Moving a stopcock valve: 1st Fix or 2nd Fix Plumbing job?

Mystic_CT

Hi All,

The old kitchen has been ripped out. It's a bare room literally. The stopcock valve and connected pipe are visible. For some reason the stopcock was never positioned below the sink. When we removed the old set of kitchen drawers, it was behind them! It's a small kitchen and the new drawers will need to go there. However, we don't want a stopcock valve behind the new set of drawers.

As the kitchen is a bare canvas right now would it be sensible/simple to have the stopcock relocated as part of a 1st Fix plumbing job? As we're new to the area, it could be a while before we find a plumber to advise us. Many thanks for any advice.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Mystic.

Assuming you also have a 'street' stopcock to shut off the supply, it'll be a doddle to remove the existing indoor SC and to extend the pipe, say under the units, to a more suitable point, and this is best inside the sink unit where folk will look for it :-)

I'd have this done sooner rather than later, so's you can confirm there are no leaks.
I'd also ensure they are insulated well - to prevent condensation forming on them under the units, as well as any remote risk of them freezing, say if the house is left unattended for any time.

kimwp

Sounds sensible to me!

nofoollikeold

Just a word of caution.  Make sure you know what sort of pipe is on the inlet side of the existing stopcock.  If its copper, should be no problem.  Same if its plastic but not blue or black coloured.  However, if its lead, MDPE (blue) or Alkathene (black) the fittings are a bit specialist and pipe inserts will be needed.

Mutton_Geoff

Lots of old plumbing done in 15mm or even 3/4" pipe. If it's a big job, might be better to dig up back to the meter and run blue pipe back into the house. Better flow rate and worth it for future upgrades to heating/HW systems.

Mr.Generous

I've done something different with jobs like this, just left the old stop tap behind a unit and run the pipe to behind the sink and installed another one. But behind drawers I love!! In a cupboard they get blocked in with clutter and bashed about a bit, hard to get to quickly.

Nothing is as simple as lifting out a drawer, then the stop tap is readily accessible.

Behind drawers is not the big disadvantage it first appears.

gzoom

This was our en-suite between end of 1st fix, and start of 2nd. Essentially any pipe work or electrics need to be confirmed BEFORE plastering starts. 

If you have rear access it's a slightly different matter, like we had access to pipe work and electrics on the wall next to the window so had flexibility in fixing positions till the end. But the shower stuff all had to be in the right position by the end of first fix. 

So if you are moving a water valve, do it during first fix!! 

jonnydeppiwish!

Stopcock you can ‘usually’ do whenever, however if it’s all clear now, then get your plumber (or yourself to do it now. Makes perfect sense

ThisIsWeird

Consider a full-bore lever valve instead - less likely to seize, and much quicker and easier to use.

(This thread could run and run...)