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Businesses urged to take caution with plumbing work before re-opening premises

take caution with plumbing

As many of the UK’s businesses consider reopening their doors, the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is encouraging business and property owners to take caution and consider the risks posed by their water systems sooner rather than later, to avoid health risks.

The restrictions placed on people and businesses to restrict the spread of Covid-19 since mid-March have meant many premises have been left closed or with minimal staff, meaning many water systems may have been left stagnant.

Celebrating ten years: Plumbing, People and Phones

celebrating ten years

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of anti-scald bathroom products celebrates ten years since becoming a stand-alone business, the directors at Intatec are reflecting on a decade of success, as they face challenges far removed from its launch day.

Created in 2002 as a small offshoot of another business, the aim of Intatec was to bring thermostatic control to the bathrooms of Britain. After a period of product development, and testing the market initially with TMV2 and TMV3 anti-scald valves and showers, in May 2010 around a dozen staff joined founders Cynthia Fisher, Barry Humphreys and Stuart Gizzi at a newly fitted out facility in Staffordshire to begin properly under the Inta brand. Since then Sales Director Darran Bougourd has joined the board. 

Key worker status recognised

plumber key worker status

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen both the Government’s and the public’s interpretation of what makes a key worker redefined. On Tuesday 28 April, in the daily coronavirus briefing, Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, not only recognised the vital role emergency plumbers are playing, but rolled out further testing for those in the construction and plumbing industry.

How to combat rising water bills during a pandemic

rising water bills

With the full extent of the COVID-19 outbreak rearing its ugly head, the pockets of many working families have been hard-hit. Even before the outbreak, research shows that up to 3 million households struggle to afford their rising water bills.

With the UK Government’s 'lockdown measures' inevitably meaning more time at home and more water used, I share my tips for reducing water usage in times of lockdown.

Be mindful when gardening

Marley Plumbing & Drainage has launched a new range of adoptable inspection chambers

inspection chambers

In response to customer demand, Marley Plumbing & Drainage has launched a new range of adoptable inspection chambers for both type three and type four installations, which are compliant with Sewers for Adoption and Building Regulations.

The new BSI approved range of inspection chambers, which are suitable for adoptable and non-adoptable applications, have been developed to be compatible with Marley’s 150mm Quantum sewer structured wall drainage and its 110mm and 160mm solid wall drainage, in order to provide specifiers, contractors and housebuilders with a ‘one stop shop’.inspection chambers

How to look after your plumbing tools and prevent costs

Plumbing tools

Take good care of your hand and power tools and enjoy the fluid workflow of every plumbing job.

DIYers often neglect their instruments. The lack of proper maintenance leads to many issues. A damaged or worn-out tool can become heavy on your wallet and even cause injuries.

A well-maintained toolset makes every task simple, saving you both time and effort. If you look after it properly, a plumbing instrument may keep its best condition for up to 7 years. Whether a drill or a simple wrench, take care of each of your plumbing tools and expect good service in return. Read more and learn how to:

SNIPEF pays tribute to its fantastic cohort of award-winning apprentices on World Plumbing Day

award-winning apprentices on World Plumbing Day

The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), the leading trade body for the plumbing and heating sector in Scotland and Northern Ireland, has chosen to mark World Plumbing Day today (March 11, 2020) by highlighting the young people who represent the industry’s future.
 
The member organisation has tirelessly advocated the value of apprenticeships in sustaining quality and professionalism in this vitally important sector as well as creating a pipeline of continually improving skillsets. 
 

The end of gas central boilers?

Plumber fixing gas central boilers

The end of gas central boilers? By Izzy Schulman, Director, Plumbers4U

A new report in May 2019 declared the UK is set to become carbon neutral by 2050, slashing the country’s emissions by 80 per cent.

The energy use in our homes contributes to around a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and naturally, our boilers play a significant part in this.

As a result, energy regulator OFGEM revealed its plans to remove gas central heating from all homes by 2050 to meet the government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions. 

So, what does this mean for those of us with gas central boilers in our homes? There are currently four options being shared with homeowners…

Hot water and air

“No more DNO hassle” says Kensa Heat Pumps with Connect & Notify approvals

Kensa Heat Pumps Shoebox Installation

Kensa Heat Pumps have succeeded in securing their full suite of 3kW to 13kW thermal output single phase ground source heat pumps on the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Connect & Notify database.

The move means British-based manufacturer Kensa has the largest number of ENA Connect & Notify approved ground source heat pump products in the UK – over 60% of the ENA single phase database - enabling simpler, quicker and lower cost ground source heat pump installations. 

Kensa Heat Pumps’ Technical Director and co-founder, Guy Cashmore, comments:

“Installers of heat pumps will be familiar with the complications, hassle and potential additional costs of a heat pump not being ENA Connect & Notify approved.