Stopcocks

[November 2021]

The old stopcock needed to be moved – ideal location was the utility – dropping it deep enough (+ insulation) for frost protection needed a little more excavation.

Talking of water – a damp patch appeared at the point we’d made the connection for the UFH. On inspection, the connections were sound and the water had worked its way under the ‘self leveller’ from the old patio doors. Panic over (the paper towel remained dry).

With the downstairs toilet relocating to the old stairwell we’ll need a new drain. The number of pictures suggest I’m developing the same degree of obsession that Arnold Rimmer has for 20th Century telegraph poles.

With the remaining floors dug out and pipework in place, we can re-lay with the usual MOT, sand ‘blinding’, DPC and insulation.

The remaining parts of the old utility are removed and a slightly different approach for the UFH – these boards are laid directly onto the current slab (the only chunk we decided to keep as it was almost ‘regulation’)

The image below suggests the work was being undertaken mid-shooting season and the garden is something of a refuge.

The UFH pipework is laid (clipped and slotted), then connected – remembering the importance of the re-rounding tool (guess who didn’t and lived to regret it)