Dodgy plumbing?

[wolf63]

I am having trouble with the plumbing in my bathroom which is on the third floor. The initial problem was that, during the recent major freeze, my waste water pipe froze at some point and the water going out backed up and found a weak joint and flooded the stairwell below out. A plumber put some sticky tape stuff on - it had to be put on using gloves. It has worked brilliantly and the water is staying 'inside' the pipes.

However he mentioned that my pipework is needing to be replaced in the bathroom. The outside pipes are in good condition. He said that to change the pipes in the bathroom would require access to the point in the wall where the water leaves the flat. This would mean scaffolding.

As it happens there is scaffolding going up within the next couple of months to allow the roof to be fixed.

However I am not really in a position to have the plumber change the pipework and be without water for a period of time.

Question:

(1) could they not just change the plumbing in the bathroom without needing to go outside on scaffolding? If this is the case I could get it done at a time when it is going to be convenient for me to do so.

I realise this is all pretty vague - but any advice would be appreciated.

[ummmm]

And I had this done to my bathroom on the 3rd floor and he didn't use scaffolding.

He did butcher my floorboards though....

[johnk]

I would have thought a ladder would do as there is only one point to work on outside. I would look for another firm to do this.

[ummmm]

Tell me about it....my OH was a carpenter....

[jackthehat]

If the external pipes are fine, he shouldn't need any access to them............
He ought to be able to do it all from inside.
Do you just have one large pipe exiting through the wall ? If that is sound I don't understand what he means........

[ummmm]

He shouldn't need scaffolding....

The bathroom I had had a 'pump' system and we wanted to switch it to (haven't got a clue what it's called) 'normal' system. He had to cut through the floorboards from the bathroom to the outside wall....all done from the inside.

[wolf63]

The bathroom is on the third floor - in the attic.

I might have to just get the boss man up to look at it.

I shall go and read my newspaper and ponder. Thanks all.

[jackthehat]

It shouldn't matter what floor the bathroom is on......

You need a second opinion, at least, on this. :o)

[RATTER15]

Unless he needs to replace the pipe going through the wall for some reason I don't see why he cant do it from inside, just cut off the pipe and fit a new piece, this is a very simple, everyday process but there maybe more to this than meets the eye.

[The Builder]

Susan, I remember this from a while ago. I think your problem was one smaller diameter waste pipe "sleeved" into a larger one?
I guess he "caulked" the joint with silicone or something similar. If he needs to make a new connection to the stack, it'll have to be done from outside.......... not an easy job from a ladder :o(
I've just remembered .......... doesn't your waste discharge into a hopper? I seem to recall you having freezing problems. Any work on that would also be difficult from a ladder........ possible though. We'd need to look at it properly.

[AlBags]

My tip ... wait til the scaffolding goes up to see if it can help with access.
I might do it from ladders .. but others might not. Plumbers certainly not.