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

[kay-jay]

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

one thats earned me an extra tenner before........

always carry a 2ltr bottle of water in the van. i produced mine on a callout to a leak under a bath that was resulting in water through the ceiling in the night so they had turned the water off for a couple of hours.

she nearly cried when i offered her the water saying 'i bet you must be thirsty with the water off all this time'

got extra tenner, and 3 repeat jobs from them since and one was a proper earner!

 

[Guest123]

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

Just bought a chemical toilet out of our local caravan showroom. I was getting fed up when on long bathroom jobs, having to stop early and temporarily fit the toilet each night so that the customer had a loo until next day. Now they can wee and poo all they like in the chemical loo and it gets lifted in place each day.
Will be handy too for back of van on fishing trips up the highlands!

 

[dannyleebrazier]

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

always check bleed valves are CLOSED before re-filling the heating system and then bleed one by one

 

[WaterTight]

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

And when getting bored waiting for a big old double to refill don't be tempted to do something else a few feet away - the second you do it'll urinate pitch black water everywhere.

 

[GQuigley67]

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

anyone know of those tools that bleed the rads while catching the water in the container are any good ?

 

[dontknowitall]

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

anyone know of those tools that bleed the rads while catching the water in the container are any good ?

Memory escapes me but I think they're called rags or towels ...

When servicing a boiler, just before starting, turn it on briefly to make sure it's working, no matter what the customer says.

 

[GQuigley67]

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

this little bad girl

Plumb-Pak Radiator Drain Bleed Tool#

 

[R1CKY]

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

Not sure if it has been said.

But when servicing an Open-Flued Appliance, check the ventilation first. Nothing worst than wasting time servicing a BBU and finding out at the end of it that there is no ventilation!

 

[GrahamM]

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

this little bad girl

Plumb-Pak Radiator Drain Bleed Tool#

They are rubbish. Only fit certain bleed valves and there is a rubber seal that never seals properly. Stick to good old brass key and rag.

 

[WHPES]

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

Here's a useful one I was told today by an old guy - To fix leaking Danfoss HSV HPV etc motorised valve bodies where the leak is from the spindle, you do not need to disconnect the valve from the pipework. Also it's very easy to do and saves replacing the whole valve.

Remove the actuator, then the four screws holding the valve plate on. Carefully remove the top section (some types including the mid position valves have small parts which will spring apart when removed so be careful). Remove the circlip and take the spindle out. Replace the 2 "o" rings with 4mm x 2mm o rings (found in the Holdtite Metric O Ring Box (kit 5)) and lubricate with silicone grease. Reassemble and job done.

May be possible to do the same with other makes such as the Honeywell but I haven't tried yet!)

 

[stevie t]

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

If you use Hep and Speedfit push fittings and pipe and run short of one or the other you can use Hep pipe with Speedfit fittings and vice versa. However, make sure you use the correct liner/insert for the fitting being used. EG if using Speedfit fitting with Hep pipe ensure you use a Speedfit liner/insert and vice versa!

 

[Guest123]

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

If you use Hep and Speedfit push fittings and pipe and run short of one or the other you can use Hep pipe with Speedfit fittings and vice versa. However, make sure you use the correct liner/insert for the fitting being used. EG if using Speedfit fitting with Hep pipe ensure you use a Speedfit liner/insert and vice versa!

No you can't. There is a small difference between the diameter of barrier pipe and fittings between different manufacturers. You should use a compression fitting with TS inserts for Speedfit and metal liners for Hep and use PTFE tape and only copper olives never brass ones. Use a quality compression with a deeper slip like Conex.

 

[Spanner2k7]

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

Came up with this one the other, call out to a bath mixer which would not turn off, 1/4 cerdisc insert had broke, could not isolate the tap as the floor had been laid to the panel, customer said it was ok, to leave as they would just keep turning the main stop tap off, after a coupler of minute thinking, I remembered I had a ballvalve washer kit in the van. Used one of the flat washers and screwed the tap insert back into the tap, stop the water completey.

I remember when I bought that ball valve washer box, and said to myself when the hell will i use those LOL.

 

[Ravenrider]

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

Probably too simple for you guys but i find the humble heavy duty rubbish bag is excellent for catching any water in awkward places where getting containers/buckets are too difficult. I use them mainly between joists, where pipes are too close to walls and even when emptying rads. Obviously check them for holes first.

 

[markfxy]

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

The diameter of all pex pipe is the same as 15mm copper the internal diameter is different therefore you can use any fitting with any pipe but you can only use the inserts from the same manufacturer as the pipe you are using.

 

[stevie t]

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

If soldering a fitting close to felt (say in a roof space) and you aint got a solder mat, wedge a normal joiners saw between the fitting and the felt. This will deflect the heat while soldering and stop the felt catching fire.

 

[stevie t]

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

If you come across the old type black alkathene pipe and you aren't sure what size it is (5/8" for example), cut a piece off take it to your plumbing supplier and he will recommend which size of coupling to use to reconnect to your new MDPE (blue pipe) if thats what you are using.

 

[stevie t]

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

Yes you can but I should have stated to be used only in an emergency. You are right System3 there is a small difference in diameter and you have to force the inserts into the fitting. I have done it on 2 occasions on call outs in the wee hours sometime ago. If have since returned to these customers recently fittings showers/changing taps/general maint work etc and the fittings and inserts are good to this day! Thanks for pointing that out.

I've only used Hep on a couple of occasions, but do you not use plastic inserts for comp fittings and metal liners for push fit fittings?

 

[stevie t]

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

When powerflushing a htg system and there's no outside tap to connect your mains fill too, connect your powerflush unit mains fill to the cold mains from the washing machine.

 

[Guest123]

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

I've only used Hep on a couple of occasions, but do you not use plastic inserts for comp fittings and metal liners for push fit fittings?

Yes you use TS plastic inserts for compression fittings when using Speedfit. With Hep use the metal liners. Not used Hep very much, I prefer JG Speedfit as I find it far more user friendly and cheaper to buy.

In a perfect world I'd use soldered fittings and copper all the time, but it's way to expensive right now.

 

[stevie t]

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

When using bungs on an open vented system to change a rad make sure you work on/open one tail at a time. Once that end is sealed/compressed only then open the other rad tail to work on.

 

[stevie t]

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

Don't throw out your old bath towels. Keep them in the back of your van, they come in handy when doing minor repairs/maint work like changing taps, removing rads to avoid water thats lying in the pipework spilling onto carpets etc..

 

[Ian10261]

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

I always hang on to any used slip-on C/H pump valve nuts. When i go to change a pump and the nuts are siezed solid, i use a hacksaw blade in a holder to make a cut across the nut. Then prize the nut apart and off comes the pump. Slide on the new nuts, fit the pump, job done.

 

[Hybrid]

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

Not sure if this has come up already.

If you cut out an old stop tap with flared compression connections keep the nut and cone. When you're called out in the depths of winter to a burst on an outside toilet you'll be glad you did.

 

[armourer]

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

When working on 8mm pipework but find you have only got 10mm fittings (or rad valves).
Solder an 8mm straight coupler onto the pipe.
The outside diameter of an 8mm coupler is 10mm.

 

[Ian10261]

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

The outside diameter of the 8mm is the same as the inside of the 10mm, i always do it this way, saves on couplings.

 

[Guest123]

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

Use a cutting of white 15mm Speedfit pipe as a spacer on pipe clips that need fixed further out from the wall. Works really well on the pipe clips for 32mm and 40mm waste pipe where a spacer isn't available to buy. Using longer screws going through two 75mm pieces of Speedfit pipe top and bottom of the pipe clip on the waste pipe I was fitting outside today, I was able to clear a gas pipe without using extra bends.
For copper pipe I use the Talon ones.

 

[Phil]

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

When fitting a shower pump and the head is low, make sure the shower head is clean (could be an old shower you're boosting) and check the shower hose isn't one of those nasty Homebase ones with the reduced internal bore.

 

[GQuigley67]

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

use industrial wipes to remove silicone, and don't rush things or you'll end up in trouble !!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

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

baby wipes are just as good just so long as they have citric acid in them and a good sight cheaper as well

 

[carpstu]

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

those rubber smothing off shapeing silicone tools are pretty fool proof

 

[GQuigley67]

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

can get industrial wipes for about £4, had mine for ages now

 

[Ian10261]

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

If you cut the nozzle at about 45 degrees with a little practice you dont really need to smooth it off much but those industrial wipes really are the business.

 

[Guest123]

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

Just put a length of masking tape top and bottom of the joint, apply the silicone, smooth it off with a wipe wrapped round the end of your finger and then remove the masking tape. Perfect neat joints every time.

 

[Ian10261]

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

Yeh used to do that until i got fed up of applying the masking tape. When it gets to the point of sealing everything up i've usually had enough of bathrooms and swear i'll never do another.................... til one comes along.

 

[helpsy]

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

I use the 3 piece smoothing tools available from Plumbfix....quick,easy and effortless.....and a spot on finish!!!!

 

[cdodds2004]

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

when diagnosing faults but dont have the parts and need to book a re-call dont tell the custard the exact problem or you end up with some have a go hero saying he can fix it for cheaper or they try to order the part them selves off the net, remember they are paying for your knowledge its not free

 

[shorticus]

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

Thought I'd read the whole thread before posting my tip just to make sure no-one else had posted it and found GQuigley67's question...

anyone any tips for filing chrome for soldered joints ?? takes to long using the old jeremy kyle

now before you all shout 'Shorty you don't know diddly-squat' I suggest you try this in your garage, I didn't believe it myself when I was told some 15 years ago, then we did it and tested to 10 bar and it absolutely works!!!

YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILE THE CHROME OFF of chromed copper pipe before soldering IF you use ACTIVE flux i.e. Laco or Everflux (passive or traditional yorkshire flux won't work)

Now here's the theory. Chromium is very porous, when it's used on steel (ferous) for a decorative finish it has to be plated over nickel (not porous and non ferous) otherwise it would give no protection to the steel and it would rust quick-smart. When copper (non-ferrous) is plated with chrome no nickel is used and as just said the chrome is porous so your solder goes straight through it.

Note; This will not work on stainless steel

 

[helpsy]

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

When using a spanner in an awkward area put some string/cord through hole in spanner and tie off to something. If you drop it you just pull it out with the string/cord!!

 

[Phil]

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

Interesting shorticus, I'll try that although I have to say I have a bench grinder and it makes short work of grinding the chrome off.

 

[stevie t]

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

Lighting your BBQ with your blowtorch is safer than using BBQ fluid!

 

[stevie t]

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

Pipe splicers are handy for cutting copper pipe however if theres water in the pipework theres no going back. Alternatively a hacksaw slightly cuts into the pipe at first. When in doubt use a hacksaw!

 

[stevie t]

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

If powerflushing a heating system and the cylinder is a prismatic type runaway. Or to aviod bursting the cylinders bubble disconnect it and loop the pipework. Personnally I'd leave it alone.

 

[stevie t]

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

Radiator htg probs:

1. Upstairs rads not working (gravity sys): Check for water in F&E tank (ballcock may have jammed) or check htg pump is working.

2. Downstairs rads not working (gavity & sealed sys): Sys may need cleaned/flushed (cost eg £250.00 for 8 rads and £10 for every rad thereafter. Price incl VAT and chemicals, doesnt incl any valves that may need changing say £15 - £25 per pair depending if TRV or not) or new pump required which is more likely (approx £75.00 incl supply and VAT).

3. All rads up and downstairs cold at bottom but hot on top: Sys needs flushed and cleaned (cost as above).

4. If for some reason a rad stops working close all other rads, put on CH and push hot water through the rad that ain't working. If it heats up there maybe air in sys. If it doesnt heat up valves could be faulty (cost as above, plus time to drain/plug sys plus inhibitor if required).

Note: Vent your rads every 6 months or so and on sealed sys check your pressure gauge is around 1.25 bar. Rem htg inhibitor/protector in your CH sys doenst last forever, replenish every few years and the odd powerflush wont go amiss.

Please note prices subject to change. All work guaranteed till check clears LOL!

 

[stevie t]

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

100% fuzzy even if cust insists you should insist more tell them its all part of the service even if you take the rough off and bin it.



All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol

 

[stevie t]

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

Always carry a tub of plumbers mait in your van it comes in v handy at times. For example when changing a syphon on a close coupling toilet you notice the spongey flange that sits between the cisterin and the pan is shot to bits its easier to make one up with your plumbers mait than leave the job and run back to the plumbers merchants for a new flange. You can never go wrong extra PTFE either. Better lookin at it than for it!

All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol

 

[Phil]

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

If you've just frozen a pipe that is over the louge ceiling for instance and you absolutly need to make sure its safe before cutting into it - 28mm gravity circs from a primatic clyinder?

Get a clamp type temporary pipe repair with a rubber gasket and fit it to the pipe with the nuts almost nipped up and then drill a 3mm hole in the top of the pipe right next to it. If it should spray out the slide the clamp over the hole and tighten up.

 

[helpsy]

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

Always carry a tub of plumbers mait in your van it comes in v handy at times. For example when changing a syphon on a close coupling toilet you notice the spongey flange that sits between the cisterin and the pan is shot to bits its easier to make one up with your plumbers mait than leave the job and run back to the plumbers merchants for a new flange. You can never go wrong extra PTFE either. Better lookin at it than for it!

All work guaranteed till cheque clears... lol

I always apply Plumbers Gold to syphons,floats and doughnuts and never had a problem......that's tempted fate now!!!!

 

[stevie t]

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

If you need to replace a gasket on a boiler, say around the burner, cos the old one disentegrates once removed (which happens) and your supplier wont have them for a day or 2 go to your nearest garage/car workshop and buy a sheet of gasket fibre and make your own using the old one as a template. It does the same job! Same applies to oil fire burner gaskets.

 

[shorticus]

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

If you need to replace a gasket on a boiler, say around the burner, cos the old one disentegrates once removed (which happens) and your supplier wont have them for a day or 2 go to your nearest garage/car workshop and buy a sheet of gasket fibre and make your own using the old one as a template. It does the same job! Same applies to oil fire burner gaskets.

er, that's certainly not a good idea on Vaillants and it may even be illegal!