Low water pressure — common causes
Low pressure can come from a partially closed stopcock, a fault with the water company's supply, scale build-up in old pipework, or (for a shower specifically) the type of shower valve fitted. A plumber can usually diagnose which of these it is by checking pressure at more than one fixture, rather than assuming it's the mains supply.
Water-based underfloor heating, what's involved
Unlike electric underfloor heating, a water-based system runs off your boiler via a manifold and needs the floor buildup to accommodate the pipework — usually easier to fit during a renovation than retrofit into a finished floor. It's often paired with a lower-temperature heating setup than radiators use.
Blocked drains — causes and what a plumber checks
Slow-draining sinks are usually a local blockage (grease, hair, food waste) that a plumber can often clear with rodding or a drain snake. A blockage affecting multiple fixtures at once, or gurgling sounds from other drains, points to something further down the system — sometimes needing a drain camera survey rather than guesswork.
Common toilet and cistern problems
A toilet that runs constantly is usually a worn flush valve or float mechanism inside the cistern — a relatively cheap fix compared to replacing the whole toilet. A slow-filling cistern often points to a partially closed isolation valve or low mains pressure rather than a fault with the toilet itself.
Outside taps and garden plumbing
An outside tap needs its own isolation valve and, in colder areas, either an internal shut-off you can drain down for winter or a proper anti-frost design — a poorly installed one is a common cause of a burst pipe in cold weather. This is separate from the electrical requirements for any pond or irrigation pump also being installed.
Hard water and your plumbing
In hard water areas, limescale builds up inside pipes, taps, showerheads and boiler heat exchangers over time, gradually reducing efficiency and flow. A plumber working in a hard water area may recommend a water softener or scale inhibitor as part of a boiler installation, particularly for a system that's expected to last 10+ years.
What's involved in a bathroom refit
A full bathroom refit usually means removing the old suite, checking and often replacing the pipework behind it (since it's rarely accessible again once tiled over), first-fix plumbing before tiling, then second-fix (taps, shower, toilet cistern) once the room is finished. Waterproofing (tanking) around a shower area is a step worth confirming is included, not assumed.
Plumbing and selling your home
Buyers' solicitors sometimes ask about the age and condition of the boiler and any recent plumbing work, particularly if there's visible evidence of a past leak or repair. Keeping paperwork for any significant plumbing work — a new boiler, a bathroom refit, a burst pipe repair — makes this a much smoother conversation.