As your local community marketplace, Gumtree connects you with skilled plumbing professionals offering a wide range of services right in your neighbourhood. Whether you need an emergency fix or a planned renovation, you'll find qualified tradespeople here ready to help. Here's a guide to the services typically offered by plumbing advertising on Gumtree.

1. Emergency & Urgent Repairs

When you need help fast, local plumbing on Gumtree can provide rapid-response solutions:

• Leak Detection & Repair: Locating and fixing leaks in pipes, taps, showers, and toilets.
• Burst Pipe Repairs: Emergency handling of pipe bursts to prevent water damage.
• Blockage Clearance: Unblocking sinks, toilets, showers, and external drains.
• Emergency Boiler Repairs: Restoring heat and hot water during breakdowns (provided the plumbing is Gas Safe registered).

2. Routine Plumbing & Maintenance

Keep your systems running smoothly with these essential services:

• Tap & Fixture Repairs/Replacements: Fixing drips, replacing washers, or installing new taps.
• Toilet Repairs & Installation: Fixing flush mechanisms, replacing seals, or installing new toilets.
• Pipework Maintenance: Inspecting, repairing, or replacing sections of plumbing pipe.
• Drainage System Care: CCTV drain surveys, jetting, and preventative maintenance.

3. Heating & Hot Water Systems

Many plumbing on Gumtree are also qualified heating engineers (look for Gas Safe registration):

• Boiler Servicing & Repairs: Annual safety checks, efficiency optimizations, and breakdown repairs.
• Radiator Services: Bleeding, balancing, repairs, or full replacements.
• Hot Water System Repairs: Fixing issues with cylinders, immersion heaters, and valves.
• Thermostat & Controls Installation: Upgrading or repairing heating controls.

4. Bathroom & Kitchen Installations

From simple upgrades to complete renovations:

• Bathroom Fitting: Installing baths, showers, sinks, toilets, and vanity units.
• Wet Room Installation: Waterproofing and installing walk-in shower areas.
• Kitchen Plumbing: Installing sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, and waste disposal units.
• Fixture Upgrades: Installing modern taps, shower systems, and eco-friendly toilets.

5. Specialised & Certified Services

For regulated work, always verify qualifications before hiring:

• Gas Work (Gas Safe Registered Only): Boiler installations, gas pipe repairs, cooker connections, and safety certificates.
• Water Regulations Compliance (WRAS): Ensuring installations meet UK water bylaw standards.
• Renewable Energy Systems: Installing heat pumps, solar thermal systems, or underfloor heating.

1. Repairing Leaking Pipes

Leaks in pipes, taps, or showers can lead to bigger problems if not addressed quickly. Plumbing on Gumtree offer:

• Leak Detection: Using tools to locate hidden leaks in walls or under floors.
• Pipe Replacement: Removing damaged sections and installing new piping.
• Sealing & Waterproofing: Ensuring joints and connections are secure to prevent future issues.

Typical Timeframe: Most pipe repair jobs take 1 to 3 hours, depending on the location and complexity of the leak.

2. Installing and Fixing Toilets & Bathroom Fixtures

Whether you're upgrading your bathroom or need an urgent toilet repair, local plumbing on Gumtree can help with:

• Toilet Installation & Repair: Fitting new toilets or fixing flush mechanisms, seals, and blocks.
• Shower & Bathtub Work: Installing new showers, replacing old units, or removing outdated bathtubs.
• Pipework & Drainage Setup: Laying new pipes, connecting water supplies, and clearing blocked drains.

Typical Timeframe: A standard toilet or shower installation averages 4 to 8 hours.

3. Clearing and Repairing Blocked Drains

Blocked sinks, toilets, or external drains are a common issue, especially in older properties. Gumtree plumbing offer:

• Drain Unblocking: Using rods, high-pressure jetting, or eco-friendly solutions to clear blockages.
• Pipe Repairs: Replacing cracked or damaged sections of drainpipes.
• Water Pressure Adjustments: Fixing slow drainage or low water pressure problems.

Typical Timeframe: Most drain repairs take 2 to 6 hours, depending on the severity of the blockage.

4. Heating & Gas Services

For jobs involving boilers, radiators, or gas appliances, it's essential to hire a qualified professional. On Gumtree, you can find:

• Boiler Installation & Repair: Fitting, servicing, or fixing gas and electric boilers.
• Radiator Services: Replacing old radiators, fixing leaks, or balancing your heating system.
• Hot Water System Maintenance: Repairing cylinders, valves, and pressure issues.

Typical Timeframe: Standard boiler or radiator work often takes 2 to 4 hours.

When hiring a plumbing, asking the right questions is key to ensuring you find a qualified, professional, and reliable individual. This is especially important in emergency situations, where you need someone trustworthy and responsive in your local area. Below is a series of essential questions to help you effectively evaluate the plumbing who will be working for you:

1. Are you properly certified and fully insured?

Verifying that the plumbing holds the necessary licenses and adequate insurance is fundamental to protecting your rights and avoiding potential financial risks. For work involving gas appliances (such as boilers or stoves), Gas Safe registration is a legal requirement.

2. Do you offer a guarantee or warranty on your work?

Reputable professionals typically provide a clear warranty period for their craftsmanship and installed components. This not only reflects their confidence in their work but also gives you long-term peace of mind after the job is completed.

3. What is your specific experience with this type of job?

Ask about their hands-on experience with the exact service you need, such as installing the same type of boiler or addressing similar leak issues. You can request to see their portfolio, case photos, or relevant certifications to assess their expertise.

4. Can you provide references or reviews from past clients?

Genuine customer feedback is crucial for evaluating their reliability and work quality. In addition to any references they provide, you can also proactively search for their historical reviews on our platforms.

Platform Advantage Tip: Through our website or free app, you can easily view verified reviews posted by real homeowners, adding an extra layer of confidence to your decision-making process.

5. What are your rates, and how is your pricing structured?

Clarify their billing method (e.g., hourly rate, day rate, or project-based fee) and inquire about any potential additional charges, such as inspection fees, emergency service fees, or material markups, to ensure you have a clear expectation of the total cost.

6. When can you start, and how long is the job expected to take?

Confirm whether their schedule aligns with your timeline. Additionally, ask them to provide a reasonable time estimate from start to completion based on their experience, and inquire about any key milestones.

7. How will the workflow be organized, and how will we maintain communication?

Understand their work plan, on-site management approach, and regular communication protocol. A clear schedule and communication plan help ensure smooth collaboration and timely project delivery.

By proactively asking these questions, you will feel more confident in selecting a plumbing professional who is fully qualified, well-regarded, and capable of delivering work to a high standard.

When looking for a plumbing, it's crucial to proactively verify their professional certifications, warranty commitments, and insurance coverage. This is not only the cornerstone of ensuring work quality but also a necessary step to protect your own rights and interests.

1. How to verify core qualifications?

You can conduct independent verification through official industry bodies. For example, for work involving gas, you must check their registration status via the Gas Safe Register; for general industry qualifications, you can refer to member directories of organizations such as the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

2. Beyond qualifications, what else should you pay attention to?

A professional plumbing should provide a clear warranty or quality guarantee for their work, promising to resolve any potential related issues within a certain period after completion. In addition, always confirm that they hold valid public liability insurance. This insurance provides vital financial protection if accidental damage to your property occurs due to negligent work during construction.

• Gas Safe Registration: Mandatory for engineers carrying out installation, repair, or maintenance of any gas appliances (boilers, cookers, etc.). This is a legal requirement in the UK.
• City & Guilds Plumbing and Heating Qualifications: Levels 2 and 3, covering basic plumbing knowledge and advanced heating systems respectively.
• Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) Certification: Required for plumbing working on oil-fired heating systems, and is of similar importance to Gas Safe Registration for gas systems.
• CIPHE Membership: The institute sets and maintains professional standards for the industry; membership typically signifies a commitment to continuous professional development and ethical practices.
• NVQ/SVQ Plumbing Qualifications: Levels 2 and 3, focusing on core plumbing skills and practical experience.
• Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) Certification: Ensures the plumbing's work complies with UK water regulations, safeguarding the safety and legality of water use.

Not every plumbing or heating engineer holds all the certifications required for specific projects (e.g., complex gas systems or heating installations). Therefore, it is critical to verify that they have the appropriate and correct qualifications based on your specific project needs.

For your peace of mind, please take the time to complete these checks before making a final decision. A comprehensive qualification verification is your best investment in securing high-quality work and hassle-free service.