If you need to employ a plumber to carry out work in your home, it is important to make sure they are professional, competent, reliable and trustworthy.
Recommendations
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) is the professional body for the plumbing industry and recommends that when finding a plumber you should always:
- Use a member of a recognised body that represents the trade
- For plumbers and heating engineers, it is the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - members have to hold recognised qualifications in plumbing and/or extensive experience.
- Ask around ask your friends, your relatives or your neighbours who they use or would recommend.
- You should always get at least three quotes. Be sure to find out if there is a call out fee and how many people will be working on the job.
- Ask if the price per hour includes all the people working on the job or if more is charged per plumber.
- Always get a written quote - unless there are any unforeseen costs, the final bill should not be too far from this initial written quote.
- Clearly explain all of the work that you need doing. Write down as much as possible. at any rate, as much as you can.
- Ask how long the work will take to complete. When you have found a plumber and the job is completed to your satisfaction, ask for a full breakdown of the bill so you know where your money has gone.
Remember - plumbing consulting should be left to the professionals.
When employing a plumber, it is advisable to be aware of the Water bylaws which exist to control work on plumbing installations. Your local Water Board will be able to advise you if you are unsure.
There are, for example, requirements relating to anti siphon valves being fitted to some types of shower installations where the shower head may reach below the top of a bath.
Plumbing work often involves working around electrical installation (plugs and sockets etc.) It is therefore also necessary to comply with current Building Regulations and the I.E.E (Institute of Electrical Engineers) Wiring Regulations. In particular, the I.E.E Wiring Regulations cover the earth bonding of plumbing installations and it is extremely important to follow these.
All metal plumbing must be bonded to earth.
It is very easy for this to be overlooked but its importance can be vital to avoid serious accidents.
If for example, a section of copper pipe is replaced with plastic, or you use a plastic fitting to branch off a supply to a new washing machine, it could mean that the continuous earth bond has been disrupted and part of the pipe work is no longer bonded. The continuity of the earth bonding must be reinstated by linking an earth wire to a metal earth clamp on each side of the break. Again, things like this can easily be overlooked.
If there is any doubt about the earthing arrangements of your plumbing installation, always seek professional advice from your plumbing consultant.
The relevance of the I.E.E. Wiring Regulations does not stop there. There are many instances when an electrical supply is required for the operation of an appliance - Electric shower, waste disposal unit. It is essential that these regulations are followed. Again, if you hire a competent, properly qualified plumbing consultant, they should be able to advise you.
Further advice can be obtained from the 'Guide' to the I.E.E. Regulations.
If in doubt - check it out!
