Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jan 27, 2009 12:27 pm It appears the we have more than a few plumbing issues with the house!
I have spoke with the regulatory authorities and confirmed the problems exist and even did the right thing and had Carlisle Homes and a representative from the plumbers come out to the house. They allegedly disagree with their own regulatory body in regards to the plumbing codes and have dismissed my complaint... I ask a simple question? How long would you expect it to take to get hot water to your hot water tap in the kitchen of you house? 20 seconds? 40 seconds? 60 seconds? try between 75 and 90 seconds... And this with a full tank of solar hot water? Pipes that run under the slab that require insulation (according to the plumbing industry body) that have no external insulation on them. Pipe runs that exceed the maximum recommended run distance in some case by up to approximately 10 metres. Carlisle Homes says 'its not our fault' Plumber says 'its not our fault' I wonder whose fault it is then... This is the way all of these houses are plumbed ... all the bordeaux and grande's... according to the plumber. This may get interesting Re: Plumbing Issues... 3Jan 27, 2009 12:52 pm Of course!
They could have placed it in a much more central location limiting the longest run to under 12 metres and still kept it on the blind side of the house. Re: Plumbing Issues... 5Jan 27, 2009 1:04 pm Don't you have to have a plumbing inspector inspect plumbing works before they are passed during the build?
I know in Tassie where have built before that all our plumbing works (drains, pipes etc) had to be inspected before we could use them. If they got passed when the house was being built it makes your argument more difficult now. Our pipes are in the slab now so don't know if they were insulated or not. So do hot water pipes that go in the walls (eg cylinder to shower) have to be insulated? Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Plumbing Issues... 6Jan 27, 2009 1:10 pm chuth77 How long is the longest run? And is the storage tank on the roof? It appears it may be 31 metres of 15mm plastic pipe. The storage tank is on the ground... Re: Plumbing Issues... 7Jan 27, 2009 1:11 pm Dale Don't you have to have a plumbing inspector inspect plumbing works before they are passed during the build? I know in Tassie where have built before that all our plumbing works (drains, pipes etc) had to be inspected before we could use them. If they got passed when the house was being built it makes your argument more difficult now. Our pipes are in the slab now so don't know if they were insulated or not. So do hot water pipes that go in the walls (eg cylinder to shower) have to be insulated? Dale. No such luck here... The industry is self regulated!! We get a 'certificate of compliance' but no one actually checks off the work Re: Plumbing Issues... 10Jan 27, 2009 1:27 pm Adrian B Come on Matt, thats a stupid question. Of course its the Plasterers, Framer, Electrician's and the tiler fault. Who else could be at fault here. Ooops forgot the painter Nah man! The painters rocked!! Re: Plumbing Issues... 11Jan 27, 2009 1:31 pm borg hey matt, curious to know what the builders motivaton was to provide a long run. Normally its because it is the cheapest option. It would be intersting to know why it couldnt have been installed in thebetter location. I have my own thoughts on this but it could have been because of the cost of copper perhaps. If they had put the HWS towards the back of the house it would have cost extra $$$ to run the larger gauge copper the extra metres... It could have been for aesthestic reasons... The plumber was also not given any plumbing layout from the builders (by their own admission this is not something they do) and this may heave lead to this issue as well. Re: Plumbing Issues... 12Jan 27, 2009 1:38 pm So which pipes are meant to be insulated?
Thats a hopeless situation in Victoria. In Tassie I had to have plumbing plans with types of pipes, drains etc and have them approved by Council. Seems the industry needs better regulation. We are having Big Kev do a pre plaster inspection so will check his opinion on pipe insulation as well. Dale. Building the Monaco 32 with Carlisle Homes Check out our blog for photos and progress reports: http://www.beigefreehouse.blogspot.com . Re: Plumbing Issues... 14Jan 27, 2009 2:00 pm We have similar issues with hot water delays, and we're not thrilled by it. We were having similar thoughts about solar hot water and how it "should" only take a short time to get to the taps.
It seems that anticipated savings on gas are being cancelled out by wasted water. Our 3-month maintenance check is coming up soonish - we'll be raising the issue then. Re: Plumbing Issues... 15Jan 27, 2009 2:01 pm Matt, is there anything you CAN do about it???? 90 seconds....long time on a cold morning in the nude.... Building Vancouver 33 - My Thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=89689 Re: Plumbing Issues... 16Jan 27, 2009 2:18 pm Dale So which pipes are meant to be insulated? Thats a hopeless situation in Victoria. In Tassie I had to have plumbing plans with types of pipes, drains etc and have them approved by Council. Seems the industry needs better regulation. We are having Big Kev do a pre plaster inspection so will check his opinion on pipe insulation as well. Dale. I am not sure of all the answers but: Any pipes that return hot water from a solar collection panel Any pipes that go under or into a slab The industry is into self regulation...of course it is much easier. The point I need to make here is take lots of photos...my wife complained I spent too much time taking photos of "what do you need a photo of the for" things... She is glad I did now though. Re: Plumbing Issues... 17Jan 27, 2009 2:19 pm kek We have similar issues with hot water delays, and we're not thrilled by it. We were having similar thoughts about solar hot water and how it "should" only take a short time to get to the taps. It seems that anticipated savings on gas are being cancelled out by wasted water. Our 3-month maintenance check is coming up soonish - we'll be raising the issue then. Exactly! 15 litres of water wasted at this tap just to get hot water through every time we turn it on .... I would think that's a little unnacceptable in anyones language. Work out where the pipes go ... you may have a similar situation to mine Re: Plumbing Issues... 18Jan 27, 2009 2:23 pm Ryan Oliver Matt, is there anything you CAN do about it???? 90 seconds....long time on a cold morning in the nude.... Plenty! PIC (Plumbing Industry) will do an audit. I have already had the guys from DUX out to confirm the issue. I have had a registered plumber come out for his opinion. Plus I can blog and post about it all day long As for the long wait in the shower I can go to the toilet, wake the kids, boil a kettle, get them breakfast, take them to school, come home, make coffee and then usually I can jump into a mildly warm shower (obviously this is a gross exaggeration but it goes to the point!) Re: Plumbing Issues... 19Jan 27, 2009 2:24 pm Oh, that is bad, Matt!!!!!!!! Just tested mine for a comparison (and just to make sure I don't have to add that to the list!!! ) - 7 seconds before it heated up - nowhere near what you're dealing with !!!
plumbers ....the underslab plumbing for our bath was put in the wrong place when our place was built - by about a metre or more (so it sat outside the edge of the spa hob ) So, you guessed it - not happy customers, and a jack hammer required to fix it. Even I picked it up at frame stage, and I'm hopeless at visualising things!!!! It'll be very interesting to see just how they plan to fix this one for you, Matt! Solidarity, not solidity.......The Lexicon of Life Re: Plumbing Issues... 20Jan 27, 2009 2:26 pm Oh I gave them a quick and easy solution!
They chose this path In my experience roof is essential element of the building envelope and hence a common property and should be covered by owners corporation however a detailed review of… 3 6173 For anyone that comes across this issue in the future - Just did what aussieta said and found a plumber to inspect it and sign off on it. Was difficult to find someone to… 3 7044 5 3785 |