Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, people still have plumbing and heating requirements, and it’s business as usual for TM Hughes & Son. Cleanliness and hygiene is always a priority for our team. However, extra measures have been put in place to ensure our customers and … [Read more...] about Covid-19 Statement

Kitchen sinks are available in a range of materials types and sizes to suit any kitchen and to compliment any style of taps. Buying a kitchen sink can be confusing here's a quick guide to familiarise yourself with the materials kitchen sinks are made from. Composite Composite … [Read more...] about What Are Kitchen Sinks Made From?

Dishwasher not draining? Don't worry! The dishwasher is a very simple appliance. The not draining issue is usually something very simple and easy to fix so before contacting an engineer follow these steps. Switch The Dishwasher Off Dishwashers are very safe appliances with zero … [Read more...] about Dishwasher Won’t Drain?

We are all under pressure to reduce our water usage; this is because the population is growing and changes in environmental conditions. Apparently, we'll have water shortages in the next 50 years. Reducing water usage is however beneficial to householders as it means lower … [Read more...] about Low Flow Shower Heads

Household plumbing is a mystery; it's as if by magic, you have water. Thanks to the plumbing pipes waters delivered and taken away when finished with. Most never give it a second thought you want to know how the plumbing pipes work (otherwise you wouldn't be here), so we're going … [Read more...] about How Plumbing Pipes Work

It's wintertime. Your central heating's on all the time keeping your home nice and warm. Many people take their central heating for granted and are unprepared for a boiler breakdown. In the event of a breakdown, we can usually get out to you quickly and get your boiler back … [Read more...] about How To Survive Boiler Breakdown

Here in the UK, we have some the best drinking water in the world here some frequently asked questions about tap water. Is it safe to drink tap water in the UK? A common question asked by tourists, Yes tap water is safe to drink everywhere in the UK. Is it safe to drink water … [Read more...] about Tap Water FAQ

Essex is a very hard water area we sometimes get asked by customers whether they should buy a water softener. Water softeners come with advantages and disadvantages it's up to you to weigh these up and decide if a water softener's for you. The Advantages Of Water Softeners A … [Read more...] about Are Water Softeners Worth It?

Have you lost a small item down the plughole? Maybe something valuable like your ring or treasured set of earrings? Don't Panic Here's how you can retrieve your lost items without the need for a Plumber. Turn Off The Water Not at the mains supply but first of all turn off … [Read more...] about How To Retrieve Items Lost Down The Drain

Essex is a hard to a very hard water area which means our water is excellent for drinking and cooking with naturally occurring calcium and magnesium that gives us many health benefits. Hardwater is not so great on our Plumbing, appliances and bathroom suites. As an Essex … [Read more...] about How To Remove Hard Water Stains

Bleeding a radiator is the most straightforward most, common and maybe most essential plumbing job. Every homeowner should know how to bleed their radiator. Here are the most common 'bleeding a radiator' questions and answers. How do I bleed a radiator? Please take a look … [Read more...] about Bleeding Radiators FAQ

If your washing machine works as it should, your clothes will come out clean and fresh every single time. Your washing machine always gets your clothes clean, so you assume your washing machine is self-cleaning and to an extent it is. However, there are parts of washing … [Read more...] about How To Keep Your Washing Machine Clean

Many Essex homeowners keep pets the most popular being dogs, second cats Other popular pets include rabbits birds and guinea pigs; these pets are kept in hutches or cages so won't apply to most of this article. If you have a Cat or a Dog however beware. Your cute and … [Read more...] about Pet Proof Your Plumbing

Plumbing noises range from hardly noticeable to annoyingly loud! Some noise is expected as water runs through the pipes in your plumbing system. Some sounds are natural, and nothing to worry about others show there could be a problem in your system that needs looking … [Read more...] about Plumbing Noises

Only around 40% of homes in the UK have a dual flush toilet if you're one of the homes in the other 60% that hasn't got one it's time to upgrade your toilet and here's why. What is a dual flush toilet? A dual flush toilet has two flush options designed to save water One … [Read more...] about Why You Should Upgrade To A Dual Flush Toilet

Two common elements found in the Essex bathroom are water and humidity. Every time we take a bath or shower excess water occurs combine this with warmth and poor ventilation (most bathrooms) for a humid environment. Add darkness (no one keeps the bathroom light on 24/7) and … [Read more...] about Remove & Prevent Bathroom Mould

Winter is here, and the heating's on. You need the energy to heat your home, and every year there are fuel price rises. Increasing energy prices are inevitable, heat/energy wastage doesn't have to be there are lots you can do to save on heating your home by winter-proofing, … [Read more...] about Make Your Home Winter Proof

Waste Disposal Units are a common feature in modern Essex kitchens. Once you use one, you'll never want to go back they are that convenient. Small discreet devices hidden underneath the sink, they grind your waste food before flushing it down the drain. An environmentally … [Read more...] about How To Clean A Waste Disposal Unit

TM Hughes & Son are experienced bathroom fitters with a team of Plumbers, Heating Engineers, Tilers and Electricians on board to build your dream bathroom. A Bathroom Installation requires some investment, planning and some minor disruption to your home and everyday life … [Read more...] about Reasons To Have A New Bathroom Installed

In the average Essex home, the dishwasher is used every day wonderful inventions that save lots of time, money and water. Overtime dishwasher performance can decrease; this is usually due to neglect or improper use. Dishwashers are simple to use properly and maintain, follow … [Read more...] about How To Improve Dishwasher Performance

After a good clean bathroom suites generally scrub up pretty well and look that bit newer. Old wall tiles always seem to have that old tired look even after a good clean. Ideally, a replacement is in order, but stripping and replacing old tiles is messy, time-consuming and … [Read more...] about Give Your Old Bathroom Tiles A New Look

Extreme water shortages are predicted in the next 25 years. As a result of climate change and an ever-expanding population, we're being asked to reduce our water usage. Ideally, we need to bring our water use of 150 litres a day down to 100 litres a day. We can all achieve … [Read more...] about Water Conservation

Essex is a hard water area, and while hard water is good for us, it's not as good for our appliances. All our appliances that utilise hot water will suffer from a limescale build-up. Our kettles, irons boilers and showers will accumulate limescale it's inevitable. Particularly … [Read more...] about How To Clean A Showerhead

A slow-draining bath is a common plumbing problem that's often ignored. Left alone a slow draining bath will eventually turn into a full blockage. You'll have a bath full of dirty water that won't drain; the blockage will be tough to remove with 180+ litres of water over the … [Read more...] about How To Fix A Slow Draining Bath

Modern-day Boilers make our homes and lives extremely comfortable. Before their conception homeowners had to rely on wood or coal, the wood had to be chopped coal was extremely dirty. Both were heavy and had to be dragged/carried inside. Most homes had a single fireplace which … [Read more...] about How A Boiler Works

Do you need to flush your toilet more than once? Is your toilet flush not as powerful as it once was? Maybe it's time for a new toilet you may be thinking? Before considering a replacement or calling a Plumber, there are three simple things you can do to bring your … [Read more...] about How To Boost Toilet Flush

A new bathroom fitted by a professional will give you many years of service, especially if you clean it properly regularly. Your bathroom will, however, require some maintenance from time to time, and part of this maintenance will be replacing silicone sealant. Silicone … [Read more...] about How To Replace Silicone Sealant

In the previous article, we discussed How To Determine A Leak At Home if you have followed these steps and discovered you have a water leak within your home here's what you need to do next. There are various points in the home where water can be leaking you need to check them … [Read more...] about Leak Detection At Home

While modern Plumbing systems are great and on the whole reliable there are lots of points where a leak can occur. By its very nature, water is corrosive, and over time will cause wear to your Plumbing system. For instance once a copper joint or rubber seal has worn away … [Read more...] about How To Determine A Leak At Home

The UK needs more trees over the next ten years. The Woodland Trust wants to plant 64 million new trees; they encourage the public to help by planting trees of their own. Trees provide many benefits they produce oxygen and deal with carbon dioxide, which helps with climate … [Read more...] about Planting Trees & Plumbing

TM Hughes & Son Gas Services Ltd are winners again in the East of England Regional Energy Efficiency Awards Commended Category This year we won awards for Highly Commended Venerable Customer Support Commended Boiler & Heating Installer & Contractor These awards … [Read more...] about East Of England Energy Efficency Awards 2019

Buying a home is one of the most stressful purchases you'll ever make with lots of things to take into consideration like selling your current home, getting a mortgage, stamp duty, solicitors etc. On top of that, you have to find the perfect home for you and your family, and … [Read more...] about Plumbing Checks For Homebuyers

Water pipes that supply your taps, toilets, shower and bath can trap air creating weird and often annoying noises. In more extreme cases, airlocks trap water preventing flow. A professional plumber can remove the airlock for you, or you can attempt to remove it … [Read more...] about How To Remove Airlocks

Installing a washing machine's one of the most simple Plumbing jobs there is anyone with some basic DIY Plumbing experience should be capable of installing one. Here's a quick guide on how to install a new washing machine only attempt this job if you're confident you can do it … [Read more...] about How To Install A Washing Machine

Most drain blockages can be cleared with the traditional Plunger a standard DIY tool found in most homes, and if you haven't got one, you should get one. Sometimes the Plunger won't do the job the blockage is too stubborn. Next you can call a Plumber or try a drain cleaning … [Read more...] about How To Use A Drain Clearing Coil

To undertake and complete a Plumbing job to a high standard requires the correct tools. Here are 12 essential tools that myself and my team of Plumbers carry in our toolboxes. Spanners Adjustable spanners are a handy tool that can be adjusted to fit any nut, bolt and … [Read more...] about Our Favourite Plumbing Tools

Everyone's busy, and quite often important household chores are neglected, one of which is Toilet cleaning. Toilet cleaning should be undertaken at least once a week and preferably twice a week here's why Toilets accumulate germs and bacteria at a rapid rate Dirty … [Read more...] about How To Clean A Toilet

Many blockages can be cleared quickly with a plunger. Before calling a Plumber, try the Plunger! Every household should have two plungers a cup plunger and a flange plunger Cup Plunger Cup plungers are also known as 'regular' 'standard' and traditional plungers and are a … [Read more...] about How To Remove Blockages With A Plunger

What's the difference between hard and soft water? Hard water is better for drinking and cooking Soft water is better for cleaning and appliance longevity Here's why To understand hard and soft water, you first need to know why water's termed 'hard' or … [Read more...] about Hard vs Soft Water

Is it time to replace your Toilet? Or maybe a repair's sufficient? While toilets are repairable, sometimes they are so far gone or so problematic it makes economic sense to replace them. Here are five symptoms of Toilets that need replacing. Double Flushing and Continuous … [Read more...] about Time To Replace Your Toilet?

Gas is essential for our way of lives generating nearly 50% of our electricity and heating 70% of our homes. Gas is a powerful natural resource that every householder must respect as it can and sadly does kill. Every year people in the UK die from gas leaks or carbon monoxide … [Read more...] about Preventing Gas Leaks

There are many Plumbing Myths that over the years have become accepted as truth. A Myth is "a widely held but false belief or idea". While Plumbing Myths sound harmless, they range from useless to damaging and even dangerous. Here are four Plumbing Myths that need dispelling … [Read more...] about Four Plumbing Myths That Must Die

Does your tap water smell bad? Some Essex homes suffer from Tap water that smells salty, metallic, chlorinated or like rotten eggs. The smells are unpleasant, and some homeowners are scared to drink their water because of the smells. Is Smelly Water Safe To Drink? In most … [Read more...] about Tap Water Smells Bad?

Recently the head of the Environment Agency stated that the UK could face severe water shortages in the next 25 years. Climate change and population growth are going to put a significant strain on our water reserves. The UK's experiencing hotter summers with less rainfall. By … [Read more...] about Rainwater Harvesting

The Bathroom is the most overworked room in any house the fixtures, fittings floor and walls have to undergo constant exposure to heat, moisture and water. Your Bathroom is going to wear out and after a while will have that 'tired' look familiar in many Essex Bathrooms. Here are … [Read more...] about Bathroom Maintenance

In years gone by you had to control your heating via the central heating controls in your home. Not any more! Thanks to Smart Thermostats you can now control your heating from anywhere in the world! A Smart Thermostat connects with your central heating through the internet … [Read more...] about Benefits Of A Smart Thermostat

Your sink's gurgling and draining very slowly; there's foul smell as well it's obvious you have a blocked drain. You need to clear the blockage quickly and inexpensively. You think about calling a Plumber? To expensive you might think, you think again how about some chemical … [Read more...] about Reasons Not To Use Chemical Drain Unblockers

Carbon Monoxide's known as 'The Invisible Killer' it's a scentless and colourless gas undetectable by sight or smell. Carbon monoxide gas prevents blood cells carrying enough oxygen which causes organs to fail. High levels can kill people quickly while exposure to low levels can … [Read more...] about Where To Place Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Every year over 1 million gas installations, repairs and servicing are carried out by illegal gas engineers who are unqualified and are not on the Gas Safe Register, the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom. Illegal gas fitters put homeowners and their families … [Read more...] about Beware Illegal Gas Engineers

The temperatures are cooling, and winter's on its way, so you turn the heating on for the first time since spring. The radiators start pushing out heat, and your house starts warming up, except for one room, where the radiators stone cold for some reason, what's going on? There … [Read more...] about How To Fix A Thermostatic Radiator Valve

Here's a simple energy-efficient method that when implemented will optimise the amount of gas and hot water you use throughout the winter which of course will save you money. Replacing old inefficient Boilers is the best energy efficient hack but replacement is costly, and not … [Read more...] about Perfect Thermostatic Radiator Valve Settings

We have already talked about preventing blockages, and if you have followed our advice you should be blockage free unfortunately not everyone has read that article, and there are people out there right now with blocked or partially blocked drains. This article describes a few … [Read more...] about Drain Unblocking Methods

Dripping or even worse leaking taps are a common feature in many Essex households; in fact, it's the number one plumbing issue in most UK homes. At best dripping taps are annoying that constant drip, drip, drip can get on your nerves after a while and because of this, we're … [Read more...] about Dripping Tap?

You're dishwashers not as good as it used to be? Or has died completely? Or maybe this is your first dishwasher? (because you are tired of washing up) whatever the reason it’s time for a brand new Dishwasher. Fitting a dishwasher is uncomplicated and doesn't take too long. … [Read more...] about How To Install A Dishwasher

We have minus temperatures outside at the minute, and everyone's heating's going to be on. With rising energy costs more and more people are concerned about the cost of heating their homes. We often get asked questions about the most efficient way to heat a home and to save money … [Read more...] about Heating Questions Answered

"Can I Service My Boiler Myself?" is a common question. A Boiler is the most used appliance in any household; it's running every day even in summer you still need hot water. Boilers should be serviced annually. Unfortunately, lot's of homeowners, landlords and tenants don't … [Read more...] about Can I Service My Boiler?

Water pressure varies in Essex homes it's determined by the height and distance of the reservoir or water tower from home. Some homes have excellent water pressure while others have weak water pressure. Homeowners with low water pressure need not worry as increasing the water … [Read more...] about How To Improve Mains Water Pressure

As a homeowner, there may come the point when you'll want to test your water pressure. Water pressure is the rate at which water flows from your taps that are determined by outside influences such as the height of the reservoir or water tower from your home (and the distance). … [Read more...] about How To Test Water Pressure

A 'Boiler's' not just a 'Boiler' there are three types (regular, combi and system) all of which come in different sizes. Boilers are made by various manufacturers in the UK. We supply, fit, repair and service 14 different makes of Boilers. The most popular Boilers are Vaillant, … [Read more...] about Choosing The Correct Size Boiler For Your Home

Your radiators in your home are going to need bleeding from time to time. Radiators trap air which prevents them from working at full output and results in a colder home. Luckily this is very common and easy to fix, anyone can do it all you require is a radiator key to bleed your … [Read more...] about How To Bleed A Radiator

Winter ends, and your old boiler has survived another year and kept you warm all winter. Spring arrives, the nights are getting lighter the heating's turned off (unless you get a freezing night). Come the summer you will forget about your old boiler even though in the back of … [Read more...] about Replace Your Boiler In The Warmer Months

Blocked pipes and drains in the household are at best inconvenient and at worst damaging. Our Plumbers are regularly called out to unblock pipes and drain all over Essex. While it's always nice to see old customers and meet new ones, a blocked pipe is an unnecessary expense … [Read more...] about Preventing Blockages

Noisy pipes are very common in UK households we sometimes get calls from worried customers who think there's a problem with their pipes, and sometimes there is. Most of the time noisy pipes are just annoying and don't indicate a plumbing issue. Here are the causes of loud pipes … [Read more...] about Noisy Pipes

Blocked Toilets are annoying requiring attention with the Plunger or your local Plumber. Lot's of people put things down their toilet that they shouldn't, don't be one of those people! Even if your lucky and don't suffer any blockages, all these items can damage your plumbing … [Read more...] about Seven Items You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet

Winter's closing in and the heatings on. Every year the cost of energy rise, costing you more to heat your home. During the winter heating consumes 70% of total household energy. There are various methods you can use to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your … [Read more...] about Draught Proofing Windows

We are now fast approaching winter our busiest time of year. Plumbing emergencies are common for us throughout the winter months. One of the most common problems we encounter is frozen and burst pipes. A frozen pipe will stop water flowing which can affect your heating and … [Read more...] about How To Deal With A Frozen Pipe

On the 1st of April, every year Essex & Suffolk water change their prices, meaning extra cost for the Essex household. There is two methods Essex & Suffolk water use to bill their customers. Unmetered charges - Includes a fixed charge plus a charge based on the … [Read more...] about 3 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Water Bill

Whether we're repairing pipes or installing a new central heating system, we're often asked what's the best pipe to use copper or plastic. There isn't a simple answer to this question it depends on the situation at hand. Both materials have their advantages and … [Read more...] about Copper Vs Plastic Pipes

A leaking Boiler's usually down to a faulty seal or valve and in more extreme cases a split pipe. Never ignore a leak. Left alone leaks can cause rust and corrosion inside your Boiler, shortening the lifespan. A Boiler has electrical parts. Electricity and water don't mix. … [Read more...] about How To Check A Leaking Boiler

You never know when a plumbing emergency will occur in the home. One thing's for sure you will experience one at some point. Plumbing emergencies need seeing to ASAP. Our emergency Plumbers are quick to respond. Within 2 hours. Steps need taking to prevent potential damage until … [Read more...] about Emergency Plumbing Tools For The Home

TM Hughes & Son Gas Services are winners in the Commended category in the 2018 East of England Regional Energy Efficiency Awards. This award recognises the efforts of fully qualified Boiler & Heating engineers that provide excellent customer service and demonstrate a … [Read more...] about East of England Energy Efficiency Awards