Hi,

Discover recent hike in water bill, 100% increase, discover water pipe leak.

Landed double storey link House 30+ yrs de, last reno also 30 yrs de.

Plan to lay new expose pipe, link after water meter, run through the living room till kitchen, and connect to upstairs water storage tank.

Korek tanah not cost effective.

Questions is

1) What cost effective materials pipe to use?
2) Should increase pipe size? (Existing 1/2")
3) Can DIY the whole pipeline or better use sifu?

Advise are welcome.

Has been closing the main water valve all the time. Open only when family want to bath, washing cloths and cooking. Luckily got water tank, can stock up some water.

same situation...i just did car porch reno only to find out got some small leaking somewhere few months later
i also closed main valve except when in use, bills can reach $100 if left open
now need to investigate the leak source first

water leak is a headache case. Since the property aged 30+ yrs, probably to re-lay all water pipes at once and pain for 1 time.

My house has just renovated months ago. Same as yours, with some ages and thus changed all water pipes from main meter until every single taps.
From main meter to tank is connecting thru 2nd floor ceiling. Kitchen is direct from main thru 2nd floor ceiling and straight to the backyard. Then from tank to all bathroom taps/outlets also through ceiling and embeded inside wall.

1) There are many types available such as PVC, HDPE, PPR, and steel pipe. I used just PPR but in few sizes.
2) You may consider 2 sizes; 3/4" for main inlet until water tank, and probably before split to small branches. Then 1/2" for pipes connecting to all taps/outlet.
3) I think leave the job to the sifu is better since you want the pipes to last for years without issue

This post has been edited by CanonLee: Dec 23 2020, 02:53 PM

Hi there,

I see. Your house renovate hack out all olds pipes and install new at same location? If so, is like basically renovate whole house right? The house have to be empty to make way for renovation.

I prefer sifu to work on it as plan to stay at the property for many years to come.

Mind to share sifu contact? My property at Ampang, Selangor.

Thanks for comment.

had the same exact problem for a past few months, plumbing said that there was an underground pipe that probably broke due to the ground shifting

so we rerouted two pipes to go to the tank which supplies the house with water and another one that is directly fed to the kitchen

total bil was around RM2k
the material was the standard pvc tubing, not sure about anything more technical than that
dont think you can diy it, but i guess it depends on how big your house is. for plumbing stuff, its better to just pay a professional but ymmv

Either Stainless less pipe or poly pipe.

HDPE/Poly pipe, lasts for a long time, the only con is it has a small inner diameter hence lower water flow compared to other pipes, use size 25 or 32 depending on your incoming pipe size

This post has been edited by Cyberbullies: Dec 23 2020, 07:02 PM

My neighbour in my old taman ran it from after meter and filter up the roof in the front, head straight to back as it branches to tangki. They didn't want to hack the marble flooring.

At the back, they extended and repipe to laundry and finally kitchen. The old plumbing that runs from under the floor from the front was disconnected.

This was possible as they were extending the back kitchen.

I experienced the same 2 years after pressuring with water pump in my old DSH. It caused the front garden pillar tap which was cut off and sealed to burst. Plumber who grew up near my taman related how this is designed as mandated by Syabas. This pipe branches off from the master bath somewhere. Thus my cold pipes in the master bath was exposed. 3/4" down pipe until 6" off the floor and branched horizontally using 1/2".

This post has been edited by halcyon27: Dec 23 2020, 08:04 PM

I make new one from meter and through the roof. Connect to tank and direct to the back for kitchen. Forget the damage because included in reno fee. House is terrace double story.

Actually can do it by myself because I've done it for my apartment. Less than 500 for material. But then again not so big. Maybe around 20 meter of poli needed. The problem is only the joining of poli pipe at corner. If not familiar installation not perfect thus leaks. But I redo seem ok. 5 years already still ok. Reason to do because of leak in wall. Headache to hack the wall so just reroute from outside. To get through wall just using drill to poke the wall.

This post has been edited by Noryume: Dec 23 2020, 07:44 PM

Done mine this year. Home only 12 yrs old. Leak in the wall but in order to repair need to hack the whole length as dont know where the source. Furthermore behind kitchen cabinet.

Been told poly pipes are better as it will be external exposed pipe. Only cons I feel is the expose pipe will make the water in it to be very hot at noon and very cold in the morning. So for 1 minute as you turn on the pipe water will be either hot or cold. Minor issue only.

Suggest dont DIY, leave it to the pro if you're not used to it. Mine involves some wall rerouting, climbing to the roof, plumbing and multiple joints.

Using HDPE/poly pipe is the best IMO. The pipe is flexible, so it can make slight bends and turns to fit. For the connectors use Hansen or Buteline ones. Very reliable. But do note that you will have to use SIRIM certified pipes if you want to use Hansen or Buteline connections, as the internal diameter of the pipe is important. If you want to use the "O" ring Poly connectors you don't have to use SIRIM pipe, as only the outer diameter of the pipe is important. SIRIM certified pipes have a pressure rating, meaning the pipe wall thickness is specified.

You can run the pipe along the wall/fence, up the front of the house, and into the ceiling to the water tank. There, you need to make a branch off to the kitchen, probably out the back roof, and down the back wall of the house. The pipe size is the actual outside diameter of pipe, so you can judge the size should you need to make any holes for the pipe to go through.

The size of pipe should be 25 mm or larger. But I don't think larger than 25 mm is necessary, as the water meter inlet/outlet is 1/2 inch. So no point going extremely large for this incoming pipe. The branch off to the kitchen can be 20 mm pipe and is more than enough for the kitchen tap. You could save some headache by just going for 25 mm pipe all the way. One 100 m roll of 25 mm SIRIM poly pipe costs under RM 200.

If you want to DIY the Hansen connectors are suitable, because you only need a spanner to tighten the nut. Buteline connectors are excellent and permanently leak free, but you do need special crimpers for it. Each size of crimper costs more than RM 200, and you need to have the correct sizes for each pipe you use. Rough price for Hansen is about RM 3/connector, and RM 4/connector for Buteline. Cutting poly pipe only needs simple tools, about RM 15 from any hardware shop.

Changing this incoming pipe to your water tank is well within the ability of anyone with reasonable skill. You should attempt it if this describes you.

1) I would suggest you go with HDPE/Poly pipes because they can last longer, not very cost effective to use stainless steel unless you are renovating your house. Also make sure your plumber provide Sirim approved HDPE/poly pipe to avoid issues in the near future. Because in malaysia, even pipes have lousy quality ones. Probably google first and check the pipes to be familiar with it before engaging a plumber to come and check. Would not recommend PVC as its a bit difficult when it comes to external piping, you can use PVC inside the house for shower and sink, i think should be ok, but to kitchen better use HDPE.
2) From water filter (if you have) use 3/4 pipes is sufficient enough, no need go above it. And 1/2 when connecting to sink and shower taps. 3/4 all the way from water filter to water tank, then branch out to kitchen, reduce to 1/2 for kitchen sink, 3/4 also branch out to toilets and then reduced to 1/2.
3) You can DIY if you know the layout and knowhow of pipes. If not easiest is to engage a plumber to come and do for you. Try to get a few options and prices to compare. Of course from word of mouth is better. Material wise i think wouldnt exceed RM500 actually. Unless you plan to change your taps and shower valves also. xD But either way, your whole costing wont be more than 1k if u DIY. If plumber come i estimate around RM2k for re-piping. See how difficult or how easy it is.

all exposed old pipes were removed but some embedded pipe were not. I asked for tap relocation for bathrooms and some old pipes just sealed and remain inside the wall although i changed the tiles.

The plumber i got is thru the main-con and i do not have his contact. I guess a random competent plumber is sufficient. You may ask neighbor for recommendation.

Then discuss with the plumber whether can lay most new pipes first before disconnect the old system. Then you might able to use some taps during the renovation. However hacking of some walls/tiles is a must if bathrooms are in the plan.

I used to have this problem and I ended up hacking the floor and expose the water pipes for easy service next time it leaks.
I know it looks ugly in the house, but for piece of mind, I can care less of the aesthetic.