Plumbing is essential to our way of life
Most of us only think about our plumbing when something’s going wrong. Like when our drains are clogged or a pipe has burst.
We don’t tend to spend too much time thinking about all of the positive impacts that plumbing has on our day-to-day lives. But we really should – households in Britain are genuinely fortunate to have access to clean running water and sophisticated sanitisation systems.
A staggering 2.2. billion people worldwide don’t have access to safely managed drinking water services, and 3 billion – almost half of the world’s population – don’t have basic handwashing facilities.1 Of the world’s population – only 40% have a toilet in their home.2
The plumbing in our homes is responsible for the clean water we drink, the radiators that keep us warm in the winter, and the toilets that we use countless times a day. Our plumbing is considered an essential service, and tenants in the UK are protected by regulations relating to the standards of water supplies. So much so that it's against the law for landlords or water companies to shut off your water – even in the event of non-payments.3
The skill and hard work of plumbers keeps our water running smoothly
The hard work of plumbers in maintaining these essential services shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re highly-skilled and go through rigorous training to become experts in all-things-water. It takes years to get the necessary diploma to perform plumbing work professionally and includes lots of on-the-job training.4
As well as knowing the ins and outs of pipes & drainage systems, plumbers must have a deep understanding of building regulations, safety standards, and guidelines too – to ensure they can carry out their work safely and securely.5 But the learning doesn’t stop there - with ever-changing technology being utilised throughout the plumbing industry, as well as new rules and regulations, plumbers need to constantly evolve within their trade.
Tried & trusted plumbers are available through Housekeep
There are currently considerable skills gaps across the construction industry - including plumbers - and demand for plumbers currently outweighs supply.6 Over recent years, this has made it much harder to secure the services of a highly skilled local plumber.
But with just a few clicks, Housekeep can match you with a vetted, qualified & experienced plumber near you.
Just pop in your details and tell us about the plumbing job you need – whether it’s a repair, replacement or plumbing improvement job, we can help.
We’ll send you a fast, free quote, with no obligation to take it. If you want to go ahead, we’ll book the job for a day and time that suits you.
The plumbers we work with are highly experienced, and can help with any tasks, including:
▪ Bath repairs & installation
▪ Drain unblocking
▪ Pipe repairs & replacement
▪ Radiator repairs & replacement
▪ Shower installation & repairs
▪ Tap repairs & replacement
▪ Toilet repairs & installation
If you need a hand with any pipe or drain-related tasks outside of your home, we can also match you with a trusted drainage specialist.
Get a quote for a plumber or drainage specialist here: Get a quote
References
1) Unicef, 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, WHO (https://www.unicef.org.uk/press-releases/1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who/)
2) World Plumbing Council, Spread the Word (https://www.worldplumbing.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/MoneySavingPoster.pdf)
3) Citizens Advice, If you don't pay your water bill (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/if-you-don-t-pay-your-water-bill/)
4) Randstad, Plumber job description (https://www.randstad.co.uk/career-advice/job-profiles/plumber-job-description/)
5) Randstad, Job profiles: plumber (https://www.randstad.co.uk/career-advice/job-profiles/plumber/)
6) Heating and Plumbing Monthly, Skills shortage biggest concern in plumbing sector (https://www.hpmmag.com/news/skills-shortage-biggest-concern-in-plumbing-sector)