Plumbing & Heating Blog
Guides and advice from our engineers. Practical answers to common plumbing and heating questions.
What Happens During an Annual Boiler Service?
An annual boiler service takes about 45-60 minutes. The engineer inspects, cleans, and tests the boiler to make sure it is running safely and efficiently.
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Surrey?
A bathroom renovation in Surrey typically costs between £3,000 and £15,000 depending on the size of the room, the quality of fixtures, and the complexity of the plumbing work.
Planning a Bathroom Renovation: A Complete Guide
A well-planned bathroom renovation can transform your home. Here is what to think about before you start, from layout and fixtures to plumbing and timelines.
Blocked Drains: Common Causes and How to Clear Them
Most blocked drains are caused by fat, hair, food waste, or wet wipes. Some blockages you can clear yourself, but persistent or deep blockages need a professional.
Frozen Condensate Pipe: How to Fix It and Prevent It
If your boiler stops working in freezing weather and shows an ignition or blockage error, the condensate pipe has probably frozen. Here is how to thaw it safely.
Boiler Error Codes: What They Mean and What to Do
Boiler error codes tell you something specific has gone wrong. Some you can fix yourself, others need an engineer. Here are the most common ones explained.
Boiler Flue Regulations: Where Can a Flue Be Positioned?
Boiler flue terminals must be positioned specific minimum distances from windows, doors, air vents, and boundaries. Getting this wrong is a safety risk and a building regulations failure.
Boiler Grants and Schemes: What Free Help Is Available?
Several government schemes can help with the cost of a new boiler or heating system, including the ECO4 scheme, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Why Does My Boiler Keep Cutting Out?
A boiler that fires up then cuts out after a few seconds or minutes is usually caused by low pressure, a faulty thermostat, a blocked condensate pipe, or a circulation problem.
Why Is My Boiler Making a Kettling Noise?
A kettling noise - like a kettle boiling - usually means limescale or sludge has built up on the heat exchanger, restricting water flow and causing overheating.
Why Does My Boiler Keep Losing Pressure?
If your boiler pressure keeps dropping below 1 bar, it is usually caused by a leak in the system, a faulty pressure relief valve, or bleeding radiators.
How Much Does a Boiler Replacement Cost in Surrey?
A typical boiler replacement in Surrey costs between £1,800 and £3,500, depending on the boiler type, system complexity, and the size of your property.
Boiler Service vs Boiler Repair: What's the Difference?
A boiler service is a routine check-up to keep things running safely and efficiently. A repair fixes something that has already gone wrong.
Do I Need Building Regulations Approval for Plumbing Work?
Most minor plumbing work does not need building regulations approval. But gas work, unvented cylinders, new bathrooms, and boiler installations are notifiable and must comply.
Carbon Monoxide and Boilers: Signs, Risks, and How to Stay Safe
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by faulty boilers. It kills around 30 people in the UK every year. Here is how to protect your household.
Central Heating Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide
Before calling an engineer, check the thermostat, timer, boiler pressure, and power supply. Many central heating problems have simple fixes you can do yourself.
Combi Boiler vs System Boiler: Which Is Right for Your Home?
A combi boiler heats water on demand and is ideal for smaller homes. A system boiler stores hot water in a cylinder and suits larger properties with multiple bathrooms.
Emergency Plumbing: What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives
Turn off the water at the stopcock, switch off the boiler, and move anything that could get damaged. Then call a plumber.
Expansion Vessel Failure: Signs, Causes, and Replacement Cost
A failed expansion vessel causes pressure fluctuations, water dripping from the pressure relief valve, and the boiler cutting out. Replacement costs £150-£300.
Gas Safety Certificates: What Landlords and Homeowners Need to Know
Landlords are legally required to get an annual gas safety check on every rental property. Homeowners are not legally required to but should get one for their own safety.
Hard Water Problems in Surrey: What It Does and How to Fix It
Surrey has some of the hardest water in the UK. It causes limescale buildup in pipes, boilers, and appliances, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Here is what you can do about it.
Heat Pumps vs Gas Boilers: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Heat pumps are more efficient and produce fewer emissions, but gas boilers are cheaper to install and better suited to older, less insulated properties. Here is how to decide.
Should I Leave My Heating On When I Go on Holiday?
In winter, yes - leave the heating on a low setting (around 12-15°C) to prevent frozen pipes. In summer, turn it off but leave the stopcock on.
Heating Zones and Controls: How to Heat Only the Rooms You Use
Heating zones let you control the temperature in different parts of your home independently. They can cut heating bills by 20-30% by not wasting energy on empty rooms.
Why Is My Hot Water Not Working but the Heating Is?
If your radiators heat up fine but you have no hot water, the problem is usually a diverter valve, a thermostat, or a hot water cylinder issue - not the boiler itself.
How to Bleed a Radiator: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bleeding a radiator takes about 2 minutes and can fix cold spots at the top. All you need is a radiator key and a cloth.
How to Choose a Reliable Plumber in Surrey
Check they are Gas Safe registered, read their Google reviews, and get a written quote before any work starts. Here is what else to look for.
Where Is My Stopcock? How to Find and Use Your Main Water Shut-Off
Your internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink. Knowing where it is and how to turn it off could save you thousands in water damage during a plumbing emergency.
Plumbing and Heating Regulations for Landlords in Surrey
Landlords in Surrey must ensure gas appliances are safe, provide annual gas safety certificates, maintain heating and hot water, and meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Leaking Tap: Should You Fix It or Replace It?
A dripping tap wastes up to 5,500 litres of water a year. Most leaking taps can be fixed with a new washer or cartridge, but sometimes a full replacement makes more sense.
Magnetic Boiler Filters: What They Do and Why You Need One
A magnetic boiler filter catches iron oxide sludge before it damages your boiler. They cost £120-£180 fitted and can extend the life of your boiler by years.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Boiler to a Different Room?
Moving a boiler to a different room typically costs £500-£1,500 on top of the boiler itself, depending on the distance, pipework needed, and flue requirements.
Noisy Pipes and Water Hammer: What Causes It and How to Fix It
Banging, clanking, or hammering pipes are usually caused by water hammer, loose pipework, or air in the system. Most fixes are straightforward.
Signs Your Central Heating Needs a Power Flush
If your radiators have cold spots, your boiler is noisy, or your heating takes ages to warm up, your system probably needs a power flush.
How Much Does a Power Flush Cost in Surrey?
A power flush in Surrey typically costs between £350 and £600 for a standard 3-bed house. The price depends on the number of radiators and the condition of your system.
Preparing Your Boiler for Winter: A Pre-Season Checklist
Get your boiler checked before winter arrives. A pre-season service, condensate pipe lagging, and a quick radiator bleed can prevent breakdowns when you need heating most.
What Is a Pressurised Water System and Do I Need One?
A pressurised (unvented) hot water system gives you mains-pressure hot water at every tap and shower, without needing a cold water tank in the loft.
Radiators Not Heating Up? Here Is What to Check
Cold radiators are usually caused by trapped air, sludge buildup, a faulty valve, or a boiler circulation problem. Most of these are straightforward to fix.
Smart Thermostats: Are They Worth It?
A smart thermostat can cut your heating bills by 10-15% by learning your schedule and only heating the house when needed. They cost £150-£250 fitted.
How Much Does Underfloor Heating Cost in Surrey?
Underfloor heating costs £30-£80 per square metre depending on the system type. A full ground floor installation for a 3-bed house typically costs £3,000-£5,000.
Can You Retrofit Underfloor Heating in an Existing Home?
Yes, underfloor heating can be installed in most existing properties. Wet systems are ideal for ground floors, while electric systems suit individual rooms and upper floors.
Unvented Hot Water Cylinders: Benefits, Costs, and Installation
An unvented hot water cylinder gives you mains-pressure hot water throughout your home. It costs more to install than a vented system but delivers much better performance.
Low Water Pressure: Causes and How to Fix It
Low water pressure can be caused by a problem with the mains supply, a partially closed stopcock, leaking pipes, or limescale buildup. Here is how to diagnose and fix it.
When Should You Replace Your Boiler? 8 Signs It Is Time
If your boiler is over 10-15 years old, breaking down frequently, or costing more to run than it should, it is probably time for a replacement.