Remote water valve mechanism

[Graeme Davidson]

Hi,

I recently have had a water softener installed in my property. Due to the house being a new build the engineer wasn't able to install a hard water tap in our kitchen (without the undertaking of huge, costly works).

In the cupboard, there is a water valve that can be turned to switch the whole house's water supply from soft water to hard water (bypassing the water softener unit). The cupboard is a bit of a pain to get into and the valve is right up the back of it.

However, I was wondering if anyone knows a solution of getting a mechanical/remote controlled valve, so that I could simply flick a switch in the kitchen and the valve would change in the cupboard?

I have looked up possible solutions, but I am not a plumber, so not sure if I am finding the right things or not - which I don't seem to be finding. Basically, I see it as replacing the mentioned valve with a mechanical valve and then some sort of remote (not wired) switch to flick. If it has to be wired, then I would do that too as that would just be a case of running trunking around the rooms until it arrives at the valve.

Please do let me know if you know of any solutions to this. I am happy to share pictures of the valve too, for an easier understanding.

 

[Riley]

Get the plumber back to rectify it as it contravenes water regs by not having one unsoftened outlet in the property. It’s jot your problem it’s theres. I don’t understand why because it’s a new build they can’t remedy it. It’s a waste of water too as you will have to draw off what is in the pipe to get unsoftened water which again contravenes water regs

 

[Graeme Davidson]

Hi Riley, sorry I didn't explain well enough. He did install a hard water tap in the same cupboard, so that the regulations were followed. Just there isn't one in the kitchen and I would like to be able to flick the stopcock/valve (which ever one it is) at the switch of a button so that it bypasses the water softerner unit.

 

[Sharp Point]

Get the plumber back to rectify it as it contravenes water regs by not having one unsoftened outlet in the property. It’s jot your problem it’s theres. I don’t understand why because it’s a new build they can’t remedy it. It’s a waste of water too as you will have to draw off what is in the pipe to get unsoftened water which again contravenes water regs

Unless the customer decided he wanted a softener, later on down the line

 

[Riley]

Unless the customer decided he wanted a softener, later on down the line

Still lazy engineering and still contravenes water regs by wasting water

 

[Sharp Point]

Still lazy engineering and still contravenes water regs by wasting water

Yep get ya mr moderator, my point is/was .... it may have not been the plumbers fault and he’s certainly said it’s possible, but it’d cost lots to rip up boards/walls etc. So the ball is in the customers court and he’s now looking at this remote valve, which is a completely stupid idea and needs a new pipe installing.

 

[Sharp Point]

What about a new mdpe external feed to kitchen area?

 

[Riley]

Yep get ya mr moderator, my point is/was .. it may have not been the plumbers fault and he’s certainly said it’s possible, but it’d cost lots to rip up boards/walls etc. So the ball is in the customers court and he’s now looking at this remote valve, which is a completely stupid idea and needs a new pipe installing.

Ha ha I’m not throwing my toys out. My point is the plumber should have known the rules and done it properly and insisted that it’s done correctly or not at all

 

[Graeme Davidson]

Yep get ya mr moderator, my point is/was .. it may have not been the plumbers fault and he’s certainly said it’s possible, but it’d cost lots to rip up boards/walls etc. So the ball is in the customers court and he’s now looking at this remote valve, which is a completely stupid idea and needs a new pipe installing.

So it is a "stupid idea" to do it remotely? Just better to get an engineer to come out and install new piping throughout?

As I understand that would require a whole lot of plastering as you've mentioned.

Just want to get an idea of what the best course of action is to take on this.

 

[Sharp Point]

So it is a "stupid idea" to do it remotely? Just better to get an engineer to come out and install new piping throughout?

As I understand that would require a whole lot of plastering as you've mentioned.

Just want to get an idea of what the best course of action is to take on this.

New pipe ...definitely

 

[Sharp Point]

Consider this graham, what if this valves fails and passes softened water through to the kitchen tap? You’d never know and risk damaging your internal organs

 

[Riley]

Well as I’ve said it contravenes water regs based on water wastage. I’m not saying your idea is stupid it’s just wrong.

How far apart is the softener and the kitchen sink?

 

[Sharp Point]

What about my suggestion of a new cold mains supply ran externally?

 

[Sharp Point]

In the ground obviously

 

[Riley]

There’s often a way round these tjings

 

[Graeme Davidson]

Thanks for all your input. I'll get round a plumber to have a look and see what he thinks. Just glad to put the remote idea to bed!

 

[Harvest Fields]

Thanks for all your input. I'll get round a plumber to have a look and see what he thinks. Just glad to put the remote idea to bed!

I would be getting the plumber that fitted it, to rectify the issue mate, if I’m honest.