Silly question: should downpipes be screwed together?

[nebjamin]

Hi All,

I am having some external insulation work done at the moment. All the rendering is complete and the insulation co. is now fixing the downpipes back to the walls.

They have held the sections of pipe together with screws. I think the reason why is that they have not secured the clips correctly so the pipe is not held to the wall correctly. By using screws the weight of the pipe is taken by the gutter.

In my opinion this is completely incorrect. However before I raise yet another issue with them, wanted to confirm this was unacceptable practice.

Ta,
Ben

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The downpipe should be secured by spacing the fixing brackets correctly to the wall, not by screwing the downpipe joints together.
http://www.polypipe.com/cms/toolbox/Rainwater_Installation.pdf

 

[nebjamin]

Thanks. As I thought (knew). When a company bodges so much stuff you begin to doubt your sanity.

The sooner EWI can be installed by small local firms and still have access to funding the better.

 

[noseall]

It's not unusual to see the swan necks held together with self-drilling screws, however down-pipe sockets are just pushed together.

The down-pipe clips should just pinch the pipe enough so that it can't move.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

However before I raise yet another issue with them

Would be interested to know what issues you've had.

And the name of the company (via PM if you don't want it on open forum).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

the insulation co. is now fixing the downpipes back to the walls.

They have held the sections of pipe together with screws. I think the reason why is that they have not secured the clips correctly so the pipe is not held to the wall correctly.

What did they do about the soil stack?

 

[nebjamin]

What did they do about the soil stack?

They employed a plumber, who knew what he was doing and lined it up correctly and it was then screwed through to wooden blocks under the top coat.

These are the insulation co. employees, who seem to be void of even the most basic common sense (half of the offset bends are connected upside down!!)[/quote]

 

[nebjamin]

I emailed you the details already B-A-S. For some reason I have 2 logins, one on my work PC and another at home. So I am also benwhite. Think I sent you the details already. Steer clear of those guys.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ah - OK - thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They employed a plumber, who knew what he was doing and lined it up correctly and it was then screwed through to wooden blocks under the top coat.

So were you able to get away with out any excavations? What thickness of insulation did you have?

 

[nebjamin]

Yeah - they cut the cast iron off with an angle grinder about 10cm above the ground and connected the plastic pipe with a fernco and swan neck.

Went for 60mm phenolic. Could have gone thicker, was a bit worried about it looking odd, but looks fine.

 

[nebjamin]

I'll post some before/after pics when the scaff is down.

 

[alan333]

We used to solvent weld (glue) the joints on downpipes, but you're correct it's the brackets which hold it in place not the pipe.

 

[Nige F]

We used to solvent weld (glue) the joints on downpipes, but you're correct it's the brackets which hold it in place not the pipe.

expansion in the sun - oh ye dinnae get any in Glasgae

 

[Nige F]

These are the insulation co. employees, who seem to be void of even the most basic common sense (half of the offset bends are connected upside down!!)

sounds about right .