A Few Plumbing Questions...!

[Netto]

Hello all, Netto back again with a new project!

Ensuite to do: original thermostatic gravity fed shower has not been working for approx 5 yrs or more (previous owners used shower as a plant stand). I want to fit a new, but similar system to this.

Question: As the pipework for the shower has been 'dead' for so long, is there a risk of legionella!? If so, would it be best to cut out and replace with new at hot and cold branch to hand basin?

Sticking with ensuite, the old system had leaked behind the stud walling - all cleared up now, but I don't want a repeat. I have heard mixed messages between using Aquaboard, and marine/exterior grade ply.

Question: Which would you recommend for re-walling, then tiling over? The Aqua board, or the ply?

For the floor, we have standard depth floor board. I want to finish this with tile, but do not want a massive step up from bedroom to ensuite. 12mm ply is recommended for tiling onto, but with tile on top of this, the floor finish is higher then the bedroom.

Question: How do I skin this one!? I could either entirely remove the ensuite boarding and replace with thicker ply, or use a thinner ply on top of the boards... thoughts!? Is it worth even getting worried about!?

Finally, whole house is gravity fed, working probably to no more than 1 bar. This is frustrating, is it possible to pump the entire house cold water system? If so, are we looking at mega bucks, or a fairly simple fix?

Cheers chaps!

Netto

 

[Softus]

Question: As the pipework for the shower has been 'dead' for so long, is there a risk of legionella!?

Hard to quantify, but some risk, yes.

If so, would it be best to cut out and replace with new at hot and cold branch to hand basin?

Remove any unused pipe and deadlegs, but my gut feel is that it would be overkill to remove pipework if it's being put back into service.

Question: Which would you recommend for re-walling, then tiling over? The Aqua board, or the ply?

Personally, ply, and a BAL tanking kit.

For the floor, we have standard depth floor board. I want to finish this with tile, but do not want a massive step up from bedroom to ensuite. 12mm ply is recommended for tiling onto, but with tile on top of this, the floor finish is higher then the bedroom.

Question: How do I skin this one!? I could either entirely remove the ensuite boarding and replace with thicker ply, or use a thinner ply on top of the boards... thoughts!? Is it worth even getting worried about!?

No. But if you are, then replace the existing flooring with ply at least 18mm thick,

Finally, whole house is gravity fed, working probably to no more than 1 bar.

That would be a very tall house - more likely it's around 0.2 bar upstairs and 0.5 bar downstairs.[/quote]

This is frustrating, is it possible to pump the entire house cold water system? If so, are we looking at mega bucks, or a fairly simple fix?

It's possible, but unusual, and would be noisy when flushing the loo at night.

Rather than suggest a technical solution, why not describe the problem that you find so frustrating?

 

[Netto]

Rather than suggest a technical solution, why not describe the problem that you find so frustrating?

Cheers for your reply Softus, all makes sense...

Re your latter point, the thing which frustrates me (and I know it is minor) is the outside tap - not mains fed, also fed from the tank in loft. We have a long garden and when it comes to running out 30mtrs of hose to water/wash car etc, it literally trickles out.

I guess I should buy a power washer ... but ...

I know the other option is to feed the tap off the mains, but:

We live in old farm cottages, semi detached, so our mains come thru from next door, into the header tank in the loft space, not thru into the kitchen like most. It is also a private supply, pumped on very old infrastructure, and I think to about 3 bar max, but probably not even that.

Anyhow, its a minor problem I can live with...

 

[BoxBasher]

I guess I should buy a power washer ... but ...

Won't really increase the amount of water available, just the same amount at a higher velocity...

Why not install a water butt and pump? You could always supplement the level of water in the water butt with your hose (or a bucket in times of drought)

 

[Netto]

I guess I should buy a power washer ... but ...

Won't really increase the amount of water available, just the same amount at a higher velocity...

Why not install a water butt and pump? You could always supplement the level of water in the water butt with your hose (or a bucket in times of drought)

Never thought of that - and it would save the header struggling to re fill...

Cheers!