Affordable Plumbers Near Me
Picture the scene: You get home from work to find water pouring into the kitchen from the upstairs bathroom. As you scream ‘I need a cheap plumber near me!’ you kick yourself for not being more prepared. And let’s hope you remembered to renew the house insurance!
We all get caught out by the odd home emergency, but other than insurance there are ways you can prepare for and reduce the potential cost of accidents and disasters. Even if you’re renting and don’t own your home, you should take steps to prevent things like burst pipes, roof leaks and growth of mould from damp. The exact jobs you’ll need to do will depend on the type of home you have.
For example, an older property will need more thorough inspection and preparation for winter than a new build. A purpose-built flat will generally be fairly low maintenance. Here’s a list of some of the jobs you should consider doing to reduce the need for that ‘Help – cheap plumber near me!’ moment.
Check the roof and chimney stack if you have one. This may be possible with a pair of binoculars or by looking out of a roof hatch, but hiring a drone pilot for a roof inspection is a great alternative.
Check guttering for blockages and wear. Leaf mould and other debris can build up in winter and cause a lot of damage. A local window cleaner might do this for you if you don’t fancy climbing a ladder.
If you have air bricks, check they are clean and clear. This is a very simple job you can do yourself and it reduces the risk of damp which can be very expensive to resolve.
Check loft space for signs of leaks or dampness.
Get your boiler serviced. This not only means you won’t face that horrific moment in December when you don’t have heating or hot water, it reduces the risk of dangerous emissions. A well-maintained boiler also works more efficiently so can reduce bills.
Bleed radiators to increase efficiency.
Insulate any external pipes in water to prevent them from freezing and bursting in winter.
Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Another great tip to reduce the need for calling out an emergency plumber of local handyman is to deal with repairs as you go. Little things can build into bigger problems if you ignore them. That little drip from a pipe can suddenly become a flood!