Home Improvement Advice for Plumbing

Do it Yourself Tips for Plumbing

A qualified plumber should be able to undertake any job involving water supply or sanitation in your home. He may also be qualified to undertake work on heating systems but if these involve connecting to gas, whether mains or LPG (liquid petroleum gas), he/she must by law also be registered with CORGI. Flues for gas heating must also be installed by a CORGI registered operative.

There are also laws, not always obvious, which govern water supply and sanitation fittings, so if you are in any doubt about what you are planning to do, consult a qualified plumber.

Manufacturers of central heating systems want you to be happy with their products. The majority of gas boiler manufacturers in the UK now subscribe to the "Benchmark" scheme, which seeks to ensure that installations are carried out to their instructions. You may have difficulty claiming under a guarantee if your installation, rather than the product, is faulty.

Central heating systems also require careful planning. Radiator sizing, correct temperature controls, via either room or radiator thermostats, and flow/return temperatures are all critical if the system is to work correctly, efficiently and economically. It is also essential to choose the right boiler for your home. You may find that you can save money, an space, by installing a combi, wall-hung boiler in place of a floor standing model and there are also now available a wide range of "condensing" boilers which are proven to be more economical than traditional versions and have the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly. There is a new efficiency-rating scheme for central heating boilers.

Remember too, that a gas system will also involve some electrical work in fitting room and cylinder thermostats as well as an electrical supply to the boiler, pump and any zone valves fitted. You may need to call in a qualified electrician to carry out such work.

You could pick a system yourself and leave the installation to your plumber, however, your plumber does not have to give you a performance guarantee, if you have chosen the system yourself.

Before deciding on the most appropriate system, you need to find out what services are available in your area. There may be a choice of gas (mains or LPG), oil, coal, wood or electricity. What is available depends on the area in which you live.