Basic DIY questions?

[UnderOpenSky]

Yes, the shower on my top floor in my last house had low pressure so I did buy a head that was supposed to help. I can't see it is going to help much if the pressure is ok already. I put a pump in in the end and I also put one in my new house. Treat yourself to a pump.

There's nothing actually wrong with my shower, but I thought if I could spend £15ish and make it a bit better then it could be a win.

There will be a point at which the the pressure of the water starts to drop due to the volume of the holes in the shower head being greater than the volume of water the shower can provide. Stopping just short of this would be the ideal size, IMO.

So is this a reason to get one with loads of settings. Because the optimum will actually vary depending on your water pressure?

 

[Saul Goodman]

So is this a reason to get one with loads of settings. Because the optimum will actually vary depending on your water pressure?

I always go with the biggest one my shower can handle, which happens to be one with multiple settings, but they rarely get used. You tend to find one you like and stick with it.

 

[Elpenor]

I am considering collecting water off this small shed into a water butt. You can’t tell from the picture but there’s around 9 inches from the back of the shed to the house so room for guttering

But the roof has grooves in which means the water won’t fall down the slope into a gutter



And as you can see the water pools in these grooves.

How might I stop this happening, so water flows down the shed roof and into a gutter.

I assume I need to attach something to the roof, like a thin layer of Perspex to cover up the grooves? Am I missing anything?

 

[Saul Goodman]

I am considering collecting water off this small shed into a water butt. You can’t tell from the picture but there’s around 9 inches from the back of the shed to the house so room for guttering

But the roof has grooves in which means the water won’t fall down the slope into a gutter

View attachment 457391

And as you can see the water pools in these grooves.

How might I stop this happening, so water flows down the shed roof and into a gutter.

I assume I need to attach something to the roof, like a thin layer of Perspex to cover up the grooves? Am I missing anything?

Take the hollow out of the roof, and put gutters down each side, as well as the back.

 

[Elpenor]

Take the hollow out of the roof, and put gutters down each side, as well as the back.

The hollow is designed in

The roof can be lifted up, as it’s on a hinge, but I think I have a way to get round that problem.

 

[Saffy]

So I'm pretty sure the waste pipe outside is frozen. Is it as simple as warming it up and it hopefully melting? Am I being too hopeful?

I may have taken some action already
But I'm only going to own up to it if you don't laugh.

 

[WouldBe]

Yeah just warm it up.

 

[existentialist]

So I'm pretty sure the waste pipe outside is frozen. Is it as simple as warming it up and it hopefully melting? Am I being too hopeful?

I may have taken some action already
But I'm only going to own up to it if you don't laugh.

So long as you didn't try to defrost it by booting it, or hitting it with a hammer, I'm sure you are doing exactly the right thing.

 

[Boudicca]

So I'm pretty sure the waste pipe outside is frozen. Is it as simple as warming it up and it hopefully melting? Am I being too hopeful?

I may have taken some action already
But I'm only going to own up to it if you don't laugh.

Hairdryer?

 

[Saffy]

Hairdryer?

I was going to go with a hot water bottle but I've only got my new fluffy one I got for Christmas.

I ended up filling marigolds with hot water and wedging them on the pipe. It worked a treat!

 

[Epona]

I was going to go with a hot water bottle but I've only got my new fluffy one I got for Christmas.

I ended up filling marigolds with hot water and wedging them on the pipe. It worked a treat!

That's a great solution!
The only thing I would have said was don't heat it too hard or too fast in case a pipe cracks, but marigolds filled with hot water is a bit genius

 

[Saffy]

 

[klang]

Been horrible under the shower mixer ever since and it now started to drip.

Quick Google suggests a new thingy is 50ish quid.

I'll turn the water off on the mains and unscrew whatever needs unscrewing from the pipes on the wall and replace with the new thingy.

If I mess up I'm fucked and can't turn the water back on.
If there is limescale or corrosion on the wall pipe and the thread is damaged I'm also fucked.

I think I have the right tools.

I'm okish with DIY but don't take things slowly and get bored and frustrated.

What else could go wrong?

Do I call a plumber?

 

[danski]

I think you should be alright. Generally there would be copper pipe or a brass fitting coming out of the wall so won’t have corroded.

There may also be silicone behind the cover rose thingy, sealing the hole where the pipe exits the wall. You will need to redo that if you disturb it

 

[klang]

I think you should be alright. Generally there would be copper pipe or a brass fitting coming out of the wall so won’t have corroded.

There may also be silicone behind the cover rose thingy, sealing the hole where the pipe exits the wall. You will need to redo that if you disturb it

Should there be a stop cock in the bathroom somewhere?
There is a little door into the wall next to the shower but a glance only reveals pipework.

Do I have to turn the water for the entire flat off?

 

[existentialist]

Should there be a stop cock in the bathroom somewhere?
There is a little door into the wall next to the shower but a glance only reveals pipework.

Do I have to turn the water for the entire flat off?

Almost certainly, yes.

 

[danski]

Should there be a stop cock in the bathroom somewhere?
There is a little door into the wall next to the shower but a glance only reveals pipework.

Do I have to turn the water for the entire flat off?

Anything like this on the pipework?

 

[klang]

Almost certainly, yes.

Yes to what?

 

[spitfire]

View attachment 458850

As I always like to say. If it’s stupid and it works, it’s not stupid.

 

[existentialist]

Yes to what?

Turning off the water supply to the flat.

 

[klang]

Had to head out for an honest day's work, will get back to this later. Thanks so far.

 

[klang]

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Follow your dreams.

 

[klang]

Boom

 

[teuchter]

Please feel free to provide your assessment of the ambiguity of the controls, before and after.

 

[klang]

I filled every pan, pot and mug I could find with water, just in case I'd fuck up and had to leave the water off

 

[klang]

Anyone need an experienced plumber? Cash in hand rates apply.

 

[WouldBe]

View attachment 461033
Boom

It shouldn't go boom

 

[klang]

Oh