What shall I do with this?

[crockett]

I do feel for ya mate, its a bummer when you get stiffed like that, and it only makes you sceptical every time a tradesman walks thru your door. I suppose it will open your eyes to unscrupulous people, but hopefully hasn't completely made you lose faith Keep smiling !! That plumber will get his comeuppance one day.............

 

[penguinventures]

I do feel for ya mate, its a bummer when you get stiffed like that, and it only makes you sceptical every time a tradesman walks thru your door. I suppose it will open your eyes to unscrupulous people, but hopefully hasn't completely made you lose faith Keep smiling !! That plumber will get his comeuppance one day.............

Thanks Crockett, I'll get over it. Fortunately I know some very good tradesmen so all faith is not lost. As you say he'll get his comeuppance one day - what goes around comes around etc...

Meanwhile, back on the objectives of what I do next. Here's the plan.

Screw the slab to the floor
Mount timber supports under the cold and hot feed pipes and support the pipes with clips.
On the output side introduce two 22mm copper right angles connecting the upside down U to the pipes laying on the loft floor. The slab could be moved to the left so the pipes come down and get clamped to the loft floor so I don't have to create a step to go down the slab edge.
Insulate all copper
Fabricate a ply box to cover the whole lot.

Any comments welcome?

Thanks

 

[crockett]

Penguin, what you could do is just simplify the cold feed into the pump (straight out of the cold tank, if you have pipe benders then bend the pipe so that you don't need to use any elbows ). There's no need to screw the slab down, it won't move. Get rid of the long flexi connectors and replace with either copper or plastic pipe. Keep the pipework 'flowing' i.e. when you look at it all, it looks neat. Also, I would isolate both the feed and supply on the hot and cold pipework with full bore valves. this will aid you if and when you need to service the pump, or replace it. The reason the previous plumber put the 'loop' into the cold feed pipe was probably to create some extra head of pressure so that the pump would operate. There shouldn't be a need for this, although the pump you have isn't a negative head pump, which it should have been when installing into a loft just below a cold tank but if it's been working, then fine. Supporting the pipes is a good idea, yes.

 

[penguinventures]

Hi Crockett, sorry for the delay been doing some other stuff that thankfully doesn't involve plumbing!

Penguin, what you could do is just simplify the cold feed into the pump (straight out of the cold tank.

This was how the d**khead plumber was originally going to do it but was asked by me not to as the MI states that their hoses must be used. The pump gives a little kick when it starts and I don't want that movement transmitted up to the tank gland fitting for obvious reasons including not wanting the content of the tank going down the stairs.

I'll screw the slab to the floor as this is the base for the box that will stop the box from moving when it inevitably gets knocked by future visitors to the loft.

Get rid of the long flexi connectors and replace with either copper or plastic pipe. Keep the pipework 'flowing' i.e. when you look at it all, it looks neat.

I'll have a look at 22mm plastic plumbing - that's a good idea. I have soldered copper fittings before and I can do it - but plastic sounds a whole lot easier to me! As long as the upside down U's are supported on this side and the flow is not going through the inappropriate flexi's I'll be happy.

Also, I would isolate both the feed and supply on the hot and cold pipework with full bore valves. this will aid you if and when you need to service the pump, or replace it.

The valves fitted are "full bore valves" - I have checked - we are OK there.

The reason the previous plumber put the 'loop' into the cold feed pipe was probably to create some extra head of pressure so that the pump would operate.

Believe me this would not of been a consideration in his mind at all!! The only reason was I did'nt want the feed from the tank going straight into the pump. He just couldn't be a**ed to do the job properly. "Rework" and "Satisfactory" are not part of his vocablury let alone thoughts!

although the pump you have isn't a negative head pump, which it should have been when installing into a loft just below a cold tank but if it's been working, then fine. Supporting the pipes is a good idea, yes.

The pumps fine - I researched this fully and bought the pump (neg or pos can't remember) for him to install in the loft. Its location in the loft is not the preferred location but all the heights and feeds are fully compliant with the MI. To install where it is, is fine with the pump makers.

Only other things I have to do - not necessarily right away.

Fix the non-draining shower and move the radiator up and away from the wall - maybe you saw my posts on these subjects?

Cheers
P