Turning a bath around

[ambercelery]

Hi
I'm wanting to turn my bath around in my bathroom without having to get a plumber in if possible. Can anyone give me some tips as to how i can do this - or what i can buy to do this myself? Are there any quick fit pipes or anything like that I can use?
If so , would it have a negative effective on the water pressure?

I am also wanting to put in an electric shower on the wall that taps would be on (once I've turned it round). Any tips???

 

[Dan Robinson]

You'll need to extend the waste pipes and therefore jack the bath up higher. this would have implications on your tiling. Other piupes are easily extended using push-fits if you can't solder.

As for the shower - you'll need a Part P electrician.

 

[Richard C]

You'll need to extend the waste pipes and therefore jack the bath up higher. this would have implications on your tiling. Other piupes are easily extended using push-fits if you can't solder.

As for the shower - you'll need a Part P electrician.

Not necessarily; depends where the stack is, how the waste feeds into it & which way the joists run; I not only turned my bath around but put it on an adjacent wall without any problems. Electric showers though are not an easy proposition for DIY.

 

[mikej2005]

I am also wanting to put in an electric shower on the wall that taps would be on (once I've turned it round). Any tips???

Are you turning the bath round for that reason ? The reason I'm asking is because I had a shower over the non-tap end of the bath in my last house and showering in that position was fine - not a problem at all.

If that is the only reason, then personally I'd save yourself the hassle and leave the bath where it is.

As far as the shower is concerned, you can certainly run a pipe down the wall from the ceiling to avoid having to damage any tiles. Not sure whether trunking is allowed for electrics though. If it's a hollow wall, then knocking a strategic hole in the wall and feeding cable down and through is certainly possible.

As mentioned above it has to be Part P certified though, so you wouldn't technically be allowed to connect up either end. Best get a professional in to do it by the book.

 

[Richard C]

If it's a hollow wall, then knocking a strategic hole in the wall and feeding cable down and through is certainly possible.

As mentioned above it has to be Part P certified though, so you wouldn't technically be allowed to connect up either end. Best get a professional in to do it by the book.

Afraid running cable inside a cavity isn't allowed but the cable can be run in a wall chase just like anywhere else. Also, many are not aware that you don't have to be Part P or employ a Part P spark to carry out work in a special location (bathroom, kitchen, outside). What you have to do is to notify BC of the work your doing, they come & inspect the installation (before you connect up to the C/U & plaster it all in), then you have to get a qualified spark in to connect up, test the circuit & issue a test certificate. Once BC receive a copy of this you can then finish off, BC with come & do a final inspection of the installation & hopefully issue a completion certificate; many councils are not keen on this route though & will do their best to put you off.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Bit of a performance isn't it Richard? Surely it would just be easier to get someone in who can self certify from start to finish? It's not that big a job.

 

[Richard C]

Bit of a performance isn't it Richard? Surely it would just be easier to get someone in who can self certify from start to finish? It's not that big a job.

Well yes it is & that’s why I said in my original post that it’s not an easy proposition for DIY; the point I was making is that many believe that Part P rules out DIY when if fact it doesn’t at all.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Fair enough...

 

[JayLar]

No expert but you'll also need to consider the effect of any new pipework on the supplementary bonding (assuming you have it).

 

[Richard C]

No expert but you'll also need to consider the effect of any new pipework on the supplementary bonding (assuming you have it).

Yes

 

[mikej2005]

Afraid running cable inside a cavity isn't allowed but the cable can be run in a wall chase just like anywhere else.

Hi Richard - why isn't that allowed ?

What are you supposed to do if your shower is on an internal cavity wall that you can't chase out ?

 

[Richard C]

Afraid running cable inside a cavity isn't allowed but the cable can be run in a wall chase just like anywhere else.

Hi Richard - why isn't that allowed ?

What are you supposed to do if your shower is on an internal cavity wall that you can't chase out ?

What can’t you chase the internal cavity wall? It’s much the same as any other wall.
Building regulations now consider that cables within the cavity may become wet causing the insulation of the cable to break down and moisture running down the cable could find its way into the cable terminations. New cables should not be run through the cavity, but under new ducting embedded in the inner wall surfaces or under floorboards. If it’s unavoidable, the cable must be protected by a conduit.
Remember I don’t make the rules, just making you aware!

 

[mikej2005]

Remember I don’t make the rules, just making you aware!

Thanks Richard. Wasn't having a go - I was just curious !

 

[MattChan]

Afraid running cable inside a cavity isn't allowed but the cable can be run in a wall chase just like anywhere else.

Hi Richard - why isn't that allowed ?

What are you supposed to do if your shower is on an internal cavity wall that you can't chase out ?

mikej do you mean internal cavity or internal stud wall?

 

[Agile]

Be aware that Richard has rather surprisingly not told you the whole story!

If you call BC to inspect the work then you will have to pay them for that and its apparently about £130.

In addition when the work is finished they are likely to still want a test certificate from a qualified person who is a member of a scheme.

For a small job as Dan says its better to employ a suitable person at the begining.

You can keep the costs down by doing the wall chasing and reinstatement yourself.

Tony