What can you do in your home?

[Deleted User]

spadoosh wrote: »

So is UFH using an existing fused socket that was in the boiler cupboard (immersion heater) in the bathroom thats been moved in to the hallway, with all wiring going under the floorboards an electrical installation in the bathroom?

It's a good question isn't it, none of these diagrams are clearly unambiguous. If water leaks into the floor though, UFH is clearly a hazard.

spadoosh

jack_pott wrote: »

It's a good question isn't it, none of these diagrams are clearly unambiguous. If water leaks into the floor though, UFH is clearly a hazard.

Thats true though of the entirety of the electrics in my house that are routed under the bathroom floorboards including several standard junction boxes (installed by council/previous owner). Not to mention my boiler sitting directly beneath the bath.

I try and use common sense to work out if regulations should be used for alterations (like the waste hopper, i understand they shouldnt be used?!) but then if your sewage system is for waste and rainwater, it seems illogical to spend loads of unnecessary money to comply with regulations that probably arent that applicable on the whole but then you look at the nitty gritty and youre not compliant with something youd struggle to be compliant with.

spadoosh

It took me 12 months to do the bathroom, not because i wasnt confident with what needed doing but because i was trying to ensure it was compliant with regulations. I tried my best but its difficult to get specific answers to specific issues.

And im quite resentful of getting someone in for me to say, this is what i'd do and for them to say yeh so would i and paying for the privilege.

I suppose its the old adage of anyone can change a resistor but its knowing which resistor to replace thats worth the money.

[Deleted User]

spadoosh wrote: »

I try and use common sense

Big mistake.

When a guy at work replaced rotten windows in his Grade 2 listed cottage, he wanted to use hardwood so that they would last longer, but Planning insisted that he use softwood because that was what was used originally. Never mind that you couldn't tell the difference once it was painted.

spadoosh

Lol, thats where im worried ill come a cropper!:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

spadoosh wrote: »

And im quite resentful of getting someone in for me to say, this is what i'd do and for them to say yeh so would i and paying for the privilege.

In my experience there are two types of tradesmen, those who can't do a good job, and those who would do a good job if they didn't have to compete with the others.

Grenage

I believe if you are a savvy DIYer (such as you or I), and it's in your own home, and you're not planning on moving soon - use common sense. Look at the regs that might apply, and appreciate their purpose.

I tend to treat them more as guidelines; I don't touch boilers and consumer units, but I do everything else. I've technically broken the rules here and there, but in such cases I believe my work is as good, if not better than would have been achieved professionally.

You tend to make more of an effort in your own home.

spadoosh

So im not really any clearer on what can or cant be done.

Try another way, what should i expect when i come to sell? Id rather be preemptive and have the necessary checks done before any sale than find out of problems during a sale.

So talking electrical inspection (rough costs providing no faults)? Gas inspections?
Do you get plumber inspections?

Thats another thing. Had a company install our boiler and theyve mounted it on some ply. We had someone from the gas board come round to replace a leaking pipe up to the gas meter. When he went round doing the appliance checks afterwards he said he wasnt sure if it was within regulations so wouldnt allow it to be turned back on but never went as far as condemning it (not surprised it was installed 2 months prior to his visit!). In my head im thinking this guy was a bit of a busy body and from what i can see in the installers instructions theres no issue with it being mounted on ply, its just he wasnt sure if it was allowed. But again how would you go about proving (To yourself) its compliant?

spadoosh

Grenage wrote: »

I believe if you are a savvy DIYer (such as you or I), and it's in your own home, and you're not planning on moving soon - use common sense. Look at the regs that might apply, and appreciate their purpose.

I tend to treat them more as guidelines; I don't touch boilers and consumer units, but I do everything else. I've technically broken the rules here and there, but in such cases I believe my work is as good, if not better than would have been achieved professionally.

You tend to make more of an effort in your own home.

Its my main reason for DIY. Im quite picky and see mistakes miles away. Ok it takes me 5 times longer to tile than a professional but it is perfect and that included a certain amount of learning and refining skills. I wont think, thats good enough because i know ill be staring at it in 6 months times cursing myself!

I also like to think if anything goes wrong i know exactly whats what.

Grenage

When selling you will normally be asked if there's been any new electric work, and fensa/boiler certs will be requested, etc.

There's always an indemnity policy as an option.