Plumbing and heating Upgrading your plumbing

Pipework

The most common problem with any home improvement is that the pipes that run to the kitchen, bathroom and boiler may not be up to the job. In many old homes, these pipes tend to be quite narrow and are often clogged with scale and sludge. They may have been fine for draining the sink, but most of us now have dishwashers and washing machines, sometimes running both at once.

Your pipework, radiators and cisterns need to be up to the job

There are two common types of piping used in domestic properties: copper, which tends to be more expensive and takes longer to fit, and plastic. It is important that the correct type of plastic pipe is used, depending on whether it is for central heating or drinking water, and that it is fitted by an experienced, professional plumber. Poor fitting can cause leaks.

If you have metal pipes in the kitchen/bathroom it is important to consult a competent electrician. If you fit new copper piping, check your water tanks. If the tank is made of galvanised metal, you will have to change it. The two different metals may react against each other, causing corrosion. 

Radiators

Replacing old radiators doesn’t mean you have to compromise aesthetics by losing an attractive feature. You can buy products in all shapes and sizes, from modern to period.

To work out what size of radiators you require, you need to carry out a heat loss calculation – best done by a professional. The calculation depends on the size of the rooms and windows, whether you have double glazing and the types of walls, flooring and insulation.

The cheapest and simplest option is to put new radiators in the same place as the old ones, limiting the need for new pipework. However, it might be worth thinking about whether you could gain more space by moving them. For example, it might be that you have two radiators in a room along different walls. A larger, single new radiator may heat the room just as well.

Usually, radiators are placed where the most heat is likely to disappear, on external walls and under windows. If you are fitting new radiators, it is wise to invest in thermostats on each one for more precise control.

Cold water cistern

The cistern for storing cold water is usually found in the loft and can be made of asbestos, galvanised iron or plastic. Not all properties will have a storage cistern – only those that have indirect hot and cold water supplies.

Cisterns are not difficult to replace, although fitting them through the loft hatch can be tricky as they are usually around 1.5m sq. If this is a real problem, one solution might be to have two smaller, interconnecting cisterns. So it’s wise to get some professional advice and a quote. Typically it will take around a day or two to replace a cistern and fit a new one.