If you're looking to move home or have recently moved, check out these top plumbing tips to look out for.
Know where your internal stop tap is?
The internal stop tap (or stop cock/stop valve) is used to isolate your water supply from the mains. It is usually found under the kitchen sink, but other common places it can be found are under the stairs, in a utility room, or maybe even the bathroom. Ensure you know the location of it and that it works in case of an emergency or when plumbing works are taking place.
Look out for leaks.
Leaks can occur from many places in a plumbing system. The tell tale signs to look out for are loss of pressure in your heating system, rust, water stains on the walls, floors or carpets, or mould on ceilings and walls.
Underground leaks can be difficult to identify, which is why it's a good idea to keep an eye on your water bill. Fixing even a small leak will save you money if you have a water meter.
Leaks from dripping taps or leaky toilets are usually a simple fix and can make a big difference on your water usage.
Do you have lead pipes supplying your water?
Drinking water which has passed through lead pipes is not good for you, especially for pregnant women and young children, so you might want to replace them with copper or plastic ones. Lead pipes are often found in older style properties, usually it's the supply pipe from the street. One sure sign is a dark matte grey pipe which turns shiny when scraped with a screwdriver. It is now illegal to use lead pipes or lead solder for plumbing water pipes.
Check if you have a water meter.
If you have a water meter you’ll be charged for the amount of water you use – which is good to know if you have a large family or multiple bathrooms. It could be in the ground outside the front of your house, or inside near the stop tap. Your water supply company will also be able to tell you if you have a meter and where it is located.
Pipework in exposed areas.
If you find you have copper or plastic pipework in unheated areas such as the loft, garage or roof space, it's important to ensure it has adequate pipe lagging or insulation protecting it from frost.
A frozen pipe can not only stop your water system from working as it should, but if the pipe expands too much and splits, this could cause major water damage and an expensive repair bill.
Planning on a new bathroom or kitchen?
In some cases, work on new and existing plumbing systems, and some types of water installations, needs to be notified, and approved by your local water supplier before it can begin.
It’s a legal duty for owners and occupiers of premises to ensure that any significant plumbing work complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws.
WaterSafe plumbers can carry out some work without the need to provide this advance notification and they will also provide a certificate on completion. It is always recommend you use a WaterSafe plumber to ensure you don’t fall foul of the law.
Luckily, Quality Plumbing are WaterSafe registered plumbers. We can carry out any plumbing work inside and outside of your new home and you have the peace of mind that all work will be insured and carried out to water regulations.
Contact us today for a free quote or even for advice if you're looking to move but have questions.
