Mains water supplies don't need to be buried
- Thread starter ChrisR
- Start date
If they are insulated to the requirements of the Water Regulations (e.g. 19mm thickness for 25mm poly/22mm copper then above ground is OK, isn't it? I'd like to see protection around the insulation too, like tape windings and/or ducting.
Should it have more clips
What happens when the insulation is water logged?
Shocking installation... No doubt from one of our eastern European palls.
Shocking installation... No doubt from one of our eastern European palls.
For above ground installation the pipe should be:
a) Insulated with a "Class 0" waterproof nitrile rubber insulation (eg Armaflex). Usually 32mm wall thickness for 25mm MDPE.
b)Contained within a continuous duct to protect from mechanical damage, sealed at both ends to prevent ingress or water/critters.
Where the hell is that, got to be worth a call to the Water Co... If that was in my area I'd love to have a little chat with the occupier of the property.
edited to correct typo's 18:28 12/08/07
a) Insulated with a "Class 0" waterproof nitrile rubber insulation (eg Armaflex). Usually 32mm wall thickness for 25mm MDPE.
b)Contained within a continuous duct to protect from mechanical damage, sealed at both ends to prevent ingress or water/critters.
Where the hell is that, got to be worth a call to the Water Co... If that was in my area I'd love to have a little chat with the occupier of the property.
edited to correct typo's 18:28 12/08/07
chrishutt said:
If you have the Water Regs guide have a wee peek at the bottom of R4.11:
Water pipes that are located;
a. above ground level external to buildings or less than 750mm depth of cover; or
b. under suspended ground floors ; or
c. in unheated communal staircases, corridors, garages or roofspaces,
will need to be protected with a thickness of insulation much greater than that recommended in Table G4.11
Besides, 32mm wall insulation fits snugly around 25mm pipe inside a 90-100mm duct to prevent movement/flex.
I don't have the full story, I was there to fix the combi.
But, the cust was persuaded he needed a new water main by the guys doing the block paving. It sounds like it wasn't discussed much...
At some point, the blockies cut the water off, and said it would be
£15,000
to replace the main.
I said to custs wife
"You mean £1500, well that would be quite a lot"
She said
"No, £15,000".
Which is how it wound up where it is.
I bet they just cut the old lead pipe and left the part under the pavement too (about 600mm).
Given the mess they have now, I thought a "mole" might be a possibility, but I've heard they're verboten after someone in Wales hit a gas pipe with one , with consequences.
It's about 6 metres from the boundary to the bay.
I suggested they contact the water provider for names of approved contractors, but any comments would be welcome - not least for if the boiler goes wrong again.
But, the cust was persuaded he needed a new water main by the guys doing the block paving. It sounds like it wasn't discussed much...
At some point, the blockies cut the water off, and said it would be
£15,000
to replace the main.
I said to custs wife
"You mean £1500, well that would be quite a lot"
She said
"No, £15,000".
Which is how it wound up where it is.
I bet they just cut the old lead pipe and left the part under the pavement too (about 600mm).
Given the mess they have now, I thought a "mole" might be a possibility, but I've heard they're verboten after someone in Wales hit a gas pipe with one , with consequences.
It's about 6 metres from the boundary to the bay.
I suggested they contact the water provider for names of approved contractors, but any comments would be welcome - not least for if the boiler goes wrong again.
Poor bastewards... It makes you sick doesn't it!!
ChrisR wrote
I can't figure out why the guys laying these paving bricks were giving advice on the water supply main in the first place or why they cut the water off and why the customer was so gullible as to accept such advice.
No one in their right mind would accept workmanship like that.
And why is their a great hole left with what looks like other services running through ?. The guys who did this ought to be paying the customer for the damage they did here.
The insulation on those pipes will certainly not stop a freeze up when a severe frost occurs.
I can't figure out why the guys laying these paving bricks were giving advice on the water supply main in the first place or why they cut the water off and why the customer was so gullible as to accept such advice.
No one in their right mind would accept workmanship like that.
And why is their a great hole left with what looks like other services running through ?. The guys who did this ought to be paying the customer for the damage they did here.
The insulation on those pipes will certainly not stop a freeze up when a severe frost occurs.
Chris,
I sincerely hope they haven't paid for the blockwork yet.
Tell them to contact trading standards and to check if they have legal expenses cover on any of their insurance policies or union memberships etc... If not get down to CAB.
Then get lots of photo's, write down a log of conversations had with the company (both past, present and future).
Next step will be to write them a nice letter telling them that they have altered a pipe that had the benefit of being legally installed and have left it in a state that is not legally compliant or acceptable to the householder. Invite them back to rectify the faults within a set timescale (I think 28 days seems reasonable in the eyes of the law) else they will commision someone to make the installation compliant at the expense of the block company.
After 28 days send another letter infoming them that they have not complied with the conditions of the first letter and that the householder is now engaging a contractor at the firms expense.
I sincerely hope they haven't paid for the blockwork yet.
Tell them to contact trading standards and to check if they have legal expenses cover on any of their insurance policies or union memberships etc... If not get down to CAB.
Then get lots of photo's, write down a log of conversations had with the company (both past, present and future).
Next step will be to write them a nice letter telling them that they have altered a pipe that had the benefit of being legally installed and have left it in a state that is not legally compliant or acceptable to the householder. Invite them back to rectify the faults within a set timescale (I think 28 days seems reasonable in the eyes of the law) else they will commision someone to make the installation compliant at the expense of the block company.
After 28 days send another letter infoming them that they have not complied with the conditions of the first letter and that the householder is now engaging a contractor at the firms expense.
They can afford itChrisR said:Yup, beggars belief all round.
Nice couple, both accountants. Not sure what that says!
THAT`s what it says serves em right.......damned bean counters wouldn`t recognise an itinerant "workman" if he knocked their front door down 
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