Plumbing

Ofwat - Getting a water supply – domestic connection

If you are the owner or occupier of a property, you can ask a provider to make a new connection for water that will be used for domestic purposes.

Domestic purposes include water used for:

washing – washing machines, dishwashers;
cooking; and/or
sanitary facilities – toilets, bathrooms, showers.

Your local monopoly water company will respond to requests for new connections for domestic purposes, but can charge you for providing the connection.

Before making the connection, your water company may apply certain conditions. For example, it may require you to:

pay an application fee that covers the costs it incurs in processing your application and providing a quotation for the new connection;
provide payment for the new connection as set out in the company’s quoted charges; and
install the pipework and fittings that you are responsible for to appropriate standards.

Find out more about Getting a connection at Ofwat.gov.uk

Citizens Advice - Problems with paying your water bill

Citizens Advice provides information on what to do if you have problems with paying your water bill, including:

Backdated water bills
Paying your water bills if you're renting
If you don’t pay your water bill
Negotiating with your water company to pay back what you owe
Help with paying your water bills
WaterSure scheme – help with paying water bills

Visit citizensadvice.org.uk for more information if you’re having problems with paying your water bill.

Water coming into your home

If water is entering your home, take immediate action to minimise damage:

Identify and isolate the water. Find out where the water is coming from and stop the source of water if possible.

Safety first. Turn off electricity in the affected areas to prevent electrical hazards.

Contain the water. Use towels, buckets, or other absorbent materials to contain or redirect water away from valuables.

Remove excess water. Use a wet-dry vacuum, mop or towels to remove as much water as possible.

Ventilate and dry. Open windows, use fans or dehumidifiers to help things dry. Mould can grow quickly in damp environments.

Document and damage. Take photographs of the affected areas and any damage for insurance claims, if needed.

Seek professional help. If the issue is out of your control, contact a professional plumber to resolve it.

Contact insurance. Inform your insurance company about the situation and follow their guidance on the claim process.

Addressing water issues promptly can prevent further damage and future complications.

Hints and tips

Prevent blockages. Avoid putting cooking oils and fats, hair, wet wipes or non-biodegradable items into toilets or down drains to prevent clogs.

Use sink and drain strainers to catch debris and help prevent blockages.

Act early. Fix leaks early to prevent water damage and save on water bills.

Shut off the water. Know how to shut the water off. Find the location of your main water shut off value or stopcock so you can turn the water off in an emergency.

Plungers. Keep a plunger on hand for minor sink and toilet clogs. Plungers are relatively cheap to buy and easy to use.

Regular maintenance. Periodically check for leaks, inspect pipes and make sure all fixtures are working correctly.

Prevent frozen pipes. Insulate pipes in cold areas to prevent freezing, and open cabinet doors in extremely cold weather to allow warm air to circulate.

Monitor changes in water pressure. High pressure can damage pipes and appliances, and low pressure can indicate a problem.

Stop tap / Stopcock – Turning off water in an emergency

Anglian Water provides information and advice on how to find, check and turn your stop valve on and off.

It is important to know where your stop value is so that you can turn the water off in an emergency.

Its location can vary depending on the style and age of your property, but the most common places are:

under the kitchen sink
in the kitchen cupboard
in the bathroom, WC or cloakroom
in the garage, utility room or cellar
under the stairs.

If you don’t have an internal stop tap or it isn’t working properly, contact a plumber and arrange for a new one to be installed as soon as possible. It’s a legal requirement of the water regulations.

Visit anglianwater.co.uk to find out more about your Stop tap and what to do if you have Burst or leaking pipes

Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering provides information for the public on:

what to do in a plumbing emergency
plumbing health hazards
tips to cut energy bills and water waste

You can also Find a plumbing or heating engineer.

Find out more at www.ciphe.org.uk

GOV.UK

Gov.uk provides guidance on what you need to do if your property has a cesspool.

If you have a cesspool then the ‘general binding rules’ do not apply.

You must maintain your cesspool and make sure it:

is emptied regularly (for example once a month) by a registered waste carrier
does not leak or overflow

You do not need a permit unless the Environment Agency tells you that you do.

If your system releases sewage into the ground or surface water then it is not a cesspool. If you are not sure what your system is, ask a local installation or maintenance company.

The Environment Agency or your local council can make you repair or replace your cesspool if it’s in poor condition.

You are breaking the law if your cesspool causes pollution.

If you install a new cesspool

You must:

get planning permission and building regulations approval
make sure it has a minimum capacity of 18,000 litres per 2 users (plus another 6,800 litres per each extra user)

Find out more about Septic tanks and sewage treatment plants: what you need to do at Gov.uk

Find a registered waste carrier

Search the public register to find registered waster carriers, brokers and dealers.

A handyperson is usually a charged-for service and the cost will vary dependent on the work being undertaken.

Handyperson services differ from place to place, but these are the sorts of jobs they can usually help with:

Small repairs - putting up curtain rails, shelves and pictures
Safety measures - fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails
Home security - door and window locks, door chains and door viewers
Energy efficiency checks - installing draught excluders, radiator heat reflectors and energy efficient lightbulbs

Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire – Handyperson services

Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire’s Handyperson Services can provide support with maintaining your home.

Visit the Age UK website for more information about Handyperson services.

Check out the Good Home Lincs pages on Trusted Tradespeople for more information about finding tradespeople to carry out work.

Check out the Good Home Lincs pages on Preparing for works for more information about preparing your home for works.