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Hi,

I just wanted to ask you kitchen fitters a question:

I'm getting into plumbing and wanted to know, when plumbing has been concealed behind or within kitchen units and access is impossible, what options are? Dismantle the units to get access?

I need to look at a tap which has been boxed in because of the kitchen units and currently there is no way for me to get any type of tool to the tap backnut.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give.

I'd say sloppy fitting in the first place

If you can't get any tools to it you don't have much choice than remove the cabinet

philprime wrote:I'd say sloppy fitting in the first place

If you can't get any tools to it you don't have much choice than remove the cabinet

That's what I feared.. And that's quite difficult to do isn't it? Don't you have to remove the worktop first?

You will find that most kitchen units are screwed in to the worktop from the inside of the cabinet, a good fitter will also screw the cabinets together I always put my fixings behind the hinges

Once you have removed the screws take the kick board off and wind the legs down and you will be able to slide the cabinet out

philprime wrote:You will find that most kitchen units are screwed in to the worktop from the inside of the cabinet, a good fitter will also screw the cabinets together I always put my fixings behind the hinges

Once you have removed the screws take the kick board off and wind the legs down and you will be able to slide the cabinet out

I'm hoping when I go to have a look they'll be a simpler solution. I'll find out Thursday morning :/ But thanks so much for the info, it's a big help ;)

You may find there is an easier option good luck on Thursday

philprime wrote:
Once you have removed the screws take the kick board off and wind the legs down and you will be able to slide the cabinet out

Was once asked if I could replace one kitchen unit (under the sink) Plumbing came out of the wall, then tee'd off in both directions, through holes drilled in the sides of the unit. The waste disappeared through the base board of the unit too.
Even Harry Houdini couldn't have replaced that unit.

joinerjohn wrote:

philprime wrote:
Once you have removed the screws take the kick board off and wind the legs down and you will be able to slide the cabinet out

Was once asked if I could replace one kitchen unit (under the sink) Plumbing came out of the wall, then tee'd off in both directions, through holes drilled in the sides of the unit. The waste disappeared through the base board of the unit too.
Even Harry Houdini couldn't have replaced that unit.

Wow, you have to admire the art in his work :P

just hope the cab is not screwed to the wall or worse.... screwed to the next cabs on each side in the service void,(like i do)

you could look se if it had a removable back, or smash that back out and fit a new removable access panel/back

speed wrote:just hope the cab is not screwed to the wall or worse.... screwed to the next cabs on each side in the service void,(like i do)

you could look se if it had a removable back, or smash that back out and fit a new removable access panel/back

What I don't want to do is remove a piece of wood and the units come crashing down! Dramatic I know but it's my first plumbing job so I want to do it right.

worst case. and if ya know what make of kitchen it is price for a replacement unit incase you have to knacker the old one to get to the tap nut.

seems strange you cant get to the tap nuts like.

fin wrote:worst case. and if ya know what make of kitchen it is price for a replacement unit incase you have to knacker the old one to get to the tap nut.

seems strange you cant get to the tap nuts like.

I've done the job now. I was able to get to the backnut, but it took a while to get it off. It was housed behind a sheet of 18mm marine ply which had barely been made accessible.

Mole grips and patience and the nut was off ;)

ahh well nice one.