Really tricky kitchen tap replacement

[silver50]

In a small flat my father rents out I discovered today the old kitchen mixer tap spout has broken off. Oddly, it looks like the spout would be replaceable but of course I doubt you'd find anything to replace it with!

There's a 10L unvented water heater under the sink with a serious spaghetti junction of pipework/PRV/vessel etc etc. Old solid tap tails with very limited access. The Ariston 10L heater is about 8 years old I think. It would help access to remove it and one outlet (the hot I think) looks a bit corroded. I don't know exactly what the white plastic couplings are at the outlets of the water heater (incase I want new fittings for the water heater) Anyone?

If I attempt the tap swap I think taking the water heater out would be best. Does a person have to do anything regarding the expansion vessel when everything is connected up again? TIA.

Here's a few pictures

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Might need someone with G3 qualifications to remove the heater.

 

[RandomGrinch]

If you can release the nut and check the size, replacement spouts may be available. Example here:

Amazon.co.uk

 

[silver50]

If you can release the nut and check the size, replacement spouts may be available. Example here:

Amazon.co.uk

Ah wow, thanks. I had no idea a person could source anything of the like.

 

[sjmac]

The water heater install is rough as a badgers arse, however the tap change doesn't look too challenging - Even leaving the heater in situ,

 

[MeldrewsMate]

Might need someone with G3 qualifications to remove the heater.

For a ten litre vessel you won't need G3 qualification.
The plastic adapters are to attempt to prevent galvanic corrosion in the heater vessel. Keep them.

 

[Deleted member 267285]

For a ten litre vessel you won't need G3 qualification.
The plastic adapters are to attempt to prevent galvanic corrosion in the heater vessel. Keep them.

Apologies, I thought it changed to any litre-age for unvented

 

[Madrab]

Apologies, I thought it changed to any litre-age for unvented

Anything above 15L is notifiable and needs to be UVHW G3 (Now Hot Water Systems and Safety (HWSS)) qualified.

 

[gas112]

Apologies, I thought it changed to any litre-age for unvented

im with you cbw i think the g3 is now that changed a few years ago, pretty sure someone put a link to it in CC

 

[silver50]

We had changed Baxi back boilers to electric unvented cylinders in a couple of flats that couldn’t be replaced very easily or cost effectively with a gas boiler.

It struck me that so many plumbers don’t have the G3 but they’re all (or at least a lot of them that do Gas work) are happy to install unvented without G3. I asked a few we had quotes from who all brushed over the subject!

As a customer it was OMG difficult to be sure they had the qualification.

 

[silver50]

The water heater install is rough as a badgers arse, however the tap change doesn't look too challenging - Even leaving the heater in situ,

Access to undo the compression fittings onto the solid tap tails (or to cut any pipework) really isn't too good. If the water heater was out of the way you'd be a bit better off for plumbing in new tap tails. You could get your head into the kitchen unit a bit better to see what you're doing.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Access to undo the compression fittings onto the solid tap tails (or to cut any pipework) really isn't too good.

If access really isn't great, you could consider removing the sink - it might seem like a lot of hassle, but it could be an option.

 

[Madrab]

I raised the question when I re-sat my unvented -

Typically and as usual, the regs are not specific and still don't say 'a qualified/competent person must install'. The understanding seems to be that as far as the new G3 (HWSS) revisions are concerned then nothing has really changed it's more just a rewording. The new provision for unvented HW is that all unvented vessels do now need to follow the new revisions regarding temp and pressure controls, though for vessels of 15L and less, as long as they have the controls incorporated then they meet the requirements and do not need to be notified nor certified.

Therefore it would not need a qualified installer (or 'competent person as they like to say) as they would be the only ones that would certify and notify.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/509352/160321_Part_G_FAQ.pdf

 

[silver50]

I raised the question when I re-sat my unvented -

Typically and as usual, the regs are not specific and still don't say 'a qualified/competent person must install'. The understanding seems to be that as far as the new G3 (HWSS) revisions are concerned then nothing has really changed it's more just a rewording. The new provision for unvented HW is that all unvented vessels do now need to follow the new revisions regarding temp and pressure controls, though for vessels of 15L and less, as long as they have the controls incorporated then they meet the requirements and do not need to be notified nor certified.

Therefore it would not need a qualified installer (or 'competent person as they like to say) as they would be the only ones that would certify and notify.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/509352/160321_Part_G_FAQ.pdf

That’s interesting cheers.

 

[Madrab]

That’s interesting cheers.

Didn't mean to hijack your post @silver50