Plumbing advice.

[darrow]

I know a lot about a few things, a little about many things, and some things.....
I was awake in the small hours when it occurred to me, we don't have traps in our recently installed bathroom sinks! The flexible pipe goes straight from the sink to the waste exit. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't a trap join the sinks first, the the flexible pipe, to prevent smells? Or is that not the Cypriot way? Any knowledgeable advice greatly appreciated. TIA.

[daveg]

The flexible pipe is a cheap alternative to a proper trap..
It works as a trap providing it's kinked to provide a water seal to stop smells coming into the property...
I changed to proper traps!

[trevnhil]

I agree with David.. Even the flexible pipe, if long enough can (and should) be shaped into a U bend.
But the solid plastic U bends are best and they are available at most DIY shops

[lefkes]

The trap can be fitted to the pipe coming out of the wall then connected to the sink with a flexible pipe , which ever is more straight forward.
A trap will also stop roaches climbing up the pipe.
Lefkes.

[vic 1]

Good advice from Hic checked mine two seized up the others were stiff sprayed
with wd 40 all ok now
Vic

[trevnhil]

Even houses within the 6 to 8 years you mention have these taps, or at least ours does. But we also have a manifold with a separate screw down tap which can be closed.. or just shut off the main inlet to the manifold as an alternative

[Poppy]

I agree good advice from Lloyd.A few years ago I was getting ready to visit my husband who was in Nicosia Hospital at the time,when I heard water running and had no idea where it was coming from until I located it in the bathroom and the toilet cistern had cracked and water was gushing out and I could not turn the tap off. I managed to prop up the ball clock to stop more water coming in whilst I called a neighbour for help who did manage with the help of pliers and WD40 to turn it off eventually. What made it crack I have no idea but it was a few weeks after the bad earthquake we had.Whether or not that was the reason I don't know but it always worried me when leaving the house if it happened again.

[Dominic]

I think we need more threads like this.

[jeba]

I think we need more threads like this.

And neighbours like Poppie´s.

[Poppy]

I think we need more threads like this.

And neighbours like Poppie´s.

You can say that again Jeba - he was a brilliant neighbour who looked after the pool for us whilst my husband was ill and also the dog when I was up and down to Nicosia. I even remember one day being on the motorway en route to Nicosia when I suddenly remembered I had left a pan of chicken simmering on the stove for the dogs food. I panicked thinking that the pan would burn then explode then the fumes would kill the dog and the house would be on fire etc etc. I was around Avdimou so it would have been about 40 mins back so I rang Bill who thankfully was in and he went round and rescued it! Needless to say the chicken was inedible but he got to it before any major damage!

[kansas]

Good advice about the stopcocks/widgets, Lloyd. We tested ours just after we'd read your posting and half of them are seized up. We're going to WD40 them this morning.......

[daveg]

Take the plastic cap off first , otherwise they break if you " work" them to and fro trying to open/shut the valve, then WD-40 the valve shaft..

[WHL]

Good shout HIC...checked ours and the majority were stuck....got the plumber coming round to change them and all the flexible pipes also.

[Dominic]

I have added HiC's post to the Top Tips thread.

[lefkes]

While on the subject of plumbing I've recently noticed that when I turn on a tap with our pressurized water system there is a delay of about 3 seconds before the pressure comes on. This was not the case before as the pressure was almost instantaneous. Does this signify that either the pump is on it's way out or that there is a pressure switch that perhaps need replacing.

Some times a cracked start capacitor [which gives the pump a electrical kick to get it going]l may cause your pump to pause before running.A simple job to replace. Or as you say maybe the pump itself ,pressure switch device, need to to replaced.
Lefkes.

[trevnhil]

You could also try 'bleeding' the pump in case some air is in it. Turn the electric off to it first..

[trevnhil]

I can certainly vouch for Panthermiki. I bought all our gas central heating supplies from there..