FAQ's
Although there will be times when you need us to come straight out and fix a problem there are sometimes those little questions that you need answering. Here are a few answers to the questions we commonly get asked.
How do I find the watercock for my property?
Good question. It's usually found on an internal wall, often under the sink. However some properties, typically conversions to multiple occupation, do not seem to have one! Even though they should, of course. If you can't find an internal stopcock, an external stopcock can usually be found under a small square iron and plastic cover in the pavement It sometimes needs to be dug out and turned on and off with a special turnkey.
What to do if the top of radiator is cold and the bottom hot?
This is normally due to a build up of air in the radiator. This can usually be cured by bleeding the radiator using a key. Have a cloth ready to catch the drips as the water is usually dirty.
Which shower would suit me best?
Well this all depends on what you want but also what your existing plumbing arrangements are like, have a look at the diagram below and it should help you out.
What is water hammer?
Water hammer occurs a lot! It is frequently recognized by a "thump" or "bang", usually throughout the water line (if you have copper pipes, you'll tend to hear the noise throughout the house). Water hammer can be caused by a number of things. Many times a loose washer that is jumping around in the faucet or valve causes it. This can be fixed by identifying which valve is the culprit and fixing the washer or replacing the valve. Other times it is simply caused by water traveling at a rapid rate and suddenly being shut off. The best solution for this is to increase the size of the water supply thereby slowing down the water (a larger pipe being able to deliver the same amount of water in gallons per minute at a slower speed).
What is a combi boiler?
A combi boiler is a packaged unit that replaces a conventional system. It is very attractive from an installation viewpoint in that there is considerably less work involved. It is also attractive from the householder's viewpoint in that the package is only slightly larger than a conventional boiler, but does away with the need for cylinder, pump and water storage cisterns. It generates hot water as and when it is needed, avoiding waiting for or running out of it, and eliminating heat loss from a cylinder. The hot water is at mains pressure, which is an advantage for showers.
What is hard water?
Hard water is generally defined as having more than 1 GPG (grains per gallon) of dissolved minerals in it (usually calcium, magnesium carbonate, and/or manganese). There is some argument as to what is an "acceptable" level of hardness. For those that have an abundance of water and the income/means to improve their water quality, then it is a relative term as to what constitutes "acceptable" levels of hardness. The judgment ranges from a conservative "Soft water = 0 to 5gpg; Moderately hard water = 5 to 10gpg; Hard = 10 to 20gpg; Very hard = 20+gpg as well as others feel that the following is their standard: Soft Water = 0 to 1.0gpg; Slightly hard = 1.1 to 3.5gpg; Moderately hard = 3.6 to 7.0gpg; Hard water = 7.1 to 10.5gpg; Extremely hard water = 10.6+gpg.
Why would I want to soften my water?
It greatly reduces the scaling of pipes, faucets, pots, glasses, tubs, etc. You will use less laundry soap, dish washing soap, hand soap, etc. The water is more pleasant to wash with, less soap scum.