Whether you are starting a new house build or are remodelling and updating a period property, you would need to adhere to the requirements of the building regulations (building regs ). In the UK, all properties have to be structurally sound and be certified by a professional to be eligible for homeowners insurance and damage insurance.
If you are sure about the property requirements and understand the building regulations, you could think of starting off work in the house – electrical, plumbing, heating systems, and gas. However, if you need training before you start (and want to save money in the long term), it is best to check out plumbing courses in Edinburgh before picking up any renovation or alteration work. Getting formally trained helps in several ways. The most critical being all the building work is carried out in a safe, energy-efficient manner, without accidents, injuries, or loss of life.
DIY Plumbing
While it is best to get a professional to do all the deep plumbing and necessary work, there are specific jobs that homeowners can also complete. Installing a new washing machine and dryer, changing the bathroom and toilet fixtures, adding new taps in the kitchen, cleaning the gutters, and more are a few jobs homeowners should do in their homes. While it is a good idea to get your hands wet and fix the issues in the house, taking on massive jobs like changing all the pipes, and checking the water pressure, cleaning, and so on are better left to the professionals.
A minor plumbing issue can quickly escalate into the whole house flooding and lead to tremendous property loss and costs in damages. If any plumbing jobs need knocking down of walls, ceiling leakage fixings, or breaking the floors, it is best to hire a qualified professional to do the job for you. Always remember, all plumbing work done in the house must meet compliance standards.
If you plan to install a swimming pool, build a house from scratch, or a mini bath that holds more than 230 litres of water, you will need to inform the local water supplier before starting the work. You may also need to get permission before you begin any work.
Let us look at some ways that you can do the plumbing work by yourself.
Don’t Damage The House Structure:
Before breaking down walls and tearing the flooring up, it is best to speak to a structural engineer. There are chances that the walls you want to break may be load-bearing walls with structural columns and beams. When installing home plumbing, you must be highly cautious about water leaks and other issues that may arise from faulty pipes. Leakages and rips may cause severe damage to your property, increase the mould in the house, and become a breathing hazard.
You should consider how you would reroute the existing pipework while adding new ones to make the passage of water easier, faster, and stronger than earlier. Damage to the house also includes copper pipes. If you want, this is the perfect time to change the pipes to alternative materials.
Refitting a Bathroom:
If there is minor work in the bathroom, like changing the shower glass, adding in new fixtures, and so on, you can do these without permission or consent. However, if you plan to outfit the entire bathroom, remove the waterproofing, add a fresh one, and then rebuild from scratch, you need to get the permissions in order.
You can re-tile the walls and floor, fit new towel rails, install new cupboards, and put in new basins and shower fittings. While you’re at it, you should also check the bathroom’s ventilation and check for any upgrades. Clearing out the vents and allowing fresh air usually helps keep the bathroom fresh and clean for longer. It also avoids any damp and rank smells.
Waste Pipes:
Waste pipes need suitable fall with good clips to avoid unnecessary sagging. While installing new waste pipes, you should check the distance of the shower/bath, basin, and WC from the Soil and Vent Pipe (SVP) waste stack. The constraint in maximum space may lead to an eventual change in the bathroom layout and any subsequent upgrades to the waste pipes.
If you do not measure the distance carefully, there is a high risk of siphonage and a leak into the bathroom. Bigger bores and anti-siphon traps should also help prevent the issue. Internal waste pipes and fittings are primarily push-fit and should be changed without breaking the floor. These should also be closer to the surface.