What We Cover
General Plumbing in Manchester — The Full Picture
Dripping taps are one of the most common calls we get from Manchester homeowners. On older taps, the most likely cause is a worn washer — a simple fix. On modern ceramic disc taps, the ceramic cartridge may need replacing. Either way, it's usually a straightforward job. The important thing is getting the right part for the specific tap make and model, which is why a proper engineer with experience across different fittings will do a better job than a general handyman guessing at what fits.
Running toilets are worth taking seriously even if they seem minor. A toilet that continuously runs (you can hear water trickling long after flushing) is likely down to a faulty flush valve or fill valve — the mechanisms inside the cistern that control how water enters and exits. In some cases the float valve is set incorrectly and water is constantly reaching the overflow. Modern replacement parts are better made than the originals in many older toilets, and a repair now saves a meaningful amount on your water bill — particularly if you're on a water meter.
Leaking pipes under sinks, behind washing machines, or at joint connections are a regular repair. Sometimes it's a failed compression fitting that just needs tightening or replacing. Sometimes it's a push-fit joint that's worked loose. Occasionally a pipe section itself has corroded or split. The important thing is that we identify the root cause — not just make it stop dripping today — so the repair actually holds. We also check the condition of nearby pipe sections while we're there, since corrosion rarely affects just one spot.
Unvented hot water cylinders are something many homeowners have but aren't entirely sure about. An unvented cylinder — sometimes called a pressurised system — stores hot water under mains pressure rather than relying on a cold water storage tank in the loft. This gives you higher pressure hot water at every tap and shower in the house, which is generally a better experience. Unlike vented systems (which have a tank in the loft and deliver lower-pressure hot water), unvented cylinders are sealed and pressurised, so they must be installed and serviced by a qualified engineer — specifically someone with an Unvented Hot Water Systems qualification. Our engineers hold the relevant qualification and can install new unvented cylinders or service and repair existing ones, including replacing pressure relief valves, thermostats and immersion heaters.
Stop taps are another thing people don't think about until they need them in an emergency. Your main stop tap controls the supply of water into the property — it's the first thing you should turn off if a pipe bursts or a leak develops. If you've ever tried to turn yours and found it stiff, stuck or partially seized, that's a problem worth resolving before an emergency strikes. We replace stop taps and isolating valves on any part of the system — under sinks, on supply pipes, behind washing machines and dishwashers.
Outdoor taps are a frequent installation request — particularly in spring when people are getting gardens ready or setting up pressure washers. Fitting an outside tap involves connecting to an indoor supply pipe, running through the wall, and fitting a separate isolation valve indoors so the tap can be turned off over winter (leaving water in an outdoor tap in a hard frost risks a frozen and burst pipe). It's a relatively simple job done properly, but one that creates a persistent leak if it isn't.
