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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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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Festive plumbing tips:
We have found a great use for used silicone sealant tubes - we have been using them as moulds for Christmas candles and they are perfect for the job!
Last year we gave the kids some old valve floats with holes cut in them but leave the bottom in. Spray painted they are great for kids chrismas crafts - you can make nativity scenes, santas and reindeer etc inside
Festive plumbing tips:
We have found a great use for used silicone sealant tubes - we have been using them as moulds for Christmas candles and they are perfect for the job!
Last year we gave the kids some old valve floats with holes cut in them but leave the bottom in. Spray painted they are great for kids chrismas crafts - you can make nativity scenes, santas and reindeer etc inside
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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
I used to do this myself, but since ive been working in more commercial and pipe fitting enviroments lately I now use threaded bar m8 or m10 with a brass bracket and a couple of backnuts obviously with a hinged clip looks a lot neater in my opinion.
I used to do this myself, but since ive been working in more commercial and pipe fitting enviroments lately I now use threaded bar m8 or m10 with a brass bracket and a couple of backnuts obviously with a hinged clip looks a lot neater in my opinion.
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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
When I'm siliconing a bathroom Etc I apply the silicone where it needs to be then using a bottle spray I mix up water and a neautral soap solution, spray the freshly applied silicone and use a decent mastic forming tool to remove excess silicone, leaves it in a great finish and perfectly straight - saves time trying to get tape dead straight down the long runs. Oh and ALWAYS use a good quality finishing silicone.
When I'm siliconing a bathroom Etc I apply the silicone where it needs to be then using a bottle spray I mix up water and a neautral soap solution, spray the freshly applied silicone and use a decent mastic forming tool to remove excess silicone, leaves it in a great finish and perfectly straight - saves time trying to get tape dead straight down the long runs. Oh and ALWAYS use a good quality finishing silicone.
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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Thought of one today - it's probably obvious to most, but for what ever reason when you have had to install flexi hoses rather than rigid copper then be very carefull not to twist them or bend in a position that is liable to kink, even temporarily as this cracks the rubber lining inside and is a perfect place for bacteria to store and grow at a later date I.e Legionella.
Thought of one today - it's probably obvious to most, but for what ever reason when you have had to install flexi hoses rather than rigid copper then be very carefull not to twist them or bend in a position that is liable to kink, even temporarily as this cracks the rubber lining inside and is a perfect place for bacteria to store and grow at a later date I.e Legionella.
G
Guest123
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Hold them as you tighten them. And the cheaper ones are not for potable water. Use the WRAS ones. Best is rigid pipe.
Hold them as you tighten them. And the cheaper ones are not for potable water. Use the WRAS ones. Best is rigid pipe.
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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
On your website have a clickable link to email you. Many customers, given the choice, will take the option to pen an email while online rather than phone. After including one I find I can get up to 5 a week.
On your website have a clickable link to email you. Many customers, given the choice, will take the option to pen an email while online rather than phone. After including one I find I can get up to 5 a week.
S
stevie t
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Thanks watertight wasnt aware I could do that i'll look into it. I'm not too hot on the old computer/giggleywotwots I know just enough to get by but i'll give it ago
Thanks watertight wasnt aware I could do that i'll look into it. I'm not too hot on the old computer/giggleywotwots I know just enough to get by but i'll give it ago
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
The one may be obvious...
When sorting your scrap metal out, remove the little brass screws, nuts and washers from taps, shower valves rad valves etc and put them in a little tin. They really come in handy when you accidently shear off a brass screw when putting Hudson Reed a shower back together!
In that case some numpty had been there before me and failed to fix it, in the process he over tightend a brass screw and it sheared as I undid it.
The one may be obvious...
When sorting your scrap metal out, remove the little brass screws, nuts and washers from taps, shower valves rad valves etc and put them in a little tin. They really come in handy when you accidently shear off a brass screw when putting Hudson Reed a shower back together!
In that case some numpty had been there before me and failed to fix it, in the process he over tightend a brass screw and it sheared as I undid it.
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Also keep back any odd, unusual and weird looking nuts, fittings, strange threads etc from your scrap - you never know when you will need them.
Keep a few good lengths of scrap 3/4" pipe as one day you will be faced with the end of an inaccessible 3/4" compression fitting, which 22mm pipe will not fit into!
Note to newbies to the trade - you need 3/4" olives for 3/4" pipe - Don't try and make do with and squash up a 22mm one!!
Also keep back any odd, unusual and weird looking nuts, fittings, strange threads etc from your scrap - you never know when you will need them.
Keep a few good lengths of scrap 3/4" pipe as one day you will be faced with the end of an inaccessible 3/4" compression fitting, which 22mm pipe will not fit into!
Note to newbies to the trade - you need 3/4" olives for 3/4" pipe - Don't try and make do with and squash up a 22mm one!!
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re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Note on Wiped Lead Joints - this came up again on a discussion.
Wiped lead joints may not be used on any pipework or equipment carrying potable water. The regulations actually say that no new lead may be used, rather than referring to wiped joints as such, but a wiped joint by defnition uses new lead.
However this applies to potable water only and there is NO REASON at all why you cannot use a wiped lead joint on pipework not carrying mains or drinking water!!
Note on Wiped Lead Joints - this came up again on a discussion.
Wiped lead joints may not be used on any pipework or equipment carrying potable water. The regulations actually say that no new lead may be used, rather than referring to wiped joints as such, but a wiped joint by defnition uses new lead.
However this applies to potable water only and there is NO REASON at all why you cannot use a wiped lead joint on pipework not carrying mains or drinking water!!
C
Colin68
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
always check the condition of WC's or basins before installing them, never assume because they are in a nice box that it all is good, check for marks and chips. Check the supplied cistern fittings are good enough for the job and will fit and have sufficient protection for overflow should an inlet valve fail and test the overflow protection works as part of your final commissioning!
When installing any taps sets, use the bubble wrap or some packaging to protect the taps with rubber bands or tape while you install, stop any scratches.
Always .. Always be polite to the customer and clean up after yourself, do leave any bits or metal filings on carpet.
Take a small tub in with you on the job to catch any waste bits, nails screw old washers, nuts .. always keep as many old parts as you can .. you never know when you'll need them
It has also been said on here before .. the job is done when it's done .. don't put yourself under pressure to complete and cut corners this will result in costly call backs and if you p the customer off he or she will tell 10 other people about you!!
Get a wet vac .. advice given to me by somebody which I initially ignore in favour or more expensive tools .. I have used this bit of kit so many times in recent months
always check the condition of WC's or basins before installing them, never assume because they are in a nice box that it all is good, check for marks and chips. Check the supplied cistern fittings are good enough for the job and will fit and have sufficient protection for overflow should an inlet valve fail and test the overflow protection works as part of your final commissioning!
When installing any taps sets, use the bubble wrap or some packaging to protect the taps with rubber bands or tape while you install, stop any scratches.
Always .. Always be polite to the customer and clean up after yourself, do leave any bits or metal filings on carpet.
Take a small tub in with you on the job to catch any waste bits, nails screw old washers, nuts .. always keep as many old parts as you can .. you never know when you'll need them
It has also been said on here before .. the job is done when it's done .. don't put yourself under pressure to complete and cut corners this will result in costly call backs and if you p the customer off he or she will tell 10 other people about you!!
Get a wet vac .. advice given to me by somebody which I initially ignore in favour or more expensive tools .. I have used this bit of kit so many times in recent months
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K
Kyle87
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
always check the invoice....... i learned the hard way...... afterall the guy at the merchants is only human.
always check the invoice....... i learned the hard way...... afterall the guy at the merchants is only human.
J
JR John
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Don't waste all day draining a gravity fed hot water system, shut off the gate valve which comes from the header tank!
Don't waste all day draining a gravity fed hot water system, shut off the gate valve which comes from the header tank!
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Here's a very useful link. I just came accross it because I was worried about something I did today. I serviced a Potterton Suprima, and hoovered it out.
Then used the hoover later without the filter (as I was sucking water this time) and the hoover blew out a load of dust into my face. Nice.
Anyway, if you want to know whether an old appliance contains asbestos, this list is pretty comprehensive.
Click the link and save it to your PC.
http://www.stop-think-asbestos.co.uk/pdf_downloads/GAS_ELECTRICALAPPLICANCESLIST.pdf
Here's a very useful link. I just came accross it because I was worried about something I did today. I serviced a Potterton Suprima, and hoovered it out.
Then used the hoover later without the filter (as I was sucking water this time) and the hoover blew out a load of dust into my face. Nice.
Anyway, if you want to know whether an old appliance contains asbestos, this list is pretty comprehensive.
Click the link and save it to your PC.
http://www.stop-think-asbestos.co.uk/pdf_downloads/GAS_ELECTRICALAPPLICANCESLIST.pdf
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
If it doesn't, I'll sometimes use a rubber bung, then change the valve while I'm there. Though in larger houses the standard rubber bungs arent big enough - I think 28mm is too big.
If it doesn't, I'll sometimes use a rubber bung, then change the valve while I'm there. Though in larger houses the standard rubber bungs arent big enough - I think 28mm is too big.
T
tamz
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
big lump of blue tack :wink: or denso
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G
Guest123
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Best bung for a storage tank is a parsnip. Got that tip on here and it works brilliantly! Plus you get one of your five fruit and veggies after it.
Best bung for a storage tank is a parsnip. Got that tip on here and it works brilliantly! Plus you get one of your five fruit and veggies after it.
G
Gray0689
Wrap a roll of ptfe on it then it works fine
P
philip mc geown
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
i use a piece of 15 or 22 copper pipe with plenty of ptfe wrapped around the end of it, works a treat! Just use a normal pushfit stopend for the expansion :boat:
i use a piece of 15 or 22 copper pipe with plenty of ptfe wrapped around the end of it, works a treat! Just use a normal pushfit stopend for the expansion :boat:
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
Point to note - I discovered yesterday that Oventrop radiator valves and lockshields won't accept some makes of 10-15mm reducing olive sets as the recess in the valve is not long enough. Beware! Best to use a 10/15mm solder reducing fitting instead.
Point to note - I discovered yesterday that Oventrop radiator valves and lockshields won't accept some makes of 10-15mm reducing olive sets as the recess in the valve is not long enough. Beware! Best to use a 10/15mm solder reducing fitting instead.
K
kay-jay
re: Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!
i tried this earlier, she was happy with the grips and my hammer but she called me kinky when i got the wd40 out
i tried this earlier, she was happy with the grips and my hammer but she called me kinky when i got the wd40 out
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