Flooding property

[Keith Tindell]

Not sure where to post this information, but i have posted on another forum, of my experience this week with the plumbing in the house. Briefly, we came home from shopping to find the the house full of steak, just like a sauna, the pipe connector to the hot tap had burst, and the combo boiler pouring water, result one flooded bedroom and en suite, vanity unit destroyed. The important bit i would like to convey to members is, the fitting of flexible tap connectors. These flexible tap connectors are being described as a ticking time bomb by plumbers forums. when fitted the slightest leak slowly rusts the armoured sheathing to a point where they rust and weaken, the rubber composite the bursts. This is exactly what happened to me. They are now saying they have a life span of 5-10 years, but should be replaced sooner. The thought of what could have happened if i was on holiday !!. These are widely fitted in UK and abroad. I am having all mine replaced as soon as i can get the guys out. If this is in the wrong thread Vernon please delete.

https://community.screwfix.com/threa...s-last.211700/

[vic mcclymont]

Keith, similar problem with push fit connectors, if the pressure rise the joint opens and floods the property.
But, all plumbing wholesalers are pushing both the flexible and push fit connectors.
Vic

[Keith Tindell]

Vic another example where modern methods are not better than old tried and tested means. The plumbers of old did a 7 year apprenticeship, dont know what they do now.

[James Curry]

Keith like all apprenticeships it was a form of cheap labour, some employers would even try and put you on a wage referred to Improvers rate so they did not have to pay you full Journey mans rates.
Cannot imagine why a domestic plumber would require a 7 year apprenticeship? I know in Lairds we had Silversmiths Coopersmiths and Plumbers. I don't think they did 7 years training.
These days I think training for a domestic plumber would be 6 months maybe 12 months.
Cannot beat the old fashioned soldered Yorkshire fittings for fluids. Never liked compression fittings when fluids were involved. The modern snap on connection are about good enough for a garden hose Yorkshire.jpgsnap on.jpgcomp.jpg

[Keith Tindell]

James, just had a new gas boiler fitted, and these days they don't even solder the copper. All the fitting by the corgi guy were these press fits. The beauty is if there is a lead, no need to drain down, as in solder joints. i agree with todays fittings, apprenticeship is quicker, but the time of lengthy terms ie 7 years was the 50s. i would not swear a plumber served 7 years, but my brother did 7 years for heating and plumbing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5NWZMzPZBA

[Tony Taylor]

Keith, similar problem with push fit connectors, if the pressure rise the joint opens and floods the property.
But, all plumbing wholesalers are pushing both the flexible and push fit connectors.
Vic

I was working in the fluid power industry in mid 80s when push fits first came out. Initially, for compressed air systems running at 120psi was industry norm for commercial compressed air systems; never had any issues despite being cynical at first. Plumbing systems in domestic properties never run anywhere near that pressure.

[James Curry]

I started work when I left school I was nearly 17. Entered Lairds as an office boy for 3 months and then into the engine shop stayed there until I was just a few months short of my 21st really did not finish my time at Lairds. Lairds offered at Liverpool Poly Byrom st on a sponsored Marine engineering course. When I think back I really should have taken up the offer I think it would have been 2 years to gain the full degree.
Ah well we can all look back and think if only!!!!

[vic mcclymont]

Well James, starting an apprenticeship, no, no on the Clyde sixteen was age for staring an apprenticeship.
Had to have done the full five years to become a journeyman, anything less were considered as tradesman.
Of course things are different now.
Vic

[James Curry]

Perhaps Vic, but in Lairds you had to wait until they had a slot for you hence the office boy 3 months stint. Just the same as the Big Yin, Vic he started of in the yards as delivery boy before serving his time as welder? did he not all be it at 15.
Think Billy made the right choices he would be worth a few quid more than me.

[vic mcclymont]

I started as Time boy in Lithgows, at 16 had to leave, joined electrical subcontractors as an apprentice at 16part contract was that they paid for day release, failure to turn up or bad results - sack.
Vic