits between the cisterin and the pan is shot to bits its easier to make one up with your plumbers mait than leave the job and run back to the plumbers merchants for a new flange. You can never go wrong extra PTFE either. Better lookin at it than for it!
All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
If you've just frozen a pipe that is over the louge ceiling for instance and you absolutly need to make sure its safe before cutting into it - 28mm gravity circs from a primatic clyinder?
Get a clamp type temporary pipe repair with a rubber gasket and fit it to the pipe with the nuts almost nipped up and then drill a 3mm hole in the top of the pipe right next to it. If it should spray out the slide the clamp over the hole and tighten up.
If you've just frozen a pipe that is over the louge ceiling for instance and you absolutly need to make sure its safe before cutting into it - 28mm gravity circs from a primatic clyinder?
Get a clamp type temporary pipe repair with a rubber gasket and fit it to the pipe with the nuts almost nipped up and then drill a 3mm hole in the top of the pipe right next to it. If it should spray out the slide the clamp over the hole and tighten up.
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
I always apply Plumbers Gold to syphons,floats and doughnuts and never had a problem......that's tempted fate now!!!!
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
If you need to replace a gasket on a boiler, say around the burner, cos the old one disentegrates once removed (which happens) and your supplier wont have them for a day or 2 go to your nearest garage/car workshop and buy a sheet of gasket fibre and make your own using the old one as a template. It does the same job! Same applies to oil fire burner gaskets.
If you need to replace a gasket on a boiler, say around the burner, cos the old one disentegrates once removed (which happens) and your supplier wont have them for a day or 2 go to your nearest garage/car workshop and buy a sheet of gasket fibre and make your own using the old one as a template. It does the same job! Same applies to oil fire burner gaskets.
Last edited by a moderator:
S
shorticus
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
er, that's certainly not a good idea on Vaillants and it may even be illegal!
er, that's certainly not a good idea on Vaillants and it may even be illegal!
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