CH Pipes

[markjj]

Hi All.

Planning to put some fixings in the wall tomorrow but i'm conscious of any pipes fitted into my newly built property. Are central heating pipes of the plastic type these days? If so I guess a pipe/cable detector isn't going to be much use. Is there a generic pattern used by plumbers where pipes are sunk into the walls? How effective are these detectors? I was looking on the Argos website at one for £10 but will it be as effective as a professional product? I'm perfectly happy to spend more if it's worth it.

Many thanks for your help,

Mark

 

[Gasguru]

Plastic pipes are used nowdays.

Pipework will normally run down the corner of the room, directly in line with the valves or in line with the middle of the rad but none of this is guaranteed.

From my own experience I wouln't waste any money on these pipe locators.

I've tried several (in an effort to locate wall ties before core drilling)including Bosch and Stanley up at the £60 bracket. They all seem to give spurious results and you can't rely on them.

I did source one locator that should do the job and they are used by wall tie specialists. Only problem was price - around £400.

 

[markjj]

Thanks for your reply Gasguru. So drilling some holes for curtain rails where the radiator sits beneath the window "shouldn't" be too much to worry about then? You'd think the builder (one of the big ones) would plan this with fittings in mind wouldn't you. I've heard the locators aren't too bad where cables are concerned though. Maybe I should get one even if only for that purpose.

Thanks again

 

[croydoncorgi]

The MAJORITY (NOT, repeat NOT all) of plastic plumbing will approach radiators from below, since it will be coming from under the floor. Especially in the case of new-build installations, there may be a manifold for each floor, above the floorboard level, with Flow and Return pipes to each radiator. Find that and it will possibly help you work out where the pipes go.