Question 1

What counts as a plumbing emergency?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled water, no water supply at all, sewage backing up into the property, or a blocked toilet where it is the only WC. A dripping tap is annoying but it is not an emergency, and you will pay less by booking it in daytime hours.

Question 2

Are you available 24 hours a day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Attendance out of hours is charged at a higher rate, which we state on the call.

Question 3

Which postcodes do you cover?

Accepted Answer

GU, KT, SW, CR, RH and BN — Surrey, South West London and Sussex. Coverage is based on travel time rather than a strict boundary, so call with your postcode and we will confirm immediately.

Question 4

How quickly can you get to me?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your location and what is already booked. We give a realistic arrival window on the call instead of promising a figure we cannot meet.

Question 5

How much does a plumber cost?

Accepted Answer

Emergency work is a call-out charge that includes an initial period on site, then labour by the hour, plus parts. Defined jobs can be given a fixed price. We state the rates on the phone before attending.

Question 6

Do you charge more at night and weekends?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank holiday work carries a higher rate than a weekday daytime visit. You are told the applicable rate before we set off.

Question 7

Do I pay if the job cannot be finished on the visit?

Accepted Answer

Attendance and diagnosis is chargeable. Where a part must be ordered we tell you the part, price and lead time before you commit to a return visit.

Question 8

Where is my stop tap?

Accepted Answer

Most often under the kitchen sink. Also check downstairs cloakrooms, utility rooms, under the stairs, and near the front door in flats. There is usually an external stop tap too, in a small covered box near the boundary.

Question 9

My boiler pressure keeps dropping — what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Water is leaving the sealed system somewhere. Common causes are a weeping joint or radiator valve, a failed expansion vessel, or a discharging pressure relief valve. Repeated topping up is a symptom, not a fix.

Question 10

Why does my drain keep blocking?

Accepted Answer

Repeat blockages in the same place usually mean a physical defect: a displaced joint, root ingress, a collapsed section, or a waste run laid with too little fall.

Question 11

Should I use chemical drain unblocker?

Accepted Answer

Sparingly at most. It may shift light grease but does little to a solid blockage, and it makes the job more hazardous for whoever clears it properly.

Question 12

Do you work with landlords and letting agents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We arrange access directly with tenants, attend, and report back with an itemised account of what was found and done — the level of detail an agent needs to recharge or claim.

Question 13

Can you provide a report for an insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our invoices and written summaries describe the cause of the failure and the remedial work carried out, which is normally what insurers ask for.

Question 14

Do you do gas work?

Accepted Answer

Work on gas appliances is only carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers. Ask for the registration details when you book so you know exactly who is attending.

Plumbing questions, answered

Quick answers

Emergencies and availability

Costs and charges

Practical plumbing questions

Landlords, agents and businesses

Still not sure? Call and ask.