Plumbing - cold water supply pipe layout

[aclivity]

A simple job to replace the cabinet doors in our kitchen has ballooned into doors, worktops, new sink, wallpaper, lights and most recently has included new cutlery and dinner service. I've had a collection of problems fitting the worktops (worn out several jigsaw blades cutting the ruddy stuff) but my most serious problem has been a strange pipe layout under the sink - or should I say a strange pipe layout that is now under the sink as the position of the new sink is not the same as the old sink (see scope creep note above for reason).

I have uploaded a picture of the layout here:

(sorry for pedants, I know the bottom left label should refer to the stop tap and not cock but I was rushing a bit).

My question is about the loop of pipe that is above the feed to the cold tap - not the earthing point. Is there a reason for a loop like that; bearing in mind that this is the main feed to the house? I was a little surprised to find that the outside tap comes before the kitchen cold water but more concerned about the height of the loop as it means I can't fit my sink.

I've got a plumber coming to look at it, just wanted to mentally prepare myself for when he purses his lips and tells me that he could move it, but it'll need some builing work as he'll have to go throught the back wall and anyway it's not to code so he has to condemn the house and he can't get to it until March. Or something.

Any ideas?

[aclivity]

hmmm, picture doesn't seem to be working. I'll try the image uploaded instead:

[Mr GrimNasty]

No reason I can see other than it's been butchered/modified over the years and that's the work of art you ended up with. The outside tap should have a non-return added if it hasn't, so that you don't end up sucking rancid water back in from a hosepipe/bucket etc. None of these things will cost much/take much time for a competent plumber to sort.

[Deva Link]

So have you got two stop-cocks - one either side of the tee for the outside tap?

Our current kitchen was professionally fitted and they couldn't turn off the stop-cock in the cloakroom completely (necessary for soldering) so cut the pipe under the sink and fitted another one there. Maybe that's happened in your case, and the pipework has just been done to fit?

The layout isn't significant - it's cold water mains pressure, you can lay it out any way you like and it'll still work.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 1st December 15:16

[aclivity]

Thanks for the answers, I knew PH would come up trumps.

Mr GrimNasty said:

The outside tap should have a non-return added if it hasn't, so that you don't end up sucking rancid water back in from a hosepipe/bucket etc.

There isn't anything that I can see on the pipe, unless perhaps the tap has one built in? I'll make sure that gets checked and sorted when the plumber does his stuff.

Deva Link said:

So have you got two stop-cocks - one either side of the tee for the outside tap?

Yes, so it seems. The one below the shelf is about 3 inches above the joint between the nylon main supply, then there is the tee for the outside pipe, then the tap you can see in the picture, then the loop, then supply for the kitchen tap and the rest of the house. I was surprised to see the outside tap feed before the kitchen tap feed as I had some recollection that the kitchen tap should be a direct feed from the supply?

I suspect there are in fact 3 stop taps, as I think there is a stopcock on the pavement. I would go and look but it's far too cold out there!

[Deva Link]

aclivity said:

I was surprised to see the outside tap feed before the kitchen tap feed as I had some recollection that the kitchen tap should be a direct feed from the supply?

It is being fed directly from the supply - "directly" doesn't mean it has to be first. The in-direct way is gravity fed, like bathroom taps are in some places.

[Simpo Two]

Is it because the stop valve has to be above cabinet height to get at, but that the water then has to go back down under the cabinet? My system has an H-shape rather than a loop but the effect is the same.

[ferg]

aclivity said:

Mr GrimNasty said:

The outside tap should have a non-return

There isn't anything that I can see on the pipe, unless perhaps the tap has one built in? I'll make sure that gets checked and sorted when the plumber does his stuff.

If you don't have one, have one fitted in the pipework rather than a bibcock with one in. They jam up when they freeze.