Boxing in pipework

[mo7]

Hi All

(I am not a pro plumber, a DIYer)

I have a need to remove some plasterwork that has been made to box in some pipes.

I will be replacing it - I was wondering what methods are used nowadays to box in pipework?

It will be 'half height' - i.e around 5ft high and need a lid.

(the current set up is a full heigh plasterboard thing)

Would you get a plasterer in to do it or could you DIY it with with wood?

Thanks

[Blake]

You can DIY with wood no problem. Just consider ease of access should you ever need to gain access to the pipes for any reason.

[garrywhite]

Wood. Easy access.

[stevetheplumber]

personally i would do it in woodif its pipework your not going to need to get tobattens and 6mm ply pin nailed on and filled
again its a personal thing but full hieght boxings usually are less noticable than half hieght once room is decorated asuming its in a corner

[mo7]

thanks

so ply wood and battens are the way to go?

its currently full height but i want to make it half height as that area than then be used for extra things like putting a cabient on the wall.....

this leas me onto another question then...

the current toilet set up is that the waste pipe is on the floor, the toilet is then on top of the waste and the cistern is above - see this pic

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3650/26122010.jpg

the question is, when i rebuild by box, how hard will it be to put the cistern into the box and have the toilet flush up against the box

am i limited by the toilet I buy or are they most adjustable - if so what sort o toilet should i buy?

presumably it will be too much hassle to put the waste pipe somewhere else (i note most toilets now seem to have them in the back disappearing into the wall. i am mainly interested in getting the cistern behind the wall if i can. that will also mean no water pipe will have to be visible as the feed will also be inside the box.

thanks.

[steveb]

yes you can hide the cistern in the wall. you need a concealed cistern with a back to wall pan. all pipework will be hidden in the wall. you just have to make sure that there is enough room in the new wall for the soil pipe so that the pan fits without any gaps to the wall.

[BenC]

i prefer to use mdf for boxing in pipes expecialy if its being painted, as it has a nice smooth finish

[gas man]

just remember mdf dust causes nasty s in the lungs wear a mask

[BenC]

just remember mdf dust causes nasty s in the lungs wear a mask

agreed. preferably not those crappy paper ones either

[gas man]

no min ffp2 prefo ffp3