I am in the process of buying a new bungalow. However I have noticed that there is a standard double 13a socket below the plumbing under the sink which is giving me cause for concern.
The builder advises it is fine as it has a cut out switch. There is no visible cut out switch so would appreciate any advice as to whether I should challenge this
Electric sockets directly under water pipes under the sink – Safety
kitchen-sink
Related Solutions
The diverter valve built into your faucet is downstream from the faucet valve that is designed to hold back "line" pressure. The diverter shunts water toward the spray head when you open the spray head valve, and directs it toward the fixed spout otherwise.
The faucet sprayer head/nozzle is not designed to hold back system pressure. They would have to be more robust to the point of being unwieldy to do that. Also, the main valve is where hot and cold are mixed, giving you temperature adjusted water at the sprayer head. If you hook directly to the spray head it will leak.
I believe that you lost a (retaining) screw. It might have fallen down the drain... hopefully it's lodged in the p-trap. This is similar to: How to replace my kitchen sink basket with no lock nut?
Related Topic
- Drain under the kitchen sink check
- Water – Possible water hammer under kitchen sink
- Plumbing Issues – Dealing with Sewage Smell from Kitchen Sink Area
- How to Replace a Broken Pipe Under the Kitchen Sink
- Kitchen Sink – Solving Kitchen Sink Backing Up with No Apparent Blockage
- Plumbing – How to Identify if a Pipe Elbow Under the Sink is Brass or Copper?
- Plumbing – garbage disposal relocation
- Pipe – How to Remove Kitchen Sink Drain Pipes
Best Answer
I believe this is not uncommon. The circuit must be protected by an RCD (RCBO). There is usually a means of disconnecting or isolating the socket from above if the socket is inaccessible when appliances are installed.
However see NICEIC/ELECSA Guide to Electrical Work in the Kitchen
The Consumer Units (Main Electrical Panel) in UK homes now typically have Dual-RCD protection. You could easily check this by inspection.
You can buy advanced socket testers that would allow you to verify correct RCD operation at the sockets under your sink.
If you want, I suspect there is nothing stopping you replacing the socket faceplate with one rated for external use (with a rainproof cover which can be closed over plug-cables) - some incorporate RCD protection. I suspect most electricians would regard this as pretty odd though.
If you search for advice you'll often see something like
I am not an electrician and do not have access to the 17th Edition. The above does not constitute advice from a qualified person. You can pay for an independent inspection and electrical installation condition report (EICR)