Plumbing Repairs
Leaks, Burst Pipes, Taps, Valves & Cold Water Tanks
Plumbing problems rarely give you much warning, a dripping tap becomes a flood, a slow drain becomes a full blockage, and a small leak behind a wall can cause serious damage before you even notice it's there. I handle a wide range of domestic plumbing repairs, from fixing leaking and dripping taps to locating burst pipes, clearing blocked drains, resolving low water pressure issues, and installing garden taps, all carried out properly, with attention to detail and no shortcuts.
Leaking & Dripping Taps
A dripping tap is one of the most common plumbing problems in UK homes, and one that's easy to ignore, until it starts affecting your water bill. Whether it's a kitchen tap, a bathroom basin tap, or an outside tap that won't fully shut off, the cause is usually a worn washer, a damaged cartridge, or a faulty valve seat. Left unattended, even a slow drip can waste thousands of litres of water over time. I repair and replace all types of taps, including mixer taps, monobloc taps, pillar taps, and quarter-turn taps, across all major brands.
Burst & Leaking Pipes
A burst or leaking pipe can cause significant damage to your home if not dealt with quickly, from damp walls and ceilings to structural damage and mould. Pipes can burst due to freezing temperatures in winter, corrosion in older properties, high water pressure, or physical damage. A slow leak behind a wall or under a floor can go unnoticed for weeks, quietly causing damage the whole time. If you've noticed damp patches, a musty smell, or an unexplained rise in your water bill, it's worth getting it checked. I locate and repair leaking pipes quickly, minimising disruption to your home.
Low Water Pressure
Poor water pressure is a frustrating problem, showers that barely trickle, taps that take forever to fill a glass, and appliances that struggle to function properly. Low pressure in UK homes can be caused by a number of issues, including a partially closed stopcock, a build-up of limescale or debris in pipes (particularly common in hard water areas like Hertfordshire), a faulty pressure reducing valve, or a problem with the mains supply to your property. I diagnose the cause accurately before recommending the right fix, rather than guessing and charging you for unnecessary work.
Blockages & Drainage
A blocked drain or waste pipe can quickly become more than just an inconvenience. Slow-draining sinks, gurgling noises from drains, unpleasant smells, or water backing up in a basin or bath are all signs that a blockage is developing. Common causes include a build-up of grease, food debris, hair, and soap scum in household waste pipes. I clear blockages in kitchen sinks, bathroom basins, baths, and shower trays, and can advise on steps to prevent them from recurring.
Garden Tap Installation
A garden tap is one of those simple additions that makes a real difference for watering the garden, washing the car, or cleaning outdoor areas without carrying buckets from inside. I install garden taps to a proper standard, including fitting an isolation valve and ensuring the installation complies with UK Water Fittings Regulations, which require an appropriate backflow prevention device to protect the mains water supply.
Stopcock Repairs and Replacements
The stopcock is the main valve that controls the flow of water into your home and it's often the first thing you need to reach in a plumbing emergency. Many homeowners only discover their stopcock is faulty when they actually need to turn the water off quickly, only to find it's seized, stiff, or won't close fully. In older properties, stopcocks can corrode or become difficult to operate over time, making them unreliable when it matters most. I repair and replace faulty stopcocks, ensuring you always have a reliable way to shut off your water supply when needed.
Isolation Valve Repairs & Replacements
Isolation valves are the small inline valves fitted to the water supply pipes feeding individual appliances and fixtures, taps, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. They allow you to shut off water to a single fitting without turning off the supply to the whole house. In older properties, these valves are often neglected and can seize up completely over time, making them useless in an emergency. A seized isolation valve can also make even a simple tap replacement a much more complicated job. I repair and replace faulty isolation valves throughout the home, restoring proper control over your water supply.
Cold Water Storage Tank Repairs
Cold water storage tanks typically found in the loft of older UK properties with gravity-fed plumbing systems supply cold water to bathrooms and feed vented hot water cylinders. Over time, these tanks can develop cracks, corrode internally, or suffer from faulty ball valves and float mechanisms that cause them to overflow or fail to refill correctly. A tank that isn't functioning properly can affect water pressure throughout the home, cause noise from the loft, or in the worst cases, overflow and cause water damage to ceilings below. I inspect and repair cold water storage tanks, and where a tank is beyond economical repair, I carry out full replacements, including all associated ball valves, float arms, and overflow fittings.
Got a Leak or Plumbing Problem?
Whether it's a dripping tap or a burst pipe, get in touch and I'll sort it out properly.