some of u may remember my little accident last week when i cut through the water pipe in my little bedroom. Well today's excitement was ... I put a screw through the new central heating pipes :-( now in my defence i'd like to explain how tired i am and how it wasn't entirely my fault, but i'm posting this from the mobile whilst waiting for the pipe to cool down (no power as water ran down to a socket below and the main rcd tripped (but not the sockets one strangely)) when its sorted i'll explain my tail of woe. In the mean time can someone explain why the 80 amp breaker tripped but not the socket rcd. (and yes i am giving up diy once the gf kitchen is fitted)

I dont think you will make it to see the end of the kitchen Mike.....

I hate diy as well....

I noticed in your other thread, but forgot to mention it, you're not 100% on your terminology . You've only got 2 RCDs (that you referred to as RCCBs which is also correct essentially). They are your RCDs and they trip on small earth leakage faults - live-to-earth or neutral-to-earth. Your circuits are all split between the 2 RCDs on individual MCBs. They are overcurrent devices and will only trip on large overcurrent faults such as a short circuit or sustained overload.

Totally different devices. Basically the MCBs are a modern version of old fuses and are essentially only to protect equipment/cables and prevent fire. RCDs are the clever devices that are there to protect you (which is why it's worrying your RCD didn't operate in your pevious adventure). In this case the water ingress created a leakage path to earth so the RCD tripped.

Mike,

Get yourself of to Screwfix and pick up a pipe/cable/stud detector - invaluable bit of kit

After drilling through the plaster into a ring main (that ran at 45 deg through the wall) and through the floor into a water pipe I don't venture out into DIY land without one these days.

I like DIY in general (apart from decorating), but sometimes you do question the decision not to pay someone else to take the pain for you

Put the tools away and call someone out

Get a wine bottle cork (maybe two) drill a hole up the length of it and then cut it to length so only enough drill is sticking out to go through the plaster board, voila instant depth control locost style

Think its time to call the professionals

You're not thinking of taking up cooking once it's finished, are you ?

Oh Dear
Will you be doing the Plumbing for the new kitchen ?

Wouldn't bother with the lottery on Wednesday mate

Rich

is there anyone local to him who can go round and take his tools away

quote:

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Originally posted by perksy
Oh Dear
Will you be doing the Plumbing for the new kitchen ?

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Voice over the police loudhailer...

"Put down the tools, put your hands in the air and stand away from the DIY!!"

Thanks guys - you've made me laugh after a long hard day.

Ok, it goes something like this....

The bloke who did the new boiler didn't impress me and i've been fixing up the mess they left behind. Being careful i've marked on the floor in pen where all the pipes and cables are. I didn't want to be in a situation where I put a screw through a floorboard and find a pipe (how ironic!)

So, After last weeks adventure i'm ready to refit the floor prior to painting and have to do it today as the carpet is being fitted tomorrow. Get up early feeling knackered. Walk the dog. Get back, throw some food down my throat and start.

Fit the first board easily. Lay the second down and for some reason it doesn't fit. I can't figure it out, spent 20 to 30 minutes trying to understand why it doesn't now fit. Finally think "perhaps it warped", take it out again and notice it has a slight curve. That must be it. Bugger it, I'm knackered. I put the board back and start fitting screws.

Just fitting the last screw in the first row and something goes through my mind. As I look at the board next to this i notice the markings for pipes. Start the electric screwdriver.

Think "I'm sure i marked up this board, surprised their isn't actually a pipe here"

Keep screwing and start to look at the board.

Notice the 2" fountain of water suddenly appearing.

Notice i've put the board in 180 degrees out, i'm screwing into a hole that if put in properly is directly into a joist not a water pipe.

Swear VERY VERY VERY loudly (i've got a big gob). I swore 3 more times today, i'm surprised a neighbour hasn't been round to complain.

So after a lot of faff, i manage to drain down the system. First time I tried draining by the radiator in the kitchen, only to realise its not draining due to the thermostatic valve being closed. Obviously I've opened up the highest radiator bleed and i've got water rushing all over the place. Second time i go via a normal radiator and it drains ok.

Unfortunately by this time water has drained down the nearby electrical conduit and tripped out the electric.

Luckily after a 50 quid trip to Screwfix (i got a few other things) i can cut the pipe with one of the round pipe cutters, clean up the cut and solder in a pre-soldered 15mm connecting joint (with the new heat proof mat behind it protecting the joint). Unfortunately having emptied and filled the system a few times to make sure its water tight i'm stuck wondering how to put the inhibitor in.

So, everything fixed, floor still up (trying to make sure it dries). Carpet postponed till next monday & i've promised the g/f i'll do no more today & relax.

(at which point i went to make battons to support the one bit of floor I still need to cut cut some chipboard for & start to tidy up the house)

On top of this - i don't feel 100%. So what do you think i should do tomorrow?

Make the final bit of floorboard and screw everything down?
Make kitchen cabinets?
Screw Kitchen cabinets to the wall?
Attach doors to the cabinets i've already put up?

OR

Go in the garage and work on the damned car!!!!

If it was me - I'd lie down in a darkened room and stay away from everything sharp and/or heavy!