putting kitchen cupbaords over radiator pipes?

[cyberknight]

I wouldn't as i think its a bad idea but what are peoples thoughts?
SWMBO wants new kitchen and there is some pipe work where ideally a cupboards would go .

 

[TVC]

Re-route the pipes.

 

[Saluki]

We have the electric meter in one of our cupboards and some pipework in another cupboard. I don't think that the baked beans have actually complained but I could go and ask them if you like.

 

[cosmicbike]

Really not an issue, though I'd not want any joints behind there just in case..

 

[cyberknight]

Re-route the pipes.

Big job they are floor to ceiling

 

[sight-pin]

How about fixing wooden battens to the back of the cupboard? then just use a matching filler piece of wood to the sides.

Edit; If your fitting a row of cupboards just batten the wall with two runners to line up with the cupboard fixings...if you get what i mean

 

[Ganymede]

I have strip lighting under some cupboards which make the cupboards warm. I just make sure not to keep chocolate biscuits in there!

I'd insulate the pipes as well as you can and then use the cupboard strictly for non-perishable stuff, something that you use quite a lot of so there's a good turnover. For me that would be tinned tomatoes, tinned beans etc.

 

[cyberknight]

I am more concerned about access if they sprung a leak ?

 

[TVC]

Bearing in mind that some people have boilers hidden inside kitchen cupboards then a couple of pipes won't make any difference. Are the pipes in a corner or the middle of the wall?

 

[cyberknight]

Bearing in mind that some people have boilers hidden inside kitchen cupboards then a couple of pipes won't make any difference. Are the pipes in a corner or the middle of the wall?

Run right down the middle of the wall .

 

[sight-pin]

I am more concerned about access if they sprung a leak ?

That wouldn't be a problem, just take the cupboard down. I assume they're copper with soldered joints so shouldn't have any leaks.

 

[TVC]

In that case, wot Ganymede said.

 

[Ganymede]

I am more concerned about access if they sprung a leak ?

I'd make the back of the cupboard easily removable - we've done this with a wall panel in our downstairs bog which covers one of the junction boxes. It's attached using magnet fasteners (a bit like this but depends on weight of panel what size you need: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TWIN-MAGNETIC-CUPBOARD-CATCH-SCREWS/dp/B004ZUFPYW) and has a simple plain doorknob on the outside so you can just pull it away, no messing with catches or screws. Useful in the dark! - and in your case, if there were to be a leak.

 

[MrWill]

Plumber here.

Not really a problem, but just as much work building the cupboards etc around the pipes than just moving the pipe sometimes.

If your keeping food in that cupboard I'd move the pipes personally or box them in.

If they are on a wall facing the outside of the property, I would urge them being moved, as there's a bit more risk there.

 

[raleighnut]

Most kitchen cupboards come with a thin back panel that sits in a groove away from the wall, this is designed in to allow the cupboard fixings and any PIPEWORK to fit in this void of normally 30-35 mm it also allows for the carcase of the cupboards to be "scribed" in to fit bent/uneven wall surfaces whilst giving a flat front to a row of joined cupboards.
I once had a job feeding blank sheets into a CNC overhead router that made thousands of these carcases. Horrible job, long hours but it paid the mortgage. Another tip buy the best quality carcases you can afford, 19mm MR chip being the minimum