Hi
We’ve recently bought our first house (which is more of a project! – lots of work needed) and finances mean must DIY as much as possible.
We currently have an old back boiler system with hot and cold water (plastic) tanks in a bedroom cupboard which we are thinking of replacing (along with a hideous 70’s gas fire attached to the back boiler) I’m thinking of having a crack at some of this myself. Obviously, being a plumbing novice, I will have a lot of research to do before starting but any help on these basic questions would be much appreciated:
1) Is this a realistic project for a DIYer or am I biting off more than I can chew!
2) From a ‘developers’ point of view (as we hope to trade up quite quickly) is it even worth replacing the system. The existing system does work and the house is only a modest 2 bed terrace worth about 85k when finished. Is the work likely to add more value than it costs?
3) I need to clarify what I can do myself by law. I was thinking I would get a CORGI pro in to do all the gas fitting. Am I right in thinking I’m ok to run any new non-gas pipe work and install / replace new radiators my self plus physically fitting the boiler without making the gas connections?
4) I have had a couple of people in already to quote but they can’t seem to agree on what needs doing – in particular if existing pipe work to radiators is up to the job or needs replacing. Its standard 15mm copper and looks ok to my untrained eye (apart from a couple of leeks round radiator valves which I intend to replace anyway) People trying to make work for themselves? Could do with some guidance on this.
5) Is there anything I can do myself regarding replacing the old gas fire and removing the back boiler to keep costs down?
6) New gas pipe work will be required as any new boiler will be in a different location and we want to install a gas cooker. Again, any sort of preparation work I can do here to keep costs down?
7) We currently have an electric shower which has seen better days. Any thoughts on if it is best to replace this like for like or incorporate the new shower so that the new boiler supplies the hot water to it?
8) What order to do things in? Better to have pro in first and then do new radiators, pipe work etc or best to do all the diy stuff first and then get pro in to finish off and get gas connections done?
9) Better to buy boiler myself or will Corgi guy get it cheaper?
10) Any website or book recommendations to help with this project?
All of the above assumes the new system will be a fairly basic Combi system with water tanks being removed to make room for the new boiler. I know there are a lot of opinions out there as to the pros and cons to this type of system, but as far as I can tell it’s the only real option for someone on a very (very!) tight budget ….. unless someone knows different.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to plough through that lot! I’m sure its pretty boring old ground to the more experienced readers but I don’t want to be caught out by new regs reading old threads. Any help will be Massively appreciated!
We’ve recently bought our first house (which is more of a project! – lots of work needed) and finances mean must DIY as much as possible.
We currently have an old back boiler system with hot and cold water (plastic) tanks in a bedroom cupboard which we are thinking of replacing (along with a hideous 70’s gas fire attached to the back boiler) I’m thinking of having a crack at some of this myself. Obviously, being a plumbing novice, I will have a lot of research to do before starting but any help on these basic questions would be much appreciated:
1) Is this a realistic project for a DIYer or am I biting off more than I can chew!
2) From a ‘developers’ point of view (as we hope to trade up quite quickly) is it even worth replacing the system. The existing system does work and the house is only a modest 2 bed terrace worth about 85k when finished. Is the work likely to add more value than it costs?
3) I need to clarify what I can do myself by law. I was thinking I would get a CORGI pro in to do all the gas fitting. Am I right in thinking I’m ok to run any new non-gas pipe work and install / replace new radiators my self plus physically fitting the boiler without making the gas connections?
4) I have had a couple of people in already to quote but they can’t seem to agree on what needs doing – in particular if existing pipe work to radiators is up to the job or needs replacing. Its standard 15mm copper and looks ok to my untrained eye (apart from a couple of leeks round radiator valves which I intend to replace anyway) People trying to make work for themselves? Could do with some guidance on this.
5) Is there anything I can do myself regarding replacing the old gas fire and removing the back boiler to keep costs down?
6) New gas pipe work will be required as any new boiler will be in a different location and we want to install a gas cooker. Again, any sort of preparation work I can do here to keep costs down?
7) We currently have an electric shower which has seen better days. Any thoughts on if it is best to replace this like for like or incorporate the new shower so that the new boiler supplies the hot water to it?
8) What order to do things in? Better to have pro in first and then do new radiators, pipe work etc or best to do all the diy stuff first and then get pro in to finish off and get gas connections done?
9) Better to buy boiler myself or will Corgi guy get it cheaper?
10) Any website or book recommendations to help with this project?
All of the above assumes the new system will be a fairly basic Combi system with water tanks being removed to make room for the new boiler. I know there are a lot of opinions out there as to the pros and cons to this type of system, but as far as I can tell it’s the only real option for someone on a very (very!) tight budget ….. unless someone knows different.
Thanks to anyone who took the time to plough through that lot! I’m sure its pretty boring old ground to the more experienced readers but I don’t want to be caught out by new regs reading old threads. Any help will be Massively appreciated!
