Dripping taps, a toilet that will not stop running, a leak through the kitchen ceiling, or a full set of new radiators: I do plumbing and central heating work of every size across Lewes and the villages around it.
Water coming through a ceiling? Turn off the water at the stopcock, which is usually under the kitchen sink. Switch off the electrics on any circuit near the leak at the consumer unit, open the taps to drain the pipes, then call me on 07852 979735.
Plumbing
Leaks and burst pipes
From a slow drip under the sink to a pipe that has split in a freeze. A small leak left alone can rot floorboards and joists, so it is worth fixing early.
Taps, toilets and showers
New and replacement taps and mixers, outside taps, leaking or constantly running toilets, faulty flush and fill valves, shower valves and mixer showers, and new sanitaryware.
Pipework
New and replacement pipework, rerouting pipes for a new kitchen or bathroom, and lagging pipes in lofts, garages and outbuildings so they do not freeze.
Hot water cylinders
Repairs and replacements for vented and unvented cylinders, immersion heaters and cylinder thermostats. Unvented cylinders run at mains pressure and must be installed by someone with the right qualification. Their safety valves also need checking every year.
Hard water in Lewes
Lewes water comes from the chalk of the Downs and is hard. You will see it as white crust on taps and shower heads, and less obviously as scale inside kettles, immersion heaters, combi boilers and shower valves.
- Scale on an immersion heater element insulates it from the water, so it takes longer and costs more to heat a tank. Scaled elements also fail sooner.
- On combi boilers, scale in the hot water heat exchanger causes lukewarm or fluctuating showers. A scale reducer on the cold supply to the boiler slows this down a lot.
- A whole-house water softener stops scale altogether. Keep an unsoftened tap in the kitchen for drinking and cooking, which is standard practice.
Central heating
Radiators
New radiators, replacements, moving radiators during a renovation, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) so each room can be set to its own temperature. Larger radiators also let your boiler, or a future heat pump, run at a lower and more efficient temperature.
Cold spots and uneven heating
Radiators cold at the top have air in them. Cold at the bottom means sludge. If the radiators near the boiler are hot and the ones furthest away are lukewarm, the system needs balancing, which means adjusting the valve on each radiator so the hot water is shared out evenly.
System cleaning and filters
Over the years, rust and sludge collect in the pipes and radiators. They block radiators, wear out the pump and shorten the life of the boiler. A chemical flush clears most systems. Heavily sludged systems need a powerflush. A magnetic filter then catches the debris before it reaches the boiler.
Heating controls
Programmable and smart thermostats, zoning, and weather compensation, which adjusts the radiator temperature to the weather outside. Better controls mean the boiler only works as hard as it needs to.
Older houses
Lewes has a lot of Victorian and older housing, and the plumbing in those houses often has some history to it.
Lead pipes. Houses built before about 1970 can still have a lead water supply pipe. It is usually dull grey and soft enough to scratch with a key, and is often found near the stopcock. Lead can dissolve into drinking water, so replacing the section inside your property is worth doing, especially with young children in the house.
Mixed old pipework. Repairs over the decades often leave a patchwork of copper, plastic and older iron. I check how existing pipes are joined before adding anything new.
Drains. If a drain is blocked beyond your property boundary, or is a sewer shared with neighbours, it is normally the water company’s responsibility. In Lewes that is Southern Water, and they will clear it free of charge.
Plumbing and heating FAQs
Where is my stopcock?
In most homes it is under the kitchen sink. Otherwise look where the water pipe comes into the house: a downstairs toilet, utility room, garage, cellar or under the stairs. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water, and check now and then that it still turns.
Why are my radiators cold at the bottom?
Sludge has settled in the bottom of the radiator and is blocking the flow of hot water. The system needs cleaning with a chemical flush or a powerflush, and a magnetic filter stops it coming back.
Why are some rooms warmer than others?
The system is probably not balanced, so radiators near the boiler take more than their share. Adjusting the lockshield valve on each radiator evens it out. Undersized radiators or sludge can also cause it.
Should I replace my radiators when I get a new boiler?
Not necessarily. Radiators in good condition can stay. Replace ones that are badly corroded, leaking or too small for the room. Larger radiators make sense if you might switch to a heat pump later.
How do I stop pipes freezing in winter?
Lag pipes in lofts, garages and on outside walls, keep the heating on low if you are away in a cold spell, and isolate and drain outside taps before winter. Know where your stopcock is.
Is a water softener worth it in Lewes?
If limescale is a constant battle, yes. A softener protects boilers, cylinders, showers and appliances, and makes cleaning easier. Keep one unsoftened tap for drinking water.
How do I know if I have lead pipes?
Look at the pipe coming up to your stopcock. Lead is dull grey, has rounded, bulbous joints rather than fittings, and a key scratched along it leaves a shiny silver mark. If in doubt, ask me to check.
Need a plumber in Lewes?
Call 07852 979735 or use the form below. Tell me what the problem is and roughly where you are, and I will get back to you.