Cutting around rad pipes coming out of floor?

[Rob01]

Just wondering best way to do this as we have a rad in the kitchen with 10mm pipes coming out of the concrete, i spose i could drain down the system and hole cut it but there must be an easyer way or is there? thanks Rob.

[Bri]

The neatest way is to drain the system and drill the holes, you will need to chop the valves off the pipes as well and refit those after tiling. Only other options are to get a grout line to fall where the pipes come out of the floor so you can cut two half moons out of adjoining tiles, or put an exact piece back into a notch that has been cut out.

[TilerJames]

Yep drilling the tile is def the neatest option, some cut a little rectangle out and then slot in a piece between the pipe and the wall....but id stick to drilling the hole.

[Scott]

There is a much nice way than chopping the rectangle out, you do a kind of triangle. Basically you cut from the outside edge of the tile to the hole you have drilled, then when you slide the cut out piece back in it closes the gaps on either side. This works with most tiles but some patterened ones it wont.

A bit like the pic in this link but obviously a single hole.
Tips to install laminate flooring around the pipes, pillars and posts.

Alternatively you can drill a hole large enough to get over the 1/2 nut n the rad valve but you will still need to drain or plug the system to get the valve off. Then use a pipe flange to cover the hole

[Sir Ramic]

Your Link doesnt work .

[Scott]

The original site isnt working either

[SandyFloor]

Another method if your tiles are ceramic aren't too light in colour is to mark and drill your hole and then split the tile through the hole parallel to the wall. When you join the pieces either side of the pipe there will only be a hairline. If most of the cut is under the rad you will barely see it. Works better on some tiles than others.

[TilerJames]

______________ Edge of tile

---O------------ Snap line

do ya mean to snap the whole tile...?

[SandyFloor]

That's it. Snap the whole tile across the hole....a good cutter will do it ok.

[Bri]

That's it. Snap the whole tile across the hole....a good cutter will do it ok.

This is a good method. like you say it doesn't work on every tile and you do need to be super careful not to get any addy inbetween the cut pieces!

[TilerJames]

Seein as were on about cutting tiles etc, anyone got any handy ways for cutting floor tiles into quadrant shower trays, just wondering in case iv been missing out on handier methods.

[SandyFloor]

How have you been doing it?

[TilerJames]

Probably the wrong way...ive always got the cut to about 5mil-10mil or so to the required cut by either measurement or putting the tile finish side down on top of the tray making sure the edges lined up with what was already laid and then marking underneath to the curve of the tray...the rest is carefully nipped out...

[SandyFloor]

The way I used to do it is simply to lay a tile on the nearest full tile from the tray and use the width of a full tile to scribe and mark a line on the tile on top. You then cut the bulk of the waste off the tile with your cutter and use your saw and nips to cut to the line. That tile should be slightly tight and you place it and mark it again and use your nips to get it more accurately. I've never found any way much quicker.

[TilerJames]

pretty much the same..

[Scott]

That link appears to be working again now?

[Rob01]

thanks alot guys, will i need to get a rad key? also the pipe is push fit or plastic which ever u prefer dont knopw if that changes matters its still got an olive i think.

[Scott]

Sounds like you may be better with a plumber Rob

[Rob01]

my mates a plumber ill get him to have a look cheers

[Dave]

If you have the option to remove rad and trv's etc then yes that is the neatest way but not all have that option, so the the U slot is used to the wall and then a nice tight fitting matching piece is inserted in the slot to keep it as neat as possible..