12 months have passed since the birth of our 2nd child Phoebe and Mummy has now started a new job, with special thanks to a customer who provided that opportunity. As many of you will know this part of a child’s life is so precious and it is over within a blink of an eye. Phoebe has started going to nursery for 4 days a week and I’ve made the decision to look after Phoebe on Fridays until Phoebe is older. I’m not sure how old that’ll be yet though. With the help of some friends I’ll be able to keep up with demand from my existing customers. Andy is a plumber with many years of experience and after 14 months Andy has recently completed his Gas Safe training with myself and is now Gas Safe registered. Richard has been self employed for some time now and also completed his gas safe training with myself. So if any of my customers get in touch, I’ll let you know which one of us will be attending.   

If you have or you are considering getting a “Protection Policy” that “covers” your plumbing and heating system then please keep reading. ‘Which’ did a report a number of years ago stating in most scenarios it’s far cheaper to get your heating appliances serviced annually and to pay for repairs as of when they are required. It is understandable why some people take out cover plans however these companies play on these insecurities people have. Everyone likes to feel safe and comfortable and when they pay money to big companies they believe they’ll be covered in the event of any issue. And that is just not the case.  If you ever look into the terms and conditions of these policies, what you are doing is paying a company for them to have 1st refusal on work they want to do. This is because they have exclusions and they will always have a ‘get out jail free’ card. I recall reading 1 section in the Terms of one policy that said something along the lines off…… ‘You are not covered if the fault is due to an incorrectly designed heating system.’ How would you know your heating system has not been designed properly? This means you could have been paying for one of these policies for months or years, of which the price of the policies usually increase every year much higher than the rate of inflation, then when you need to use the policy the engineer who attends tells you if you want it fixing we’ll have to pay for it because the heating system is not installed ‘properly’……. On top of that you’ve already paid you £60 excess just for the engineer just to turn up.  Also if you ever have a problem with your plumbing and heating system  and you are not signed up to one of these policies and a local tradesman isn’t available you can still call the bigger firms and they will attend. Also nearly all boiler manufacturers do a ‘1 price fix all service’ now as well. That can be beneficial in many circumstances. You may find your home insurance policy covers you for your drains and plumbing outside the property, which I would say is beneficial because groundworks can get very expensive to repair.  So please if you have one of these policies that says it will cover your plumbing and heating please stop wasting your money.  If you’d like to discuss any of the above or if you would like to arrange a plumbing repair or boiler service then please get in touch.  

Introduction Heat pumps have gained considerable attention in recent years as an alternative to traditional heating systems. They are often touted as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for maintaining indoor comfort. However, despite their advantages, there are still several limitations that prevent heat pumps from being a viable cost-effective system for many homeowners. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that contribute to the current challenges faced by heat pumps. High Initial Costs One of the primary barriers to the widespread adoption of heat pumps is their high upfront costs. Compared to conventional heating systems, heat pumps require significant investment during the initial installation process. This can include the purchase of the heat pump unit itself, as well as any necessary modifications to the existing infrastructure of the building. The initial expense can be prohibitive for many homeowners, especially when considering the potential long-term benefits. Retrofitting Challenges Heat pumps are most effective when installed in buildings with efficient insulation and airtightness. Retrofitting existing properties to accommodate heat pumps can be complex and costly. Inadequate insulation, outdated ductwork, and other structural limitations can significantly reduce the efficiency and performance of heat pump systems. Achieving optimal results often requires extensive renovations, including insulation upgrades, installation of ductless mini-split systems, or replacement of existing ductwork. These retrofitting challenges can further inflate the overall cost of implementing heat pumps. Climate Dependence Another crucial factor to consider is the climate in which heat pumps are being utilized. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from the external environment to the indoor space. They are most efficient in moderate climates, where the temperature differential between the inside and outside is not extreme. In regions with extremely cold winters, the performance of heat pumps can decline significantly. In these cases, supplementary heating systems may be required, which adds to the overall cost and reduces the cost-effectiveness of heat pumps. Electricity Dependency Heat pumps rely on electricity to operate, unlike traditional heating systems that may use natural gas or oil. This dependence on electricity can lead to increased energy bills, given the fact that electricity is roughly three times the price of gas this can be costly. While heat pumps are generally more energy-efficient compared to conventional systems, the cost of electricity can offset the savings, making them less cost-effective. Additionally, the environmental impact of electricity generation should also be considered when evaluating the overall sustainability of heat pumps. In my opinion you should only consider fitting a heat pump if you have solar PV panels and a storage battery fitted otherwise you are likely to see an increase in overall cost of your utilities, given the fact that the UK is set to see more extreme weather in the future.  Limited Awareness and Support Despite the potential benefits, many homeowners are still unaware of the advantages and limitations of heat pumps. Consumer education and awareness play a crucial role in driving adoption and making informed decisions. Furthermore, the availability of incentives, rebates, and support from government programs and utilities can significantly affect the affordability and cost-effectiveness of heat pump installations. The lack of comprehensive and easily accessible information, as well as limited financial assistance, can hinder the widespread adoption of heat pumps. The government has started offering some colleges funding to install heat pumps properly. This should have happened 5 years before offering any subsidy to have heat pumps fitted. This is why there are so many reports of badly installed heat pumps costing people more money to run.  Maintenance  Due to the lack of investment in training and educating the current heating engineers, trying to get an engineer to service the heat pumps is extremely difficult and expensive because there are very few engineers willing to service the heat pumps. Think about it. A heating engineer has taken considerable time to re-train which has cost them. In general I’ve found it’s the older, more experienced engineer that can’t be bothered doing the big installs is more interested in doing the servicing. The more experienced engineers are not trained in heat pumps and are less likely to want to learn new ways. Obviously there are always exceptions to the rule but finding those exceptions won’t be easy. I’ve had some training on heat pumps and I will have more in the future. I’ve learnt that in order to keep the high efficiency levels these heat pump installations can achieve the water inside the heating system needs to be spotless all the time. The moment any sludge appears, and I mean any, the efficiency levels will reduce dramatically.   Conclusion While heat pumps offer several advantages, such as energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, there are still significant barriers that prevent them from being a viable cost-effective system for many homeowners. The high initial costs, retrofitting challenges, climate dependence, electricity dependency, and limited consumer awareness and support all contribute to the current limitations of heat pumps. I believe the house builders of today should be fitting solar PV panels, batteries, a hot water cylinder with a built in air source heat pump and air to air heat pumps, not air to water. Rather than using a heat pump to heat up the water in the radiators to 55 degrees C in order to heat the radiators, for the radiators to heat the air to 20 – 21 degrees C…… Why not get the air source heat pump to heat the air directly to 20 – 21 degrees C? What I’m describing is an air conditioning unit. In the summer the homeowner would be able to keep cool for free because the units would be powered with the solar PV panels. Pavlou Plumbers plan to enter the heat pump / air conditioning market at some point in the future so watch this space.

As homeowners, we rely heavily on our gas boilers to provide warmth and comfort throughout the year. These essential appliances work tirelessly to keep our homes cozy and our hot water flowing. Yet, all too often, we neglect their regular maintenance and servicing. In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of annual gas boiler servicing and highlight the numerous benefits it offers to both our safety and our wallets. Safety First The primary reason for scheduling annual gas boiler servicing is to ensure the safety of your household. Gas boilers burn natural gas to produce heat, and any malfunction or defect can lead to potentially dangerous situations such as gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular maintenance by a qualified professional can identify and rectify any issues before they escalate into safety hazards. Gas engineers will conduct thorough checks, inspecting the boiler’s components, ventilation, and flue systems to guarantee proper functioning and eliminate potential risks. Enhanced Efficiency and Performance Over time, gas boilers can accumulate dirt, debris, and sediment, which can hinder their performance. A poorly maintained boiler may consume more energy to achieve the desired heating output, leading to higher energy bills. By servicing your gas boiler annually, you allow a professional to clean and fine-tune the system, optimizing its efficiency. Regular maintenance can also help identify and rectify minor faults or inefficiencies early on, preventing them from escalating into major issues that could result in costly repairs or even premature boiler replacement. Prolonged Lifespan A gas boiler is a significant investment, and it makes financial sense to ensure its longevity. Regular servicing can significantly extend the lifespan of your boiler. During the annual maintenance visit, the engineer will inspect the various components, identify any signs of wear and tear, and replace any faulty parts promptly. By addressing these issues proactively, you can prevent major breakdowns and increase the overall lifespan of your boiler, saving you money in the long run. Warranty Compliance for New Boilers Many gas boilers come with manufacturer warranties that require regular servicing to remain valid. Failure to adhere to the servicing schedule outlined in the warranty terms may result in the nullification of the warranty, leaving you responsible for the cost of repairs or replacements. By servicing your boiler annually and keeping a record of maintenance visits, you ensure that your warranty remains intact, providing you with peace of mind and financial protection. Environmental Considerations In an era of growing environmental awareness, it’s important to recognise the impact our energy consumption has on the planet. A well-maintained gas boiler operates more efficiently, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. By servicing your boiler regularly, you contribute to environmental sustainability by minimising your carbon footprint. Conclusion Annual gas boiler servicing is a crucial responsibility for homeowners. It offers numerous benefits, including enhanced safety, improved efficiency, prolonged lifespan, warranty compliance, and environmental sustainability. By investing in regular maintenance, you not only protect your household but also save money in the long term. So, make it a priority to schedule a professional gas boiler service annually, and enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that comes with a well-maintained heating system.  

Hello This is a short update regarding a rebranding for Pavlou Plumbers. Pavlou Plumbers has had a new logo and a new website developed. The new logo has been printed on the company van and is being used on social media. The new website will be going live soon with the new logo. All other company details have remained the same.

Do you know if your cold water main is made of lead? Do you know the effects of lead in the water?  If you live in a building that was built before 1970 then it’s possible that you have a lead water pipe as your cold main supply pipe. Having lead in your drinking water has been proven to be a health hazard, particularly for small children and for those who are pregnant. It has been recently proven that soft water breaks down lead quicker than in hard water areas. If you live in Chester or Wales you live in a soft water area. A simple way to check if you live in a hard or soft water area is to enter your postcode on this site.  There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of lead in your water if you do have a lead pipe. Drinking water that has been standing in a lead pipe for any length of time increases the risk of having lead in the water. Make sure you run the tap for 2 minutes each morning and when you return home before drinking the water. Running a shower or flushing a couple of toilets will do as well because you can use the water for other things instead of consuming it.  Fit a water filter to your drinking tap. Certain water filters can significantly reduce the levels of lead in your water. You must remember to replace the filter as per manufacturer’s instructions otherwise the filter will lose its effectiveness. Replace the lead pipe. This option is the best option to completely remove the risk of having lead in your water.  If you have any questions regarding removing lead from your drinking water then get in touch with Pavlou Plumbers. 01244 88 88 01  

Click here to see the Pavlou Plumbers Promotional Video

  I’ve noticed recently there have been some gas safe companies offering ridiculously low prices for their Boiler Service. Apart from causing an un sustainable race for the bottom for the industry this could be a deceitful tactic. One tactic used by companies is to offer a low price on a well needed service or product in order to get “their foot in the door”. Once said company has your custom confirmed they will hope you would buy additional products or services from them. In this case the Gas Engineer could very easily make out your gas appliance or gas installation needs additional work in order to be safe. As a human being that is not up to speed with the most current Gas Safe regulations it could be considered foolish to ignore the advice given from the competent person.  Charging landlords a cheap price for a Gas Safe Certificate could be a recipe for disaster. There was a court case in London a few years ago where a tenant was injured due to an unsafe gas installation. Even though the landlord had the annual gas safety checks carried out by a gas safe engineer, the landlord was prosecuted and sentenced to jail time as well as the Gas Safe engineer for the harm caused by the unsafe gas installation. The Judge said the words “what do you expect for £45?“  when he handed the landlord the sentence. The gas engineer in question was filling out a form rather than actually doing the required checks.  Pavlou Plumbers the rates below for their gas work. This ensures the work is completed without the need to upsell.  Boiler service is now £90inc VAT.(not including any parts that may be required to complete the service).  Gas Safe Certificate £78inc VAT. Boiler service and gas safe certificate £108inc VAT (not including gas fires or any parts that may be required to complete the boiler service).

It has come to my attention that there is a plumber who has Italian origins, works in the same area as Pavlou Plumbers and his first name is Pavlou (or similar). This plumber does NOT work for or has any association with Pavlou Plumbers. My first name is Stelios and my parents come from Cyprus.

Pavlou Plumbers will not be taking any calls from 24th December till 5th January.  Please email info@pavlouplumbers.com for any enquiries. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you

Here are some pictures of work completed by Pavlou Plumbers

The D2 pipe is responsible for getting rid of any water should any safety devices that are apart of an unvented hot water cylinder fail. If it’s fitted incorrectly water could escape causing damage. The scenario in the video below is to common in new builds. As this pipe would only ever be used years after the installation has been completed the home buyer would never question it. This video also shows an issue with the filling loop.

As key workers we are still safely serving the community following the government guidelines which are listed below:- Keep more than 2 meter away from customers. Wash / sanitise hands or wear new gloves before entering the property.  Avoid payments by cash or chip and pin.  Avoid asking for signatures.  Payments can still be made by card either on-line, by phone and in person.  If you are safe isolating and would like to do a bit of plumbing but would like some guidance on what parts you’ll need and how to go about it, I’ll be more than happy to receive a video call through WhatsApp. There would be no charge for this service but be aware I would not be available to everyone all the time. If I do miss your call I’ll get back to asap as usual.  My telephone number on WhatsApp is my mobile number 07813920661. If you do not have WhatsApp you can download the App from the links below. Android Apple Wondows or Mac Stay safe.

During a boiler service there are a number of parts that are checked in order to keep the boiler operating safely. This 1st image is of a set of electrodes that are in a Worcester CDi Classic boiler. These electrodes are constantly in the flame when the main burner is on. The electrode on the left helps detect flame. If this electrode is to short and is not in contact with the flame the boiler will think there is a fault and cut off the gas supply to the boiler.  The 2 electrodes on the right create the spark to ignite the flame. It’s important that the distance between them are as stated in the manufacturers instructions in order to operate correctly.   This next image is of a seal for a Glowworm boiler. The seal was attached to the flue which is responsible for getting rid of the emissions of the boiler. This caused products of combustion mixing with the air being sucked into the boiler from outside. In turn this meant the boiler was noisy and not performing properly at the cost of the customer.   If the seals in the picture above and below where left in the boiler they would become hard, brittle, and stop protecting the boiler by keeping the heat in the correct place. This gasket can be found in many Worcester boilers.   These parts do not always require changing every year. A lot depends on the level of use of the appliance and the quality of the parts. As can be expected the parts that are in the more expensive boilers tend to last longer. To arrange a boiler service with Pavlou Plumbers please either call on 01244 888801 or email info@pavlouplumbers.com

This time of year, when the weather starts getting colder is when I get more new customers asking for boiler services. A few of these new customers canceled their British Gas or Homeserve or other larger company service contracts mainly because they feel they are not getting value for money. Not because the cost of the contracts are high but because the service provided is not sufficient.   It’s all about money The one sentence or phrase I hear time and time again after, or during a boiler service is something along the lines of “No one has ever spent this much time servicing our boiler” or  “No one has ever stripped the boiler down like that before”.  I was servicing a gas fire the other day and the customer mentioned the fire hadn’t been stripped down in 20yrs even though it had been “serviced” regularly. That did explain why that customer had black marks above the fire which would indicate products of combustion were entering the room, which is immediately dangerous. The last time I checked British Gas charge a similar amount than Pavlou Plumbers for their boiler service. The reason why they rarely actually service the boiler is because British Gas and other larger companies have much higher running costs Not servicing a gas fire properly is lazy and dangerous however not actually servicing a modern boiler may not be. This is because manufacturers have designed their boilers in such a way that they will still work if they are not serviced, and they specify in the manufacturers instructions that if the emissions, and the gas pressure / fan pressure fall with in certain parameters then a service is not actually required. However I say why let it get that bad. Also if you do not strip the boiler down you can not check the condition of certain seals or electrodes. If your boiler is less than 3 or 4 years old then it’s unlikley that any seals or electrodes require replacing however every house is different. Some boilers get used more than others so the only way to be certain is to actually check the parts by stripping the boiler. As long as the manufacturers instructions for the gas appliance is available then Pavlou Plumbers can service the appliance, properly.   Take a look for yourself Have a look at our YouTube channel to see some time lapse videos of boiler services performed by Pavlou Plumbers.  

Here are some videos of what to expect when you get a boiler service from Pavlou Plumbers.       

This is the Intergas Boiler With only 4 moving parts Intergas boilers are innovative and built to last. They are the most efficient boilers and non of their heat exchanges have ever had a mechanical failure. Intergas is a Dutch company with over 50yrs in the industry that have saturated the market in the Netherlands. Mainly because any of their boilers can be fitted to any type of heating system. Whether it’s a combi system, a system with an unvented hot water cylinder or an old gravity system any Intergas boiler can fit into it, and what’s even better is the boiler can change into a combi boiler or a system boiler or even just a water heater if need be. The intergas boiler really is revolutionary.   Have a look at this YouTube video.

I can’t remember how many times I’ve been asked why a radiator or two are not working or why a radiator takes longer to heat up than others or why a room is colder than the others, or why a radiator doesn’t get as hot as others. For these scenarios we would make sure the radiator valves are working properly, then we would need to determine if there could be a blockage in the pipes and one question we would ask, if it isn’t obvious is “has this radiator been added onto the system after the original heating system was fitted?” This scenario would arise from having an extension with new rooms with radiators in them, or some renovations where radiators have been changed. If the answer is “yes” and it was proven that the issue is not the radiator valves or a blockage in the pipework, we would then need to find out how the radiator has been plumbed into the heating system. When we do find out the result 99% of the time is the 1st fix plumbing was not done properly. By this I mean either the pipe size is too small, or where the pipes branch off to the new radiator is plumbed in the wrong place, or there are too many bends in the pipe. Either way the end result is the customer will have to pay for the plumbing to be done again, and pay for the plastering to be done again and the painting to be done again because the person who did the work won’t come back, because they’ve already been paid in the summer when the work was done but you’ve only realised now because it’s winter, or something like that. Obviously I’m generalising on the scenario as I know there are good plumbers who do pay for their mistakes, and there are some plumbers who don’t.  What you can do There are laws in place which mean you could take legal action against the company involved but it’s not straightforward and you’ll need to get a solicitor involved etc, etc. Basically it’s a massive hassle.  If you are planning an extension or renovation make sure of the following:- Has the radiator been sized correctly?  Otherwise the room won’t reach temperature. Has the length, diameter and number of bends of the supply pipes been calculated? Has the heating flow and return pipes been fitted properly? Some designer radiators specify the flow and return pipes must be fitted a certain way, otherwise the radiator will not work properly. Has the pipework been protected from corrosion?  If you make sure the above questions have been dealt with you have done all you can to have a properly working heating system, or at the very least won’t cost you an arm and a leg to rectify.  Below is a before and after picture of a radiator installation. The radiator in the room was undersized which meant the room was never warm in the colder months. For this job we had to fit larger pipes going to the radiator, then fit a larger radiator after the walls were plastered.                 Pavlou Plumbers have years of experience in plumbing in heating systems properly so if you’re planning a renovation, extension or need a new heating system get in touch with Pavlou Plumbers.

Even though recent temperatures have been around 27 degrees celsius it’s always recommended to switch your heating on for 5 – 10 minutes every couple of weeks to avoid any mechanical parts seizing.  Depending on the type of heating system you have and its condition parts such as the pump and motorised valves can get stuck in one position if left un-used for too long.  These parts can seize on all systems however older, open vented systems are more prone than others. Open vented heating systems are those that have water tanks in the loft. As the water in the system is open to the atmosphere oxygen can get back into the water which causes rust. As you may know the black sludge in the heating system is unoxidised rust. This sludge is magnetic and would stick to the magnet in the pump motor. The sludge can also block up other parts such as the heat exchanger on the boiler and the pipes themselves, in a similar way that eating a high fatty diet would block up your arteries.   If you know you have an old heating system that has not been treated or flushed in the last 5 years, then ultimately the best thing to do is to have a central heating flush. However in the meantime turning on the heating system for a few minutes will prolong the life of the parts on the heating system.  If sludge is left to settle the sludge turns into a solid. For those of you who have smart heating controls have the benefit of being able to turn the heating on remotely while they are not home, so they’ll stay comfortable If you have any concerns regarding your heating system get in touch to arrange a free review.

Its always fun getting a prank call but this one has to be the best one so far.  

As from April 2018 there will be new rules that must be followed when installing a combi boiler in order to comply with new government legislation in the UK. The reason being the current regulations came about a long time ago and there is new technology out now that makes heating your home and hot water even cheaper. The main aspects of the new legislations means that one of the following needs to be installed when fitting a new combi boiler. Flue gas heat recovery systems Weather compensation Load compensation Smart controls featuring automation and optimisation functions I’ll briefly explain what these four different options are. Flue gas heat recovery systems – This is another heat exchanger that would sit on top of your boiler, and would extract the very little heat from the fumes that go through the flue of the boiler. This heat exchanger would then apply that heat to the cold water inlet of the boiler. This flue gas heat recovery system takes up a lot more space and costs around £500 / £800 plus fitting. Not exactly my first choice.               Weather compensation – A weather compensator would be an additional feature of your heating controls (timer). This would measure the outside temperature, using a sensor or online information and switch your heating on later on a warmer day and earlier on cooler days. These can vary in price depending on the boiler you have. Load Compensator – This means the boiler would increase the water temperature in your radiators when the house is cold and not so much when the house gets warmer. As far as I’m aware these are only available when you use certain boiler manufacturers own more expensive heating controls on their own boilers. Alternatively if you have a boiler and heating control that supports OpenTherm then this would compensate the load, however this is very rare at the moment. Again, as far as I’m aware only certain Ideal and InterGas boilers currently have OpenTherm. Smart controls featuring automation and optimisation functions – There are a lot of ‘smart’ heating controls available at the moment however, the only ‘smart’ control that would not only provide automation and optimisation functions but would also act as a weather compensator when connected to the internet, and a load compensator if installed with an OpenTherm compatible boiler would be the Nest Learning Thermostat. The Hive, Tado, Salus and all the others do not work like the Nest. Even though the Nest Learning Thermostat can be used with an internet enabled device the Nest will save you money because it automates your heating. What does that mean? As the Nest has a motion sensor built into the device if the Nest does not see any movement for a while then it won’t switch the heating on. What it also means is you would never have to programme the heating schedule again. All you would do the 1st few days you have the Nest is to turn the temperature to your preferred temperature when you are home and when you are away or in bed and that’s it.     The Nest Learning Thermostat can do a load more stuff, too many to mention in this blog so I’ll just say The Nest or the Nest E (cheaper version) really is the best there is for most boilers. The Nest can be fitted to any heating system, not just combi boilers. The Nest will make even the oldest boiler a lot more efficient. Your standard heating controls would be charged from around £50 upwards. To have a weather compensator fitted could cost an additional £60 plus depending on the boiler. The Nest currently cost £200 and the Nest E will be cheaper when it is available in the UK. Fitting a Nest control to a combi boiler would be my first recommendation because they are easy to fit and comply with the new regulations.   For more information on how to get a new boiler or better heating controls feel free to contact Pavlou Plumbers.   Here’s a picture of Louie because he’s ace!

If there is one device in your home that will save you the most money on your heating bills it’s your room thermostat. This is the control that will switch off your heating when the room the thermostat is in reaches temperature. The thermostat should be positioned in the room that is used the most such as a living room. Previously the regulations stated the room thermostat control should be in the coldest room which was usually the entrance hall but now that has changed. You may not realise but you do have a choice what heating controls you have. If you have no idea how to use your heating controls, or if you travel a lot, or if you are a landlord of a House of Multiple Occupancy who pays for the heating, or if you would prefer to have a heating control that has some style and is one of the most efficient heating control on the market the Nest heating control is for you. Designed by former Apple employees amongst others this heating control is simple to use and will save you money. As well as being able to control your heating and hot water using any internet enabled device the nest thermostat is a learning thermostat. It learns how long your property will take to reach temperature and how long it takes for your property to cool down. Although the Nest heating control does not need the internet to work when it is connected the Nest heating control will get local weather information to make sure your house reaches the temperature you want when you want it. For those of you who travel a lot or for those of you who randomly have an empty house the Nest control will automatically know the house is empty and will deactivate your heating for you. For those of you who are landlords of HMO properties or if you would prefer certain members of your family or household not to play with the heating controls then the Nest heating controls can be locked so the temperature can not go higher or lower than your chosen numbers. If you would like any heating control fitted then get in touch. https://youtu.be/6InjhtZ6NP8?list=PLAEBCmYhpYiH_d-MfTr2NWSC4ZJNWE5uM

With all the changes currently going on the world right now non are as important to me as this. The main change I have to do in my working life is the amount of working hours. As many of you will know the 1st few months of a child’s life is the most precious and this time will never come round again. This is why I’m doing my best to spend as much time as possible supporting my wife by being with our son. I am also aware that not sleeping properly can affect one’s performance. This is another reason I think it’s a good idea not to work as many hours as have done. Even though my wife and I have just had our 1st child I know the world does keep turning and my customers may need serving. This is why I have arranged for a friend who I trust with my customers to help me during this period. This is why Dan may be completing certain jobs for me. I would like to thank my customers who have accommodated my circumstances so far. Please feel free to still get in touch with any plumbing and heating enquiries you may have as I will do my best to either see to your job myself or arrange for the work to be done by Dan. Thank you from me and Louie Patrick Pavlou. Picture by Slinky Media Photography Studio

No one wants to feel like they are getting ripped off which is one reason why I’m writing this article. On small jobs where there is no floorboards to lift up or pipes to bury in walls there is no room to manoeuvre on price. However when on a big job a customer asks if I can do the job any cheaper than the estimate provided I always say the following:- ‘the amount on the invoice may be less than the estimate as there are some unknown factors in the job, because we don’t know what we’ll find when we lift up the floorboards etc which may mean we’ll use less materials however the labour cost will be the same and the we won’t charge more than the estimated amount.’ Pavlou Plumbers offer their best price every time. I believe those tradesman who agree on a lower price than what they have written down are basically saying ‘I thought you were stupid so I tried to rip you off, but you’re not so I can reduce the price’. Cash On small jobs the VAT is not as noticeable however beware of paying for big jobs for ‘CASH’ in an attempt to save money. I know VAT is a bit of a con however, for those of you who don’t know a company must be VAT registered if their annual turnover is above a certain amount. It’s the law. The only way you can avoid paying VAT is to find a smaller company who is not VAT registered. There are plenty out there. Otherwise if you choose a busier VAT registered company to do your work but pay them cash then don’t expect your new boiler to be registered with Gas Safe or the warranty to be registered with the boiler manufacturer, or the the commissioning checklist of the boiler to be completed as the fitter will want no record or proof of the job ever taking place. In fact you would be lucky if the fitter ever returns even to rectify an issue the fitter had caused. Pricing For any business pricing has got to be one of the most important fundamental parts to get right. Price too high and you won’t get the work, price too low and the business won’t last long. At Pavlou Plumbers a lot of time is spent pricing work which is made easier with the use of spreadsheets. However finding prices for all the required parts, working out how long the job will take, entering the customer’s details into the accounting software, filling out the estimate sheet and emailing it to the customer is a process which needs to be done. Each estimate usually takes between 20 minutes and 2 hours to complete depending on the size of the job. Last month I sent 49 estimates which, if you do the maths is a lot of my time. As I provide free estimates it is vital that I provide the best estimate I can otherwise I am wasting my time which no one wants to do. In order to provide some customers with an insight of how I work out my labour rates are calculated I have to take the following expenses into account:- Wages, Bank charges because business banking is not free, van insurance, public liability insurance, tool insurance, mobile phone insurance, the excess on those insurances which I must have available, income protection insurance, mobile phone, diesel cost, the cost of replacing tools because they don’t last forever or they get robbed or lost which does happen, personal protective equipment, clothing, the cost of keeping up with training, membership to various organisations such as Gas Safe, Water Safe, accountants fees, vehicle maintenance,  software subscriptions, marketing, online storage space, stationery and business savings to pay for any mistakes. Mistakes happen which we always learn from, by putting money aside we are better equipped to deal with mistakes properly. I believe the quickest way to learn from your mistakes is to pay for them. All the above is vital for Pavlou Plumbers to continue to provide the best service possible for our customers today and tomorrow.

I’m pretty certain when you invest your hard earned money into property and the rental market the last thing you would expect is a prison sentence. Neither did Christopher Hobaiter of Harburn, Stockton-on-Tees. His rental property had wall ventilation grills that supplied air to the boiler. These ventilation grills were blocked up for some time. The appliance was then discovered to be leaking deadly Carbon Monoxide into the living room. This was enough for Christopher to be sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months and charged £1904.02 in costs.*     Any tenant or owner of a property that has a gas supply is entitled to contact Gas Safe directly and request for Gas Safe themselves to check the property they occupy at no cost. This would be done if you are not happy with any work done on your gas installation or if you suspect something is wrong with the gas installation and your landlord is not willing to rectify the issue. This service would not be suitable for a boiler breakdown or if you need a landlords gas safety certificate.     Last month I was called out to a boiler breakdown which I repaired and I discovered that the air vents in the wall were also blocked up because the occupant sometimes felt a draft that they didn’t like. If a gas appliance does not have enough oxygen the flame will be distorted and will produce a much higher level of Carbon Monoxide (an odourless deadly gas which is heavier than air). After making the occupant aware of the risks I was given permission to unblock the vents.   On another job I was asked to cap off a gas fire which was in a bathroom of all places. We passed through the living room I noticed something wrong with the gas fire in the living room. After checking the manufacturer’s instructions it was confirmed that the new laminate floor the occupant had fitted was positioned too close to the fire. The fire needed a certain amount of space around it where no flammable material was allowed.   The most common issue I come across when servicing or checking gas boilers is not being able to service or check the boiler, because the boiler is situated in a fitted kitchen and the kitchen fitter has not checked the manufacturer’s instructions of the boiler to see the clearance required to service the boiler. So I’m left to give bad news to the customer who has paid thousands for a new kitchen that they are going to either pay me more to modify the cupboard around the boiler in order to service it, or to try to get the kitchen fitter back to rectify the mistake. If a gas appliance can not be serviced this breaches the Gas Safe regulations. *Referenced from Registered Gas Engineer issue 93

The main purpose for this blog is to save customers money as I am coming across more and more situations where the customer has tried to repair a leaking pipe or pipe fitting and failed.   When you spot a leaking pipe or pipe fitting I can perfectly understand the 1st reaction is to try and repair the leak however unless you are experienced in repairing leaks then your efforts may end up costing you more money, for the following reasons :- your time to go to the store to buy the required materials, doing the repair, the damaged caused by the failed attempt, these are all avoidable. A lot of people like to use an epoxy resin (see pictures below) or tape over the leak  which just slows the plumber down adding more costs to the customer. The epoxy resin does have its uses but only in certain circumstances. As a professional I’ve only used it a handful of times. Any tape that claims to repair leaking pipes is designed as a temporary fix and should only be used if the water can not be caught in a container or a plastic rubble bag.     If you spot a leaking pipe and you are not 100% confident that you can fix it then call Pavlou Plumbers. We’ll be more than happy to show you step by step how to fix the leak so you’ll be confident next time.  

It is commonly known that your boiler needs regular servicing to make sure it is running efficiently and safely. What is not commonly know is your hot water cylinder may do as well. Unvented hot water cylinders are the hot water system of choice for many new build properties with more than one shower coming from the hot water system. This is because they provide enough water flow for more than one shower to be used at the same time. If you have a hot water cylinder but do not have any water tanks in the loft or high up in a cupboard, then you’ll have an unvented hot water cylinder which looks similar to the pictures below.                   These systems have certain safety devices which in effect prevent your cylinder from exploding. As extreme as that sounds it is the truth. When hot water is in a sealed environment the water has to be able to expand. This is the job of the expansion vessel. If however the expansion vessel should fail there will be a pressure relief valve that will automatically open to let the hot water out and the cold water in. This will in turn reduce the pressure in the cylinder. If another fault should occur with either your heating controls or boiler which would cause your hot water to remain on, there is a valve that would automatically open should the hot water temperature get too high. If an unvented hot water cylinder did not have functional safety devices then the picture below will show you what could happen. This explosion happened in America where unvented hot water cylinders are more widely used. I’m happy to say the UK have better regulations on who can fit and service unvented hot water cylinders which means explosions like this are extremely rare in the UK. A common symptom of an un-serviced hot water cylinder is a dripping is seen or heard when the water in the cylinder is being heated. The dripping will be seen from outside or the tundish, see below picture. If the tundish is wet then your unvented hot water cylinder needs a service urgently. Make sure your service engineer is qualified to work on your unvented hot water system. The engineer must have a ‘Domestic Hot Water Storage Systems’ or ‘Hot Water Systems & Safety’ qualification. These comply with Approved Document G of the Building Regulations.  

Summer is here and people are doing things outside which would benefit from having an outside tap. Whether it’s gardening, cleaning the patio, cleaning the dog an outside tap can be convenient to have. There are number of outside tap packs that are available however I have not seen one that would be regarded as a quality installation. When fitting an outside tap, or doing any work in the construction industry the work must be done in a way that protects the property and people. Some people may believe that the image below is all that is required for an outside tap. This outside tap installation has no easy to use isolation valve so you can switch the tap on and off from the inside. It has no back flow prevention. Why is back flow prevention important? Some people like to leave a garden hose attached to their outside tap and control the water flow with a trigger which is on the end of a hose. If the water in that hose was left to heat up in the sun (above 20 degrees Celsius) on a hot day then harmful bacteria could thrive in the water in the hose. Having the correct back flow prevention would prevent the water in that hose from going back into your drinking water. This installation has no protection against corrosion. Copper reacts to building materials including brick, mortar mixed with the moisture in the air over time the copper will decay and water will leak. Should the pipe freeze or decay in this installation and the pipe leaks the water could go in the cavity wall and in to the house, this could be undetected until hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been done. An outside tap fitted correctly would prevent this from occurring. When Pavlou Plumbers do any plumbing work we realise the work we do will be in there for many years. This is why the parts we recommend and the order in which we fit them will mean the customer can use them for those years easily. Having warm water come out of your outside tap could be useful for hosing done muddy pets, cleaning the car or filling up a paddling pool. For those of you who would like either hot, warm or cold water to come out of your outside tap this can also be arranged. If you would like an outside tap fitted correctly by a Water Safe registered company then get in touch with Pavlou Plumbers.  

Before talking about weather or not your system needs a flush you need to understand what the ‘sludge’ is. The ‘sludge’ is a form of rust. When you combine different metals, water and oxygen you get rust. There is one particular type of heating system that is more prone to sludge and that is the more traditional open vented system, which is the system with a water tank (feed and expansion tank) in the loft or high up in an airing cupboard. The reason these systems are more prone to the buildup of ‘sludge’ or rust is because oxygen can get into the system through the feed and expansion tank. If this system had a small leak in it say on a radiator valve or on a pipe or on a radiator the rust build up would accelerate. The reason being fresh oxygenated water would be fed into the system from the feed and expansion tank and combined with the metals in the system would cause more rust or ‘sludge’. If however you do not have a feed and expansion tank (sealed systems) but you are having to top up the water pressure in your central heating system regularly then this will also accelerate the production of rust. Regular loss of water pressure in a sealed system does mean there is a fault somewhere in the system and should be investigated as soon as possible to avoid bigger repair bill if not addressed. In order to prevent the rusting to occur in the 1st place a central heating inhibitor / protector should be added to the central heating water. These solutions do expire over a certain amount of time depending on which brand you use so this should also be checked during any heating system service. Now onto the question of ‘do I need a flush?’ One of the easy ways to tell if your system has a build up of sludge and therefore inefficiently would be to feel your radiators after the heating has been on for 20 – 30 mins. If the bottom middle is significantly colder than the top middle of the radiator then that means there is something blocking the radiator and that something will be sludge. The downstairs radiators are more likely to be the worst affected by any sludge build up.                 Another symptom would be a noisy boiler when the boiler is reaching temperature, noisy or failed heating pump. Keep it Clean After you have had a central heating flush it’s a good idea to fit a central heating filter on the system to protect the system by collecting any rust that occurs throughout the year. then during the boiler service the central heating filter can be cleaned and it can indicate whether or not the system requires more inhibitor or not. Flushing a central heating system usually takes between half a day and full day to complete depending on the size of the system and the amount of sludge in the system. If however you are looking to change your boiler building regulations and boiler manufacturers state a the central heating system must be flushed before the boiler installation is complete. If the system is not flushed the warranty on your boiler is usually void. There has been talks of adding central heating filters to the building regulations because of their benefits.    

It’s very important to get your boiler serviced regularly. The manufacturers state this must be once a year which is a good general rule however if you have a boiler is in a building that is not occupied all year round then you could get away with having the service done less often. However for those of you who do get your boiler serviced regularly your boiler may not be getting a proper service. The purpose of a boiler service is to clear any ash from the main heat exchanger and the condensate trap, which is caused by the burnt bugs, dust, bits of plants etc that can be sucked into the boiler when it’s being used. Depending on the boiler other checks would be done on other parts such as the fan,  expansion vessel, water filter and sensors. A check would be done on the boilers performance by checking the amount of gas that is being used and the emissions coming out of the flue. The boilers safety devices would also be checked. There are some manufacturers, Worcester being one of them who state in their manufacturer’s instructions to only clean the main heat exchanger if the emission / pressure reading are outside certain parameters. To me this doesn’t make sense. I say why let the readings go outside the parameters in the 1st place. If the readings went outside the parameters that would mean the boiler is not working efficiently. That is why I do a proper service every time. If you get a service make sure the engineer does not just do the tests to see if the boiler needs a service but actually does a service. After all you are paying for a service so you may as well get a service. And one more thing, it’s really handy to keep the boiler manufacturer’s instruction and to have them ready for the engineer for the service. Most engineers should have access to digital versions of the manufacturer’s instructions however a paper copy is always easier to work with. There will be information in the manufacturer’s instructions on how to carry out a proper service and the correct readings the boiler should be performing at. If Pavlou Plumbers currently service your boiler then you’ll be sent an email reminder when the service is due otherwise get in touch to arrange a boiler service before the summer ends. Stay Gas Safe

This customer in Rossett wasn’t happy with his en-suite because it had a shower cubicle with walls on 3 sides which allowed very little light into the shower cubicle. The customer and his wife referred to the shower cubicle as ‘the coffin’ because it was so dark and horrible. No work had been done to the en-suite since the property was built around 15 yrs ago however the toilet and basin were in good condition. We were able to re-use the old toilet and basin which saved the customer some money. We removed the shower cubicle, removed the toilet and basin, removed the small stud wall, installed the bath, fitted the water wall boards around the bath, tiled one wall then fitted the toilet and basin back in position. I always recommend installing water wall boards around the shower area because they will last longer than the grout in between the tiles and they are a lot easier to clean, and they come in various colours and styles.        

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to all my customers who have taken the time to write a testimonial for Pavlou Plumbers. It really means a lot. Thanks again. The testimonials can be found at www.pavlouplumbers.co.uk/testimonials    

A customer in Hawarden had an old Worcester 280 which was expelling water from the pressure relief valve and the hot water temperature was not constant. Like a car, when a poorly maintained boiler gets to a certain age parts will start to fail one at a time. Its at this point the boiler owner needs to decide if they would be happy to wait for the boiler parts to fail one by one. Is happy to have to wait in for a gas engineer to attend to look at the boiler then wait in again to repair the boiler when the replacement part is sourced. Is Happy to deal with no heating each time the boiler breaks down. Boiler break down covers are a good idea for customer who have an older boiler however some companies will not cover your boiler when it passes a certain age. I have heard of cases where customers have been paying a monthly fee for years then needed to make a claim only to be told that the customers heating system is not covered! This Hawarden based customer who had the boiler pictured below installed decided he did not want to pay a monthly fee for his boiler break down cover because this combi boiler comes with a 7 yr manufacturers warranty. Other boilers come with a massive 10 yr warranty! Instead this boiler owner will have hassle free heating for at least 7 yrs (providing the boiler is serviced every year), and lower gas bills. If you would like any advice on the state of your boiler then please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone 01244 88 88 01 or email info@pavlouplumbers.com  

Its been a long time since my last post. The main reason for this is I’ve been busy repairing boilers and heating systems and replacing boilers over these last few weeks. If you have a non – condensing boiler, specially if your boiler was installed before the year 2000 then its likely that the boiler is coming to the end of its life cycle. The average life cycle of a boiler is 15yrs.  If you have had your boiler serviced every year and the manufacturer of the boiler is a reputable one then your boiler could still be running fine, and it could last for up to 25yrs. However if the boiler has not been well maintained and it is a lesser known manufacturer then I would recommend saving for a replacement boiler. In 2005 it was made compulsory to install only condensing boilers due to them being a lot more efficient. This means it was not possible to buy an non – condensing boiler after 2005. How do I know if I have a non – condensing boiler? The main reason why condensing boilers are more efficient is because they extract more energy / heat out of the fumes that leave the boiler through the flue (chimney if you like) of the boiler. Due to more heat being taken out of the fumes condensing boilers have a plastic internal tube, which is fine because the fumes are not hot enough to melt plastic. A non – condensing boiler must have an all metal flue because the fumes are a lot hotter. Here are a couple of pictures of old non – condensing, less efficient boilers.   Below is a picture of a more efficient condensing boiler If you are still uncertain if you have a condensing boiler or not, or you would like a boiler service would like a more efficient boiler then get in touch to arrange an appointment.

A very happy customer in Ewloe wanted to sell their property however their bathroom and downstairs W/C had seen better days, so they invested in having a new bathroom and downstairs WC installed. A wise move in my opinion. The painting and flooring was arranged by the customer in the pictures below.  

If you are thinking about renovating your property then I would strongly recommend installing underfloor heating because it is much cheaper to run and provides a much better performance. Due to the source of heat coming from the ground, the temperature of the water running through the underfloor heating pipes is much lower than the water temperature in radiators. Lower water temperature means your boiler works less which means lower bills. Have a look at the YouTube video below for more information on why underfloor heating is better than radiators. Pavlou Plumbers are BPEC qualified underfloor heating installers so please get in touch for more info or to book a review.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaPo7x0KlKg

I supplied and fitted an electric shower in Chester yesterday. The tenant was very happy to have a working shower again.

There are a few different filters on the market that look similar to this: These are relatively cheap and usually means drilling a hole into a stainless steel sink or in through a kitchen work top. Alternatively, if you wanted to spend a bit more money you can get a 3 way kitchen mixer tap which will look similar to this: with this underneath your sink

The leading brand is called Insinkerator. Prices range from £99 upwards. The more expensive units can take tougher food waste such as bones.   [youtube height=”” width=””]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is2gy8PMza8[/youtube]

There are 2 leading manufactures in the shower industry, and they are Triton and Mira.   What is a mixer shower [youtube height=”” width=”=”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApnWZU6qmYo[/youtube] Choosing a mixer shower [youtube height=”” width=”=”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ukWz7e0vI[/youtube]   What is a Thermostatic shower [youtube height=”” width=”=”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtdq20F-9c[/youtube]   Electric Showers [youtube height=”” width=”=”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjNT6-_I784[/youtube]  

Booster pumps can be used to increase your water pressure for your whole house or just your shower. The 2 main leading brands are SALAMANDER and STUART TURNER. Care must be taken when choosing the right pump for your water system. This link from the Stuart Turner website gives a description on which pump would be suitable to boost your shower. If you do not have a cold water tank then your only option would be the pump in this youtube clip. [youtube height=”” width=””]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KamDatuI-eo[/youtube] You also need to be aware not all showers are designed for high water pressure, therefore your shower may also need replacing if you install a high pressure booster pump. You can also by power showers where the pump is in the shower unit, which means you have what looks like a large electric shower like the picture below. Installing this type of power shower on a stud wall is not advised due to the noise created when the pump is running.

If you want a bath with the taps in the centre to the bath as shown here, then you need Bath Mixer Fixing Kit. Sooner or late the tap will need maintaining, if this fixing kit is not installed the plumber will have no choice other that moving the whole bath out of position which usually means disturbing the tiles.  

Buying a new radiator When choosing a radiator for a room it is important to make sure the heat output is enough to heat the room. The heat output on each radiator will be shown as BTU. To find out how many BTUs a specific room needs to heat up measure the length, width and the height of the room and then go to this link.