what have i let my self in for? first question

[hoppo4.2]

ive just bought my first house. well i get the keys on friday so quite excited. even if it did mean selling my beloved M3

its a 3 bed end terrace built around 1887.

BUT to say that it needs some work is ummmmm. well you get the idea. i dont think it has been touched since the late 40's 50's

now im not to fussed about this because i can do and have done most of this work in the past just not on this scale.

so my first job is to get some heat in the place. currently provided by a gas fired rayburn in the kitchen and fire places in every room. so no rads or pipes etc. which leads me to my first question of what im sure will be meny.

i have done a bit of plumbing in the past but allways on existing system ie soldered copper pipe and compression fittings.

but in this case as there is nothing i was thinking a combi system using this new style plastic pipe
looks a lot easier to fit what are your thoughts ? on this type of piping and recommend a boiler?

bit long winded sorry.

ill try and get some pics up when i get the keys if anyone is interested in the progress.

[hoppo4.2]

Leve Lad said:

Your best bet might be to buy a heatpack containing boiler, radiators, piping, valves etc and get someone else to fit it.

You may want to offer your services as a labourer if you want to keep the costs down but the signing off of the installation, the comissioning and testing etc should ALLWAYS be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Your new boiler will have to be registered too.

I would get rid of the gas fires if I was you. They cost loads to run and although can be prety to look at they can be a nightmare.

Edited by Leve Lad on Wednesday 1st December 22:02

i will of corse be getting a "gas safe guy" to fit the supply and commision but the water side im sure i can deal with.

and as for fires, gas? that would be nice i ment open fire places in every room.

[hoppo4.2]

the place is going to need replastering throughout i was considering using fome backed plaster board.
to aid insulation when i get round that job.

also the loft was converted way back about 1930 i think. the walls up there area stud covered in toung and grove. i intend to replace with plaster board and im willing to bet theres no sign of insulation behind there.

the windows are prity shot so will also be getting replaced at some point soon.

as for the wood burner i like the sound of that.

for now i will check the chimneys and light a fire where im working i think. at least while its this cold!

i may even look at fireing up the old rayburn for some heat and hot water but i guess its not been used in at least 10 years. so as its gas think i best get some one to have a look first. cant use it for long though as the chimney it vents through is going to have to come down. (before it falls)

[hoppo4.2]

mrsxllifts said:

Does the rayburn have a boiler in it? If so you just need pipes, rads and a pump. Gets you up and running whilst you sort out the combi. You can also have it running off of both so combi runs in the summer and the rayburn does it in the winter, especially economic if you have access to free fuel!

the rayburn is gas fired. i cant see it's going to be cheap to run.