Pipe & Flooring?

Question

Had a bit of a DIY disaster today. Decided to Secure a floor board and the nail went through the water pipe leading to water running in to the kitchen downstairs.

We called out our heating provider-The engineer remedied the leak by replacing the the part with copper piping and securing this with what i would a compression fitting/valve thingy (not very technical im afraid!).

After the engineer left we went to replace our floor boards but the fitting is quite large and now our floorboard wont lie flat.

We have also been told by a friend that the heating/hot water pipe has to be so many mm from the floorboard or this could cause major problems-obviously putting pressure on the pipe for it to crack in the future.

Does anyone know if this correct and can anyone offer any technical advice/solution?

Answer 1

try and cut some of the floor board away where the fitting is so the board will lay flat. I do not see why the pipe has to be any distance from the wood this should cause no problem

Answer 2

I would definitely request that he take the compression fitting out, and replace with a slip copper coupling, that would be soldered in place. These couplings don't have a internal stop, and make repairs fast and easy. A plumber would know that you don't put compression couplings in an area where you can't get to it, in case it starts to leak. I have seen this type fitting blow apart, and cause major damage. And for those who will say they can't blow apart, I have verifiable proof of pictures, in my files. As far as the pipes being a certain distance, the "best" location would be in the middle of the floor and ceiling. Granted, some situations, rule this out. Then, after the installation is complete, nail plates should be installed on any joist, stud, or rafter, that a pipe crosses. This plate, protects your piping from any nails, or screws penetrating the pipe. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Dear oh deary me, a little bit of common sense is all tha's required, the pipe will be lying in a cut-out in the floor joist, just cut a little bit more out of the joist below the pipe, cut very carefully either side of the pipe and with a wood chissel and a hammer take out the piece of wood below the pipe.

And for all the wood -be and never has or will be heating engineers on this site,
You try and solder a wet copper pipe in situ.

Answer 4

wouldnt worry about any major problems.. but the rubbing creeking sounds might get to you. copper bends a bit but be careful about the compression fittings. would have been better if he would have just soldered a replacement piece in.. they have couplings in 12" lengths that slide right over the pipe (after he cut it) i would call and ask if he could redo it since the floor wont go down. not a big deal to redo if he still has access to it

Answer 5

well i would call engineer back out as it was his job to make sure it was done properly you can try to move pipe down starting away from fix say a foot both ways and slope pipe downward if know what i mean should gain room for floor board

Answer 6

Depending how big of an area it is ,you could set a router to a depth just deep enough to shave out the under side of the wood plank in that area given the board is thick enough.Good luck!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

tell your friend to play in traffic.

get the "engineer" back out and have him sweat in a coupling instead of butchering the job with a compression fitting.

Answer 9

The expansion on your copper pipe is minimal, and shouldn't cause a problem.