Some plumbing tips for new and old home owners.
1. Where is the mains water stop cock?
In case of an emergency is is good to know where the mains water stop cock is. Depending on the style of your property this could be situated in the kitchen under the sink, in the utility room or at the front of the house in a cloakroom. Make sure it works and it's ready for you to use it!
2. Boiler condition.
Has your boiler got any paperwork? Does this shows it has been serviced and looked after regularly? Have a good look at it and if not sure get a Gas Safe engineer to carry out safety checks. Boiler manufacturers would void warranties if boilers are not serviced regularly.
3. Cold water storage tanks.
Conventional systems have cold water storage tanks In the loft area. Make sure this have lids fitted to prevent contamination. They would need cleaning or changing. They would also need to have insulation to prevent freezing.
4. Good / bad water pressure.
Poor water pressure at your further away taps? Maybe the shower heads need cleaning or taps might need changing. It could be an easy fix.
5. Gas, electricity and water meters.
If you have a water meter this might be located at the front of your house by your stopcock. Or at the point of entry in to your property. Get a reading and send it to your suppliers. Do the same with your gas and electricity meters.
6. Lead pipes
If your house was built before 1960's there's a good chance you have a lot of lead pipes in your water systems. This can be dangerous to health. Nowadays it is illegal to use this kind of pipes on new installations. To find out, look for soft grey coloured pipes that scratch easily with a coin. Have them replaced.
If and when you move in to a new home, check all of the above. Look for signs of wear and tear. Look for stains on walls and ceilings. If you see any have them checked out to prevent further damage to your property and incur extra costs.
We are here to help 24/7, please get in touch by phone on 07834949683.
By email info@cvph.co.uk.
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