Sun 23 Jan 2011

How To Find The Best Plumber Luton Has To Offer

Posted by under Plumber Luton
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Welcome to Plumber Luton. You maybe thinking that is a weird name for a website and you would be right. The reason I have gone for the name Plumber Luton is because over 4000 people type that into Google every month and im guessing that you typed it in and found this site too……..if so then good for me and lucky you.
This site is here to help you select a decent plumber from all the ones out there and to give you an insight into the plumbing world and what you are letting yourself in for.

Plumbers are implemented in the building of new homes and houses. They apply their skills to install pipes, heating installation and water systems to name a few. However many people need the services of a plumber to there existing water systems and heating. When something breaks. This always seems to occur at the least convenient time, is always expensive and is guaranteed to make a mess. When it does happen the chances are you will need to make an emergency call to solve the problem fast. The bill for this can be high and you should make sure you have got the following Plumber Luton knowledge before you go on to hire one.

Plumbers either do site work or repair work, like home calls and they are the ones you see advertising on the pages of Google to install your boiler etc. If you are into construction then make sure you get quotes from those who specialize in that area of plumbing. It is always good to shop around but if its an emergency and the bath has gone through the floor, then this is not always possible so keep an eye out for a good emergency plumber. Be sure to find what all the costs are upfront and if there are any emergency call out fees. If your plumber works on an hourly basis find out how this time is calculated and keep an eye on the amount of time spent.

Don’t be afraid to ask your plumber questions about the work that needs to be done and how it may interfere with existing systems. Compare what each local plumber has told you so you have a good idea of what the problem is. Make sure you always use a corgi registered plumber. This means he has had to reach high standards in plumbing and heating to be able to wear that badge. If you feel that he is making more work than he needs to then don’t choose them for the job. Go with someone who makes you feel comfortable. A recommended plumber is always a good thing.

Make sure that you get a contract for the work that is going to take place whether it is repair or construction. When looking over the contract make sure that the following pieces of information have been covered. Plumbers have to be registered with a plumbing authority, be it corgi or another official body for registered plumbers. Make sure that they take full responsibility for any damage that is incurred whilst they are working. If your local plumber does not feel comfortable doing that then send him away or get a list of exceptions. Ensure that the contract contains detailed accounting of the work to be done and make sure you get a bottom line price. This should include if the plumber works on an hourly rate and if there are any additional fees. Also they should be able to tell a rough time/date that the job will be completed and how long the work is guaranteed for, at least a year should suffice.

When choosing a plumber for a new build the norm is that it will take you a lot longer during the hiring process. References need to be checked and you will also need to interview them. Ask for referrals from trusted sources.

If an emergency situation does arise and you need the services of a local plumber, you will have to get the information you require much more quickly. Its unlikely there will be time to call around and be choosy about your plumber selection when your house is filling up with water. In an emergency try to use a recommended plumber or someone from a big recognised company in your area.

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Sun 23 Jan 2011

Plumbing. The Basics.

Posted by under The Basics Of Plumbing
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If you have ever been away camping with friends or family for a weekend or been to a festival then you will know what it feels like to miss running water and it doesn’t take long. Clean clothes, hot showers and flushing toilets are all benefits of plumbing systems. In your house there are several plumbing systems to cater for: sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs and related fixtures. Lots of these systems use different types of piping depending on their use.

1. Copper

2. Plastic

3. Lead

4. Concrete

5. Steel

6. Cast iron

We take advantage of plumbing everyday yet most of us know little or nothing about it. You can save yourself some money if you decide to buy your own plumbing fixtures as opposed to getting them through a plumber where the price could well be marked up. This also this gives you a wider selection to choose from.

There are many different dimensions to plumbing. Most people are used to seeing a plumber unclog a sink or change some taps. But if you were to see a construction plumber install piping into a house for example, they work from drawings and blueprints that illustrate the proposed location of plumbing fixtures, pipes and appliances.

The way water enters your house and is there when you turn a tap on is because it comes through pipe that either connects to a main water line or if you live in the sticks then to a private well.
However the plumbing is laid out in your house and what ever projects you intend to do with it, make sure that the first step is to get a sound knowledge of the water system in your home. At the very least it is important to know how to switch off the water at the mains so if something does go wrong then you can stop further water damage.

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Sun 23 Jan 2011

Guide To Installing Your Own Bath

Posted by under Install Your Own Bath
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Installing a bathtub isn’t spot on rocket science, but it does call for solid plumbing, carpentry, and at times, tiling knowledge. Replacing an old bathtub with a brand new one is also a moderately complicated project. If the old tub is readily accessible, the venture can go quickly; if you have to open a wall to take away the old tub and position the brand new bathtub, the job is a lot harder. In either instance, the project is inside a home handyman’s abilities, even if you will need a helper to reposition out the former tub and place in the latest one. Make sure you have qualified yourself for the task and are comfortable attempting it. Rather than using the services of a contractor to take over a halfway-completed project, it is better to consider hiring one before you begin. Chances are you may need a qualified plumber to make tube connections.

This post will help you fit a new tub in your bathroom if you have already obtained a new tub and don’t require to alter the arrangement of your previous water supply pipes.

Your tools and material checklist must comprise the following:

New Bathtub

Hammer

Pipe Wrenches

Prybar

Safety Glasses

Level

Pliers

Adjustable Wrench

Putty Knife

Screwdriver

Cold Chisel

Tape Measure

Pipe Caps

Planning for the Installation

To begin with, the supporting frame supplied with the bathtub should be fitted (if required) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

After that, put in the taps or mixer to the bath tub. While fitting the tap block, it is imperative to make sure that if the tap comes with a plastic washer, it is fitted between the bath and the taps. On a plastic bath tub, it is also mindful to add a supporting plate under the taps unit to avoid strain on the bath.

Fit the flexible tap connectors to the bottom of the two taps using 2 nuts and olives (occasionally supplied with the tub).

Add the plug-hole outlet by smearing mastic filler around the sink outlet hole, and then pass the outlet through the hole in the bath. Apply the nut supplied by the maker to install the plug-hole. Examine the plug-hole outlet for an inlet on the side for the overflow pipe.

After that, fix the end of the flexible overflow pipeline to the overflow outlet. After that, screw the pipe to the overflow face that should be fitted within the bath. Be certain you apply all of the supplied washers.

Attach the trap to the bottom of the waste outlet on the bathtub by winding the thread of the waste outlet with silicone mastic or PTFE tape, and screw on the trap to the outlet. Fix the bottom of the overflow tube in a similar manner.

The bath must now be ready to be fitted in its final spot.

Removing Old Taps

If you need to change old taps with new ones as a part of your set up, then the primary thing you ought to do is disconnect the water source. When doing so, turn on the taps to drain any water remaining in the system. The procedure of taking away the existing taps can be quite awkward owing to the limited access that is frequently the case.

Use a basin wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to undo the nut that connects the supply pipes to the taps. Possess a cloth ready for the lingering water that will come from the pipes. When the supply pipes have been detached, use the same device to release the nut that holds the taps onto the bath/basin. You will need to prevent the single taps from turning throughout this process. Once the taps have been removed, the holes in the bath/basin will have to be cleaned of any old sealing compound.

Before moving on to install the new-fangled taps, compare the pipe connections on the old taps to the new taps. If the old taps are longer than the new taps, then a shank adapter is required for the new taps to fit.

Installing the Bathtub

Using the 2 timber boards under its feet, put the bathtub in the required position. The wooden boards are helpful in evenly spreading the weight of the bath over the area of the boards instead of focusing all the weight onto four small points.

The next objective is to ensure that the tub is leveled all round. This can be accomplished by checking the spirit level and adjusting the feet on the tub until the spirit level reads level.

To put in taps, fit the bottom of the furthest bendable tap connector to the suitable supply pipe by making a compression join; then do the same for the other tap.

Switch on the water supply and test all joints and new pipework for leaks and tighten them if required. Fill the bath and also try out the overflow outlet and the normal outlet for leaks.

Finally, fix the bath paneling as described in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Tiling and sealing round the tub should wait until the bath has been used at least on one occasion as this will settle it into its final position.

Fitting New Taps

If the tails of the new taps are plastic, then you will require a plastic connector to avoid damage to the thread. One end of the connector fits on the plastic tail of the tap and the other end provides a connection to the current supply pipes.

If you need to fit a monobloc, then you will require reducing couplers, which connects the 10mm pipe of the monobloc to the standard 15mm supply pipe.

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