I think the plumber has broke my wall...

robertthebuilder · 7 Dec 2021

Hi all,

First time poster here. As a bot of back ground, im getting a new kitchen fitted.

The plumber, sub-contracted out by the builder, came around to do some work today. When I got back, I witnessed the following. He has essentially chased the wall (External gable end wall) through to fit the waste water pipe for the sink. As you can see its rather deep - the full width of the internal freezer block in some places and spans for about 3meters.

I'm no structural engineer - but is this ok? It doesn't look it and im slightly worried. In not even sure why it needed chasing, as surly the waste will run at the back underside of the kitchen cabinets won't it?

Any advice please. Is this ok, and if not - what should I do?

CBW · 7 Dec 2021

Structurally, I’m not qualified to say, but I would have thought it would be ok. It’s not the best job, and can’t understand it myself, vast majority of kitchen units have approx 60mm space behind them to accommodate for such things. Have you asked the builder?

Harry Bloomfield · 7 Dec 2021

Is that a cavity wall or double brick thickness wall?

From what I can see in the photos, he may have severally weakened the structure of that wall, but if there is a run of units along that wall - why has he done that at all?

All modern kitchen units have space behind them to run pipes and cables without need to chop them into walls.

HERTS P&D · 7 Dec 2021

Are you having an Ikea kitchen?

Andy

robertthebuilder · 7 Dec 2021

Hi all - few quick answers...
Its a cavity wall, breeze block internal, brink external. This is the gable end or the house.
Yeah the full wall is having cabinets. SO not sure why the waste is being chased... This is what started my alarm bells ringing.
Its a Howdens kitchen going in...

freddiemercurystwin · 7 Dec 2021

Just ask them why.

Harry Bloomfield · 7 Dec 2021

freddiemercurystwin said:
Just ask them why.

..and get it properly repaired quick!

sxturbo · 7 Dec 2021

is that not dot and dab plasterboard wall?

depends how much of the actual wall they have taken out

CBW · 7 Dec 2021

robertthebuilder said:
Its a Howdens kitchen going in...

Afaik, all howdens kitchens have the spacing behind.

HERTS P&D · 7 Dec 2021

sxturbo said:
depends how much of the actual wall they have taken out

All of it!

Andy

Notch7 · 7 Dec 2021

Its because there is an American Fridge freezer going on that wall and I bet the builder asked him to chase the waste in to ensure it clears

the plumber wouldnt have done it for no reason

HERTS P&D · 7 Dec 2021

Are your builder and Plumber both British?

Only asking, as they may have different type of buildings in their home countries.

Andy

bernardgreen · 7 Dec 2021

Maximum depth is one sixth of the thickness of the block

https://www.eden.gov.uk/planning-an.../building-control-guidance-notes/wall-chases/

freddiemercurystwin · 7 Dec 2021

robertthebuilder said:
As you can see its rather deep - the full width of the internal freezer block in some places and spans for about 3meters.

Presumably this is supposed to say breeze block? Are you saying the whole block has a cut in it all the way through to the cavity?

Notch7 · 7 Dec 2021

it does look a bit deep -the plaster is probably 12mm 15mm so the chase only needs to go in about 15mm leaving the pipe sticking out a tad

I think the plumber has broke my wall...

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