Table of Contents
Meet the author ix
Introduction xi
The ten most common plumbing problems
Your safety checklist
1 The plumbing in your home 1
Incoming cold water supply
Cold supply inside the dwelling
The storage cistern
The toilet-flushing cistern
Hard and soft water
Water softeners and water conditioners
The above-ground drainage system
The below-ground drainage system
The equipotentiat earth bond
2 Hot water in your home 41
Gas installations Oil installations
Flues and ventilation for gas- and oil-burning appliances
The hot water supply
Hot water storage systems
Direct systems of hot water supply
Indirect systems of hot water supply
Instantaneous systems of hot water supply
Thermal storage systems
Choosing a new domestic hot water supply
3 Domestic central heating 73
Types of central heating system
Radiant heating
Central heating using radiators
Micro-bore systems
Radiators and heat emitters
Radiator valves
The boiler
Heating controls
Protecting heating systems
4 Emergencies and contingency work 1 107
Turning off the water supply
Draining down the water supply
Draining down the central heating
A dripping tap
Water leaking from the body of a tap
Lack of water flow from a tap
Toilet will not flush
Water continuously discharges into the pan
Toilet or storage cistern overflowing
Toilet leaking when flushed
5 Emergencies and contingency work 2 147
Burst pipes
Noises from pipework
Hot water problems
Blockages in the waste-water pipework
Smell of gas or fumes
6 Plumbing processes 173
Corrosion
Pipework used for water supplies
Copper pipework and fittings
Bending copper tube
Plastic pipework and fittings
Specialist plumbing tools
Concealing your pipework
7 Ancillary works and maintenance 201
Employing a qualified professional
Gas or oil boiler maintenance
Gas fire maintenance
General plumbing maintenance
8 Undertaking small plumbing projects 213
Preparation and first principles
Installing a washing machine or dishwasher
Installing a water softener
Making a connection to the soil pipe
Installing an outside tap
Removing a radiator to decorate behind it
Repairing the water supply main
Replacing the water supply main
Installing a new storage cistern
Replacing a faulty immersion heater
Insulating pipes against freezing
Installing guttering and rainwater pipes
Installing a new WC suite
Installing new sink, basin or bath taps
Installing a new sink, basin or bath
Installing a shower cubicle
Replacing a shower booster pump
Appendix 1 Legislation 257
Work requiring notification under local building control
Work to which Gas Regulations apply
Work to which Water Regulations apply
The professional plumber
Appendix 2 Glossary 265
Appendix 3 Taking it further 275
Further reading
Plumbing trade and professional bodies
Index 277
