Did you know that callout fees for emergency plumbers tend to be two to three times that of standard plumbing fees? That means you could end up paying between £100 and £200, just for the callout.
So, if you’re keen to keep your plumbing bills in check and avoid stressful situations such as blocked toilets and leaking pipes, follow these practical tips.
Maintain your boiler
One of the main reasons that people need an emergency callout is because their boiler has stopped working. But most of the time, this can be avoided by simply getting an annual service and carrying out some basic maintenance.
Gas boilers need to be serviced by a Gas Safe plumber or engineer and often the best time to do this is in the summer. That way, you can be sure it’s in good working order when you need to start using your heating again.
It’s also a good idea to learn how to adjust the pressure on your boiler, as it will stop working if it’s too high or too low. If in doubt, your plumber or engineer can show you how to do this when they come around to service your boiler. It’s also worth checking underneath your boiler from time to time, to make sure the pipework is free from signs of leaks or corrosion. Spotting this sort of problem early will save you from needing an emergency callout and big repair costs.
Look after your drains
Blockages commonly result in the need for emergency plumbing. Drains, toilets and sinks can easily get blocked or clogged if you don’t look after them properly. And what you put down them can greatly affect their condition.
For instance, you should never pour cooking oil and fat down the sink as it has a nasty habit of clinging to the sides of pipes. Coffee grounds are another common kitchen ingredient that clogs drains and u-bends but adding a stainer to your sink can catch these before they can do any harm.
It’s not just the kitchen that’s responsible for clogs and blockages. Hair and soap scum are often the culprits when bathroom drains clog. This can be harder to avoid but using a strainer or guard over your plughole or regularly cleaning your drains with hot water or a fizzy mix of baking soda and vinegar, should help keep them clear.
The toilet can just as easily get blocked or cause blockages further down the line. So, never try to flush away paper towels, wipes or cotton buds.
Don’t ignore the warning signs
Putting off small problems can lead to emergency situations. So, the next practical tip is an important one. Never ignore the warning signs.
For instance, if you hear dripping sounds or spot a suspicious brown stain on your ceiling, then it could be a pipe leaking. Leaving it can lead to the pipe eventually bursting, which will mean you need an emergency plumber. And you could be left with a lot of mess and damage to clear up.
Learn the basics
There are a few basics that every homeowner should know, in order to manage their home’s plumbing and deal with emergencies.
Firstly, it’s good to know how to move small blockages. Having a plunger in your tool kit is always handy as it can usually tackle minor plughole and toilet blockages. And it’s worth knowing how to change the washers or cartridges on your taps. This will help you keep your plumbing in good condition.
If you’re lacking in confidence when it comes to home maintenance, it might be worth enrolling in a practical night class or community-run course.
Finally, to avoid panic and flooding when a plumbing emergency does crop up, you really need to know where your stopcock is, as this will quickly turn your water supply off.
When should you call an emergency plumber?
No matter how prepared you are, plumbing emergencies do occasionally spring up. But when is it vital to call out an emergency plumber?
Sometimes with water leaks, time is of the essence. For instance, you may be on a water meter and the leak could be costing you money or the water may be at risk of flooding and damaging parts of your home. So, this would require an emergency plumber.
There may also be times when your boiler won’t work and you can’t do without it. For instance, if the temperatures are freezing and you have vulnerable family members. Should this be the case, it’s prudent to let your plumber or engineer know the situation, so they can make you a priority.