Basin and isolation valve issues...

robodelfy

robodelfy

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I'm just finishing up my bathroom. I'd planned to have right angle iso valves, but overlooked the fact the flathead bit to adjust them will be hidden behind the basin pedestal.

I then thought I could use straight valves so I could adjust them from the side, but the Flexi pipes won't reach that far! Silly me

The valve has an arrow on, and if the flow was the other way I could reach the adjustment bit from underneath. Maybe I could get a non directional one if they exist?

Or I thought a right angle iso valve with the flathead adjustment slot on the side, I don't know if they exist.

Do I really need to silicon the basin to the pedestal and the pedestal to the floor? It doesn't seem that necessary but I'm new to this. If not, then I could always remove the pedestal to adjust the iso valves

Any advice would be great
Cheers

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Isolation valves aren’t essential, only good practice. You Could go, elbow short stub of pipe, straight full bore isolation valve, tap tail adapter, threaded end into flexi, and just have a sweeping bend in the flexi towards the wastepipe.
 
robodelfy said:
Do I really need to silicon the basin to the pedestal and the pedestal to the floor?
Click to expand...
No, not required, and really only if it's rocking about. The old pedestals used to have holes at the base and then use short brass screws to lock it down ( just like the older pans) so it can be removed easily when servicing the trap. Always best practice to ensure easy access for servicing later.
The pedestal isn't really there to bear the weight of the basin rather than to just help support it.
 
Chris_W said:
Isolation valves aren’t essential, only good practice. You Could go, elbow short stub of pipe, straight full bore isolation valve, tap tail adapter, threaded end into flexi, and just have a sweeping bend in the flexi towards the wastepipe.
Click to expand...

Yeah I could do an elbow, but I don't have the equipment to solder copper, and push fit would be very ugly! I have the tap tails though :)
 
Madrab said:
No, not required, and really only if it's rocking about. The old pedestals used to have holes at the base and then use short brass screws to lock it down ( just like the older pans) so it can be removed easily when servicing the trap. Always best practice to ensure easy access for servicing later.
The pedestal isn't really there to bear the weight of the basin rather than to just help support it.
Click to expand...
Ok thats good to know, its pretty solid when just placed on top of each other. Even if water does drip down the front, I don't really see how silicone helps. It just stops it going through and running down the back. Either way it gets on to the floor!

If thats the case, maybe I can live with semi inaccessible valves. Thats if I can easily remove the pedestal when I need to. This is all new to me!
 
Silicone is really only used when the basin and pedestal aren't really a matched fit or the basin's slightly high, it just keeps it in all in place and stops it moving rather that to actually seal it up.

Typically the basin is set at a height whereby it just sits on the pedestal and no more. When it comes to servicing then the fitting screws are loosened, the silicone cut and then using a shoulder under the basin to lift it an inch or two. That should allow enough clearance to allow the pedestal be twisted and everything disconnected or teased it out bottom first.

Just need to be careful if they jam, as it's all ceramic, then it can splinter or chip. It's a feel, thing if that makes sense ... oh ... and have a piece of 2x2 ready in case the basin needs supported once the pedestal's removed.
 
Madrab said:
Silicone is really only used when the basin and pedestal aren't really a matched fit or the basin's slightly high, it just keeps it in all in place and stops it moving rather that to actually seal it up.

Typically the basin is set at a height whereby it just sits on the pedestal and no more. When it comes to servicing then the fitting screws are loosened, the silicone cut and then using a shoulder under the basin to lift it an inch or two. That should allow enough clearance to allow the pedestal be twisted and everything disconnected or teased it out bottom first.

Just need to be careful if they jam, as it's all ceramic, then it can splinter or chip. It's a feel, thing if that makes sense ... oh ... and have a piece of 2x2 ready in case the basin needs supported once the pedestal's removed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, that makes sense. So it shouldn't be an issue if I leave it all un-siliconed and the iso valves hidden. I probably will never use them, but its good to know they are there. If I can find some tomorrow that are non directional then maybe I'll buy them to make it easier. But the ones I have are full bore, not that its really necessary for a basin
 
Just put the bent ballofixes the other way round. It won't be an issue, unless they incorporate an nrv. BES do them and they are bisexual :)

Edit: just seen your link to BES product... They're perfect (y)
 
I'd fit as is and use either a coin or right angled screwdriver should the need to isolate arise. If you did want to use push fit parts and go for an elbow etc, why not use copper push fit such as Tectite? They look nicer than plastic push fit but are just as easy to fit...
 
Bodgedbuild said:
I'd fit as is and use either a coin or right angled screwdriver should the need to isolate arise. If you did want to use push fit parts and go for an elbow etc, why not use copper push fit such as Tectite? They look nicer than plastic push fit but are just as easy to fit...
Click to expand...

If I used the current angled valves I have, it would be impossible to get to with anything. But I didn't know about tectite, thanks I'll have a look
 
Madrab said:
Stopped using them now. Over time if the fitting isn't kept perfectly straight for whatever reason and there's any sideways stress then over time the o-rings start to leak. Seem to be replacing more and more of them these days.
Click to expand...

True dat! @Madrab :)
 
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