Plumbers Chelmsford
Call: 01245 830075
Plumbing & Heating Services For Chelmsford & Essex
- All Plumbing & Heating Work Undertaken
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- Bathroom Designers & Fitters
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Testimonials
TM Hughes & Son is a family run business with over 30 years of experience in plumbing and heating systems.
We are based in Chelmsford. All of our Plumbers & heating engineers are gas safe registered. Competent and efficient with a reputation as experts in plumbing and central heating systems.
- No Call-Out Charges
- Gas Safe Registered
- Fair Prices
We offer various services ranging from simple plumbing jobs like changing taps or unblocking toilets to full bathroom refurbishments and central heating installations, servicing and repairs.
Awards 2024
We’re pleased to announce that TM Hughes & Son has been awarded the prestigious ‘Three Best Rated Best Business of 2024’ and the ‘Three Best Rated Certificate Of Excellence’. Additionally, we’ve been recognised as the ‘Plumbing & Heating Specialists of the Year’ at the London & South East England Prestige Awards and have won two BUILD awards for our work in Essex, the Best Plumbing & Heating Engineers 2024 and the BUILD Client Service Excellence Award 2024.
Plumbing & Heating Services
General Plumbing
If you’re a local resident searching for a ‘Plumber near me’ we can help you.
Our Plumbers are highly experienced specialists with an excellent reputation for being reliable, competent and honest. Our rates are also very fair, with no call out charges or hidden extras.
Every Plumber on the TM Hughes team is certified with gas-safe registration with the knowledge to tackle any plumbing or heating problem.
Checkatrade.com and trustatrader.com accredit us, so you can rest assured every job, big or small, will be completed to a high professional standard.
General Plumbing Services Include
- Bathroom repair and refurbishment
- Burst pipe repair
- Gas heating services
- Leak repair
- Mains stopcock unsticking & replacement
- Pipe repair
- Pipe unblocking
- Pipe fittings replacement
- Saniflo installation
- Shower installation, service and repair
- Shower pump installation service & repair
- Tap installation & repair
- Toilet installation service & repair
- Waste disposal unit installation, repair and unblocking
- Waste & overflows installation, repair and unblocking
- Water tank installation, service and repair
- And lots more
Bathroom Installation
TM Hughes and Son are experienced bathroom installers. We have over 30 years of experience. We design, refurbish, and fit bathrooms in and around Chelmsford.
We have highly experienced bathroom fitters, experienced plumbers, and heating engineers. The heating engineers work with tilers and electricians to build quality bathrooms. We design and fit all bathrooms, from traditional to modern and budget to luxury. Whatever you want from a bathroom, we will design and build it for you.
The first step is to discuss your wants, needs, and preferences. You may already know what you want for a new bathroom, or you may want our bathroom fitter to measure your existing space. They can show you what’s possible and offer you options.
Many bathroom suites are available, ranging from classic to the latest designs. They include futuristic-looking baths, toilets, and shower screens. Any look is possible. Tiles come in many different materials, textures, shapes, and colours. The same applies to flooring; there are many different types. Our bathroom fitter will tell you the pros and cons of the tile and flooring types on the market.
Lighting, fixtures, fittings, extra furniture, and heating finish the bathroom design. Again, there are many options. We’ll go through them with you and answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Once we have all the information, we’ll go away and write you a free, no-obligation quote.
Taps
Taps are (or should be) fitted with flexible hoses. A hose connects taps to the water supply. You can shut it off at the hose entry, which is handy if your tap ever springs a leak.
Hoses also make changing a tap cheaper and more accessible. You can shut off the water at the hose instead of the main supply.
Bathroom baths and basins use the same system as kitchen sinks. They have a hot and cold supply to a pillar, mixer, or monobloc tap. Bathroom taps use the same internal parts as kitchen taps. But, they are designed to look different outside.
The taps in your home will be one of the following mechanisms – ball, cartridge, disc or washer. Sometimes, they leak or don’t work, or you might want them replaced as part of a refurbishment.
Our local Chelmsford plumber can fit any tap and repair most of it. Sometimes, taps are too old or worn to fix. But we will do all we can to make an old tap work well if that’s what you want.
Waste Disposal Units
Our Chelmsford plumbers are experts at fitting, servicing, and unblocking waste disposal units.
Waste disposal units have become popular recently, and it’s easy to see why. They are very convenient because they grind up waste, mix it with water, and flush it down the drain.
Toilets
Whatever your Toilet and cistern type, they all work the same. Once the cistern is filled, the float stops the water.
The float stops the cistern from overfilling and flooding your bathroom. When flushed, the waste is expelled down the soil pipe to the sewer and the cistern refills.
Toilets often have blockages. These are inevitable for most households and very inconvenient. This is especially true if only one or multiple toilets share the same soil pipe.
We will be with you quickly in case of a blockage and have your toilet unblocked quickly. Other toilet problems include constant filling, overfilling, and not flushing.
This is due to the float valve system, which is repaired or replaced. Blockages not only occur in toilets. Any waste or pipe can suffer from one. We have removed thousands of blockages over the years. We will deal with any indoor or outdoor plumbing or sewer blockage.
Showers
You will likely have a shower in your main bathroom. It may be inside an enclosure or fitted inside the bath. We supply and install all types of showers. These include mixers, electric, power, eco, digital, and thermostatic. We also specialize in standard and universal pumps. Do you have any problems with your existing shower?
No problem. Our Chelmsford plumber can help. He will quickly diagnose and fix any issues you have. We fix common shower problems, including leaking heads, changing temperatures, cold water, weak pressure, and no water.
Mains Water Supply
The water comes into your home via the local water supply in the street. A waste system is in place that lets all the used water out. The drain is just as significant as the main water supply. What comes in must go out.
Our plumbers are experts in household plumbing and waste systems. Here is an explanation of some of the plumbing jobs we undertake in Chelmsford.
Mains Stopcock
The first point of call for running water is usually the kitchen, where the main water supply comes in. The mains stopcock can turn the mains water supply to your home on and off.
You need to know where your main water stopcock is and whether it is in full working order. If there’s a plumbing emergency, you must shut off the main water supply. Or your home could be severely damaged. Our plumbers can check and replace your main water stopcock if needed.
Kitchen Plumbing
A network of pipes then supplies your home with water. The first group provides your kitchen tap, dishwasher, and washing machine. Fitting dishwashers or washing machines isn’t difficult and only takes a few minutes. One of our plumbers will be more than happy to help. Two pipes, one hot and one cold, connect kitchen taps.
Bathrooms
A typical Chelmsford bathroom has a toilet, basin, bath or shower (or both). The main bathroom has more plumbing than any other room in the house. There are four types of toilets. Close-coupled toilets (with the toilet and cistern close together) are the most common. Close-to-wall designs are coming in second.
Other designs include corner and wall-hung, although these are less common. You can hang cisterns low or high and hide them.
Overflow
Every working part of your bathroom and kitchen needs waste pipes. They remove wastewater. They also need overflow pipes to stop flooding if the waste ever blocks.
The overflow also allows air into the drain. Your wastes and overflows should be kept clear and unblocked when necessary. If you feel you have a blockage, we can quickly unblock it.
Saniflo
Saniflo’s are a valuable addition to any plumbing system. Their unique design allows dishwashers, toilets, baths, showers, and sinks to be placed anywhere in the home, including areas where fitting them was previously impossible.
A Saniflo grinds waste into a fine slurry and pumps it straight into the drain through narrow pipes. We supply and fit all Saniflo systems in Chelmsford.
Water Tanks
Depending on your central heating boiler type, you may or may not have a water tank in your loft. Our local plumber is good at installation and fitting. They will fit the ideal water tank with the perfect settings for your home and plumbing.
All our plumbers hold certifications as gas-safe engineers. They are registered to provide services in central heating. They do boiler installation, service, and repair. Please look at our Chelmsford Heating Services Page. It has more on our gas services.
Emergency Plumbing Chelmsford
We are 24-hour emergency plumbers. In a plumbing emergency, we will be with you within two hours. Before we can get to you, you can take steps to prevent and minimise damage.
Here are the most common plumbing emergencies and what you must do in the event of one.
Blockages
Blockages are the most common and least serious plumbing emergency. Water can still pass through pipes when blocked. But will lead to a full obstruction, which can be inconvenient and damaging (and expensive).
Blocked Pipes
Blocked pipes need to be dealt with when detected. Signs of blockages include the toilet filling with water when flushed, water draining slowly from your bath, shower, or sink, bad smells, and (or) gurgling drain noises. Also, the outside drains will back up with water. Contact us if you have a blockage, and we will clear it.
Burst Pipes
Burst pipes can be very damaging. A Chelmsford resident notices a burst pipe when water enters the ceiling. In more extreme cases, water doesn’t leak through and can build up in a void. A bulge appears. It will burst, releasing hundreds of litres of water, likely causing thousands of pounds of damage.
Upon discovering a leaking pipe, shut off your mains water supply immediately and give us a call. We will be with you ASAP. Pipes usually burst in winter.
Frozen Pipes
When pipes are not lagged, they can freeze. The frozen water expands, causing the pipe to burst.
Areas vulnerable to cold weather need insulation for the pipes. We offer a full pipe insulation service to prevent freezing and bursting.
Gas Leaks
The most serious Plumbing emergency is a Gas leak. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, evacuate your family and immediately shut off the gas supply. Do not smoke or turn on (or off) any electrical appliances.
Open all your doors and windows, go outside and phone us. We will be with you ASAP. Only turn on your gas supply after a Gas Safe engineer says it’s safe.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous and can kill. Your home should have at least one (if not more) carbon monoxide detector. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, get one immediately.
They are available from DIY stores, or one of our gas engineers can supply and fit one for you. If your carbon monoxide detector starts beeping, evacuate your family and call us.
If you feel confused, dizzy, have a headache, feel sick, or vomit, call an ambulance. Do not re-enter your property until we have given you an ok.
Heating Services
You can be sure of excellent service if you hire us for a heating job. This is true whether you are a homeowner, landlord, or business owner in Chelmsford.
We install Worcester Bosch products with accreditation. We offer a range of installation, servicing, and repair services. We will not only complete service, repair or installation to a high standard. We will optimize your heating system. So you are running at the greatest efficiency. You are keeping your energy bills low.
Heating Systems Our Engineers Work On
The national gas grid connects most Chelmsford homes and commercial premises. Gas central heating systems are cheaper to run than electrical central heating systems.
Our engineers are qualified to work on all systems, regardless of fuel type. Gas is an efficient fuel. New gas boilers can run at 90% efficiency. Annual boiler maintenance is essential to maintaining energy efficiency.
The older boilers get less efficient and more expensive. Old Boilers go down to 60% efficiency, which is expensive to run and harmful to the environment.
We regularly service gas boilers in Chelmsford homes. Does your Boiler require a service? If yes, please give us a call and book an engineer. We will service your Boiler at a fair price.
We also supply, install service and repair boilers made by Alpha, Ariston, Baxi, Ferolli, Glow-worm, Grundfos, Heat-line, Ideal, Keston, Potterton, Saunier Duval, Vaillant, Viessman and Vokera.
Types Of Boiler
The Boiler is the beating heart of a central heating system. Without a boiler, heat would be impossible. When you turn on your heating, the Boiler fires up. It heats the water, which your central heating system distributes to warm your home. There are three types of boiler combi: regular, system, and.
Combi Boilers
Combi boilers don’t need a cylinder, tank, or water pump. The pump is inside the Boiler. This makes them a great space saver. The boiler element instantly heats water as it passes through. Combi boilers are easy to install and service. Approximately 50% of all Chelmsford homes have them.
System Boilers
System boilers are another popular choice. They are ideal for larger households with higher hot water requirements. System boilers take water from the mains to heat your radiators. A system boiler always uses a storage cylinder to store the heated water. You can use this stored water for your hot taps and showers.
Regular Boilers
Regular boilers, also called traditional boilers, are common in older Chelmsford homes. They take up more space than a system or combi boiler. The system needs a water and expansion tank, usually in the loft, and a storage cylinder.
When a homeowner has an old-style system, they fit a new regular boiler. They only want to replace the Boiler, not the whole system. If you need a new boiler, our engineers will help you choose the best one. They will choose one for your current fitted central heating system. We can install a new boiler in a day with minimal disruption to you and your family.
Boiler Installation
TM Hughes and Son are heating engineers who have been installing boilers in Chelmsford for the past three decades. Our certified engineers are gas-safe and have experience fitting all boiler types in the city’s homes.
If your Boiler is over 10 years old, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Boilers waste more energy as they age. They are more prone to failure. Parts are hard to obtain. Some are even unsafe.
A new boiler will be more energy efficient and lower your heating bills. It will also make your home cosy and have a lower carbon footprint. If you’re considering upgrading your Boiler or heating system, please contact one of our engineers.
We can upgrade your Boiler to work with your current central heating system. Or, we can install a new boiler and central heating system with all the latest features.
Every home is different. Each needs a different boiler. The size of the home, its residents, and their hot water/heating needs determine the Boiler.
We offer a free survey for Chelmsford residents. It will help you find the perfect Boiler for your home and budget. We’ll inspect your current Boiler and heating system. We’ll offer suggestions and options. Then, we’ll write your free quote based on your needs.
Boiler Servicing
Annual servicing ensures your Boiler runs well. It also reduces the chances of failure and carbon monoxide poisoning. For these reasons, boiler manufacturers recommend having your Boiler serviced every year.
We service many boilers in Chelmsford each week. We offer one of the city’s best boiler service prices.
Each service follows the correct gas-safe registered standards and the boiler manufacturer’s instructions.
Here are some procedures we follow to explain what happens during the service.
- The boiler case is removed. It is inspected for corrosion or carbon monoxide leaks.
- We then move on to the Boiler’s internal components. We check to see if any seals are worn and leaking water. If so, we’ll replace them to make the Boiler watertight.
- Pipes are checked for leaks or corrosion. Again, corrections are made if needed.
- We test safety devices to ensure they work. This stops your Boiler from being damaged if it fails suddenly.
- We test the flow of water and the pressure of gas. We also inspect the gas burners. We do this to ensure they run at the right rate.
- All parts are thoroughly cleaned so the Boiler runs as well as possible. The Flues are checked before undergoing flue gas analysis.
These are just some of the procedures. At the end of the service, you can relax knowing that your Boiler is safe and efficient.
Boiler Repairs
Boilers often break down in winter. This is especially true for old boilers. It would help if you worked extra hard to supply heat to your home when it’s cold boilers. Also, condensate pipes often freeze on the coldest nights. This stops the Boiler.
If you suffer a breakdown, call us, and we’ll have an engineer out to you within a couple of hours. Our gas-safe engineers will fix your Boiler. They will do so as soon as possible. This is true whether you are a homeowner, tenant, or business.
If you suspect a fault with your Boiler, signs include strange noises, it switching off, or the pilot light blowing out. Get it looked at before it breaks down. If you’re seeing any unusual symptoms, it will break down. Never ignore a suspected fault, as a sudden breakdown may cause expensive damage.
We can repair your Boiler if it has a fault or a full breakdown. Some quick tests and an inspection will diagnose the cause. We can quickly do many Boiler Repairs there and then. At other times, we may need parts.
Powerflushing
Over several years, rust and debris will collect in your central heating system, known in the trade as sludge, and settle in the radiators.
After a while, the buildup blocks the bottom of radiators, and in extreme cases, it blocks the middle, too.
Sludge buildup can also negatively affect your Boiler. Loose debris can even damage your central heating system components.
Powerflushing can remove the Sludge. You attach a machine to your central heating system. It pumps through a mix of chemicals. We continue the process until the system has removed all the sludge.
Once the system is clean, we refill it with clean water and inhibitors. Powerflushing restores your radiators to full heat output. It protects your Boiler and system from failure. It also increases energy efficiency, lowering fuel bills.
If your heating system is slow to warm up and your radiators are cold in places, you’ll likely need a power flush. Dirty water is a sign of sludge in your system. Check next time you bleed your radiators.
Powerflushing your system every few years is highly recommended. It’s the best central heating system maintenance you can do.
Underfloor Heating
We also service, repair, and optimise underfloor heating systems. Underfloor heating needs very little maintenance. But it’s good to have an engineer check the settings once a year. A good time is while you have your Boiler serviced.
We work to ensure the pipes distribute heat at the right temperature. We do this for both wet and electric underfloor heating systems. Underfloor heating is very energy-efficient. It saves space and evenly distributes heat in your home.
We offer a full range of underfloor heating services to our Chelmsford customers. We also install, service, and repair wet and electric systems.
This style of heating is very popular for modern homes, refurbishments, and extensions. Underfloor heating can be installed in most properties. It works with most flooring types and stays out of harm’s way, so damage is unlikely.
You can integrate underfloor heating with your existing central heating system. Let us know if you would like us to come to your home and give you a free, no-obligation quote for an installation. If you have underfloor heating, we offer services to ensure it works well. If you’re having issues with your system, an engineer can visit to solve your problems. Most issues involve parts above the ground. Quick and well-fixes are possible.
If damage occurs to your underground pipes, we can quickly locate the faults using our thermal camera, eliminating the need to rip up floorboards, tiles, carpets, etc.
Optimising your heating system
TM Hughes Heating engineers can fully optimise your heating system, keeping it running at full efficiency while giving you the best comfort possible. A central heating system has several components.
Each part needs to be set correctly to get the most from your central heating. A central heating system includes the Boiler and other parts, including pipes, a pump, radiators, and valves. It also has controls, water heaters, and hot water cylinders.
Our gas-safe registered engineers will set every component of your central heating system. Your Boiler needs to run between 1 and 1.5 bars at the correct pressure. Regularly service your Boiler and cylinder (for vented and unvented systems). It will keep your Boiler at the right pressure. It will also prevent too much pressure in your cylinder. Too much pressure is bad for pressurised cylinders.
The pipes deliver the water from your Boiler to your radiators. Properly insulate them, especially in cold areas in winter. Otherwise, they can freeze and burst as the frozen water expands.
Most rooms have radiators. Hot water flows into the radiator through a valve, manual or thermostatic. Old radiators have manual valves. You cannot adjust the heat, so you can only turn the radiator on or off.
Manual valves are not energy efficient. Replace them with thermostatic radiator valves. Thermostatic valves can be set in small increments. They allow your radiator to emit the exact heat you want. This saves you money. We supply and fit all radiator types. These include flat panels, designers, columns, low surfaces, and towel radiators.
Your central heating pump must work well and be set correctly for the best heating. The pump distributes hot water around your central heating system.
If the pump isn’t running properly, your radiators won’t heat up properly. Our engineers will fully diagnose your pump and ensure it’s in full working order. If we can’t get your pump running properly, we can quickly replace it.
Your central heating system controls and adjusts your heating and hot water. Your controls instruct your central heating to come on and turn off. Incorrectly set controls can result in wasted energy. Our heating engineers install controls and optimize new or existing ones for the perfect running of your system.
Gas Fire Servicing
Gas fires are a lovely addition to any living room. They look great and make the living room cosy. Gas fires cost around a third of the price compared to electric fires. As with all gas appliances, you should service fires every year.
An annual gas fire service will ensure your fire runs at full heat. It will also make sure it burns gas efficiently. A service will ensure your fire is safe to use and not a carbon monoxide risk.
We service all types of gas fires. These include open-fronted high-efficiency, and outset gas fires.
Gas Cooker Connection/Disconnection
Do you need a new gas cooker installed? Or is an old one disconnected? When you upgrade or remove gas appliances in the kitchen or elsewhere, a gas-safe engineer must fit or remove them.
We offer a connection and disconnection service for gas cookers. Gas hobs, built-in gas ovens, and built-in hobs. (and most other gas appliances. Get in touch for more information)
We’ll ensure that your new gas appliance is fitted in a good place, away from obstructions such as sockets, switches, and smoke alarms.
We can fit certain accessories you may require for your new gas appliance. We’ll write a service record at the end so you can prove a certified engineer installed it, making it safe and legal.
Gas Safety Inspections, Landlords Certificates, CP12
Are you a landlord? Do you let a property?
If so, you know your property must be safe for your tenants by law.
Ensure that you fit your gas system and appliances correctly. They must also follow the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
TM Hughes & Son issue gas safety certificates or CP12 certificates. A registered gas-safe engineer can visit your property. They will do a gas safety inspection.
The gas system and appliances are thoroughly checked. This ensures they burn gas at the right rates and are not a gas leak or carbon monoxide risk. We check the main gas supply and safety devices. We also check the appliances. We do this to ensure they work well.
We will issue you a gas safety certificate if everything is in order. Now, you can legally rent your property and rest assured your tenants are safe. Certification proves you’re abiding by the law and validates your landlord insurance.
If your property or appliance doesn’t pass, we can advise on repairs and give you a free, no-obligation quote to do them. This will allow us to pass your property and issue a certificate. You can usually perform repairs the same day (or at a time convenient to you). This will depend on the work involved and the parts required.
We’ll write to you before your certificate expires so you can renew in time.
Air Conditioning
TM Hughes & Son specialises in installing, servicing, and repairing air conditioning systems. They also provide custom solutions that improve your home or business by making it more comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient.
We offer systems for many needs, including split, multi-split, and central systems, and we offer a range of top-brand systems.
Our installation procedure is thorough yet minimally disruptive. It starts with a free pre-installation survey. Then, careful prep, precise installation, and thorough testing follow. After that, there is a clean-up and a demo.
Annual servicing further guarantees your unit’s peak efficiency and longevity.
If there is a breakdown, our engineers provide same-day repairs. There are no call-out charges.
Leak Detection
We use various tools for accurate leak detection, including thermal imaging, acoustic machines, and pressure testing. Our advanced equipment detects hidden leaks in underground pipes and heating systems, offering a clear and accurate diagnosis.
This method fixes leaks without the need for invasive procedures. It protects your property from water damage.
Electrical
For residents and businesses needing electrical work, our sister company TM Hughes & Son Electrical Services, provides reliable and professional solutions delivered by NICEIC-registered Electricians. Their wide range of services includes:
- Domestic & Commercial Electrical Services
- Full & Partial Rewiring
- Consumer Units
- EICR Landlord Certificates
- Electrical Emergencies
- Lighting (Indoor, Outdoor & Security)
- Outdoor Power
- Inspection & Testing
- Electrical Heating
- Appliance Installation
- Sockets & Switches
- Smoke & Heat Alarms
- Earthing & Bonding
- Electrical Installations
- And more
Emergency Heating Engineers
TM Hughes Heating engineers deal with heating emergencies daily. These include boiler breakdowns, which happen throughout the winter. Boiler breakdowns can be very unpleasant, especially in colder weather. In the event of a boiler breakdown, give us a call. Our gas engineer in your area will aim to be with you in a couple of hours.
Your heating will be back up and running as soon as possible. We regularly review our rates. We have no call-out charges so that you will receive the best service at a very fair price. Our Heating Engineers discover faults in heating systems with thermal imaging.
A thermal camera identifies heat loss and irregularities. So we don’t have to remove any walls or flooring. This saves you time and money on heating repair costs. Thermal imaging is also useful for optimising central heating systems.
Book Your Local Chelmsford Plumber & Heating Engineer
Don’t worry if your specific need isn’t listed. We can undertake and complete any plumbing job. Some people discover a plumbing problem and wonder if they should call a plumber.
If you need clarification on an issue, please give us a no-obligation call. A friendly plumber will advise you over the phone. They’ll tell you if it’s a problem you can fix or needs a professional. In that case, we can give you an estimate over the phone if required.
Our vans have enough tools and parts to match your requirements. You will be satisfied with our rates. We regularly review our prices. We do this to ensure they are fair and competitive compared to other Chelmsford plumbers.
Our customers are valuable to us. We focus on your plumbing work to ensure it meets the highest standard and that you are happy and satisfied with the price.
Hi, I’m Terry, the founder and owner of TM Hughes & Son Gas Services
Please get in touch to book an appointment or receive a free, no-obligation quote
Call – 01245 830075
Email – info@tmhughesandson.uk
TM Hughes & Son Gas Services Limited
Saxon House
27 Duke Street
Chelmsford
CM1 1HT