Bathroom install....any tips?

[djkay1982]

Hi all Im about to start my own bathroom install and tbh Ive never done plumbing/bathroom diy before.
I have been reading up as much as I can, but can anyone give me any tips/advice?

I have to change everything .....all new pipework and electrics, replasterboarding roof and wall to create enough depth for my concealed triple valve shower unit.Having a corian floating shelf made up for counter top basin, and fitting wall mounted flush plate sink taps

Been reading up on installing pipe work, soldering and fitting into walls butis there anything important i should know?

ie found out I must have a min 18+ degree slope over a meter on the toilet waste and must coat all pipes that are being consealed into the wall.

also not to use PVA on the walls or plaster before tiling.
any other tips?

 

[clearhead]

test all pipe work before making good and tilling

and who said do not pva walls before tilling

i reccomend putting a batton around wall for bath to sit on, to stop any future movement
silicone on batton
silicone around top of bath before tiles

dont use cheap tile adhesive & grout & silicone sealant

if fitting shower - maybe invest in a under tile waterproofing kit their are some cheap and chearful ones out their

if tilling onto timber-seal it first-i have seen it bleed through grout

 

[bengasman]

If you have been reading up about soldering, I'd suggest you leave it to someone else to do this, especially where inaccessible.
Bathrooms and diy electrics do not make for a good combination either, especially when combined with questionable plumbing.

 

[Whitespirit66]

If you haven't done any tiling before, consider getting someone in who is recommended.

If the tiling isn't spot on, you will wish you paid a pro every time you walk into your bathroom and see your handiwork.

 

[Bahco]

Ive never done plumbing/bathroom diy before.
Can anyone give me any tips/advice?

The best advice is that you should get someone in as it will be a nightmare for someone with no experience. Likely to get a lot of problems, take months to complete, and look rubbish.

Believe me I have been there !

You have been warned.

 

[djkay1982]

Thanks for the tips clearhead.

Regarding PVA, google it, there is loads of info on why you shouldn't use PVA. as moist reativates the PVA and things can become unstuck.

so not a good idea around shower enclosures etc. il get some of that proper tiles primer

 

[clearhead]

you have done a lovely job on your kitchen
well done

i can't sleep at night any more knowing i have used all that pva

with everything, get the foundations right and hopefully the rest should fall into place
nice square flat walls are always a good start
as long as you have the time and patients and worked out a plan how its going to work thats the key in my book
but if you can afford a good tiler it is well worth it(not putting you off)
i can tile well but i still higher a guy who is better & 2-3 times quicker
i still tile for my mates & myself
the end result is in the finishing this could make or break all your hard work
good luck

 

[djkay1982]

Hi mate, fantastic looking job on the kitchen. I am in the process of a similar task, fitting a en suite, with absolutely NO plumbing experience !! I am planning on using plastic piping though, seems so much easier than soldering !!! Good luck.

What electrical work do you have planned in the bathroom ?

electrical, I have new lighting an timed extractor fan.

underfloor heating

jaquzzi bath

good luck on your bathroom also!


dont fancy doing the pipework in HEP20. not a fan, id prefer the copper/soldered option, I feel it feels more permenant and sturdy. not that I know anything about it. just dont like the idea of push fit connectors and plastic pipe

 

[Richard C]

I have been reading up as much as I can, ie found out I must have a min 18+ degree slope over a meter on the toilet waste and must coat all pipes that are being consealed into the wall.

Well you should check that out again cos it's wrong ; minimum slope for unvented foul drain & waste runs is 19mm per metre which is less than 1 degree but you should aim for 1mm in 40 which is 25mm per metre or around 1.5 degrees.

also not to use PVA on the walls or plaster before tiling.

Glad to see you got that one right; surprising how many don’t including some who call themselves tillers!

any other tips?

Keep reading/asking but on the spcialish forums rather than Projects, especially Plumbing & the Tiling Forum Sticky & archive Forum posts; kitchen looks fantastic BTW but tiling a kitchen aint the same as tiling a bathroom, especially if you’ve something special in mind & want it to last

 

[djkay1982]

Richard C - sorry mate that was I typing error, I meant 18+mm not degrees (so i was nearly right...... in my head anyway ) but will do at 25mm per metre


I did actually post this in the plumbers forum, someones moved it to the projects area

yeah thanks mate, i will keep reading. and i think my mates are going to switch their phones off soon, as I keep ringing them for tips and help, and tools!

ps, as mentioned. im not going to do the tiling myself, paying for that to be done

 

[Richard C]

Guessed that, Just teasing really

Have replied to your post in Tiling

 

[ivixor]

My tips:

Don't bother with copper and soldering, use plastic speedfit. Used by most house builders nowadays, and is less likely to leak than DIY soldering.

Put hardibacker sheets wherever you can for tiling onto. Don't tile onto normal plasterboard.

Top tiling tip: get rough edged rustic-esque natural stone. This way it doesn't matter if they are slightly wonky, as theres no hard straight edges . Except for floor, where you should cover it with hardibacker. Tiling onto a perfectly flat sheet like hardibacker is an absolute doddle.


Get a proper toilet, with a full 9 litre flush. This can be back to wall if you want.

Make sure ventilation is sorted out.

Decide whether you want/need a pumped shower in the future (you do, if you have a gravity system). Read up on pumped pipe routing if you do.

Thats all i can think of right now..

 

[Dominic11]

You may need to visit a store and scan the Plumbing and the other needed sections, and you will sure pick the most needed equipment for the job, i can give you a name and i hope it might be of help