Need advice from plumber/builder please

bloodline76

bloodline76

bloodline76

Soldato
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7 Feb 2004
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I have got a problem with a shower that constantly runs when it is off. I got a plumber out to fix and he states that they are no isolation points for the water to be shut off.

Does anyone know if this is an NHBC requirement?

The plumber states that all water points should have their own isolation points. Is this correct?

If so what should be done about it?

I would greatly appreciate advice as my wife is 8 months pregnant and needs access to water. I am currently having to turn the water supply on and off when needed and obviously she isnt able to do this on her own.

Thanks!
 
Not really an amazing solution, but if she needs water, until fixed, you could fill up several bottles of water and keep them in your fridge.

When I had a problem like this we did that and just turned the water on and off as needed, drinking from the bottled water.
 
I don't know what the current NHBC regulations are regarding isolation valves.

All they are though are something like these:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=100121&ts=04939&id=67670

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=100121&ts=05020&id=16505

And they are connected inbetween your shower unit and the mains water supply. It is a good idea to have them fitted, incase of leaks or indeed to change taps etc in the future.

The plumber should be able to just cut the pipe and attach one of these.
 
sounds like the plumber wasn't really interested in the job.
otherwise he'd have just fitted an isolating valve then fixed the shower.

lack of an isolating valve was just an excuse to leave.
 
You may end up paying a fair bit of wedge for a relatively easy job too.

As stated above it would not take long, done the same job myself.
 
The only problem is that he didnt have access to the pipes. We searched the roof and underneath the shower but there was no access to actually even fit the value without ripping out the entire shower.

He suggested knocking through the tiled wall but I didnt like that idea without knowing who would be liable for it. As this is a new build property and still within warrenty.
 
If there were no isoltaing valves why couldn't he just turn it off at the mains, then drain the tank by leaving the taps/shower on for a while... then fix the shower :confused:
 
It's a new build?

I think the plumber is correct in that new builds do dictate isolation valves are required for each outlet.

However, they are usually little inline screw jobbies now, not the big handles they used to be.

resize
 
Hades said:
If there were no isoltaing valves why couldn't he just turn it off at the mains, then drain the tank by leaving the taps/shower on for a while... then fix the shower :confused:
Click to expand...


Exactly.

I would do the job myself, it should only cost you about £3 in parts if you go to a plumbing merchants, and should take no longer than 20 mins to do....
Just make sure you get an isolator with compression fittings !!!
 
Because its the weekend or after hours the plumber that came out is from the insurance company and they only give you a work around so that you can use your water.

And because he couldnt isolate the shower he couldnt fix it.

What do the newer valves look like then? Anyone have a picture so I can look myself. Ignore that I just looked at the above pictures.

I can not see those in view, so I am assuming that it either doesnt have any or they are hidden behind the wall (Which wont be very clever)

If i knew what was wrong with the shower then I could have an attempt at fixing it but I dont. And as it is covered by the same company that build it I dont really want to mess around with it or I would become liable for it.
 
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