Unified waste pipe diameter and material

[neiloneil]

There is a real lack of information available to someone (like myself) walking in to a DIY store, wishing to simply connect a sink and washing machine to existing pipework.
For the uninitiated, you would be wrong to presume you can buy bends and pipes at one store, then go to another store to get the reducers and couplers (that the other store didn't stock) and have them fit together properly.

I'm not interested in why they do it (*), I think it's just wrong.

Any one of the big DIY chains could take the initiative. But they probably welcome the sales associated with the confusion factor.

1. supply all pipes out of solvent weldable material.
2. standardise the outer diameter of the pipes. for example 36.5mm for 32mm nominal bore, 43mm for 40mm n/b, 56mm for 50mm n/b, and so on. The bore size is not critical for this application anyway.
3. Stock a full rage of domestic pipes and fittings.
4. stock couplers for all eventualities.

Ok I am slightly interested in why such an outdated concept is left to perpetuate, and I welcome anyone's comments.

 

[handyman77]

This is why I try and avoid the DIY stores when it comes to plumbing. Only ever use if it's an emergency. Always a piain in the arse to match up pipe sizes and fittings. Always go to a plumbers merchants. Nothing worse than when a client bought some cheap as chips bathroom/kitchen fittings then we have to spend countless trips to get the matching pipes.

 

[LargeWrench]

Simple answer is don't use a DIY store. The majority of the staff working there are numpties with little knowledge. Just go to a local merchants and if your unsure what you need give them a rough idea of what it is your doing and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Plus its usually cheaper.