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Original poster

Not happy with new bathroom installation. Plumber left basin pipes exposed....

60 replies

Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 16:53

Just looking for some opinions and any advice how to overcome this issue.

We have been having a complete bathroom refurb over the past 2 weeks, everything was going well until yesterday when the basin was installed. It is a wall hung basin but the plumber hasn't chased the pipes into the wall (it's an external brick wall on a 1930's house which apparently they can't bury pipes in) he has left the pipework exposed and it looks terrible.

I'm so disappointed with how it looks, is there any way around this?

Thanks

Not happy with new bathroom installation. Plumber left basin pipes exposed....
OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 30/03/2018 16:54

What had you asked for ? Tbh I'd not be happy either. Could he put a 'false' wall over them

SavoyCabbage · 30/03/2018 17:00

What did you think you were getting?

DragonsAndCakes · 30/03/2018 17:01

He should have told you before going ahead! And definitely before the tiling was done.

peachAAAY · 30/03/2018 17:01

Sorry I can't be helpful but just wanted to say LOVE the floor!!! It looks great.

PigletJohn · 30/03/2018 17:02

pedestal.
you can also get a half-height or "semi" pedestal which hides the trap and waste (used when they go out through the wall under the basin).

otherwise, box them in and have it tiled.

Your tiler will be familiar with tiling backerboard, perhaps on a light frame of wooden battens, attached with a couple of stainless screws so it can be removed for maintenance (WBP ply is also popular)

MeltSnow · 30/03/2018 17:04

What was the set up? Did he do the tiling too?

I think it looks really bad too. Sorry.

Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:04

At the time he quoted I went through everything I was planning to buy with him including the wall hung sink, the only thing he said was not to get a semi pedestal because they are a nuisance to fit.

When it came to fit it, it was kind of mumbled to OH that they would use some nice chrome pipes and it would look good. But it doesn't the plastic clips are awful and the pipes look shit, I thought they would look kind of like the pipes for those freestanding bath taps which even though I would have preferred no pipes on show I could have just about lived with.

We're considering asking the tiles to box them in somehow but I'm not convinced.

OP posts:
Logoplanter · 30/03/2018 17:04

Not helpful but he can't seriously be planning to leave it like that can he? Have you talked to him about it?

Oblomov18 · 30/03/2018 17:06

What did you want and expect? What did fitter say, originally?
It must have been clear, a long time ago, pre tiling, that it was going to look like this?

What do you want done now?

eggcellent · 30/03/2018 17:07

Gorgeous floor!

Chrys2017 · 30/03/2018 17:09

Second vote for a pedestal.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 30/03/2018 17:09

It should have been done before it was tiled out.

What exactly was discussed? When was the discussion about 'nice chrome pipes' had? Was it at the beginning of the fit out? But concerned he might say that you knew and had agreed to it. If it was post that, then he can't argue that. In any event, the whole point of wall hung stuff is so that pipes etc are hidden. That's the whole point and why it is more expensive - e.g. you need a frame for a wall hung loo

Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:11

Wow lots of replies...

pigletjohn if I got a pedestal sink now instead would it cover up the pipes, the ones I've looked at seem to stand away from the wall a bit. If they changed the pipes there would be damage on the tiles.

I've also looked at vanity units but didn't really want one because of space and also because it's just something to wear out and get shabby quickly.

OP posts:
Oddbutnotodd · 30/03/2018 17:11

I think you will have to have a boxed in cover which is tiled. As your basin is wall hung without a cupboard it will never look fantastic unless you can fit a basin with a cupboard under instead. Love the tiles.

Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:13

If it had been said to me at the start I wouldn't have ordered the wall hung sink.

I thought they could make it look good but it looks like they haven't even tried. Seriously who would be satisfied with that in a brand new bathroom.

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 30/03/2018 17:13

Agree replacing with either a pedestal sink or a vanity unit is the way forwards

Bufferingkisses · 30/03/2018 17:14

It looks dreadful I agree but how did you expect chasing when the wall is tiled already?

You either need to add a pedestal or boxing imo but you definitely need to have a word with the plumber about expectations. Using plastic clips on chrome pipes will always look crap and is unnecessary as there are chrome ones available. Why hasn't he used chrome effect sheaths on the copper to disguise it?

Pretty shoddy really, is have expected the plumber to explain what can and can't be achieved up front.

Bobbybobbins · 30/03/2018 17:15

We had a sink issue in that the sink the designer recommended didn't have room in the pedestal for the pipes! Noticed just as he was fitting it and had to run out and get a replacement.

Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:19

I really don't know what to do about it. These are my OH's friends which makes it extra awkward.

If I get a vanity which I'm not keen on there isn't one which matches the loo, the sink and loo are currently from the same range. I can get a pedestal sink to match but I don't think it will fully hide the pipes and damage to the tiles.

It's also more expense when i could have just got the cheaper pedestal sink in the first place.

OP posts:
Chrys2017 · 30/03/2018 17:20

Oh, I didn't mean a pedestal sink—I just meant one of these to hide the pipes.

Not happy with new bathroom installation. Plumber left basin pipes exposed....
Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:22

Ooh that looks promising chrys where did u find that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Juicyfrooty · 30/03/2018 17:31

buffering there's also the crappy copper pipe showing for the towel radiator, could this have been covered?

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 30/03/2018 17:34

it will be hard to get a pedestal that is a perfect fit unless the basin is taken off the wall and re-hung standing on the pedestal.

I suppose there is a (very) faint chance that the basin will be at the exact height you need for a perfect fit.

you shouldn't be able to see the pipes unless you peered sideways from that end of the bath.

You can get chrome pipe clips. "Munsen Rings" can be used with an adjustable stem to fit distance from wall.

PigletJohn · 30/03/2018 17:37

I'd have thought you could get a pedestal to match the basin. The makers may offer one from the same range, but there are "universal" ones.

White silicone will hide a small mismatch. The front will show, the sides won't

Chrys2017 · 30/03/2018 17:39

That was just a random picture I got when I googled "basin pedestal" (as opposed to "pedestal basin".) But if you take measurements for the dimensions you need and then go to a plumbing supply site, hopefully you will find one to fit.
e.g.
www.cityplumbing.co.uk/iflo-Capra-and-Kamira-Full-Basin-Pedestal/p/753681
www.cityplumbing.co.uk/iflo-Cascada-Cloakroom-Full-Basin-Pedestal/p/251796
www.cityplumbing.co.uk/iflo-Cascada-Standard-Full-Basin-Pedestal/p/685889