External hot and cold water pipes

[amc249]

Hi All,
Looking for some advice/reassurance. Coming to the end of a loft conversion which includes an en suite. The builders we have used told us that running the hot and cold water pipes internally would cause damage to our existing bathroom/tiles. So their solution was to run the pipes externally. This happened very quickly and we are now concerned that the proposed solution was just to avoid doing repair work in the main bathroom and we might have a problem on our hands? Have attached a photo, the pipes have since been insulated.

Besides it not looking great, we are concerned about energy efficiency and potential for frozen pipes. If anybody can offer any reassurance or advice it would be much appreciated. We are not sure if we should be insisting that the pipes get boxed in etc for example or if the insulation will be enough.

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[ADM360]

I would have thought that the amount of "disturbance" to the bathroom would have far out wayed the ongoing headaches from lashing a bit of hep down the outside of the building!!

What do you do put 25mm lagging and box it packed with rockwool?? still a risk!!

 

[Ermintrude]

What the bejesus! Has the building inspector been and looked at your job yet? I'm not wanting to worry you but plumber is a cowboy.


Call the local council and ask to speak to the inspector responsible for your area. Check that all the inspections are up to date and that there are no outstanding issues.

Post some pictures of the rest of the job?

 

[albatross]

'The cowboy builders' you mean! They will freeze and burst very soon. Still a high chance even if you insulate and box in. We have had -19C the last 3 years and thats without wind chill factor as it at a height.

 

[stevetheplumber]

best of of it is his made a good job of running those pipes not easy to keep hep straight on brickwork but wrong on every other count i suppose they could be lagged boxed and trace heated

 

[JCplumb]

I was going to say the same as Steve, insulation and trace heating if they absolutely MUST run outside.

 

[amc249]

Oh dear, so we do have a bit of a problem! Thanks guys, this is really helpful, trace heating looks to be a good option. Bit concerned about building control post - are external pipes not going to get the green light?

 

[Killy Bing]

...i have no words.....

if my family member just shelled out for a loft conversion and the plumber/builder did this id have their crown jewels.....

thats awfull workmanship!!

 

[stevetheplumber]

two sides to every story have you told the plumbers they cant damage the bathroom below? did you have a new expensive bathroom fitted just prior to the loft extension with out thinking ahead regarding getting pipes up stairs?

 

[amc249]

The main bathroom was put in 5 years ago and isn't expensive no. We never said that they couldn't go through the bathroom. We accepted there would be unavoidable damage to the house and have lost our carpet in the hall etc which we accept. One day they said we'll have to talk to you about running pipes through the bathroom, the next day they said don't worry we're going to run the pipes outside and then it was done. To be fair the rest of the work is good so they maybe genuinely thought this was the best option but we don't want to be left with something that will cause us problems in the future / be expensive to heat in winter etc.

What do you know about building control and regulations on water pipes? Thank you