any plumbers or electrians????? advice please

[bargainsneeded]

just wondered if we had any electricians or plumbers i can ask some Qs. basically am having a new kitchen fitted and tonight have put my washing machine on and the pipe (blue i think) is leaking, they rigged it back up not me. (this is a council job). anyway the plug socket for the washing machine is right under the pipe so the water is dripping straight into it, surly it is dangerous to fit a water pipe of any description above a plug socket ????????? where do i stand can i complain can i ask them to move it by law? any help appreciated.

[morrice255]

Hi

Not sure if this will be much help but has spoken to OH who is a joiner (and regularly fits kitchens). Apparently there are regulations about plugs being too close to an open water supply (i.e. a sink) but he doesn't think this would cover a washing machine as, strictly speaking, the pipe shouldn't leak in the first place.

Did the workmen move either your washing machine location or the location of the plug or did they simply take your washing machine out to do something else and then put it back in?

I'd phone the Clerk of Works at the Council and ask them where you stand.

Hope that helps!

[bargainsneeded]

hya thanx for advice dont think they have moved the actual place where the washer is but they have put a socket there now that wasnt there b4, this socket will now be directly behind my sink (you can imagine the closeness as the washer pipes are under the sink too) the council have hired a bunch of cowboys and now dont want to take responsibility i am hoping to get some independant advice and throw it right at them:(

[chelseatom]

bet its the same council who did mine

[bargainsneeded]

bet its the same council who did mine

which part of the country you in then? south manchester by any chance? or is it just that all councils are carp?????? i have been let down terribly.

[chelseatom]

my washer pipe shares the same waste pipe as the sink and when washer pumps out it fills the sink??


it never used to before council fitted new sink unit, and dont get me started on the bathroom, they finished it 2 years ago, and said they would come back to put skirting on, i am still waiting

[indy]

had a quick look through building regs and i cant actually see anything covering watersupply pipes and sockets the only reference i can find that may be usefull is
the generic regulation of an accessory must be suitable for the environment for where it is installed comes into play, if there is a risk of water ingress then either the accessory must be IP rated accordingly or relocated so it is not at risk.
The general rule re kitchen sinks are the accessory should be 30cm along the horizontal away from the sink/drainer. This is in the electricians guide to the building regs.
quoted from this artice
[url]http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=75809[/urlits a bit vauge but may give you enough amo to get them to relocate it they shouldat the very least fix your washer leak
have to add i am not an electrician but have had to deal with several in the last few years whilst renovating several houses,

[Rexybaby]

I work for a local water company and inspect plumbing contractors work for compliance with the Water Regulations for a living, as well as run my own plumbing company. There are no rules (believe it or not) contained within the Water Regulations that prevent the installation of an electric socket/plug in the position you mention.

Im unsure as to how the electrical regs covered in IEE 17th edition would apply, but as another poster has said, id doubt there would be any comeback under these regs as the plumbers pipes shouldnt be leaking.

Personally, id be more concerned that the plumber cannot fit a simple washing machine hose that is easily accesible without leaving a leak, what is the rest of his pipework like ?, is the hot water run below the cold pipe for example (regs failure). For council kitchen fitters please read "jack of all trades etc etc", I`ve seen some right bodges in the last 20 years or so of peering behind cupboards..

[mum1964]

I am not sure but ring consumer direct on 08454 04 05 06 or the Electrical saftey council (reg charity so no charge) on 0870 040 0561 sorry no local no comming up on sayno to 0870