Skirting To Cover Pipework? Trust The Answer

Although a laundry room is a work space, it’s still nicer to have it clean and tidy. In many laundry rooms there is usually no shortage of exposed drain pipes, wires, pipes, bins and ducts. This is usually the case with older homes, but even with newer homes, builders sometimes leave laundry rooms or basements unfinished. Building a simple, non-structural wall is one way to shield and hide exposed piping.

The wall behind your washer and dryer will likely have large areas that can be covered with entire sections of an 8 foot tall frame. Even if the wall is not load-bearing, electrical sockets can be inserted into the new wall, as it has many stands. Aside from stub-outs for connections, the plumbing pipes are also hidden behind the wall.

Check with your local permitting authority to see if a permit is required for this type of wall. If you plan to run plumbing in conjunction with the wall, a permit will likely be required.

Copper radiator pipes are an incredibly important part of any central heating system. They are responsible for moving the hot water around our homes and do their part to keep us warm during the coldest months.

The problem is that copper tubing can be unsightly and usually requires cladding or concealing. Painting the pipes the same color as the wall often feels unsatisfactory, while drilling channels into the wall can be expensive and disruptive.

In this article, we look at three of the cheapest ways to hide them effectively, with minimal cost and inconvenience.

boxes

A very common way to hide radiator pipes is to box them. You may have seen this in your kitchen or bathroom.

Straight pieces of wood are installed around the pipes, effectively creating a box around them.

Paint the box the same color as your walls or baseboards to help the box blend in and give a more minimalist, tidy look compared to open piping.

While this is a cheap and easy fix, boxing plumbing can make a room appear smaller. Also, many people dislike the clunky look of pipes in boxes, even after an effort to blend the boxes with the environment.

skirting boards

An alternative method of hiding pipes is to install specially adapted baseboards that can accommodate pipes.

This type of skirting board has a recessed section on the back that allows the skirting board to sit flush against the wall and hide the piping.

If you were planning on installing baseboards anyway, then getting a pipe-friendly baseboard can be an easy and inexpensive solution to the problem.

If you’re running baseboard in one room, you may feel obligated to maintain consistency and run it in other rooms, even if there isn’t a visible pipe problem in those other rooms.

pipe sleeves

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to cover the copper pipes that connect to your radiator is to install pipe sleeves.

Pipe sleeves (or covers) simply slide over your copper pipes and add a nice sense of completeness to any radiator installation. For the most attractive look, it’s always best to buy pipe sleeves that are the same color as your valves or radiators.

At Trade Radiators we stock an impressive range of pipe sleeves in a variety of colors to ensure you get exactly what you need. We also offer them in 130mm lengths to fit all pipe lengths and can be cut to size if required.

If you want to hide your copper pipes without the expense and inconvenience of opening walls or floor panels, you should definitely consider the option of pipe sleeves.

View all of our pipe sleeves

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• Who should you call to fix a radiator?

• Where should I place my radiator?

• How to remove a radiator without draining it

If you’re having new radiators fitted you might want to consider taking the quality of the finished look to a whole new level… with pipe collars.

Pipe sleeves are a metal cover that fits over your copper pipes that come out of the ground and go into your radiator. They are a fantastic way to charge up your radiator valves and make them look even more stylish.

Underestimated cooler accessories

Trade Direct Chrome Pipe Sleeves

It’s easy to think that the copper pipes coming out the bottom of your radiator valves are a necessary evil. You’re transporting the water in and out of radiators and your only choice is to expose the copper or paint them, right?

Not correct. There’s a third way, and that’s by adding some pipe collars over the top of the pipes.

Pipe collars are a feature that is often overlooked, but they can make the difference in whether your radiator installation looks complete or if something doesn’t look quite right. It’s one of those things that makes a big difference, but with minimal effort.

size and color

Our pipe collars are available in 130mm and 300mm lengths, so you should be able to find a perfect length for your pipes no matter how high off the ground your wheel is installed. They can be easily trimmed if necessary.

Pipe sleeves are usually made of nickel or brass and are available from us in the following colours:

Brushed Copper

White

Black

anthracite

chrome

Brass

tin

Antique Copper

Nickel (Satin and Black)

We recommend pipe collars that match the color of your radiator valves or the body of your radiator. Choosing something different can often look a bit odd and detract from the aesthetics of the room.

Pipe sleeve inspiration

Trade Direct Copper Pipe Sockets

Trade Direct White Pipe Sleeves

Trade Direct Black Nickel Pipe Cuffs

Trade Direct pipe sleeves anthracite

View all of our pipe sleeves

RELATED ARTICLES

• Are radiator valves universal?

• The Complete Guide to Radiator Valves

• Our top 5 most stylish traditional radiator valves

A pipe collar is generally one of three things: a protective ring used to keep a pipe hole open, a ring used to fill the gap between a pipe and another surface, or a cover to seal a pipe Creating a barrier between a pipe and its surroundings. These sleeves are used in the construction of a building or pipe system. Almost every non-domestic pipe system has some type of socket, and many domestic systems have one as well.

This first type is commonly used during the construction or remodeling of a building. These sleeves are rings that are inserted into the formwork for a concrete wall. When the wall is poured, the mold creates a hole large enough for a pipe to pass through. It is generally much larger than the pipe that passes through it, creating a gap.

The second type of pipe collar is used during the construction of a building or after the building is completed. These types fill in the gaps where pipes penetrate walls, creating a barrier between the two sides that air cannot pass through. They can be made from many different materials, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), sheet metal, or a fireproofing material.

The two main reasons for using this type of case are to protect against odor or fire. If the cuff is around a water pipe, that pipe will eventually go into the sewer. By putting an airtight seal around the opening in the floor around the pipe, the sewer odor will not rise back up. Firestops work on the same idea, except they stop fire instead of smelling it. Naturally, if the hot air from a fire tries to move up and out, it would draw fire through the gaps around the pipe and spread the fire faster.

The last type of pipe collar is often put on during construction, but serves later. These sleeves protect the pipe from the environment or vice versa. The most common varieties are protective and insulating. A protective cover prevents damage from accidental bumps in high-traffic areas.

Some pipes carry very hot or cold materials. In some cases it is important that these materials remain at the current temperature, so an insulating sleeve will keep the temperature in the pipe. On the other hand, the same materials could affect the temperature of their surroundings or cause burns if touched. Pipe collars also protect against this.

Pipe sockets for sanitary installations

Pipe collars are larger than the pipes they are designed for, and types and purposes vary depending on whether the collars are used in commercial or residential facilities. When it comes to plumbing systems, it all depends on the setting. Different types of structures offer plumbers different levels of complexity.

sanitary installation

Professionals who specialize in residential plumbing understand how each home’s pipes work to supply water to kitchens and bathrooms. Home plumbing specialists generally see the same types of pipe problems every day.

Commercial plumbing

Plumbers working in commercial or industrial facilities face different problems on a daily basis. The variety of commercial and industrial companies is great, and the sanitary installation is often based on the individual situation of each company. In addition, pipes in commercial facilities are damaged by frequent use or heavy use, e.g. B. when transporting corrosive materials, much more heavily loaded than pipes in residential buildings.

Essential Purpose

Ultimately, plumbing pipe collars are designed to isolate and protect pipes from their external environment. This fundamental basic purpose applies regardless of the type of structure in which plumbing is installed. The various types of pipe sleeves have evolved from this essential function to serve a variety of needs and purposes.

copper tube sleeve

Copper is a popular material for tubing because it is versatile, easy to work with, and durable. Copper tubing is commonly found in both residential and commercial buildings. However, despite all its positive qualities, copper pipes sometimes need repairs. Copper pipe collars are a commonly used solution to stop leaks in pipes. Savvy homeowners who are experienced with do-it-yourself projects are often able to fix some copper pipe leaks themselves by using copper sleeves for repairs.

pipe inspections

Proactive inspections can help find leaking copper pipe before major structural damage occurs, whether in residential or commercial buildings. Before calling in an installer, homeowners or building managers can check the installation themselves. There are several ways to tell if a copper pipe is leaking, including:

Green or blue discoloration on copper tubing – While copper tubing is durable, it will eventually corrode and its integrity will be destroyed over time. This gradual corrosion causes the pipes to turn a bluish-green color. However, sudden discoloration could indicate a leak and at the very least indicates that copper tubing is likely to be weak.

Condensation on outside of pipes resembling dew – Condensation is common on pipes, especially during the summer months. However, if you notice unusual condensation on the outside of pipes or condensation that you’ve never seen before, it may indicate a leak. This is often the case when you only see condensation in one area. However, sometimes larger areas of condensation can indicate multiple leaks. A closer examination is required to determine if pipe integrity is compromised.

Unusually high water bills – A sudden sharp increase in water bills often indicates leaks in copper pipes.

Water with an Unpleasant Taste and Odor – If your water suddenly develops a metallic or unpleasant smell or taste, this could indicate a leak. This is often the case when water is affected throughout the home and running the faucet for a few minutes doesn’t dispel the foul smell and taste.

If you find you have leaking pipes, a copper sleeve could be an effective and relatively easy fix for repairs.

Repairs with a copper sleeve

For smaller leaks, copper sleeves can be a helpful solution. First turn off the water supply. Next, to repair with a copper sleeve, follow these steps:

Cut out the damaged section of copper tubing and trim a short distance past the leaking section.

Clean the ends of the copper repair sleeve and both ends of the pipe to be repaired. Apply flux to all four ends to weld the tubes together.

Slide the copper sleeve over one end and then gently slide it over the other end of the section of pipe to be repaired. You may need to loosen pipe hangers to carefully adjust this.

Carefully solder the connections together. Use a flame retardant to protect nearby wood such as B. beams to cover. Hold the flame to one side of the joint and the solder wire to the other.

However, those who do not feel comfortable with such repairs should contact an installer.

Sanitary sleeves through concrete

Plastic or metal pipe collars are sometimes used to run pipes through concrete. This is common with structural foundations. The sleeves are a type of form and guide that create openings through which piping can be installed in concrete. Sometimes installation sleeves in concrete protrude a short distance through the surface. These are called raised sleeves.

Do you have unsightly plumbing visible outside your home? How to hide outer pipes and keep your home ranked well.

In 1829, the Tremont Hotel in Boston was the first building in the United States to feature an indoor installation. However, many rural areas did not start reaping the benefits of indoor installation until the 1930s, less than 90 years ago.

While there’s no question that indoor plumbing has come a long way since the 1820s and even the 1930s, there are still aspects that may make you cringe. For example – exposed outer tubes.

Not only are these a major eyesore, they can also take away from the attractiveness of your home. So what can you do?

If you’re faced with this dilemma and are wondering how to hide exposed plumbing, apply one of these tips to restore the beauty of your home’s facade.

use plants

One of the most popular ways to dress up exposed exterior pipes is to use plants. You can use evergreen ground covers for low-lying horizontal or short vertical canes. This ground cover only grows a few centimeters tall.

Use the feathery pink carnation plants or the stone orpines. Another option is ornamental grass. Plant these on each side of the pipe. Just make sure you aren’t blocking any access ports with the base of the facility.

Consider root damage

While it may be tempting to plant a massive shrub next to exposed canes, it’s not a good idea. The strong, deep roots of a large shrub can eventually snap the cane.

A better option is to stick with plants that have much shallower root systems. This ensures that the roots do not interfere with the purpose of the pipe.

Use a wooden box

A wooden box is a great option for grouped whistles. You can choose either a horizontal or vertical box depending on your needs.

The great thing is that you can build the crate yourself and paint it any color you like. It’s one of the cheapest ways to hide your pipes.

Use decorative objects

Do you use bird baths, fountains and other hardscape elements to decorate your lawn? If so, use one of these to hide your outer tubes.

Some of the most common decorative objects are pillars with eyeballs, planters with a beautiful shrub or flowers, and trellises.

This disguise works best when the pipe is visible from a single direction. If you can see it from multiple angles, another method from this list might work better.

Paint the whistle

While you can’t magically make pipelines disappear, you can disguise them. Just paint the visible part of the pipe to match the one nearby.

For example, if your whistle is near grass, bushes, or other greenery, paint it the same shade of green. If the tube is near mulch or a flower bed, paint it brown or the color of the mulch you are using. If there is nothing near the pipe, paint it the same color as your house.

To ensure the paint adheres properly, use a spray paint designed for the specific material of the pipe. For example, there are paints that you can use specifically for plastic or metal.

Cover the tube

While exposed outer tubing is uncomfortable, you’re not the first to grapple with it. There are products designed to cover them.

For example, you can buy an artificial tree trunk or stone. These come in a wide range of colors and styles. You will find something to match or compliment your landscape design.

There are even covers with holes in the side to let water through. This is ideal when covering a drain pipe. Others are completely hollow with solid side walls to cover vertical pipes.

Industrialize the whistle

If you don’t like any of these ways to disguise or hide your outer tubes, then why not embrace them? Celebrate their urban personality or industrial loft. Traditional metal tubing (i.e. steel, aluminium, copper and iron) is a natural part of a trendy cosmopolitan design.

But if your exposed pipes are PVC, put in a little work. Just add a few coats of matte black or even metallic paint. This immediately gives the pipe a chic urban decor.

Now you know

If you’ve been wondering how to hide outer pipes, now you have a few effective solutions. While the tubes may not go anywhere, there are ways not to watch them day in and day out.

If you ever have a problem with your plumbing beyond the looks, contact our team of professional plumbers. We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality plumbing services. Call (402) 731-2727 today to learn more.

How to hide your bathroom installation

Water and sewer lines are an unavoidable and essential part of your bathroom. However, for many people they are unsightly and can ruin the overall look of your carefully designed bathroom.

So what can you do to hide that bathroom fixture? Read on to find out!

What kind of pipes do I have in my bathroom?

Before we tell you how to hide those pesky bathroom pipes, we thought it would be a good idea to give you a quick rundown of what types of pipes you’re likely to find in your bathroom (and tell you what they do ).

There are basically two types of domestic waterworks:

supply systems.

drainage systems.

As you’ve probably guessed, the first system supplies fresh water to your bathroom, while the second takes out the waste.

There are two types of each of these systems.

supply systems:

Indirect.

direct.

drainage systems:

Single Stack.

Two pipes.

In general, the age of your home will determine which systems you will install. Older homes (before the 1960s) usually have indirect supply systems and two pipe drainage systems. Newer homes have direct feed systems and single stack drainage systems.

Ways to hide pipes in your bathroom

Now that we’ve looked at the different types of pipes you’ll have in your bathroom, let’s take a look at how you can (safely and stylishly) cover them up.

Box in the bathroom line

If you don’t have the budget to replace all of your bathroom furniture with items that hide your plumbing, then a cheaper way to hide your plumbing is to box them up.

You’ll need a decent set of tools and some basic carpentry skills, but bagging bathroom plumbing is a job that the majority of people can handle. You will need at least a tape measure, nails, hammer and saw, and suitable wood (e.g. MDF) to create the “box”.

The “boxing-in” approach is ideal when pipes run across the floor at a low level. The box you create can then act as either an enhanced skirting board or a low shelf (depending on the height of the plumbing). Once you’ve painted this box to match your walls, it will be almost imperceptible.

Build fake walls

Do you have pipes running up the walls of your bathroom? Don’t worry. If you can’t wrap your plumbing, another option is to build a false wall. This option is ideal for larger, older properties where space is not an issue.

The ideal of building new walls may sound intimidating, but creating a new drywall wall can be surprisingly easy.

If you don’t want to do this yourself, you’ll need to hire a builder to build the wall and then a plumber to move the toilet or sink to fit the new wall snugly. If you also want to install lighting on your wall, you will also need to hire an electrician (but remember that electricians need special qualifications to carry out work in bathrooms).

If you want to go down the route of creating a fake wall to hide your bathroom plumbing then make sure you get multiple quotes to have the work done and weigh this option against the other options in this article before doing so you decide to continue.

For tips on hiring a handyman, check out our guide here.

Hide the bathroom pipes in the wall

Hiding those unsightly bathroom pipes in the wall is perhaps the most satisfying option, but unfortunately the most expensive.

Many new homes have bathroom plumbing already embedded in the walls, but older homes will require you to “retrofit” the plumbing to sit in your bathroom walls.

While the cost precludes this option for many people, it’s worth considering if you’re building a completely new bathroom (say, as part of an addition). When building a new bathroom, it makes sense for the builder to install the plumbing inside the walls to create a sleek, minimalist finish.

decorations

If you don’t want to go indoors to wrap up your pipes or build fake walls, then a much easier (and cheaper) way to hide the pipes in your bathroom is to use decorations.

Decorations can be as simple as wrapping some fake flowers or ribbons around the pipes or using rope to cover them up.

Paint your pipes

Another way to easily “hide” your bathroom plumbing is to paint them. Either paint them the same color as your walls to make them blend in better, or alternatively paint your bathroom plumbing a bold and distinctive color and make it stand out.

Replace your tubes with better looking ones

In the spirit of “if you can’t beat them, join us,” consider replacing your current whistles with better-looking ones. Many modern bathrooms are now choosing to deliberately expose the plumbing to create an industrial, bold aesthetic.

You can replace your boring existing tubing with chrome, copper or satin finish tubing. Not only is this option great for improving the look of your bathroom, but it also means you have easy access to your plumbing should anything ever go wrong!

build storage units

By building storage units around bathroom furniture like toilets and sinks, you can hide those unsightly pipes and create more storage space in your bathroom. Storage tanks are also easier to clean than pipes.

You also don’t have to create these retention units from scratch. There is a wide range of vanity cabinets available to help hide those pipes and add another layer of practicality to your bathroom.

Replace your bathroom furniture

If you really want to hide the water pipes in your bathroom, you can switch your bathroom furniture to versions where the water and sewer pipes are not visible.

Shop now – Affine Full Pedestal 560mm 1 Tap Hole Basin.

Bathroom furniture such as pedestal sinks, wall-hung toilets and enclosed bathtubs ensure that water and waste water pipes are not visible.

If you want to go this route, you must budget at least €600 for the purchase and assembly of the items (this cost obviously varies depending on the type of bathroom furniture you buy).

Olli Lyon

Ollie is a self-trained handyman who has a particular love for kitchen and bathroom renovations. In his free time, Ollie enjoys biking and hiking.

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Don’t forget to read the rest of our blog for more bathroom and kitchen tips.

How to Hide Exposed Pipes: Creative Ways to Cover and Conceal

Maybe you’ve bought a new house or want to remodel a few rooms. It’s difficult to find creative ways to hide exposed pipes, especially when you’ve never encountered them before. It’s hard to think outside the box!

Luckily we’ve all put our heads together online and shared all the different ways to hide pipes, whether it’s on the outside of your home, in your basement ceiling, in the laundry room or in the bathroom.

The beauty is that they are all fairly cheap to do and the different methods can be adjusted to suit anyone’s budget.

Let’s look at the 12 best ways to cover pipes. Rather than trying to break down the methods for each room, I’ll just list them and you can apply the ones that make sense for your personal situation.

12 creative ways to hide plumbing pipes

Plumbing goes nowhere and unfortunately sometimes, especially in older homes or in big cities where the structures are permanent and made of brick for example, lots of piping and air conditioning ducts are added to the outside of our walls.

It would be preferable if they were built inside the walls, but what can you do…

Well here’s what you can do! You can get creative and incorporate these exposed pipes into the decor of the room, or create a way to hide them behind or in a functional (and attractive) piece of furniture or decoration. Let’s jump in.

Highlight (or paste) the plumbing pipes

Let’s start with this because it’s the easiest and it’s all the rage right now. It’s fashionable to have open plumbing these days, and many people consider it a feature.

Although some people paint them the same color as the wall behind them to help them blend in, a much cooler option is to make them stand out visually by using a complementary color to paint them, or the same pipes in other places install in the room.

Alternatively, you can make decorative pipe covers that can even thermally insulate air conditioning ducts. This works more for more rustic and country homes than modern and minimalist designed spaces.

I’ve also seen people hang artificial foliage, like leafy tendrils, along them. It can add some nature and color to your design.

Build shelves to hide the pipes

Depending on where these pipes go, say vertically in a small corner, you can buy or build a bookshelf to hide them.

If you build it yourself, you can build it from floor to ceiling, creating a cavity in the shelf that leaves room for the pipes without taking up additional floor space.

The beauty of this method is that the shelves can then be used to hold books, photo frames, trinkets, and anything else that’s a conversation piece that will completely distract anyone from realizing there might be pipes behind it.

Use decorative pipe covers

Some people will come up with interesting pipe cover solutions depending on the theme of their room. Imagine a beach themed room.

You have wallpaper borders with lighthouses, paintings of beach scenes, an anchor on the wall, etc. You could wrap rope around these exposed pipes and it would look perfect.

If you are working in a child’s room, maybe a little girl, you could paint her like a candy cane or wrap her in fabrics designed like that.

You could turn vertical trees into artificial trees and include branches and leaves near the ceiling. Just get creative and you will come up with something cute.

Sink skirts and cabinets can hide bathroom plumbing

If you have a laundry room or bathroom with sinks or toilets that don’t have cabinets underneath, then you probably have plumbing and valves on display as well.

If you have the tools and skills, you can build custom cabinets to hide them and create a space to store cleaning brushes and sprays.

Another cheaper option is to go to the fabric store and get a fabric that matches the room and sew a sink skirt.

I’d recommend installing a curtain rod in front of the sink to attach the skirt to if possible, but you can get creative with suction cups or anything else you can think of, which I can’t.

Pack the pipes with wood and paint

We mentioned pipe painting, but sometimes there’s just a single, lonely pipe running through the corner of a room. Many people choose to wrap it up by building a small wooden frame around it.

This is inexpensive and the cuts can usually be made for you at the hardware store. Consider using a drywall alternative while you’re at it. It might inspire some other ideas in terms of decorative value.

Just frame it, seal the edges with caulk, let dry, and then you can paint this new box cover the same color as the wall it’s against. Don’t forget to add trim at the top and bottom. This is easy, looks good and gives the room a bit of a three dimensional aspect.

Add some interesting joints and curves

You might want to leave the pipes open and even in their natural, industrial state, but you don’t like where they are. If you’re crafty (or hire a plumber or pipe fitter) you can install joints to rotate them 90 degrees with fittings and let them flow wherever you want.

If done correctly, they can even become places to hang towels or various types of spoons, for example.

The idea is to get them to create interesting patterns along the wall or direct them away from where you don’t want them.

If you’re looking to hire a locksmith, this is where you could go nuts. Just remember to turn off the water and drain the pipes before opening them.

Make sure you consult an engineer so you don’t screw up the pressure, flow rate, drainage, or temperature. Check if you need a pipe cleaning or a new seal while they are open.

Let the pipes serve a functional purpose

This is easier said than done and can require a lot of work to re-route the pipes, but it can be done. One of my favorite examples of this method of hiding exposed pipes is using them as railings for an attic.

Just be careful they aren’t hot water or steam pipes that will scald your visitors if touched.

You can also use ones that run horizontally along the wall, as supports for shelves, to hang potted plants indoors, or if there are enough of them you can paint some kind of mural on them that will become more apparent the further away you go from them are.

The key is to get creative! Just don’t tamper with sprinkler systems, any type of sprinkler heads, or anything else related to safety.

Leave basement ceiling pipes to create more space

Most often, these pipes are embedded in the support beams of the floor above. You can’t modify these to remove them, but instead of installing drywall for a ceiling to hide the pipes, you could make them prettier and leave the pipes exposed.

This creates the illusion of more vertical space in the basement, making it more comfortable.

The same goes for hiding trellis with a soffit in a room with high ceilings on the ground floor. Rather than lose some of that amazing airspace you can buy a much nicer channel strip such as B. galvanized steel, which will not rust and stay shiny, and expose it.

This will generally look much nicer than a random stripe with bound piping.

Leaving wooden beams visible can feel modern or rustic depending on how you play it. You can lay additional boards between the joists, as if there were double or triple the amount, and install lighting between them.

You can do a lot without sacrificing vertical space. The psychological benefit of having that space there is huge.

Hide the pipes behind furniture and decorations

One of the easiest things is to decorate the room and arrange the furniture around hiding pipes as the main goal. You can decorate your kitchen table, sofas and sofas, large potted plants, etc.

The idea here is that you can leave some of the pipes exposed in the top half of the room, perhaps mixing them into the walls with paint, while hiding most of it with your regular furniture. It’s a less expensive way to reduce visual distraction by one level.

Turn tubes into side tables or scratching posts

I mentioned building shelves onto the pipes. Other examples of how to make them functional would be incorporating side tables into ones that are at the right height of your couch.

I’ve even seen really creative solutions like turning them into scratching posts for your cats or even into large elaborate scratching posts.

This way of hiding pipes will amaze your visitors when they discover what you have done and it will make your room more personal and relaxing.

It will have your personal touch, which I think is way better than following standard convention. This is how “room” becomes “place”.

Turn a vertical tube into a column

Let’s say you have a room, like an upstairs bedroom, attic room, or bonus room above your garage, that has a large pipe running vertically down the middle of the room for no really good reason. Instead of trying to reroute it, you can build a pillar around it.

That way you can hide the pipe and pretend it’s a support beam, like some supporting structure that needs to be in place. Nobody will question it. You can build all kinds of columns to suit your decorating style and sensibility.

You can then decorate it however you like, even add shelves around it, build a bench seat with storage underneath, etc. Depending on the location of the pipe, the possibilities are endless.

How to hide pipes outdoors

Outdoor pipes on the outside of your home can also feel unsightly. Luckily these usually reach to the floor and not much higher than our waist height. You can use most of the above methods, especially if they are close to your patio. But there are other methods specifically for this scenario.

You can plant bushes to hide them, but please be careful not to let the roots damage the pipes over time. Also, don’t plant the bushes if they’re near a window, lest you create a place for a criminal to hide while they peek in and scout locations.

You can build a storage box for your gardening or garden tools to place in front of the pipes. You can do the same with a nice garden hose reel. If you put something functional in front of the pipes while painting the pipes the same color as the types of siding or brick, you can hide them well.

You can also build trellises for vines to grow off, giving you the double pleasure of not only covering the pipes but also flexing your green thumb. Grow some berries and you’ve now tripled the level of enjoyment.

Get creative to hide exposed pipes

The ideas above should be enough to get your creative juices flowing. There are all sorts of ways to do this, e.g. B. the use of a false ceiling or other alternatives. At most, we can present these general methods, since you need a customized solution for your specific scenario.

But with a little imagination and brawn, you can hide your exposed pipes perfectly.

You will also enjoy:

Do you have unsightly plumbing visible outside your home? How to hide outer pipes and keep your home ranked well.

In 1829, the Tremont Hotel in Boston was the first building in the United States to feature an indoor installation. However, many rural areas did not start reaping the benefits of indoor installation until the 1930s, less than 90 years ago.

While there’s no question that indoor plumbing has come a long way since the 1820s and even the 1930s, there are still aspects that may make you cringe. For example – exposed outer tubes.

Not only are these a major eyesore, they can also take away from the attractiveness of your home. So what can you do?

If you’re faced with this dilemma and are wondering how to hide exposed plumbing, apply one of these tips to restore the beauty of your home’s facade.

use plants

One of the most popular ways to dress up exposed exterior pipes is to use plants. You can use evergreen ground covers for low-lying horizontal or short vertical canes. This ground cover only grows a few centimeters tall.

Use the feathery pink carnation plants or the stone orpines. Another option is ornamental grass. Plant these on each side of the pipe. Just make sure you aren’t blocking any access ports with the base of the facility.

Consider root damage

While it may be tempting to plant a massive shrub next to exposed canes, it’s not a good idea. The strong, deep roots of a large shrub can eventually snap the cane.

A better option is to stick with plants that have much shallower root systems. This ensures that the roots do not interfere with the purpose of the pipe.

Use a wooden box

A wooden box is a great option for grouped whistles. You can choose either a horizontal or vertical box depending on your needs.

The great thing is that you can build the crate yourself and paint it any color you like. It’s one of the cheapest ways to hide your pipes.

Use decorative objects

Do you use bird baths, fountains and other hardscape elements to decorate your lawn? If so, use one of these to hide your outer tubes.

Some of the most common decorative objects are pillars with eyeballs, planters with a beautiful shrub or flowers, and trellises.

This disguise works best when the pipe is visible from a single direction. If you can see it from multiple angles, another method from this list might work better.

Paint the whistle

While you can’t magically make pipelines disappear, you can disguise them. Just paint the visible part of the pipe to match the one nearby.

For example, if your whistle is near grass, bushes, or other greenery, paint it the same shade of green. If the tube is near mulch or a flower bed, paint it brown or the color of the mulch you are using. If there is nothing near the pipe, paint it the same color as your house.

To ensure the paint adheres properly, use a spray paint designed for the specific material of the pipe. For example, there are paints that you can use specifically for plastic or metal.

Cover the tube

While exposed outer tubing is uncomfortable, you’re not the first to grapple with it. There are products designed to cover them.

For example, you can buy an artificial tree trunk or stone. These come in a wide range of colors and styles. You will find something to match or compliment your landscape design.

There are even covers with holes in the side to let water through. This is ideal when covering a drain pipe. Others are completely hollow with solid side walls to cover vertical pipes.

Industrialize the whistle

If you don’t like any of these ways to disguise or hide your outer tubes, then why not embrace them? Celebrate their urban personality or industrial loft. Traditional metal tubing (i.e. steel, aluminium, copper and iron) is a natural part of a trendy cosmopolitan design.

But if your exposed pipes are PVC, put in a little work. Just add a few coats of matte black or even metallic paint. This immediately gives the pipe a chic urban decor.

Now you know

If you’ve been wondering how to hide outer pipes, now you have a few effective solutions. While the tubes may not go anywhere, there are ways not to watch them day in and day out.

If you ever have a problem with your plumbing beyond the looks, contact our team of professional plumbers. We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality plumbing services. Call (402) 731-2727 today to learn more.

How to Hide Exposed Pipes: Creative Ways to Cover and Conceal

Maybe you’ve bought a new house or want to remodel a few rooms. It’s difficult to find creative ways to hide exposed pipes, especially when you’ve never encountered them before. It’s hard to think outside the box!

Luckily we’ve all put our heads together online and shared all the different ways to hide pipes, whether it’s on the outside of your home, in your basement ceiling, in the laundry room or in the bathroom.

The beauty is that they are all fairly cheap to do and the different methods can be adjusted to suit anyone’s budget.

Let’s look at the 12 best ways to cover pipes. Rather than trying to break down the methods for each room, I’ll just list them and you can apply the ones that make sense for your personal situation.

12 creative ways to hide plumbing pipes

Plumbing goes nowhere and unfortunately sometimes, especially in older homes or in big cities where the structures are permanent and made of brick for example, lots of piping and air conditioning ducts are added to the outside of our walls.

It would be preferable if they were built inside the walls, but what can you do…

Well here’s what you can do! You can get creative and incorporate these exposed pipes into the decor of the room, or create a way to hide them behind or in a functional (and attractive) piece of furniture or decoration. Let’s jump in.

Highlight (or paste) the plumbing pipes

Let’s start with this because it’s the easiest and it’s all the rage right now. It’s fashionable to have open plumbing these days, and many people consider it a feature.

Although some people paint them the same color as the wall behind them to help them blend in, a much cooler option is to make them stand out visually by using a complementary color to paint them, or the same pipes in other places install in the room.

Alternatively, you can make decorative pipe covers that can even thermally insulate air conditioning ducts. This works more for more rustic and country homes than modern and minimalist designed spaces.

I’ve also seen people hang artificial foliage, like leafy tendrils, along them. It can add some nature and color to your design.

Build shelves to hide the pipes

Depending on where these pipes go, say vertically in a small corner, you can buy or build a bookshelf to hide them.

If you build it yourself, you can build it from floor to ceiling, creating a cavity in the shelf that leaves room for the pipes without taking up additional floor space.

The beauty of this method is that the shelves can then be used to hold books, photo frames, trinkets, and anything else that’s a conversation piece that will completely distract anyone from realizing there might be pipes behind it.

Use decorative pipe covers

Some people will come up with interesting pipe cover solutions depending on the theme of their room. Imagine a beach themed room.

You have wallpaper borders with lighthouses, paintings of beach scenes, an anchor on the wall, etc. You could wrap rope around these exposed pipes and it would look perfect.

If you are working in a child’s room, maybe a little girl, you could paint her like a candy cane or wrap her in fabrics designed like that.

You could turn vertical trees into artificial trees and include branches and leaves near the ceiling. Just get creative and you will come up with something cute.

Sink skirts and cabinets can hide bathroom plumbing

If you have a laundry room or bathroom with sinks or toilets that don’t have cabinets underneath, then you probably have plumbing and valves on display as well.

If you have the tools and skills, you can build custom cabinets to hide them and create a space to store cleaning brushes and sprays.

Another cheaper option is to go to the fabric store and get a fabric that matches the room and sew a sink skirt.

I’d recommend installing a curtain rod in front of the sink to attach the skirt to if possible, but you can get creative with suction cups or anything else you can think of, which I can’t.

Pack the pipes with wood and paint

We mentioned pipe painting, but sometimes there’s just a single, lonely pipe running through the corner of a room. Many people choose to wrap it up by building a small wooden frame around it.

This is inexpensive and the cuts can usually be made for you at the hardware store. Consider using a drywall alternative while you’re at it. It might inspire some other ideas in terms of decorative value.

Just frame it, seal the edges with caulk, let dry, and then you can paint this new box cover the same color as the wall it’s against. Don’t forget to add trim at the top and bottom. This is easy, looks good and gives the room a bit of a three dimensional aspect.

Add some interesting joints and curves

You might want to leave the pipes open and even in their natural, industrial state, but you don’t like where they are. If you’re crafty (or hire a plumber or pipe fitter) you can install joints to rotate them 90 degrees with fittings and let them flow wherever you want.

If done correctly, they can even become places to hang towels or various types of spoons, for example.

The idea is to get them to create interesting patterns along the wall or direct them away from where you don’t want them.

If you’re looking to hire a locksmith, this is where you could go nuts. Just remember to turn off the water and drain the pipes before opening them.

Make sure you consult an engineer so you don’t screw up the pressure, flow rate, drainage, or temperature. Check if you need a pipe cleaning or a new seal while they are open.

Let the pipes serve a functional purpose

This is easier said than done and can require a lot of work to re-route the pipes, but it can be done. One of my favorite examples of this method of hiding exposed pipes is using them as railings for an attic.

Just be careful they aren’t hot water or steam pipes that will scald your visitors if touched.

You can also use ones that run horizontally along the wall, as supports for shelves, to hang potted plants indoors, or if there are enough of them you can paint some kind of mural on them that will become more apparent the further away you go from them are.

The key is to get creative! Just don’t tamper with sprinkler systems, any type of sprinkler heads, or anything else related to safety.

Leave basement ceiling pipes to create more space

Most often, these pipes are embedded in the support beams of the floor above. You can’t modify these to remove them, but instead of installing drywall for a ceiling to hide the pipes, you could make them prettier and leave the pipes exposed.

This creates the illusion of more vertical space in the basement, making it more comfortable.

The same goes for hiding trellis with a soffit in a room with high ceilings on the ground floor. Rather than lose some of that amazing airspace you can buy a much nicer channel strip such as B. galvanized steel, which will not rust and stay shiny, and expose it.

This will generally look much nicer than a random stripe with bound piping.

Leaving wooden beams visible can feel modern or rustic depending on how you play it. You can lay additional boards between the joists, as if there were double or triple the amount, and install lighting between them.

You can do a lot without sacrificing vertical space. The psychological benefit of having that space there is huge.

Hide the pipes behind furniture and decorations

One of the easiest things is to decorate the room and arrange the furniture around hiding pipes as the main goal. You can decorate your kitchen table, sofas and sofas, large potted plants, etc.

The idea here is that you can leave some of the pipes exposed in the top half of the room, perhaps mixing them into the walls with paint, while hiding most of it with your regular furniture. It’s a less expensive way to reduce visual distraction by one level.

Turn tubes into side tables or scratching posts

I mentioned building shelves onto the pipes. Other examples of how to make them functional would be incorporating side tables into ones that are at the right height of your couch.

I’ve even seen really creative solutions like turning them into scratching posts for your cats or even into large elaborate scratching posts.

This way of hiding pipes will amaze your visitors when they discover what you have done and it will make your room more personal and relaxing.

It will have your personal touch, which I think is way better than following standard convention. This is how “room” becomes “place”.

Turn a vertical tube into a column

Let’s say you have a room, like an upstairs bedroom, attic room, or bonus room above your garage, that has a large pipe running vertically down the middle of the room for no really good reason. Instead of trying to reroute it, you can build a pillar around it.

That way you can hide the pipe and pretend it’s a support beam, like some supporting structure that needs to be in place. Nobody will question it. You can build all kinds of columns to suit your decorating style and sensibility.

You can then decorate it however you like, even add shelves around it, build a bench seat with storage underneath, etc. Depending on the location of the pipe, the possibilities are endless.

How to hide pipes outdoors

Outdoor pipes on the outside of your home can also feel unsightly. Luckily these usually reach to the floor and not much higher than our waist height. You can use most of the above methods, especially if they are close to your patio. But there are other methods specifically for this scenario.

You can plant bushes to hide them, but please be careful not to let the roots damage the pipes over time. Also, don’t plant the bushes if they’re near a window, lest you create a place for a criminal to hide while they peek in and scout locations.

You can build a storage box for your gardening or garden tools to place in front of the pipes. You can do the same with a nice garden hose reel. If you put something functional in front of the pipes while painting the pipes the same color as the types of siding or brick, you can hide them well.

You can also build trellises for vines to grow off, giving you the double pleasure of not only covering the pipes but also flexing your green thumb. Grow some berries and you’ve now tripled the level of enjoyment.

Get creative to hide exposed pipes

The ideas above should be enough to get your creative juices flowing. There are all sorts of ways to do this, e.g. B. the use of a false ceiling or other alternatives. At most, we can present these general methods, since you need a customized solution for your specific scenario.

But with a little imagination and brawn, you can hide your exposed pipes perfectly.

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Wondering what to do with the exposed plumbing and plumbing in your bathroom? We’ve found some neat ways to hide it or incorporate it into your bathroom design.

Maybe you just bought a house or you want to renovate some rooms in your existing house. Your dreams of beautiful bathroom decor are almost complete… but you discover several exposed pipes peeking out from under your sink. What an eyesore, right?

Hide exposed pipes

Plumbing is central to a successful, livable home. However, sometimes it is not hidden and requires a lot of piping that can be extremely visible physically. Of course it would be better if they were built inside the walls, but what can you do?

Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to hiding exposed plumbing pipe that’s great not just for your bathroom, but for other rooms in the home like kitchens, utility rooms, and even loft conversions. But let’s focus on your “smallest space” first.

Here are 12 great little suggestions for design touches to incorporate into your new bathroom to create the look and feel you want without the unsightly plumbing.

1. Box in the piping

Creating a box around your whistles is a very simple but effective way to cover up your unwanted whistles. This can be done with a variety of materials (plywood being the most popular) and can either blend in with your color scheme or accentuate it. Attaching a small box can be done by you with minimal carpentry skills.

All you have to do is frame the tube, seal the edges, let it dry and paint or decorate the wooden cage however you like. You can even tile directly onto it, giving it a seamless floor-to-wall appearance. Don’t forget to trim the edges – there’s nothing worse than a villain splinter! It’s easy, fun, and adds character to the room.

If your pipes run along the floor, your box can even be converted into a shelf to store bathroom essentials.

Exposed dump? No problem… Check out what one of our creative clients did with theirs below.

2. Expand the pipes

This is by far the most common solution. Exposed plumbing fixtures are becoming increasingly popular, especially in trendy industrial-style bathrooms, and people are increasingly painting them rather than covering them completely. While some might paint it the same color as the room to blend in, others may choose to make it stand out visually by using complementary colors.

3. Enjoy the twists and turns

If you’re a fan of exposed pipes, there’s another route to go down. Why not consider installing additional connections to twist and turn the tubes in any desired flow. When done correctly, these connections can rotate the tubes 90 degrees to create sharp angles that you can use to hang towels or ornaments, for example.

Use your imagination and create lots of interesting patterns on the wall or manipulate the route in a direction you want to end up. Be sure to consult a plumber so you don’t mess up the flow rate. pressure or temperature. Be sure to turn off the water supply and drain all lines before you begin work, and remember to double check the systems after the job is complete.

4. Decorate your whistles

Depending on the particular theme of your bathroom, you can decorate and highlight your plumbing instead of hiding it. For example, if you want to achieve a nautical or coastal look with motifs of the beach, sand, waves, boats and lighthouses, why not wrap them with rope and decorate them with seashells?

Make sure your bathroom isn’t entirely at sea by labeling your plumbing and plumbing

5. Build shelves

If your pipes run straight down, why not buy a shelf to hide them? If you’re a DIY enthusiast, why not build a floor-to-ceiling shelf yourself? This is a very economical option and you can choose the perfect wood for your shelf. If you’re really creative, you can even build a cavity into the device, leaving enough room for pipes without leaving any other gaps.

This method is great because you can use it to display personal items, including trinkets, photo frames, books, and…well, pretty much anything that makes for a good conversation starter. Not only has this now become a sophisticated area for storage, but it also draws attention away from the plumbing so visitors can focus on the beautiful furniture.

6. Installing a cabinet or vanity unit

This is perhaps one of the most memory-efficient options on the list. Not only can you hide the unsightly pipes from judgmental eyes, but you can also create additional storage space for all your bathroom essentials like toiletries.

There are two ways you can install a vanity cabinet or cabinet, either by making it yourself from scratch or ordering a pre-built one. You may also need to hire a handyman which can cost up to £350 depending on the size of the job and which part of the UK you live in.

Before installing your new vanity cabinet or cabinet, make sure you have measured the area under the sink and determined how you want your plumbing to be fully covered. You can choose whether you want your washbasin to be on top of your vanity unit or integrated into it.

Most Victoria Plum vanity units have a utility cavity in the back that helps you hide plumbing and plumbing

7. False Walls

In some cases, it’s just not possible to pack in all the pipework on display in your bathroom, and if major structural work isn’t an option, a false wall might do the trick. Building a plasterboard wall in front of the existing wall is the most cost-effective plan.

In this case, it’s best that you hire a builder to build the wall and also a plumber to make sure your toilet or sink fits in place. While you’re at it, it’s also worth waterproofing your bathroom at the same time.

8. Place storage baskets around pipes

We’re going from one of the most expensive options to one of the cheapest in one fell swoop! Depending on how much plumbing is on display and where it is positioned, you could simply repurpose some old storage baskets or buy new ones and arrange them around your plumbing. However, make sure you are not impeding access to things you need to use on a daily basis.

If your pipes extend a bit higher up the wall, consider a bathroom laundry basket. They provide the perfect place for used towels or dirty clothes and kill 2 birds with one stone!

9. Assemble a standing pool

By far the classiest option from our list. A pedestal pool or even a semi-pedestal pool is great for hiding unsightly plumbing. However, a wall hung sink can also be a good solution as a range of beautifully designed bottle siphons are available to add a special touch to your installation.

Keep your plumbing concealed with the traditional style Dulwich Pedestal Sink

10. Beautify your sink

It’s not just people who look good in a skirt – sinks and vanities too! If you want a more elegant look for your bathroom, a washbasin skirt might be the right choice. It’s very easy and doesn’t cost you much. You can either buy them online or, if you’re feeling crafty, make them yourself.

All you need is Velcro, heavy duty waterproof tape, and some kind of fastener. You can also use recyclable materials for the skirt. And more importantly, not only does it hide your lines, but it also gives you great storage space for items you don’t want to see.

11. Use pipe covers

Sometimes the best solution is to attack the problem head-on. If the pipes bother you that much, you might want to cover them completely. Pipe covers can be purchased cheaply online or at local hardware stores. These coverings are usually made of wood, metal or resin.

Pipe covers are available in a variety of designs and colors so you can choose something that complements the rest of your bathroom decor. They can also serve as inspiration for your next bathroom makeover. We highly recommend writing down the length and diameter of your flushing pipes before purchasing – you need to ensure the pipes are capped properly.

12. Decorate your bathroom with greenery

You can’t go wrong with beautiful plants and flowers, right? Potted plants are a great way to liven up everyday looks (like that of exposed pipes) and add character to your bathroom. Before you buy plants that are suitable for bathrooms, make sure you measure your space so they fit perfectly in the right spots. How about creating your own wall unit with our easy-to-follow video below?

If you already have a garden, you can always repot and add your old plants to stylish new pots. With plants, try to stay in a high humidity environment as they thrive on water and will not die as quickly. One of our favorite houseplants is the Boston fern – these foliage plants like a decent amount of sunlight, which means they’re great for draping over window sills. And if you’re the kind of person who never has much luck with plants, why not give the Cast Iron Plant a try – it’s known to be low maintenance and survives in low light with little watering.

Finally

We hope you’ve found something that works for you with these 12 great ideas for hiding plumbing in your bathroom. From homey to chic and from budget-friendly to expensive, there should be a solution for everyone.

Share your tips and tricks with us

If you’ve found a clever way to hide or even accentuate the plumbing in your bathroom, we want to see it. Tweet us a picture @VictoriaPlumUK or share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #PlumbingPerfection.

Find out about bathroom design and installation

If you still have no ideas how to hide the plumbing in your bathroom, why not inquire about our design and installation service? Our experienced design team is happy to discuss your requirements before creating realistic 3D visualizations of your new bathroom.

Simply leave your contact details by clicking on the image below and take the first step towards your dream bathroom.

Your landscaping could be affected by a variety of pipes, including those used for drainage that lie almost flush with the ground, or those that protrude above the ground such as B. Access pipes for septic tanks. Since you can’t get rid of the pipes, use creative landscaping ideas to hide the pipes and make them appear like they’re a natural part of your design. Use natural elements like plants or rocks, as well as items like fountains or bird baths to aid in your quest for a pipe trim.