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General Plumbing

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

Plumbing Repairs & Installations

The plumbing system in your Chelmsford home is carefully designed so various pipes can deliver water to multiple points in the house. These points are taps, showers, baths, the water tank and the central heating system. Running water combined with the household plumbing system gives us optimal comfort, but water is very corrosive.

Parts wear out; pipes get blocked, so the plumbing system has to be maintained and repaired. Let’s go through the system in your home and the regular plumbing jobs we undertake.

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 mains 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 on and off the mains water supply to your home.

You need to know where your mains stopcock is and that it’s in full working order. If there’s ever a plumbing emergency, you must shut off the mains water supply, or your home could be severely damaged. Our plumbers can check and replace your mains stopcock if needed.

Kitchen Plumbing

There’s then a network of pipes that supply your home with water. The first group provide your kitchen tap, dishwasher and washing machine. Fitting dishwashers or washing machines isn’t a difficult job and only takes a few minutes. One of our plumbers will be more than happy to help. Kitchen taps are connected by two pipes, one hot, one cold.

Kitchen Taps

Taps are (or should be) fitted with flexible hoses. A flexible hose connects your taps to the water supply and can be shut off at the hose entry, which is handy if your tap ever springs a leak. Hoses also make the job of changing a tap cheaper and more accessible. The water can be shut off at the hose instead of the mains water supply.

Waste Disposal Units

Our Chelmsford plumbers are used to seeing waste disposal units under the sink and are experts in fitting, servicing and unblocking them. Waste disposal units have boomed in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. They are very convenient because they simply grind up your waste, mix with water and flush down the drain.

Bathrooms

A typical Chelmsford bathroom has a toilet, basin, a bath or shower (or both). The main bathroom has more plumbing than any other room in the house. There are four types of toilet. Close-coupled (with the toilet and cistern close together) are the most common toilets, close to wall designs coming in second.

Other designs include corner and wall-hung, although we have found these designs are not as common. Cisterns can be hung low and high and can be hidden.

Toilets

Whatever your Toilet and cistern type internally, they all work the same. The cistern is filled, the float stops the water once complete.

The float stops the cistern from overfilling and flooding your bathroom as well. When flushed, the waste is expelled down the soil pipe to the sewer. The cistern then refills.

Toilets are prone to problems such as blockages, which are inevitable for most households and can be very inconvenient, especially if you only have one or multiple toilets sharing the same soil pipe.

In the event of a blockage, we will be with you quickly and have your toilet unblocked in very little time. Other toilet problems include constant filling, overfilling and not flushing.

This is due to the float valve system, which again is quickly repaired or replaced. Sadly blockages not only occur in toilets. Any waste or pipe can suffer from one. We have removed thousands of blockages over the years and will happily deal with any blockage in your plumbing system indoors or outdoors in the sewer.

Baths, Basins & Bathroom Taps

Bathroom baths and basins use the same system as kitchen sinks with a hot and cold supply to a pillar, mixer or monobloc tap. Bathroom taps use the same internal parts as kitchen taps but 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, sometimes they don’t work, or you might want them replacing as part of a refurbishment.

Our local Chelmsford plumber can fit any tap and repair most. Sometimes taps are too old or worn to repair, but we will always do everything we can to restore an old tap to full working order if that’s what you want.

Showers

You will likely have a Shower somewhere in your main bathroom, whether inside an enclosure or fitted inside the bath. We supply and install all types of showers, including mixer, electric, power, eco, digital and thermostatic; we also specialise in standard and universal pumps. Any problems with your existing shower?

No problem, our Chelmsford plumber can help you. He will quickly diagnose and fix any issues you have. We deal with common shower problems: leaking heads, temperature fluctuations, water not heating, weak water pressure, and no water.

Overflow

Every working part of your bathroom and kitchen that uses water will require waste to remove wastewater and overflow to stop your home from 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 for you.

Saniflo

Saniflo’s are a valuable addition to any plumbing system. Their unique design allows dishwashers, toilets, baths, showers, and sinks to be fitted anywhere in the home, in areas not previously possible.

A Saniflo grinds any waste down into a fine slurry and pumps it through narrow pipes straight into the drain. We supply and fit all Saniflo systems around 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 highly proficient in water tank installation and fitting and will fit the ideal water tank with the perfect settings for your home and plumbing system.

All of our plumbers are certified gas safe registered engineers Central heating, Boiler installation, service and repair. Please take a look at our Chelmsford Heating Services Page for more information on our gas services.

Emergency Plumbing Chelmsford

We are 24-hour emergency plumbers. In the event of a plumbing emergency, we will be with you within two hours. Before we can get to you, there are steps you can take in the meantime to prevent and minimise damage.

Here are the most common plumbing emergencies that occur and what you need to 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 is inconvenient and can be damaging (and expensive).

Blocked Pipes

Blocked pipes need dealing with when detected. Signs of blockages include the toilet pan filling up with water when flushed. Water drains slowly from your bath, shower or sink. Foul smells and (or) gurgling noises from drains and the outside drains backed up with water. If you have a blockage, get in touch, and we will clear it.

Burst Pipes

Burts Pipes can be very damaging. The first time a Chelmsford resident detects a burst pipe is when water comes through the ceiling. In more extreme cases, water doesn’t leak through and can build up in a void. A bulge appears, which will ultimately 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.

Pipes that are in areas vulnerable to cold weather need insulating. To prevent the risk of freezing and bursting, we offer a full pipe insulation service.

Gas Leaks

The most serious of all Plumbing emergencies is a Gas leak. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, evacuate your family and shut off the gas supply immediately. 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. Do not reactivate your gas supply until you’re given the all-clear from a Gas Safe registered engineer.

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 in your house, 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 give us a call.

If you or your family members experience confusion, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, call an ambulance immediately. Do not re-enter your property until we have given you an ok.

Types Of Boiler

The boiler is the beating heart of a central heating system. Without a boiler, heat would be impossible. When you turn your heating on, the boiler fires up. Heating the water that’s distributed through your central heating system and heating your home in the process. There are three types of boiler combi, regular and system.

Combi Boilers

Combi boilers don’t need a cylinder, tank or water pump (the pump’s inside the boiler). Making them a great space saver. Water is heated instantly as it’s passed through the element inside the boiler. Combi boilers are easy to install and service. Combi’s are found in approximately 50% of all Chelmsford homes.

System Boilers

System boilers are another popular choice. They are ideal for larger households with higher hot water requirements. System boilers take the water directly from the mains to heat your radiators. A storage cylinder is always used with a system boiler to store the water that’s been heated. This stored water is subsequently used for your hot taps and shower.

Regular Boilers

Regular boilers, also are known as traditional boilers, are often found in older Chelmsford homes. Regular boilers take up more space than a system or combi boiler. A water tank (usually in the loft), and an expansion tank (also in the loft) and a storage cylinder is required for the system to work.

A new regular boiler is fitted when a homeowner has an existing traditional system and only wants to replace the boiler (and not the whole system). If you need a new boiler, our engineers will help you choose the best boiler for your current fitted central heating system. We can usually install a new boiler in a day with minimal disruption to you and your family.

Optimising your heating system

TM Hughes Heating engineers can fully optimise your heating system. Running at full efficiency while giving you the best comfort possible. There are several components of a central heating system.

Each part needs to be set correctly if you want to get the very best from your central heating. A central heating system includes the boiler, pipes, pump, radiators, radiator valves, controls, water heaters, and hot water cylinder.

Our gas safe registered engineers will set every component of your central heating system. Your boiler needs to be running at the correct pressure, which is between 1-1.5 bars. A regular boiler and cylinder service (for those with vented and unvented systems) will ensure your boiler is running at the correct pressure and that no excessive pressure is building up in your cylinder (which isn’t good for pressurised cylinders)

The pipes deliver the water from your boiler to your radiators. They must be insulated properly, especially in cold areas in winter. Otherwise, they can freeze and burst as the frozen water expands.

Most rooms have radiators. The hot water flows into the radiator through a valve, manual or thermostatic. Manual valves are found on old radiators, heat cannot be adjusted, so the radiator is on or off.

Manual valves are not energy efficient and should be replaced with thermostatic radiator valves. Thermostatic valves can be set in small increments. Allowing your radiator to omit the exact heat you want saving you money in the process. We supply and fit all radiator types, including flat panel, designer, column, low surface and towel radiators.

If you want an optimal heating system, your central heating pump needs to be in full working order and set correctly. 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 make sure 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 adjust 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 not only install controls. They optimise new or existing central heating controls for the perfect running of your central heating system.

Emergency Heating Engineers

TM Hughes Heating engineers deal with heating emergencies such as boiler breakdowns daily 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 imaging camera identifies heat loss and irregularities, so we don’t have to remove any walls or flooring. This saves you time and money on your heating repair costs. Thermal imaging is useful also for optimising central heating systems.

Book Your Local Chelmsford Plumber & Heating Engineer

Don’t worry if your specific requirement 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 have an issue that you’re not sure about, feel free to give us a no-obligation call, a friendly plumber will advise you over the phone whether it’s an issue you can deal with yourself or a problem that needs to be looked at by a professional. In which case we can give you an estimate over the phone if required.

Our vans are well stocked with enough tools and parts to match any requirements you have. You will not be disappointed with our rates. Our competitive prices are regularly reviewed to ensure they are fair and competitive compared to other Chelmsford plumbers.

Our customers are valuable to us. Our priority is to your plumbing work to the highest possible standard, ensuring you are satisfied with the work and happy with the price.

We also offer our Plumbing Services in Basildon, Brentwood, Billericay, Maldon, Southend, South Woodham Ferrers and all surrounding towns and villages.

Call – 01245 830075