Adding rodding access - help

[nero44]

Hello everyone,

I just had a visit from my LABC for some plumbing works, mainly inspecting external waste pipe runs. The works they were meant to inspect were all fine, but annoyingly they have noticed some other close but unrelated waste pipes that were not up to regulation. Some minor points (missing pipe clips) I can take care of easily. But they were also mentioning missing rodding access for some of my bathroom and kitchen waste pipes and the only sensible places would be directly where the pipes come out of the wall. Picture attached of the two pipes in question. I suppose the general idea would be to remove the L live and install a T piece instead with a rodding point on one side. Given that the existing L pieces are quite deep into the wall, is this even possible as a DIYer without breaking too much? Especially the second one looks tricky....

Thanks.

 

[ree]

OP,
Given you have 40mm wastes then its not necessary to install rodding points unless you have very long runs or intricate runs.
BCO's ensure compliance with the Regs - so any BCO suggestion outside the Regs is merely that: a helpful suggestion.
It wold be simple to install rodding points but why not post pics of the waste runs for a more informed view?

 

[Madrab]

The trick would be expose enough pipe to allow the elbow to be cut and then a new fitting added by removing the mortar that was used to make good.

What exactly did they say? Was it an advisory? Whilst the existing may be non compliant I can't see how they could enforce a retrofit to the existing. That being said. it is encapsulated in the regs where suitable access points should be provided where access from other points (traps etc) on the run isn't possible, so it is best practice.

 

[Scally-Ho]

How long have you lived there and how many times has the pipework identified suffered blockages?
Your LABC's advisories are just that, advisories, and as such and new regs do not apply retrospectively. If you feel the need to remove elbows and replace with tees fitted with an access plug one end, then go ahead, but it's not strictly necessary.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Neither look 'new' and as others have said, they cannot insist you alter an existing installation, that may be and continues to be, absolutely fine, even if it may not comply with Regs.

Should the pipework block, it'll be time to worry about how you are going to clear it then. You run the risk of it breaking anyway if you try to cut into it and the plastic is brittle from exposure to the weather. If the worst happens and you need to replace it, then look at incorporating access points.

 

[nero44]

Let me add a bit of context, as it is not so straight forward (at least to me).

I have had a bedroom converted into a bathroom. This obviously means new drainage etc and building control approval. The works have already been completed and my installer is looking to get a building control certificate by way of Regularisation. Obtaining this certificate is the most important aspect for me in case I would need to sell my property in the future, so this is the main objective here. The installer has filled out all of the forms and has done all the communication with LABC, hence I am still trying to find out what exactly LABC says.

Why are above two existing 40mm drainages involved? Well, for a start, when the inspector went to check the drainages of the bathroom conversion, they were right there in front of him so he pointed it out. It also did not help, that my neighbour (despite having multiple other issues) did have exactly those 40mm rodding eyes installed. Furthermore, this happened. To summarise "this", due to a collapsed gulley I had to reroute all those smaller 40mm trains into the same SVP that is used for the bathroom conversion. I assume they are now considered all one system/drainage and therefore become into consideration? But this is just my guess.

Trying to get more colour on this from my installer and might upload a picture of it all.

FYI, none of the drains are clogged etc, so I am not really worried that I need any rodding access. But as stated above, for the bathroom conversion I do need to have LABC approval, so if they are somehow making it conditional..

 

[denso13]

FYI, none of the drains are clogged etc, so I am not really worried that I need any rodding access. But as stated above, for the bathroom conversion I do need to have LABC approval, so if they are somehow making it conditional..

It is a difficult one, Building Control officers can overstep the mark, but it isn't as simple as saying "go away, I'm not doing it".

Adding tees with rodding access isn't too difficult, maybe easier to bite the bullet and just do it.

 

[Madrab]

What exactly did they say? Was it an advisory?

??

Did they say you wouldn't get your completion until remedial works were performed to their satisfaction?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

There is nothing, (that I can see) in the Regs that says Cleaning Eyes must be installed on waste runs. Given modern pipe cleaning equipment is capable of getting around bends, cleaning a waste out isn't necessarily a difficult task, and worst case scenario, (as seems to be the case with many Urinal Waste Runs in Pubs these days!), the pipe can be cut at a suitable point, the blockage cleared and a coupler fitted to make good the joint.

I think the BCO is getting a bit above their station here.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I get called to blockages all the time and in this case I would use an electric snake from inside the property to clear any blockages in that pipework.

Or even a wet vac.

Andy

 

[Scally-Ho]

I provide all of my rental properties with a sink/bath/shower waste pump and to date, not a single tenant has complained it will not shift a blockage. A fiver very well spent for each tenanted property

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-sink-bath-unblocker-125mm/13894