Hints, tips & secrets of plumbing - No Banter please!

[Whyme]

keep a few pushfit stop ends in ur pockets for code red (brain dead) situations.

 

[chris watkins]

Brass 3" 12's do me Chris. I certainly wouldn't use a frame fix.

Yes, sorry but the floors are not so good down here as the granite you may be use too Tamz
(PS you are right it was 3 not 4 oh how old age effects the memory that & the bottle of wine, well it has been a good day, sun shining Alpha solar kit installed & the BL-----dy kids not back until Monday, O a few more days of bliss)

 

[Mike Jackson]

Brass 3" 12's do me Chris. I certainly wouldn't use a frame fix.

I struggle to find brass screws now. I've started using stainless steel.

 

[GQuigley67]

if ever doing a combi to combi swap, have a wee peak up in the loft you never know some one might have left you a little present i.e hot water cylinder or some scrap pipe at least:christmaswreath:

 

[Ermintrude]

Strip foam cylinder by cutting it from top to bottom so it's segmented, do this in 3 or 4 places. Once around circumference mid way up cylinder. Cut as deep as u can through foam. Lay on its side and stamp on it once or twice. Insulation comes off in about 8 bits not 20000.

Tip two buy recip saw and u will never leave any loot behind in an attic or tight space again.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Easier to cap off cold feed and put wet vac on outlet. Cylinder will implode and the insulation will fall off.

 

[woodytheplumber]

when fitting rads under a window sill measure down from the sill for top of bracket height fix brackets pop rad in place check levels and whichever side is the high spot pop the bleed valve on . I go to quite a few complaints (not my jobs) that are rads that seem un level when infact its spot on but they look out because of the sills

 

[Kyle87]

when fitting rads under a window sill measure down from the sill for top of bracket height fix brackets pop rad in place check levels and whichever side is the high spot pop the bleed valve on . I go to quite a few complaints (not my jobs) that are rads that seem un level when infact its spot on but they look out because of the sills

I'd speak to customer first. "Do you want rad level or parallel to windowsill?"

With some people no matter what you do they will find a problem.

 

[woodytheplumber]

fair play I just do it as a standard only ever had one customer follow me round with a level and they didn't find one level rad of mine all the ones under the window sill were perfectly parallel and every other rad I fit I send a level line across fit brackets check for level and if they are spot on I send a tiny tap to one of the brackets I was always taught to have a slight un level on rads up to the bleed nipple and as I think its make perfect cense that's how I fit them ime not talking much but over sat a 1200 level 2 milly is in my eyes perfect

 

[Neil T]

note to self: when reconnecting appliances in property where council have been in and decommisioned it, check EVERY connection on every appliance including supply! numbnuts had loosened the supply to the meter put new olive in and just turned nut slightly ... i got wet

 

[Neil T]

install slam locks on van. very handy and very good, saves having to use keys if you are struggling with anything heavy and time wondering if you've locked it or not ... just remember to check you have keys in pocket before you slam though

 

[Ermintrude]

Keep a spare slam lock key in your wallet, for when it happens. (More than once says I)

 

[SafeGasInstall]

When change a immersion heater , make sure you remove old gasket and clean the sitting with Stanley blade and then install the new immersion heater

 

[Kyle87]

If every using anybody else's electric appliances or set ups, in my case my uncles set up for the light in his loft......

Just have a quick check for obvious defects or potential problems.

I got a belt from a horrific DIY job where my uncle had wired a plug on both ends of a flex to power the light in the loft.

I didn't check this and when I unplugged one end, it was still live as other end was plugged in and it hurt!!

 

[SafeGasInstall]

If every using anybody else's electric appliances or set ups, in my case my uncles set up for the light in his loft......

Just have a quick check for obvious defects or potential problems.

I got a belt from a horrific DIY job where my uncle had wired a plug on both ends of a flex to power the light in the loft.

I didn't check this and when I unplugged one end, it was still live as other end was plugged in and it hurt!!

ч
Tell uncle never to play with electrics like this ..... Is this even allowed !?

 

[Kyle87]

ч
Tell uncle never to play with electrics like this ..... Is this even allowed !?

No way is it allowed. It's like allowing a plug with a flex and 3 exposed wires. Pins on the plug are just the same when the other side is live

 

[SafeGasInstall]

No way is it allowed. It's like allowing a plug with a flex and 3 exposed wires. Pins on the plug are just the same when the other side is live

Let his tyres down

 

[Ermintrude]

To aid adding inhibitor, leak sealer or cleaner ect Make one of these up, keep compression fitting loose as then u can keep filler upright and tighten into rad. Take blanking plug out of other side as it avoids gurgling.

Solder a bit of 15mm into a 1/2 to 3/4 rad stump. Attach to hose. Draining down via a rad or makes syphoning easier. If rads are 15mm tail type just attach 3/4 valve and use 15mm connection.

 

[woodytheplumber]

I have a drain of hose exactly the same as that one great if theres no drain off hopefully snatch a small radiator and drain away

 

[Whyme]

To aid adding inhibitor, leak sealer or cleaner ect Make one of these up, keep compression fitting loose as then u can keep filler upright and tighten into rad. Take blanking plug out of other side as it avoids gurgling.

Solder a bit of 15mm into a 1/2 to 3/4 rad stump. Attach to hose. Draining down via a rad or makes syphoning easier. If rads are 15mm tail type just attach 3/4 valve and use 15mm connection.

for inhibitor i use half an auto air vent and bent male iron with o ring, and the very same make up for draining with no drain off. good call.

 

[Whyme]

if you come across a deck sink tap thats leaking from the spout to deck joint and theres no grub screws. turn the spout usually to the right so its parallel with the cold head and pull and wiggle it up. theres a spring loaded bearing and a slot in the deck that makes it only possible to pull out at this angle. re o ring and replace..jobs a goodun.

 

[woodytheplumber]

I will remember that one changed my mothers only yesterday for the reason that I couldn't find a grub screw! to be fair it was time for a change anyway

 

[Ermintrude]

Get a ladder base mate

Then ur ladder will be a lot safer when ur on the 3rd floor roof. Or helping dickie of his horse. Also a ratchet strap fastened to wall will make u a lot safer !

 

[tamz]

Get a ladder base mate

Then ur ladder will be a lot safer when ur on the 3rd floor roof. Or helping dickie of his horse. Also a ratchet strap fastened to wall will make u a lot safer !

Who's been on a ladder access course then :smile:
Don't forget your ropes and bucket hook :lol:

 

[Ermintrude]

Yeh when working at heights 2008 introduced. Only bought these when my youngman catwalk ladders were lifted! Titan base mate is the daddy!

http://youtu.be/aAdhIXRKV6U

 

[tamz]

Looks like there is a ladder base already fitted.

 

[james the plumb]

Need to change a syphon that wont flush.get a hose that is long enough to reach the pan and suck. Oviously not while in the pan. If its low enough the hose will syphon out the water and you can whip it off the wall without being full.

 

[tamz]

Need to change a syphon that wont flush.get a hose that is long enough to reach the pan and suck. Oviously not while in the pan. If its low enough the hose will syphon out the water and you can whip it off the wall without being full.

Bloo loo tastes worse than diesel. I'll stick to a sponge :wink:

 

[SimonJohns]

Bloo loo tastes worse than diesel. I'll stick to a sponge :wink:

Wet vac.

 

[Ermintrude]

Or a wet vac?

 

[james the plumb]

Wet vac indeed. But if you dnt have one. Oh yeh tamz, like limescale on cylinder when drainoff dnt work lol.

 

[tamz]

Wet vac.

Aye right Simon. I'll humpf a hoover up a flat stair to suck 2 pint of water out a cistern. Don't think so. I'd have the job done before you got it out the van even if it meant cracking the ballvalve jamb nut and wiping it up with a towel :wink:

 

[tamz]

Wet vac indeed. But if you dnt have one. Oh yeh tamz, like limescale on cylinder when drainoff dnt work lol.

No limescale up this way. We have decent water (too much sometimes) and better prices at the scrappies :wink:

 

[Bunker]

Bosch site measurement ap:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bosch-site-measurement-camera/id565900816?mt=8

 

[Ermintrude]

Keep some spare test nipples in your bag! Nothing worse than one snapping off or worse loosing it in a semi concealed ! If u do snap off head of nipple simply get a good flathead screwdriver, put inside test point and give it a few whacks with hammer to get grip and unscrew! Obviously only should be done by a GSRI

 

[tamz]

Strip the test nipples off old boilers and throw them in the van for spares.. Profiles, some ideals and gw's etc

 

[Bunker]

A very useful drain off or flush attachment.

 

[stevetheplumber]

im with you tamz anyone can do it with a small artic full 0of tools and spares what sorts the men from the boys is doing it with what you can carry olive splitters and fancy drain bowls comes to mind

 

[WHPES]

For guitar players, a short length of chrome plated 22mm makes an excellent slide!

 

[Bunker]

For guitar players, a short length of chrome plated 22mm makes an excellent slide!

Deburr the ends first

 

[Gas]

To aid adding inhibitor, leak sealer or cleaner ect Make one of these up, keep compression fitting loose as then u can keep filler upright and tighten into rad. Take blanking plug out of other side as it avoids gurgling.

or use a speedfit you have taking off a leaking DIY install :devil2: you only need to screw into the rad hand tight, no tools needed

 

[Bunker]

If you use a full bore iso, and ran a bit of thin tube, maybe microbore through that assembly, the inhibitor would flow into the rad without even a glug - you ever shotgunned a bottle of beer witha straw in it? Works a treat!!

 

[SafeGasInstall]

i open the other vent

 

[Whyme]

oh yeah, think your onto somthing there fizzy inhibitor.:wink5:

 

[Bunker]

i open the other vent

yes of course if it has one that's openable

 

[Gas]

Machine Mart sell Footprints for a good price

Didn't know that till i just seen it in the catalogue

 

[Bunker]

When you need to drain off only an upstairs but have a great drain point downstairs, hang your hose in a tree/ garage roof etc.

 

[stevetheplumber]

When you need to drain off only an upstairs but have a great drain point downstairs, hang your hose in a tree/ garage roof etc.

over the front door works for me

 

[Bunker]

over the front door works for me

Covering the door with primary water? Classy.

 

[Bunker]

To Oil installers:
When you put a lovely new boiler in a lovely boiler room with all your lovely wiring centres and isolator switches......PLEASE please please, put a single socket in for my hoover...