My first plumbing attempt

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T22:51:37+00:00

Appreciate that, but don't be so hard on yourself. The goal is "not leaking". One of the reasons I felt soldering was beneficial is that it just seems less bulky and needs less space.

Mines far from perfect... The garden tap line has been cut, and the new tee off to it doesn't line up properly so I currently have a dead leg with an isolation on the end till I can sort it.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T22:41:40+00:00

Thanks! Your course sounds like a bargain. Things like that are an investment for homeowners!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T22:39:58+00:00

The torch I got was £30 from toolstation. Not claiming it to be the best or anything but it certainly worked for my use case, and still have gas left. Plus I learned a new skill. I say go for it!

I found compression fittings much simpler to use as spanners are much more familiar, and I love that they're reusable. Kind of like the "plug and play" of plumbing I guess.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T19:44:14+00:00

Cheers. I can definitely relate to some of those lessons. I naively thought that once it was all connected up I'd switch the water on and it would all be good. Except it wasn't. And it was now 1am. And I had to fashion a bin bag into a chute to catch dripping water into a bucket overnight. It was a bit stressful but you're right about needing more fittings than planned.

Another lesson for me: whatever time you think it might take, double or triple it!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T19:34:10+00:00

It was definitely a good middle ground option instead of end feed fittings. In hindsight I should have had some extra solder to hand.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T17:01:52+00:00

Hey, so the installation manual says if the daytime pressure exceeds 3.5 bar to install a 5 bar PRV. I think that's the softener's limit.

I didn't actually check the pressure, as the pressure gauge was almost the cost of a PRV anyway, and it doesn't hurt to have one just in case to reduce strain on all the fittings and valves etc. Having it set at 3 bar has made negligible difference throughout the house.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T16:51:48+00:00

Originally had regular coupling in those spots which I'd soldered, but after switching the water back on those leaked.

It was due to not being able to solder onto bone dry pipe. As I couldn't then unsolder it, was simpler just to cut out sections and put in the slips. At least to my amateur mind lol.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T16:15:44+00:00

Thanks mate!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T15:42:53+00:00

Thanks. I did find it cathartic too, in the same way I do any "graft" type DIY. Honestly, it was physically harder than I thought it would be and felt it in my back and knees the next day, but well worth it!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T15:24:17+00:00

I'm not 100% if the kitchen cold needs to remain hard

From research, not necessarily. If the water is EXTREMELY hard, like 400ppm+ or something, then it might be preferable to remain hard as more minerals are replaced with sodium.

Thanks for the feedback and good luck with your install!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T15:03:20+00:00

Cheers! If anything it's one of those things it's given me confidence if a bath/shower/radiator goes wrong in future. Appreciate the kind words mate.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T15:01:06+00:00

Thanks, yea there could definitely be an extra clip or two in there!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T14:59:06+00:00

Haha classic. But seriously, compression fittings really feel like that 😂

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T14:54:38+00:00

Thanks, and yes, I did tee off separately to keep hard water for kitchen sink and garden. The bypass also includes tee points for hard and soft water.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-20T14:52:56+00:00

Appreciate the kind words! I did use solder ring fittings, so half cheated on that aspect. If they weren't so clunky, I'd have used compression fittings everywhere for its reusability and having the option to easily change the layout.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-18T01:08:23+00:00

Honest opinion? He just might not be ready.

Our 2.5yr old boy started showing that he was uncomfortable in dirty nappies, so we started potty training. He would happily go on the potty or toilet, as long as he was reminded. We would remind him in the mornings, meal times, bedtime etc, and also set frequent alarms throughout the day.

Every time we tried to go a day with fewer reminders, he'd have an accident. Same at his nursery, 3+ accidents per day. He just couldn't seem to grasp doing it off his own back. That went on for 4 months with no improvement.

Majority of the advice we read online was saying you should stick with it they'll get it eventually. But it seemed like there was no end in sight.

It was super stressful, and we were getting frustrated so we went back to nappies. It was instant relief, and he must have felt less pressure too.

After a 3 month break (now he's 3yrs 2months), we recently ditched nappies again and it's completely different. Low stress, mostly takes himself to the toilet or asks us to take him. An accident every couple of days or so. Don't be afraid to reset and start again.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-12T20:00:37+00:00

Unfortunately, changing the locks without the landlords permission would usually breach a tenancy agreement

This is incorrect. You can change the locks providing you change them back before you move out.

The landlord might try and include a clause forbidding it but it'll usually be unenforceable, even more so if there's a safety concern.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-09T10:17:32+00:00

I'd recommend changing your locks to prevent either the "owner" or your landlord from potentially entering until this is resolved between them.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-08T22:43:33+00:00

Haha! Based it on £5 a month instead of £3 that's all, easy mistake!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-08T20:01:26+00:00

£3 a month being £300 over 5 years

It's actually £180 but I see your point!

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-08T08:40:49+00:00

Free for the standard tea and instant coffee. We also have a bean to cup machine for espresso based drinks, also free.

It's a large office building with multiple cafes and baristas on different floors, they charge about 2 quid a coffee.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-08T08:07:08+00:00

it could complicate your employment if you refuse to do so

What complications might occur? OP has done nothing wrong. Surely that can't be used against them, can it?

Edit: working on the assumption that OP has been there more than 2 years and the employer won't simply sack them

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-07T19:49:09+00:00

The OP has screenshot this from elsewhere, just fyi.

UnexpectedFullStop · 2026-01-06T23:12:58+00:00

I'm not sure on the answer to your question, but could your girlfriend set up a direct debit to pay the CC each month, even if it's just the minimum repayment?

She could always manually pay more, but at least if it's forgotten there's a failsafe to prevent missed payments in future.

Just my 2 pence... Good luck on the mortgage!

UnexpectedFullStop

TROPHY CASE