I have read a few posts here in the forum, and I am getting some conflicting answers. So thought I would ask a fresh question with my specific scenario.
Scenario: We're looking to install a new kitchen, and change the kitchen layout. Our current unit has the sink unit come out from the property side wall at 90 degrees into the room. The water main comes through the block and beam floor directly under the sink, at a position approx 1.2m from the wall of the property.
We want to get rid of this sink arrangement, and run the units down the full length of the room. This would leave the existing cold water main and stop top poking up right in the middle of the floor.
Our floor construction is block and beam, with 150mm insulation and then 50-75mm screed on top.
I did some research, and the one definitive answer I could see is that the water main should be one continuous pipe from meter to stop tap, and that it cannot be joined. Or at least it cannot be joined within the property. I contacted Northumbrian Water for advice, to see if they need to be involved, and they advised as it is pipework after the meter and within the property, it is the homeowners responsibility to undertake the works. But they did say, and I quote "To clarify, the supply pipe does not need to remain as one continuous run from the meter to the internal stop tap. The pipework can be altered and extended as part of your kitchen renovation, provided the work is completed by a competent plumber and complies with the relevant water regulations."
Initially I was under the impression that the pipe cannot be joined and buried in screed. So I was looking at installing a discreet in floor tray with a lid, into which flooring can be fitted, making an almost invisible access hatch to the plumbing joints. But with the info from the water board, I am wondering if I can do the following:
1) Excavate through the screed and insulation to the Block and Beam floor - taking caution to not affect the beams.
2) Lift the blocks between the water main location and the intended new location at the wall. Probably 3-4 blocks
3) Extend the MDPE pipe with suitable fittings and pass the pipe through the floor at the new location, and install the stop tap
4) make good on the blocks, making sure to seal up any holes. I think there will be a membrane on top of the blocks and below the insulation which will need to be resealed?
5) Refit insulation, and potentially use expanding foam in the gaps to seal it, and tape up the foil surface of the insulation
6) Fill in the excavation with fresh screed.
The blocks etc can be left open for a few days with the system at pressure to check for leaks etc. also, the plumbing can be rerun to the new stop tap location.
Am I on the right track here?
I have been trying to get a plumber out to look at this job and give me a quote, but I have tried 4 and non of them have turned up. I am reasonably competent, and I believe I can do the work, if I cannot find a plumber to do it for me. I just want to make sure I am not overlooking any gotchas or regulations.
Thanks
Scenario: We're looking to install a new kitchen, and change the kitchen layout. Our current unit has the sink unit come out from the property side wall at 90 degrees into the room. The water main comes through the block and beam floor directly under the sink, at a position approx 1.2m from the wall of the property.
We want to get rid of this sink arrangement, and run the units down the full length of the room. This would leave the existing cold water main and stop top poking up right in the middle of the floor.
Our floor construction is block and beam, with 150mm insulation and then 50-75mm screed on top.
I did some research, and the one definitive answer I could see is that the water main should be one continuous pipe from meter to stop tap, and that it cannot be joined. Or at least it cannot be joined within the property. I contacted Northumbrian Water for advice, to see if they need to be involved, and they advised as it is pipework after the meter and within the property, it is the homeowners responsibility to undertake the works. But they did say, and I quote "To clarify, the supply pipe does not need to remain as one continuous run from the meter to the internal stop tap. The pipework can be altered and extended as part of your kitchen renovation, provided the work is completed by a competent plumber and complies with the relevant water regulations."
Initially I was under the impression that the pipe cannot be joined and buried in screed. So I was looking at installing a discreet in floor tray with a lid, into which flooring can be fitted, making an almost invisible access hatch to the plumbing joints. But with the info from the water board, I am wondering if I can do the following:
1) Excavate through the screed and insulation to the Block and Beam floor - taking caution to not affect the beams.
2) Lift the blocks between the water main location and the intended new location at the wall. Probably 3-4 blocks
3) Extend the MDPE pipe with suitable fittings and pass the pipe through the floor at the new location, and install the stop tap
4) make good on the blocks, making sure to seal up any holes. I think there will be a membrane on top of the blocks and below the insulation which will need to be resealed?
5) Refit insulation, and potentially use expanding foam in the gaps to seal it, and tape up the foil surface of the insulation
6) Fill in the excavation with fresh screed.
The blocks etc can be left open for a few days with the system at pressure to check for leaks etc. also, the plumbing can be rerun to the new stop tap location.
Am I on the right track here?
I have been trying to get a plumber out to look at this job and give me a quote, but I have tried 4 and non of them have turned up. I am reasonably competent, and I believe I can do the work, if I cannot find a plumber to do it for me. I just want to make sure I am not overlooking any gotchas or regulations.
Thanks
