Plumbing FAQs

If you discover a significant water leak, the first priority is to limit further water damage.

If you can safely identify and access your property’s internal stopcock, turn off the water supply. Move possessions away from the affected area and use towels or containers to contain water where practical.

You should then arrange for a plumber to identify where the water is coming from and repair the cause.

Even relatively small leaks should be investigated because water can damage flooring, ceilings, cabinets and surrounding finishes over time.

Most properties have an internal stopcock that controls the incoming mains water supply.

It is commonly found beneath the kitchen sink, although its location varies between properties.

Turning the stopcock clockwise will usually close it.

It is worth knowing where your stopcock is before you have a leak. If you cannot locate it or it has become seized, a plumber can help.

Water around the base of a toilet can indicate a leak from the toilet, its connections or the surrounding plumbing.

WPJ recommends having this investigated, particularly if the toilet moves when used or the flooring around it feels soft.

The toilet may need to be removed so the source of the leak can be properly identified.

A toilet that continues running after it has been flushed usually has a problem within the cistern.

Depending on the toilet, this could involve the inlet valve, flush valve, float or another internal component.

Apart from being irritating, a constantly running toilet can waste a considerable amount of water, so it is worth having the fault repaired.

Poor flushing can have several causes.

There may be a fault with the flushing mechanism, insufficient water entering the cistern or a blockage restricting the toilet’s waste outlet.

A plumber can determine whether the problem is with the toilet itself or the drainage connected to it.

Yes.

WPJ repairs broken toilets and can also carry out the plumbing work associated with fitting new bathroom suites.

Whether repair or replacement is appropriate will depend on the nature of the fault and the condition of the existing toilet.

A dripping tap is often caused by wear within one of the tap’s internal components.

Exactly which component needs replacing depends on the type and design of the tap.

In some cases a tap can be repaired. If it is old, badly worn or replacement parts aren’t practical, replacing the tap may be the better option.

Yes.

WPJ can install replacement kitchen, bathroom and outdoor taps.

If you’re planning to purchase the tap yourself, it is worth checking that it is suitable for your sink, plumbing arrangement and water-pressure system before ordering.

Our team can advise if you’re unsure.

Low water pressure can have several possible causes.

These can include:

• A partially closed valve
• Restrictions within pipework
• Scale build-up
• A problem affecting an individual tap or shower
• The design of the existing plumbing system
• The incoming mains supply
• The property’s water-storage arrangement

The first step is establishing whether the low pressure affects one outlet or the entire property.

WPJ can assess water-pressure and flow problems and recommend an appropriate solution.

If the problem only affects one tap, the wider water supply may be working normally.

The issue could instead be local to that particular outlet, such as a restriction within the tap, its aerator, isolation valve or connecting pipework.

This is generally easier to diagnose than a property-wide pressure problem.

Depending on what is causing the problem, yes.

WPJ works with water-pressure solutions including pressure boosting where appropriate.

However, a booster shouldn’t simply be installed without understanding the existing system. The incoming supply, pipework and hot-water arrangement should be assessed first so that the correct solution can be recommended.

Reduced shower performance can be caused by the shower itself, scale build-up, restricted pipework, water-pressure problems or the property’s hot-water system.

A scaled-up shower head is one of the simpler possibilities and WPJ specifically provides shower-head replacement as part of its plumbing services.

If cleaning or replacing the shower head doesn’t solve the problem, the wider system may need investigating.

Yes.

WPJ repairs broken showers and installs new electric and thermostatic showers.

The appropriate repair depends on the type of shower and whether the problem relates to the shower unit, water supply, controls or surrounding plumbing.

An electric shower heats cold mains water within the shower unit itself, so it doesn’t depend on stored hot water from the boiler or cylinder.

A thermostatic shower mixes hot and cold water while automatically controlling the mixture to maintain the selected temperature.

The best option depends on your existing plumbing, hot-water system, water pressure and how the shower will be used.

A slow-draining sink normally indicates a restriction somewhere in the waste system.

Hair, soap residue, grease, food waste and other debris can gradually accumulate inside traps and waste pipes.

Some minor blockages can be cleared relatively easily, while recurring or more severe problems may require professional drain-clearing equipment.

Yes.

WPJ’s plumbers clear blocked internal waste pipes and can deal with problems involving sinks, toilets, outside drains and rainwater pipes.

For more difficult blockages, WPJ also has specialist drainage services and pressure-jetting equipment available.

A blockage that repeatedly returns may indicate that the underlying cause hasn’t been completely removed.

Possible causes can include accumulated debris, scale, an issue with the waste-pipe layout or a problem further along the drainage system.

Repeatedly using basic drain cleaners may provide temporary relief without addressing the cause.

A recurring blockage should therefore be properly investigated.

Yes.

WPJ provides drainage services for internal waste pipes as well as outside drains and rainwater pipes.

More difficult drainage problems may require specialist equipment such as pressure jetting.

Drain smells can be caused by several things, including accumulated waste, a dry or faulty trap, a blockage or another problem within the drainage system.

If cleaning the obvious outlet doesn’t resolve the smell, particularly if it keeps returning, the waste and drainage system should be inspected.

Care should be taken with chemical drain-cleaning products.

They may not be suitable for every type of pipework or blockage, and repeated use won’t necessarily solve an underlying drainage problem.

If a blockage is severe, repeatedly returns or cannot be cleared using straightforward household methods, arranging for a plumber or drainage specialist is usually the better approach.

Yes.

WPJ carries out pipework repairs, replacement and alterations.

This can include dealing with leaking or deteriorated pipework as well as rerouting pipes when kitchens, bathrooms or other areas of a property are being altered.

Noisy pipework can have several causes.

Movement when taps or valves open and close, pressure changes, poorly secured pipework or other plumbing-system issues can all create knocking or banging sounds.

If the noise is persistent or has suddenly appeared, a plumber can inspect the system and identify the cause.

Water hammer describes the banging or knocking noise that can occur when moving water is suddenly stopped or changes direction within the plumbing system.

It can sometimes happen when taps, washing machines, dishwashers or valves shut quickly.

The correct solution depends on what is causing the pressure change, so persistent water hammer should be investigated rather than simply ignored.

Yes.

WPJ’s plumbing services include installing washing machines and dishwashers.

The appliance needs suitable water and waste connections, and these should be checked to ensure they are secure and correctly configured before the appliance is used.

Yes.

Where suitable existing connections aren’t available, new water feeds or waste pipework may be required.

The feasibility will depend on where the appliance is being installed and the location of the existing plumbing and drainage.

Leaks beneath kitchen sinks can come from several places, including taps, supply connections, traps, waste pipes or seals around the sink.

WPJ specifically recommends investigating water, damp, staining or unusual odours inside the cupboard beneath a sink because slow leaks can eventually damage cabinets and worktops.

Yes.

WPJ includes re-siliconing leaking baths among its plumbing services.

However, it is important to establish that the silicone seal is actually responsible for the leak.

Water appearing around a bath or shower can also come from pipework, wastes, valves or other fittings, so the source should be identified before simply resealing the area.

Water appearing on the ceiling beneath a bathroom can come from several possible sources.

These include:

• Failed silicone or seals
• Bath or shower waste connections
• Water supply pipework
• Shower valves
• Toilet connections
• Water escaping around the bath or shower enclosure

The location of the visible damp patch doesn’t always show exactly where the leak originates, so the source should be identified before repair work begins.

Yes.

Hard water is common in London and scale can affect taps, shower heads and other plumbing and heating components.

WPJ offers water-softening and scale-control solutions where appropriate.

The most suitable approach depends on the property and what you are trying to protect.

Not necessarily.

A water softener can be useful in hard-water areas, particularly where scale is causing recurring problems, but it isn’t automatically required in every property.

Before installing one, factors such as available space, existing plumbing and household requirements should be considered.

WPJ can assess the property and advise on appropriate scale-management options.

A leak should be treated urgently when water is escaping rapidly, cannot be contained, is affecting electrical equipment or is causing significant damage to the property.

If safe to do so, isolate the water supply and any affected electrical circuits before seeking professional assistance.

For smaller leaks, such as a slowly dripping tap, the situation may not require the same immediate response, but it should still be repaired before it becomes worse.

Yes.

WPJ works with homeowners, landlords and property professionals across London.

This can include everyday plumbing repairs as well as heating, boiler, bathroom and ongoing property-maintenance requirements.

Yes.

WPJ provides plumbing and heating services for both domestic and commercial properties.

The requirements of commercial systems can differ considerably from residential plumbing, so the work required should be assessed based on the property and system involved.

If you’re not sure what service you need, photos or a short video can be useful.

Try to show where the problem is occurring, the affected fitting and any visible water or damage.

For leaks, it can also help to explain when the problem occurs, for example continuously, when a tap is used, when the toilet is flushed or when the shower is running.

WPJ allows customers to send photos or videos when they are unsure what plumbing service they require.