- Most British homes are fed via pipes from a high pressure main in the road. This communication pipe runs to an external stop-valve ( the water company stop-valve ), adjacent to the property's boundary (F1)
- Some modern stop-valves are made of plastic, and incorporate a connection for a water meter, these are controlled by a short plastic key lying loose ( F2). Under the lid is a moulded block of insulation material. Lift this out to operate the stop-valve and replace it afterwards.
- Older properties or larger houses converted in to flats may have only one stop-valve. In multiple-dwelling buildings the internal stop-valves may all be on the ground floor or under the main entrance stairs, on individual floors or inside individual flats.
Plumbing
EXPERT PLUMBING SERVICES
Specialising in showers and shower mixer repairs, installing new and repairing old taps, fixing problems with toilets and cisterns, carrying out general plumbing upgrades. Operating in the areas of NW1, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW10 or NW11. With over 35 years of experience, and trusted by local homeowners and landlords to give a prompt, professional and affordable service.
If you live Near Me, call PlumbRight Services Ltd on 07831 623711
We fix showers and shower mixer valves
There are two types of shower mixers in the UK.
Thermostatic mixers- The Thermostatic type usually have a flow control (On/Off) and a temperature control which incorporates a thermostatic cartridge. The thermostat in the cartridge is always active at opening and closing the hot and cold water inlet ports in the mixer. This allows for a constant desired water temperature for the user, it also eliminates unexpected fluctuations of hot and cold water when other taps are operated in the property.
These mixers will require either re-calibrating, non return valves cleaning or the thermostatic cartridge to be replaced in their operational life time.
Manual mixers- The Manual type is still very common, they have less to go wrong but do rely on good plumbing design and balanced hot and cold pressures from the same source. They may have just a single lever to operate the flow and temperate or two flow controls (Hot and cold). Bath/Shower mixers are another version which incorporates a levered diverter.
Manual mixers are unable to compensate if the water pressure drops when another tap is in use. This type of mixer is not recommended for young or older vulnerable user.
Upgrading shower screens, shower heads, shower hoses and shower rails kits are very common jobs i am asked to do.
I find the following manufacturers to have good spares distribution in the UK, Aqualisa, Armitage Shanks, Bristan, Crosswater, Deva, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Hudson Reed, Heritage Bathrooms, Ideal Standard, Inta, Meynell, Mira, Trevi, Triton Ultra, and Vado. Other Manufacturers may need a bit of research to obtain spares.
Call Tony on 07831 623711
5 Most common plumbing call out jobs!
- Problems with your toilet.
I keep a van stock of parts for the most common repairs, whether your cistern is a modern push button or the traditional handle operated type. Problems householders encounter range from constant running of water into the wc pan or externally via an overflow pipe, slow filling of wc cistern, leaks between wc cisterns and wc pans, and leaks on the wc pan drainage outlet pipes. Give Tony a call... It's easily fixed! Replacing ballvalves, float valves, flush valves, doughnut washers and close couple kits.
- Water supply has stopped.
The usual suspects are the system has an air lock, which needs to be cleared.
The loft water storage tank has a problem filling up, due to the ballvalve becoming defective or stuck.
The local water supplier could be carrying out an emergency dig up in the street, but when the supply gets turned back on, small particles or grit get stuck in the appliance fittings, which will need clearing.
- My tap is dripping.
The tap may require a service, re-washering or ceramic disc valves ordered up.
The tap may need replacing, matching the correct type of taps to your plumbing system is very important, as the incorrect type can lead to noisy plumbing or poor performance out of the tap.
- The shower is not working.
If your shower is only running at one temperature or is fluctuating from hot to cold, I can fault find, and repair.
If the manufacturer is not known, then removing the cartridge and taking a photo will help with tracing thermostatic cartridges valves.
Shower booster pump installation, upgrading of old shower heads and wall rail kits are an easy fix.
- Sink not draining away.
I am able to clear blocked domestic waste pipes ( sinks, showers, bath and basins) with the aid of our small hand held electric drain clearing machines.
This machine can clear blockages by sending down the waste pipe a 7 m steel spring which rotates at a fast rate and gradually makes a path through the blockage/s.
Blockages further than 7 metres or within the main sewers or manholes will require a Drainage company to visit site.
Blockages are excluded from my 12 month workmanship guarantee.
Call Tony on 07831 623711
- Airlocks
- Immersion Heaters
- Kitchen Mixer Taps
- Burst Pipes
- Tank Ballvalves
- Blocked Basins
- Overflows
- Blocked Sinks
- Hot water Cylinders
- Shower Mixer Repairs
- Leaks
- Shower Mixer Repairs
- Pumps
- Toilet Repairs
- Stopcocks
- Blocked Baths
- Unvented Cylinders
- Pipe work Replacement
"Plumbing systems have changed over the last 30 years."
High pressure mains water systems have become the norm, Low pressure tanks have been removed to save space in the loft area, and I see less now.
Working on some older type plumbing systems can be a challenge. Knowing how these systems work and what fittings to utilise are all within my scope.
Call Tony on 07831 623711
A Basic Guide To Domestic Plumbing
The illustrations adjacent show two of the most likely methods of supplying water with the domestic household.
The First household shows a direct mains water distribution system, supplying a modern boiler and giving hot and cold mains pressure at all the appliances.
Good points include:-
1, Higher pressure showering.
2, Loft area free of plumbing.
3, Easier to install and maintain.
Bad points include:-
1, No reservoir of water if mains failure in street.
2, Noisy if low pressure fittings are still in use.
3, Slight risk of leaky joints.
The Second household shows mains water supplying only the drinking water at the sink and storage cisterns in the loft. The hot and cold distribution at low pressure via tank fed pipe work.
Good points include:-
1, A reserve of water is still available if the mains fails.
2, A Balanced pressure of hot and cold mixer fittings.
Bad points include:-
1, Risk of contamination of the storage cisterns.
2, Frost damage of pipe work and cisterns in loft.
3, The physical space required of additional cisterns and pipe work.
Call Tony on 07831 623711
How to shut off your Cold Mains Water Supply in a emergency.
Interested in our plumbing & heating service?
If you live Near Me, in NW1, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW10 or NW11.
or local post codes.
We’re here to help!
Call Tony on 07831 623711.
PlumbRight Services Ltd © All Rights Reserved.
Boiler Breakdowns, Boiler fault finding, Boiler Service to Vaillant and Worcester Bosch Boilers. You need a local expert heating engineer. live near me in NW1, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW10, NW11, then call Tony on 07831 623711 for all your heating and plumbing problem needs.