stop valves on new loft bathroom

[shardy]

Hi all,
I wondered if building regs stipulate a stop valve on all new bathroom fittings?
We are about to have the 2nd fix done on our loft conversion bathroom.
The plumber says he can't put one on the shower as there is nowhere to put it which is true. I asked if he could put one on the pipe that supplies the water to the loft but he says it would reduce the flow and make the shower almost unusable.
The supply to the loft runs up inside a fitted cupboard on the first floor.
The water pressure is very good in the house, so could he not put a wider bore stop valve on the supply pipe inside the fitted cupboard?
Then maybe a stop valve on the sink and toilet?
I've attached pictures.
many thanks in advance

 

[Burnerman]

Isolator valves are so useful for future maintenance......for the supply to your loft, use a full bore lever arm valve and the flow won't be restricted.
John

 

[shardy]

thanks for reply John. The full bore lever arm valves I have found online say for use with metal pipes. I think the plumber has used 15 mm plastic pipe. I suppose the must be a version for using with plastic pipe

 

[Burnerman]

Its possible to use brass compression valves with plastic pipe, so long as the correct inserts are used to strengthen the plastic.
Much better than the plastic valves, I feel!
John

 

[HERTS P&D]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/pegler-ball-valve-blue-15mm/11085

Andy

 

[shardy]

thanks for info chaps. that pegler valve looks bob on

 

[Madrab]

Just make sure he uses copper olives, the proper pipe inserts and doesn't overtighten then all will be fine.

 

[Steelmasons]

This DIY lark really pains me..
Do you not think "if a jobs worth doing"......
If you have to ask for advice then a sure winner it'll end up a hash.
You've employed the services of a plumber so why come on here seeking advice and second guessing the plumber?
If you don't trust this plumber then get rid.

 

[Steelmasons]

Just make sure he uses copper olives, the proper pipe inserts and doesn't overtighten then all will be fine.

Hey Madrab, can you imagine the OP standing over the "plumber" advising him to not over tighten the fittings?????... FFS....no wonder I see so much shyte out there..

 

[Madrab]

Hey Madrab, can you imagine the OP standing over the "plumber" advising him to not over tighten the fittings?????... FFS....no wonder I see so much shyte out there..

Yeah, fair shout Steel. I didn't really mean it whereby the OP would be standing over him telling him what to do.

To be honest though, if the plumber's saying that he can't isolate the installation without reducing the flow then maybe he needs someone telling him what to do anyway

 

[Steelmasons]

Doing a job @ the moment whereby its impossible to isolate each bathroom unless access panels are fitted or running pipes up and over roof space, basin hot and colds will be valved within vanity unit although shower mixers won't be valved..this applies to all 7 bathrooms.

 

[Madrab]

Certainly come across difficulties in isolating certain appliances due to access, was more the fact that it was said it could be done but not without reducing flow but splitting hairs now I guess.

 

[Steelmasons]

No splitting hairs Madrab , just letting the OP know that not all sanitary fittings can be isolated.

 

[Madrab]

I meant me splitting hairs Steel but not to worry.

 

[shardy]

The reason I've been coming on here asking advice Steelmasons is that we've spent almost £50k on a loft conversion and the so called loft conversion specialists have been using sub standard tradesmen who have been cutting corners at every opportunity, and telling us one pile of bs after another. The project manager has left and I've been trying to manage it myself. Its taken 6 months instead of 6 weeks and it is still not finished.
If we could get some of our money back we would gladly pay somebody else to do it. It's thanks to the decent folk on here who offer their advice for free that our project is only a partial disaster rather than a complete right off.
Their plumber told us categorically it is not possible to put an isolator valve on a shower without reducing the flow. We now have full bore valves on the supply to the loft. Unfortunately the valves he fitted 2 days ago as well as the toilet are leaking.
Ourselves and many others we know are experiencing the same thing in London over the past couple of years. There is such a glut of work and shortage of tradesmen, even so called reputable companies are charging top whack, cutting corners, using inexperience sub contractors or subbies who couldn't care less. Then they rush off to the next job.
Once they have been paid, its almost impossible to get them back and fix it.