Home DIY

Tidy! Don’t envy the insulation handling on a day like today.

You're right, I should have taken the precaution, although I already knew the motor is in the lower section.

While we're on the subject, is there any considerations with putting sockets behind washing machines/ dishwashers? I'll get someone in but just curious really.

I was very glad of the shower afterwards.

While we're on the subject, is there any considerations with putting sockets behind washing machines/ dishwashers? I'll get someone in but just curious really.

Same thing. Sockets below, isolating switches in view.

Really? That's annoying.

Edit: I should elaborate. There's a window above and tile splashbacks either side. Would a fused spur in the open section next to it be adequate? I'm planning to have some non-fixed storage in here.

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To comply with new Regs on a new installation .

They aren't retrospective so as long as you aren't rewiring you don't need to comply.

I see! Yeah the fan install seems dodgy though, might have get that sorted out anyway just to get it working properly.

But as Kitchens are now a 'Special Location' any work is now Part P. Same as Bathrooms or Outdoor locations.

So you need a Part P qualified Sparks to officially sign it off.

This is bullshit BTW. I work regularly on Three Phase high amp systems as part of being an industrial / commercial sparks.

While I don't need to be Part P to do that I can't actually do the same thing on my place without having someone else sign it off.

I'm sure it's complicated, but what constitutes a new installation then? Would moving sockets from the left to right of those appliances count? Or fitting a shallower patress box so I can fit a ducting reducer?

Yes. Kitchens are special locations so any electrical work is a pain in the arse

Special Locations are a entire Chapter in the Regs. There are some very specific rules about them.

You can do it yourself, which is what I'd do, but you need to inform the local council, get permission and get them to get another Part P electrian to sign the work off.

Yet there are 3 day Part P Kitchen Fitter courses.

I spent 3 years doing my C&G.

Can you tell I'm well fucked off about this?

Kitchens and outdoor locations were removed as special locations in 2013. They haven’t been added back have they?

I was reading this wondering the same thing.

You know, they have been. Just bathrooms now.

Tell you what, the regs are getting more and more difficult to keep up with. I could swear that they keep adding updates just to keep the book sales at a healthy level.

A question for anyone in the mood: I want to build a bike shed in the front garden tucked into a corner surrounded by two decent brick walls. What are the pro's/con's of building an integral building out of wood and positioning snugly into the corner versus using the brick walls as two sides of the structure?

Complications I can see: brick wall starts being a dick and needs to replaced in the next few years. Felt roof/waterproofing would need flashing into the brick. Fewer wooden sides is cheaper...

What would be your approach?

Why don’t you just do the part p exam? It’s a total piece of piss.

£150 is the cheapest I can see:
https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/courses/part-p-2393

Outdoor lighting installations and locations containing a bath or shower are special locations, kitchens aren’t - as far I can see from my book.

I'm not sure it would fall under permitted development - outbuildings cannot be forward of the principal elevation.

If you go separated, I'd be worried about water & other crap finding it's way between the walls, never drying out, and being a nucleating point for damp & rot.

Brick lasts a lot longer that wood - If the brick decides to be a dick, the wood shed is likely to be the least of your concerns

Flashing is well within a DIYers locker - If you use hand tools to chase out the mortar, it's difficult to fuck up too much.

(To qualify that last statement - I'd happily go blundering in with lump hammer, cold chisel and a bucket of wishful thinking)

I'm not too bothered by permitted development, were not in a part of London that gives too much notice . And it will be barely visible from the street, it will only be a metre or so high...

Hmm, I could chase it in properly with a little more digging down...

I have an MCB on a circuit for one socket which stays on with nothing plugged in but trips after a short while when something is plugged in... What could cause this?

Wiring fault somewhere. It's ok with zero current but not with current flowing. Dodgy joint getting hot I'd guess at.

Ok thanks, makes sense. It’s on a switchfuse too so that’s more points of failure to check.

today I had to drill a relatively precisely located hole in a concrete driveway (16mm x 90mm) using a regular hammer drill. went up through the bits, starting with 6mm, but still got it way off. FML.

a concrete driveway (16mm x 90mm)

That's a tiny driveway. How small is your car?

i forgot to mention i design and build the tracks for those hot wheels videos on youtube

and live in them

An insulation resistance test could give you more information about the condition of the wiring.