All domestic water is supplied by a service pipe, also known as a rising main. This is connected to the local water authority's main which runs under the highway. There will be a stop cock where the rising main tee's off the water authority's main, this provides a means of isolating the supply to your property, should an emergency or any repairs be required. The homeowners responsibility begins where the rising main leaves the public highway and enters their land.
The rising main in modern properties is made from plastic, although in some older properties this could be lead or copper. There is another stop cock where the rising main enters your building, this could be in a number of places. Common locations are:
If you don't know where the stop cock is in your property then find out as soon as possible, when water is dripping through the ceiling is not the time to start looking.
Most homeowners rarely have to carry out major plumbing jobs and in most cases it is usually safer and better to employ qualified tradesmen, but being able to tackle small installations or repairs can save a lot of time and money.
If you choose to modify existing or install new plumbing then you must adhere to local water authority regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard public health and reduce risk of contamination or wastage.
Contact your local water authority for the relevant information.
You must also adhere to any relevant electrical regulations, these are also designed to safeguard anyone against injury. Certain sections of plumbing must be earth bonded, if any sections are replaced with plastic then an earth bonding link needs to be fitted. If you are in any doubt consult a qualified electrician.
| Airlocks | How to remove and prevent airlocks in pipes. |
| Bleeding radiators | How to bleed radiators. |
| Central heating | Information on central heating components |
| Central heating controls | Information on central heating controls, programmers, thermostats, valves, etc. |
| Central heating corrosion | Methods for checking the corrosion in your system and how to treat it. |
| Central heating de-scaling | How to de-scale your central heating system. |
| Central heating faults | Use our guide to cure your own central heating faults. |
| Central heating systems | Different types of central heating systems. |
| Combi system | Information about combination boilers and how they work. |
| Combination boiler | Description of hot water system using a combination boiler. |
| Compression fittings | How to assemble a compression joint and help prevent leaks. |
| Copper fittings, joints | Information on different types of copper joints |
| Copper pipe | Information on copper tubing , sizes used in plumbing systems. |
| Cutting copper tube | How to cut copper tube, pipe ready for fittings |
| Cutting plastic pipe | Method for cutting plastic pipe. |
| Direct cold water system | Identify your system using our pictures and information. |
| Drain a sealed system | How to drain a sealed central heating system. |
| Drain a vented system | How to drain a vented central heating system. |
| Drain cold water header storage tank | How to drain the cold water head tank ( storage tank ) |
| Drain cold water taps & pipes | Method for draining cold water taps and pipes. |
| Drain hot water cylinder | How to drain a hot water cylinder including the syphoning method. |
| Drain hot water taps & pipes | Method for draining hot water taps and pipes. |
| Drain toilet cistern | How to drain a toilet cistern. |
| Draining radiators | How to drain radiators for maintenance or repair. |
| Filling a sealed system | How to fill a sealed central heating system. |
| Filling a vented system | How to fill a vented central heating system. |
| Fitting a radiator | Method for setting out and fitting a radiator. |
| Hot water cylinder | Information on types of direct and in-direct hot water cylinders. |
| In-direct cold water system | Identify your system using our pictures and information. |
| Leaking pipe joints | How to repair leaking joints. |
| Maintain central heating | Know how to keep your central heating system in good condition. |
| Open vented system | Learn about the different types of open vented central heating systems. |
| Pillar taps | Exploded view of a pillar tap showing how it works. |
| Plastic collet fittings | How to assemble push fit collet joints on plastic pipe. |
| Plastic grab ring fittings | How to assemble push fit grab ring joints on plastic pipe. |
| Plastic pipe | Learn about plastic pipe. |
| Radiator valves | How to assemble and fit radiator valves. |
| Radiators | Information on radiators and their parts. |
| Remove or replace toilet | How to remove and replace a Toilet. |
| Remove a radiator | How to remove a radiator |
| Remove radiator valve | Method for removing a radiator valve and olive. |
| Repair compression fitting | How to repair a leaking compression joint, how to remove, replace the olive. |
| Repair plastic joint | How to repair a leak on plastic pipe joints. |
| Repair soldered joint | How to repair a leaking soldered joint. |
| Repair tap gland | Method for repairing a leaking gland. |
| Replace tap washer | Method for replacing a tap washer. |
| Sealed system | Learn about the different types of sealed central heating systems. |
| Shower booster pumps | Installation instructions for shower boostre pumps |
| Soil pipe | How to install a soil pipe into an underground drain |
| Soldered end feed joint | Method for assembling a soldered end feed joint. |
| Soldered yorkshire joint | Method for assembling a soldered integral ring joint, known as yorkshire fitting |
| Supatap | How to strip down and rebuild supataps, replace the jumper and washer |
| Unvented hot water cylinder | Information about unvented hot water cylinders. |
| Vented hot water cylinder | Information about vented hot water cylinders. |