Plumbing Tips

…know how stressful a plumbing emergency can be, so to help we have pointed out the things you should know if in need.
Emergency plumbing service requires a rapid response – yet it’s still best to prevent disasters in the first place.
Tough Water Solutions plumbers offer you these top tips to prevent plumbing emergencies:

• Ensure that you know the location of the stop valve on the incoming water supply, and that it works.

You should also make sure that you know the location of your outside manhole should access be required to your drains, and check its clear.

• In cold weather, take measures to prevent water pipes from becoming frozen. Open up the hatch to the roof space to allow some heat to come through from the house, to keep the cistern from freezing.
• Ensure that all exposed pipes and storage systems are properly insulated, especially those in the loft region.
• Do not let dripping taps and ball valves go unchecked – this is a sure sign that your plumbing system requires maintenance.
• Stop valves will corrode – check yours every 3-months.
• Ask your plumber to fit isolation valves – this will help in emergency situations and can help to prevent unnecessary damage to your home in case of a plumbing emergency.

Tough Water Solutions Ltd…

Is here to assist in all your plumbing needs, whether they be urgent or planned. Should you require a home plumbing assessment where recommendations can be made on any improvements to your plumbing system, this service is also available.

Depending on where the emergency is its best to isolate the water where possible to prevent any damage and water wastage, and if possible drain down the system i.e. hot water, cold water, central heating. If possible isolate Gas.

Cold Water

• If on mains, turn off at stop tap and open cold taps at lowest point to empty system.
• If fed from tank, turn outlet valve off, if unable to turn off or is not one installed find something to bung the outlet from inside of the tank and drain pipe work.

Hot Water

• If on hot mains, ie combi boiler do same as if cold mains
• If on gravity fed hot, ie immersion heater cylinder isolate the tank feeding and drain using hot outlets.

Central Heating

• Main thing is to turn heating off to prevent any scolding and the system pumping water and also cooler for plumber to repair.
• If possible drain down, if not just try keeping leaking water under control.

Gas

• Call gas engineer and if possible turn gas off at gas meter.