Geberit’s sustainable and ‘hot works’ free plumbing solutions have been used as part of the sympathetic restoration of Mount Stewart, an 18th century house and garden in County Down, Northern Ireland, described by owners, The National Trust, as ‘one of the most inspiring and unusual homes and gardens under their remit.’As part of the refurbishment, the antiquated plumbing system – some parts dating back as far as 1908 – is being upgraded, with modern pipe replacing damaged areas and a zoning system created to keep occupants warm, while retaining as much of the original system as possible. The new heating configuration feeds 110 radiators, zoned for 32 rooms around the house, with upgraded and new piping courtesy of Geberit Mapress, Geberit Mepla and Geberit HDPE.
Maintaining history
To help with the retention of the existing cast iron waste-pipework, Geberit’s sustainable and long-lasting plastic pipe, HDPE, has been used. Geberit HDPE shrink fits to the original system, with jointing achieved through electro-fusion which produces a low grade heat, important to minimise fire risk.
Fire-risk in general was a key consideration and one of the main reasons Geberit Mapress with Geberit Mepla were chosen, connecting the houses newly zoned heating system. Geberit Mapress and Geberit Mepla are both pressing systems, with pipe ‘pressed’ together, meaning no requirement for hot works, ideal for historic properties like Mount Stewart.
Proving that modern plumbing can blend seamlessly and safely with its historic predecessors, Geberit’s piping solutions met Mount Stewart’s criteria to maintain and be sympathetic to the original building and the environment.
