A disused four-bedroom farmhouse in Cheshire has been transformed into a modern family home following a major renovation, with works including a complete re-plumb using PolyPlumb® Enhanced White and Polypipe Building Products’ solvent weld waste system.
The Brief
The extensive refurbishment included a two-storey extension, new bathrooms, a downstairs WC and an upgraded heating system, all requiring the property's ageing infrastructure to be replaced.
Using long runs of Pro-Straight® plumbing and heating pipe along with PolyPlumb® enhanced push-fit connections, installer Tony Hughes was able to complete the first fix in just two days and without the need for hot works.
The plumbing project formed part of a wider renovation and extension, which included a two-storey extension to create a larger open-plan living space for a growing family.
Alongside the extension, the property's gas central heating system was upgraded, the boiler and hot water cylinder were relocated to the loft, a new downstairs WC was created, and the existing bathroom was remodelled to create a larger bathroom and ensuite wet room.
As part of the renovation, all of the property's existing plumbing was removed, including clay and cast iron waste pipes, lead water mains and corroded copper water pipes.
Our Solution
With the entire property being renovated, there was an opportunity to replace the ageing plumbing infrastructure with a completely new system. Pro-Straight® plumbing and heating pipe was chosen for the water feeds and central heating pipework, providing a flexible and efficient alternative to traditional copper installation.
One of the key challenges was connecting the plumbing between the original farmhouse and the new two-storey extension. The joists in the two sections of the property ran in opposite directions, creating additional challenges when routing pipework between the two areas.
However, the extensive renovation meant the installer had full access to ceilings and floors, allowing the plastic pipework to be installed without the restrictions that would normally be associated with working in an occupied property.
The use of long coils of Pro-Straight® plumbing and heating pipe also allowed the installer to run continuous lengths of pipework for the first-floor central heating system, which includes eight radiators. This reduced the number of connections required through using a continuous coil of pipe and helped minimise potential leak points.
The flexibility of plastic pipework also enabled the installer to create soft bends where required, rather than relying on the rigid runs and additional fittings often associated with copper pipework. This proved particularly useful when navigating the different layouts of the existing house and new extension.
All connections to the system, and the connections between the different diameters of pipework, were made using PolyPlumb® Enhanced push-fit fittings, helping the installer complete the first fix quickly and without the need for hot works. The push-fit design made installation a straightforward process, allowing connections to be made quickly and securely.
New stud walls allowed the plumbing first fix to be installed efficiently within the new bathroom and ensuite. Concealed cisterns and wall-hung toilets were used to make clever use of the available space, helping to preserve valuable floor area within the rooms.
Two completely new internal and external waste pipes were also installed to serve the main bathroom and downstairs WC. This was necessary because the main bathroom was no longer positioned against an external wall following the extension works.
The installation also incorporated a hot water recirculation line, connecting the furthest fixture back to the hot water cylinder to help provide hot water more quickly at the taps. New hot and cold feeds were also installed to serve a wet underfloor heating system on the ground floor.
Materials Used
- 22mm Polybutylene Barrier Pipe
- 10mm, 15mm and 22mm Pro-Straight® Plumbing and Heating Pipe
- 15mm and 22mm PolyPlumb® Enhanced Fittings
- 15mm and 22mm In-Cert Pipe Stiffeners
- 32mm and 40mm Solvent Weld Waste Pipe and Fittings
Client Testimonial
The complete re-plumb was carried out over two days by Tony Hughes, a residential plumber with 40 years' experience.
With the property stripped back as part of the wider renovation, Tony was able to access the ceilings and suspended floors to install the new pipework. This allowed the first fix to be completed efficiently before the new walls, ceilings and finishes were installed.
Tony Hughes, Plumber, shared:
"Pro-Straight® plumbing and heating pipe along with PolyPlumb® Enhanced push-fit fittings were the perfect solution for this whole house re-plumb. The combination of flexible long continuous pipe runs and push-fit connections helped me complete the job in a record time. There is pipe running to all corners of the home to serve radiators, a boiler in the loft, and a wet underfloor heating system, and the push fit technology gives peace of mind that all connections are secure.
"Redesigning the plumbing in an old building which now needs to serve modern purposes can be complex, but using such a flexible and easy-to-fit system makes the task of modernisation much easier."
Results
The complete plumbing system was replaced in just two days as part of the wider farmhouse renovation, providing the property with a modern plumbing and heating system designed around the needs of a busy family.
The completed system now provides new heating, hot and cold water and waste services throughout the extended property, including the new bathrooms, downstairs WC, underfloor heating and relocated hot water system.
Key Benefits of PolyPlumb® Enhanced:
- Speed: Push-fit connections helped the installer complete the first fix quickly without the need for hot works.
- Fewer joints: Long coils of pipe allowed continuous runs to be installed, reducing the number of connections and potential leak points.
- Flexibility: Plastic pipework could be formed into soft bends, making it easier to navigate the different layouts within the original property and extension.
- Ease of installation: The combination of flexible pipe and push-fit fittings simplified installation across the whole property.
- Space saving: The flexibility of the system and use of concealed plumbing supported the creation of compact bathroom and ensuite layouts.
The Cheshire farmhouse project demonstrates how a complete renovation can provide the opportunity to replace outdated plumbing with a modern, efficient system designed around the needs of the property and its occupants.
Polypipe Building Products’ Pro-Straight® plumbing and heating pipe along with PolyPlumb® Enhanced push-fit fittings in white provided a practical solution for this extensive residential retrofit, helping create a reliable plumbing and heating system ready for the property's next chapter.