Thread: Plumbing Work - What is Permitted

Off the top of my head mate they handle quite a lot, probably in the range of 1500/2000 kPa, they do burst, like anything with age the rubber inside will start to perish and they gradually go. Bare in mind that you must follow the manufacturers recommendations as far as inlet pressure is concerned and if needed install a pressure limiting valve, otherwise you will end up with warranty voided. It also states in the standard that no fixture shall be supplied with a pressure above 500kPa, this obviously applies to new installations and major renovations. If you are worried you can buy a valve called a floodguard that screws on to your machine cocks before the hose goes on, they work on flow rates rather than pressure so if a hose bursts they snap shut.

Originally Posted by wonderplumb

Off the top of my head mate they handle quite a lot, probably in the range of 1500/2000 kPa, they do burst, like anything with age the rubber inside will start to perish and they gradually go. Bare in mind that you must follow the manufacturers recommendations as far as inlet pressure is concerned and if needed install a pressure limiting valve, otherwise you will end up with warranty voided. It also states in the standard that no fixture shall be supplied with a pressure above 500kPa, this obviously applies to new installations and major renovations. If you are worried you can buy a valve called a floodguard that screws on to your machine cocks before the hose goes on, they work on flow rates rather than pressure so if a hose bursts they snap shut.

I have seen that floodguard fitting. Costs around 26 dollars. I will put senninger irrigation pressure limit regulation valves for my dishwashers and washing machines to reduce pressure to 275 KPa and extend the el cheapo hose life. Works perfect for 3/4 inch fitting. I think for 3/4 inch sizes american NPT and Australian BSP threads per inch are the same with minor thread profile variation which can be sealed by rubber washer in hose or teflon tape around threads.

The senninger PRLVs are 1/3 the price of the brass type pressure reducers used by plumbers and they are of high quality.

As you know chimpanzees are toolmakers



http://www.senninger.com/pages/new_prlv.html

• Allows shutoff valve to be used downstream from device. (If no shutoff valves are needed downstream, the use of Senninger's standard Pressure Master Regulator is recommended.)
• Maintains preset pressure (30, 40, or 50 psi) at flows from 1/2 to 15 gpm.
• In static (no flow) situations, limits downstream pressure to no more than 15 psi above preset regulated pressure.

Simple solution not available in Australia is this



http://floodchek.com/

Originally Posted by Learner

I did plumbing of very very high standard for my garden irrigation drip system


Now can plumber explain to me if dual check, double check, non-return , anti-siphon valves are really needed please!!!.

Yes.

If the water authority shut of the water for maintainence, there is a possibility of backflow.

If any of your water points are under ground - eg a soaker hose, they will fill up with particles of dirt and whatever fetilisers or chemicals on your lawn. without the backflow device there is an un-obstructed conduit for them to travel into your house.

Although- if your pressure limiting valve is of the correct type and make up ( youd need to see the manufacturer) then it may operate as a backflow valve under backflow conditions.

All this with one thought in mind. It's your risk, and the risk of anyone connected to your water supply, and your family. Similar to a loaded gun sitting on your kitchen table, just because you havn't been shot yet doesn't mean it can't happen. The consequences may be just as devestating.

Reminds me of the old joke:

Couple had a leaky waste pipe in the kitchen and called out the plumber who crawled underneath undoes the waste removed a perished o-ring replaced it with a new one and tightened it back up. Job finished in under 30 mins.

The plumbers says that'll be $100 please. The owners are taken aback and say "$100 that is outrageous, it only took you half an hour and it was so simple we could have done it ourselves. We want and itemised account." The plumber says "no problems I'll duck out to my van and do one up for you."

He comes in and hands them an invoice:

Call out fee: $29
O-ring :$1.0
Labor :$30
Knowing how to fix the problem: $60
Total $100 Thank You

As others have said there are many things that are restricted and shouldn't be - perhaps some loosening up of the rules with some certification mechanism for minor works by a licensed plumber would be a reasonable balance.

I have done much minor plumbing myself over many years, but I have seen many stuff ups by well-meaning handy people who just aren't quite up to doing the job or haven't access to the right tools let alone the right experience and knowledge.

Hi

Originally Posted by wonderplumb

Anyone can change a toilet or solder copper pipes together or cut DWV and glue it together but its the rules and regulations behind it, how far you can run a certain sized pipe, available head pressure, existing pipework if your doing a reno, etc. etc. there's a reason why it takes 6 years to become a plumber and its not to keep a closed shop. I dont mind giving advice as far as what can and cant be done but im not going to tell someone flat out how to do something. If I want to move a power point ill call a sparky(and ive done my restricted course) if I want to hang a door or buld stairs ill call a chippy, the only thing I can do with wood is burn it.
Too many times ive had to "Repair what your husband has fixed" and its ended up costing them double only cause some moron at bunnings has said yeah this all you need and how you do it, and I enjoy making them feel silly! Sick isnt it.
Aaah, feel better now.
Thanks Fellas

ALL of these kinds of posts, need to be put into perspective.

Sure there are "husbands" out there that "THINK" they know what to do, find out they don't and usually the wives take over from there and call the required trades.

For those of us that have the ability and I include myself in this group, we should be able to do the things we feel competant to do. The UK DIY'ers are allowed to do anything of their own on their OWN homes. This to me is fair and should be allowed here.

As I have been in various industries and have an extensive knowledge of "things" built up over the years, I combine this fact with the absolute POOR quality and availablity of tradespeople these days and JUST DO IT myself.

The nett result FOR ME is a cheaper better quality job in a respectable time frame.

That said there are things that I don't do, IF I don't know how to do it or what the regulations may be - such as sewerage plumbing.

My father was a bricklayer, my brother is a roofing carpenter (now a construction manager for a builder). I learned from a very young age from my father and also at Technical college about welding, soldering, sheetmetal work, carpentry, cabinet making, electrical wriing, home construction and engineering.

I have done sooo many things on a DIY basis for sooo many years that I DO have the capability to handle the jobs I choose to tackle.

I think that anyone that has or is sure of their own capabilities should be allowed to do so.

As an example, in my last reno & extenion, I did the following...

built new jarrah timber boundary fence
brick paving
knocked down the original (illegal and crappy) patio extension
Designed the extension and drew the plans
picked up most of the construction materials
directed a bobcat driver in the removal of brick wall and concrete slab
directed the bobcat driver in levelling and ground works
Laid out and dug the footings
Used a friends theodolite to set the levels
poured the footings
laid the slab for the wet area (toliet and bathroom)
laid the internal brickwalls around wet areas
built the brick piers for timber flooring
constructed the timber framing for the other internal walls
helped my brother (roofing carpenter) layout and build the roof
laid (computer) network cabling to five rooms
ran and installed the powerpoint wiring
ran and installed the lighting wiring including several two way switchings
installed new trip switches at main switchboard for new extension wiring
installed my own security alarm and wiring
removed a steel pole that supported patio roof replaced it with steel lintel
installed roof tile battens and roof tiles
installed extension guttering and downpipes
directed dingo driver in the digging (auger) of soakwell holes
installed concrete soakwells
replaced the existing but corroded gutters and downpipes on house
installed eave lining
gutted existing bathroom
removed cast iron bath for reinstall in new ensuite bathroom
broke through bathroom/external wall to newly added extension
chased walls for plumbing
installed the old cast iron bath and plumbed drain
installed new hot and coldwater plumbing to ensuite sink, bath and shower
plumbed sink drain
installed and finished gyprock to all internal walls
installed gyprock to ceilings in new bedroom/bathroom/toilet extension
installed all new cornices
desiged and built built-in bathroom cabinetry
built and installed floor to ceiling built in wardrobes in bedroom
installed ceiling fans
sanded floors in new extension
converted original bathroom into study with built in desk
installed downlighting to my specifications and design
redesigned kitchen layout and moved gas stove
installed and plumbed dishwasher
installed new kitchen cabinets
built and installed postformed new laminate tops to kitchen
installed new sink and rerouted plumbing in kitchen
removed old kitchen ceiling and replaced with new gyprock
tiled new kitchen splashback 750mm high
replaced old batten fixed lights with new modern light fittings
repainted inside throughout
built new pergola to front verandah
installed reticulation system (run off bore water)

...and possibly a few other things that I don't remember

As you can imagine I saved myself a small fortune and enjoyed the final result.

Oh BTW, due to time constraints, I had somebody tile the new bathroom floor and walls floor to ceiling. I contacted NINE tradesmen (?) ONLY FIVE actually turned up to quote and ONLY ONE measured and quoted correctly - consequently he got the job.

So the point of all of this is that IF you are confident in your abilities then DO IT YOURSELF

BTW.2 Although I can silver solder copper pipes and could have done so for the plumbing I did, it was much easier to use the new plastic piping than work with an oxy outfit in inconvenient locations. The new push fit connections and the new plastic piping is great stuff.

Not trying to start an argument here MR Fixit but,

how do you get past the required C.O.C's required by councils these days ? ( at least in S.A. you need them submitted at time of compleation)?

Are you worried about your insurance company fobbing you on any possible claim you make because of your doing liscenced work yourself ?

PS : did you install any flick mixers in your reno? if so what backflow did you use?

COCs are required in Vic too.

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Cant even get a plumber here... its like 6~12mth wait if they can be bothered.
I dont agree with the rules, I think basic plumbing(like adding an extra tap in the backyard)should be allowed.
I would never condone doing a whole new house install myself(its well beyond my capability's), but the basic's of plumbing is a monkeys job(no insult to the plumbers) its dead easy... making furniture takes a lot more skill.

Sound like a catfight to me! (I like that saying.)


Jason.

What is a COC for us dumb ass DIY law breakers.

COC= 50500 google results!
Certificate of compliance?

Originally Posted by MrFixIt

I combine this fact with the absolute POOR quality and availablity of tradespeople these days and JUST DO IT myself.

Thats a bit rough, obviously havent been looking hard enough................

Originally Posted by Harry72

Cant even get a plumber here... its like 6~12mth wait if they can be bothered.
I dont agree with the rules, I think basic plumbing(like adding an extra tap in the backyard)should be allowed.
.

In S.A. harry it is not illegal to work on cold water, which is not for drinking, and the line is under 25mm in diameter. So you can install a garden tap.

In theory you can change cold water tap washers aswell, aslong as they arn't in a breacher with hot aswell.

Anything you need to know about simple cold water regs and fittings i can help you out with.

Yes, COC = certificate of compliance.

They are required for roofing,water and sanitary installations. If you are doing a new build or extension/reno, you won't get a C of O without them.



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