I have to plumb in our new bathroom this next week or two, and things have changed since I last did any real plumbing. Lead has gone out for a start (joke!)

Specifically, I was wondering when I have to fit a service valve - are these just fitted to the cold feeds to the basin and toilet, or do I fit one to the bath as well?  Am I right in thinking I think the hot feeds don't need one?

Also, a lot of new installations I have seen now use flexible piping.  Is this a requirement?  If so, where do I use it, on all hot and cold feeds or only some?

Many thanks,

John Davies

I fully agree with TT.  I fit service vales to absolutely everything (within reason  ), the rules only require them on things with a ball valve or equivalent but how many times have you gone to a house to do some plumbing repairs and found lovely service valves to the taps too.  

When you do it's so helpful, no need to try and turn off those crappy gatevalves in the airing cupboard (they never fully shut off do they  ).

Braided flexihoses are a great help too, possible halving the time to install some gear.

In fact I now only buy these flexihoses with built in service valves, both jobs done in one go.

Now about that lead..............................