Outside waste pipe from Bath

JJforever

Hi All

I hope someone can please advise on this. My pipe outside which leads from the bath to the drain needs replacing. Probably damaged by the sun, I think the pipe has degraded.

Would you advise me to get either a plumber or a handyman to fix it? I am not sure of costs and I live in the London area. Was going to look on Checkatrade or Trustatrader to find someone.

Thank you in advance

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6677434/outside-waste-pipe-from-bath

Probably a handyperson. Plumbers generally don't like doing dirty jobs like drainage, so typically bump their prices up. If it is like-for-like replacement then a handyperson should be competent enough to do the job, provided they don't start altering things without knowing what they are doing.

FrugaiMacDugal

A photie would help, could be an easy diy job.

JJforever

Thanks for your replies. Here's a photo

WIAWSNB

Access looks good - that's a flat roof that's presumably strong and easy to get on to?

That's a very straightforward job, very DIYable too, so any handyperson should be able to do it, no need for a plumber. But do ask prospective folk whether they are familiar with working on waste pipes.

Where does that pipe lead to?

JJforever

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080431#Comment_82080431

Thank you for getting back to me.

Yes it is on top of a flat roof, that's how I noticed it was leaking and it leads straight to a downward pipe into a drain. I thought it was a straightforward job but I don't have the necessary tools to do the job. So I thought it would be a bit cheaper to ask a handyman to do it.

I'll check on checkatrade and trustatrader.

Thanks once again.

grumpy_codger

This time use black pipes (more resistant to UV) and push-fit connectors (more easy to replace, at least to the pipe coming out of the wall).

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080919#Comment_82080919

If you google PVC pipe colour and UV degradation, you get different answers. Some say the carbon black used in black pipes acts an UV stabiliser, whilst others say white pipe will reflect more UV and absorb less heat heat, and therefore degrade slower.

White PVC windows last for years without significant degradation. However they use much higher levels of Titanium Dioxide than you would get in a pipe.

Probably a more accurate answer is that a good quality pipe from a recognised supplier, which is not formulated to the very cheapest cost, will resist UV degradation better than a cheap unbranded one. Regardless of whether it is black or white.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080953#Comment_82080953

I'd agree with that. Pretty much everyone has white waste pipe outside, and it lasts decades.

A branded make will do so, at least.

Go branded, and any colour you like, JJ. 😊

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080973#Comment_82080973

One caveat is that not all pipes are PVC , and other polymers will react differently. Having said that nearly all domestic waste pipes, gutters etc are PVC.

grumpy_codger

waste pipes white vs black - Google Search

General consensus is that black pipes are more suitable for outdoor use. Even if it's the same material, black colour stops UV on the surface and doesn't let it penetrate deep inside (titanium dioxide probably has the same effect if added, but reflects it rather than absorbing/stopping). However black pipes are apparently ABS or polypropylene and my feeling is that materials are different indeed. Not to mention that I saw few crumbled grey and white pipes and not a single black one.