I dunno if it's OCD or what - but I've always had trouble making certain types of decision. Maybe you can help me out with a specific one below, but I'd like to improve my mind while I'm at it...
Here's the practical problem:
Need to route a main incomer water pipe in 22mm copper from A to B - both are fixed points, about 4m apart. There are exactly 3 reasonable routes between A and B but all have disadvantages:
1) Most direct - through a small roof void (18" x 18" triangle) straight over the top of the consumer unit.2) Less direct - along a bit, then on the side of the purlin which runs over the bungalow stairs. There are 3" of celotex (eventually 4") between the pipe and the roof tiles.
3) Along side of floor joist. Rather awkward as joist overlaps to new joist half way (offset bend), joist is manky and banana shaped (probably not straight) and there's a fair bit of messing about both ends to get back to A and B respectively.===================
1) Seems like a poor idea. Even without joints over the CU, there is still a miniscule risk of pipe pinholing or suffering damage and water running back along it. The risk is tiny, the consequences are really bad though. Fairly sure we can strike this one off. Pity - is the easiest and shortest route.2) Maybe the best - doubt the pipe will freeze with 3-4" celotex between it and the roof even of the house were unheated for a month over winter. But it's not as warm as run 3)
3) Well, it's just really hard work...===================
None of those is ideal. I have a bugger of a job making decisions like that.
How can I optimise my thinking process?
Oh and who do I run my pipes :)
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I do not have this problem with computers (at work or home) as it's fairly easy to change configuration and code. So I stick a solution in and if it turns out to be less than optimal, I make evolutionary changes over tome until it does what is required in the best way.
You can't really do that with plumbing - or wiring...
With DIY I always panic and think my solution will go wrong and do something bad...
Actually having the same problem with wiring the lights... But that's another story. sockets don't have any real choices - you loop a cable in and out. Lights have lots of choices.
I would have to say with only a couple of exceptions, stuff I have decided in the past has always worked out brilliantly - my drains work really well, the bathroom is really good for a 3m2 space and my floors that I spent a lot of time fixing are flat level and the tiles have not fallen off.
I just wish I didn't have to kill myself getting between the general plan and the implementation (I'm quite good at the final implementation, just s**te at the detailed design of it).
I'm not going to name names, but I am completely jealous of several people here who take on hard DIY and seem to casually turn out the goods in a super nice way.
So what's your secrets?