In my latest blog post I thought I'd answer some of the most frequent questions I've been asked by customers recently.
Is it worth changing my gas boiler?
Possibly, depending on the age and condition of your boiler. Changing a boiler can cost from as little as £1,400 for a straight swap and take just a day, although some can take 2-3 days. All new boilers are over 92% efficient, so you'll probably save money if you currently have an old one; they also no longer have permanent pilots lights, so only burn gas when required. With many boiler companies now offering guarantees of up to five years, it's certainly worth consideration.
Should I get my boiler serviced?
Boiler servicing isn't compulsory, but it does ensure that your boiler will work as efficiently as possible, which saves you money in the long run. And don't forget about gas fires too; these should be serviced as regularly as your boiler to ensure they're working properly and not emitting carbon monoxide, which can be a silent killer.
How can I avoid frozen pipes in the winter
Last winter we had many callouts to attend to frozen or burst pipes, so it's a good idea to make sure all your exposed pipes are fully insulated to prevent them freezing in cold weather. Pipe lagging costs around £2 per metre, whilst a callout to fix your pipes will cost from £60 - or more if damage has also been caused to a building. This is one case where prevention is definitely better than the cure!
What is a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate?
As house prices continue to rise, more people are now renting properties rather than buying, which in turn means there are more landlords asking us this. Every landlord must have a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, which ensures that a rental property's gas appliances and pipe work are safe to use. We are very happy to issue these for you, with the average price being around £80; a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing your tenants are safe.
I need to adapt my bathroom for disability - can you help?
With an increasing number of elderly and disabled people now being cared for at home, we are often asked about disability-friendly bathrooms, and we certainly can help! If you give us an idea of your particular requirements we'll be happy to give you an idea of designs and costs, then supply you with what you need.