Waste Pipe

[MrT]

HI

This is my first post so here goes!!!!

I have a waste from a bath that termnates outside into a hopper along with a separate one for the basin - the pipe and hopper appear to be CI.

I want to fit a shower instead of a bath and therefore have to take the the waste out below the floorboards and as a result the pipe would comeout below the level of the existing hopper - therefore can I just replace the piece of pipe and hopper with plastic?? the bottom of the pipe just has a shoe on it and finishes above a grate. The bathroom is upstairs.

I would take it across to the stack however that is CI too and and would involve either replacing that with plastic too or cutting into it.

Thanks

Marc

 

[justlead1]

Hi. Providing you have a trap on the shower you can take it into the soil stack via a strap on boss. (drilling the hole in the cast iron with a hole saw) Good Luck

 

[Bernie2]

Obviously you have a 2 pipe waste system that was installed under former regulations possibly pre 1965.
As far as I know, there is nothing to stop you lowering the hopper head and taking your shower waste into that, as it formerly took a bath waste.

However there are some other points I would clarify if I was you.

Does taking out a bath and putting in a shower means its a new installation or an old one modernised?

If its classed as a new installation then you would be bound by the current Bldg Regs and probably it would be easiest to take it into the soil stack as you suggest.

I would fancy though, off the cuff, that your probably okay regarding it as being under the old regs where two pipe waste systems where allowed.

Incidentally the idea of taking the wastes into the soil stack was to stop unpleasant hopper head smells coming into the house.

Its different for ground floor appliances by the way.

 

[MrT]

HI thanks for your replies

There is an electric shower over a bath and i am taking out the bath and replacing with a shower cubicle.

As far as drilling the CI stack what wiould you use? a holesaw?

I might check with the council and see what thhey say aswell

 

[Puddle]

If you are worried about drilling into cast soil pipe, There is no reason why you should not lower or replace hopper as you suggested however once you have fitted new pipework ,you will need to make a cover over the top of the hopper to prevent and debris getting in (i.e. leaves,crips packets. old knickers(yes I have found them there) ) and blocking it up
After saying the above ,I would advise,that if only the bath/shower waste is going into the Hopper,that you should run it into the cast iron soil pipe and do away with hopper as they can block and I have seen alot of damage caused by them

 

[Bernie2]

Drilling a hole in cast iron.

I don't know any Plumber who would not go UGH! at the thought of having to drill cast iron soil pipe in situ. Its a job and a half.

I've always tended to chain drill it with a smallish high speed metal bit, making sure each hole is close enough to the other to break the bridging piece of iron between them with a lightish tap with a hammer. If you make the holes to far apart then try to hit the bridge pieces out with force you stand a good chance of cracking the cast.

Its basically patience a good but small bit size set of HS metal bits, threading oil if you can get it to cool the bit.

A decent drill preferably with a clutch, if your not accustomed to using drills. If your up a ladder you don't want the drill to "snatch" you can break your wrist or get thrown off the ladder. How do I know?
Done it, plenty of times.

And plenty of patience its not a half hour rush job.

Then when the whole piece is removed go around the edge with a small metal grinding stone on a drill to remove the cut edges and make it smooth.

Its a job for a Dremel really, but unfortunately they are not strong enough and you would probably burn the motor out before you had done the job.

Once you have done that, then you have got to find somewhere to buy a saddle bos from. I must admit some may say you can tap a thread on the cast, but there is usually not enough depth of cast iron to do that, I find.

You can get cast iron saddle bosses but you will have to search for one I think. Anyway you may need a piece of gasket as well as the bos strap.

Incidentally they usually look orrible! So if your worried about its looks, I would say, have a look at one, before you decide to drill the pipe.

So you have got plenty of choices. There are loads more of course, but differ on time and cost.

It all depends what you want to do. I must admit if you intend selling your house in the near future its as well to follow the modern standards as far as you can. But saying that, many buyers seem to prefer to pay slightly less for an unmodernised house and do it up themselves.

If it was me, I would probably renew the whole soil stack and fit in the appropriate boses as required. Its just that it looks a lot tidier and brings things up to date and probably time wise its quicker.

Incidentally that is just me talking, in reality I've actually got a hopper head which the wastes go into as well. But I am one of those Plumber's who see no point in bringing work home, unless somebody gets the big stick out. After all a taxi driver doesn't come home and drive his taxi around the house.

 

[MrT]

Building control not fussed about replacing the pipe and hopper!!!

Probably the easiest option although the WC could do with being moved slightly so could be an opportunity to repalce the soil stack and amend the WC waste!!! and have all neat and tidy!!!

thanks for the advice gents