Shout out from across the pond

[DUNBAR]

My name is DUNBAR and I'm located in the United States. I wanted to introduce myself as a well known american plumber, member, moderator, administrator and owner of multiple plumbing forums on the internet. I've been hammering these keys since 2002 helping distribute plumbing knowledge across the internet world helping others help themselves whether it's another plumber or homeowner trying to help themselves.

Many a time I've run into situations on my forums I participate on where the products found in your country are different from our american counterparts. Dealing with mm type sizing on connections and conversion products proves many zero replies to questions that just were not attainable. For that I'm humbled to see that there's finally a website such as this that is geared specifically to the situations involving just that.

I'd like to say that, with the access to many databases that I can point this type of traffic that seeks out this information that cannot be answered on the forums. There just isn't a knowledge base there that can provide the critical thinking of that situation.

I'd be happy to offer myself in reference to the same if there's anything that happens about in regards to random posts that your site garners in the means of products in the united states that you're not familiar with. My time is of the essence of sorts so I hope the effort is minimalized in sorts of the same that I experience on the forums I frequent.

The power of information trading is crucial knowing the ever-growing capabilities of the internet. It's time that the likes of us chaps need to throw the boots on and hunker down and solidify the standard for providing clear, concise and accurrate information regarding the principles of plumbing, no matter what spot of ground you stand on.

 

[johnmcginty]

Hi mate and welcome

 

[Plouasne]

Dunbar,

From what I see of plumbing, there are about 5 different types, depending on what part of the world you are in, and these are
1) UK, and Ireland
2) The old UK Dominions
3) Continental Europe
4) US, and Canadian
5) The rest of the world, and these depend on what the contracting companies home regulations are

I will happily tap a key board all day long (now that I am retired) to discuss the different types and methods of doing what is basically the same thing, but with different regulations etc, for example the UK is not the same as Europe when it comes to domestic hot water supply, especially unvented hot water, the UK demands more "bells whistles than a Salvation Army Band" whilst in France its the complete opposite, just one combined stop valve/over pressure valve, with an air break, and waste combined, from what I have seen of the US they seem to be somewhere in the middle

The UK and Eire, have only iron pipe sizes in common with Europe, and I believe the US is different threads to the standard B S P threads

Also in France most small to medium contractors combine electrical and plumbing/heating together, and whilst they are not licensed like in some other parts of the world, they have to have their new electrical and gas work inspected by an outside body before the supplies are connected, with all the paperwork filled in (copy for the supplier, copy for the client, copy for the installer, etc), a private person can do the installation, but it must be inspected and passed by a person who is accredited to do the installation, and costs just about double for the inspection

In France its the roofers who do the rainwater gutters and down pipes, and Zinc is the most common of materials for metal roof coverings

So if I can be of any help just shout, it was one of my dreams to one day see a world wide plumbers forum, where plumbers can exchange views etc

 

[david williams]

ahh zink work ,spirits of salts killed at that !.those were the days up on the roof the old parafin blowtorch with adaptor for soldering iron,worst thing that could happen after job done some cat p***ses on it soon full of holes.

 

[Plouasne]

The difference between UK zinc and French zinc, is a hell of a lot, first its almost as easy as lead to fold, and has copper and titanium in the metal as well, and hardly ever rots out, cats **** or not

 

[Dave]

Hello and thanks for joining us Dunbar....if you pm me the link to your forums , then i can push any members that have questions regarding fixtures in the USA over to you...