one-day course

introduction to plumbing

venue: Hackney City Farm, London

If you're thinking of installing solar hot water, a wood stove with a back boiler, or rainwater harvesting, you're going to need some basic plumbing skills. And even if you're not planning to do those things, those skills will still be very useful.

How do I learn the basics? Can I fix a leaky tap? How do you change a washer? What about a blocked U-bend? A loo that doesn't flush? What would I do if there were a plumbing emergency? What controls should I have in my home, what should they look like and where might they be? If I am going to have a go, where do I start? What do I need? What can I do myself, what do I need qualified plumbers and heating engineers to do, and what certificates should they have? What's the difference between a combi boiler and one with a storage cylinder? What about vented and unvented cylinders? What's the most energy efficient? What are the options for renewables?

While there are a few plumbing jobs that only qualified people are supposed to do, there are many common jobs we can learn to do ourselves safely and economically. If you want to learn the basics, to get to know the tools and materials, and understand what goes where and why, this course will be a great help. If you want to have a better idea of what is in your home, to plan a project, or to learn more about what different options there are for water and space heating and storage, there's lots on this course for you.

We will get to grips with the basic theory and you’ll also get plenty of practice. You’ll get know the materials and tools that are used for different tasks, how to assess problems and work safely, and to understand what it is legal and sensible to do by ourselves, and when & how to look for professional help. You need no previous understanding or experience.

The course will cover:

  • basic health & safety in plumbing
  • taps, U-bends & toilets, replacing washers, clearing blockages, dealing with overflowing float valves and non-flushing cisterns
  • connecting plastic and copper pipes; using solvent weld on waste pipes; compression, push-fit and soldered joints on plastic and copper pipes
  • radiators: bleeding, inhibitors and thermostatic radiator valves
  • recognising central heating and hot water systems, their controls; plus tips on improving their efficiency

dates: see 'book online' below

more on plumbing


how to book:
  

if you can't open the booking form, you need Acrobat Reader - it's free
arrive:
  
for a 10am prompt start
depart:
  
after the course finishes at 5pm
directions:
  
click here for directions to Hackney City Farm
what to bring:
  
work clothes; pen and notebook
let us know:
  
if you have any special needs
price:
  
£60
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30 admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course
lunch:
  
bring a packed lunch or you can get lunch at the cafe
car sharing:
  
visit our car sharing forum to offer or request a lift
 

 

 

 


some things you just can't learn from a book - and almost all basic plumbing skills fall under this category

 

 

 

 

 

 


fitting pipework and twin-coil cylinder for a solar hot water installation; if you want to install solar hot water, a back-boiler on a wood stove, rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling, then basic plumbing skills are essential




 

 


 

 


you will learn how to connect pipes in various ways - compression fittings, push fittings, and soldering (above)