WaterSafe Advice


WaterSafe approved contractors have years of training and are always happy to offer advice on the most appropriate plumbing for your home, office, business or public building to ensure your drinking water supplies stay fresh and healthy all year round.

Read our guides below for advice on fixing common plumbing problems, simple steps you can take at home to safeguard your water supply, important checks to make when you've just moved home, tips on water quality and water savings and advice from the experts on how to train and become a plumber yourself.


Common Plumbing Problems

Common Plumbing Problems

Solutions for common plumbing problems, including how to fix leaks, noisy pipes and low pressure and water temperature issues. Includes links to helpful plumbing videos on our YouTube channel.…

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General Plumbing Advice

General Plumbing Advice

Useful information to maintain your plumbing, including protecting against frozen and burst pipes and how to turn off your stop tap in an emergency. Also contains FAQs about sewage misconnections, saving water and when and how to notify your water company of planned plumbing work.…

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Advice for landlords

Advice for landlords

Read our five top tips for landlords to protect the quality of their property's water.

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Emergency Plumbers

Emergency Plumbers

Find a local WaterSafe approved plumber to help with your emergency. If you’re dealing with a leak, burst pipes, or other plumbing emergencies on your property, WaterSafe’s emergency search will give you the contact details of a plumber who can help right away. If you have no water, very low…

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Hiring a Plumber

Hiring a Plumber

Advice on when to hire a plumber, finding a plumber, verifying their qualifications, planning your plumbing work, what you need to do during the project and what to do if things go wrong. When To Hire a Plumber Finding a Plumber Verifying Qualifications Planning your Plumbing Work During the…

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What to Do if Things Go Wrong

What to Do if Things Go Wrong

Advice on the simple steps to take if you are unhappy with work carried out by a WaterSafe approved contractor and how to contact WaterSafe if you need further help.…

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How to Become a Plumber

How to Become a Plumber

Information and frequently asked questions for people interested in training to become a plumber. Includes advice on training, qualifications, job prospects and information on finding apprenticeships.…

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Water Supply Pipe Installers

Water Supply Pipe Installers

Approved Water Supply Pipe Installers, also known as groundworkers, specialise in installing, renewing and repairing a property’s water supply pipe, which carries drinking water to the building from the water main in the road.…

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Other Limited Scope Contractors

Other Limited Scope Contractors

When planning a plumbing project, you may find it necessary to hire specialist approved contractors. These approved Limited Scope Contractors include: Catering Installers: Approved Catering Installers can install commercial kitchen equipment Point of Use Installers: Approved Point of Use…

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Water Quality FAQs

Water Quality FAQs

Advice on water quality problems, including cloudy or discoloured water, unpleasant taste or smells, protecting against Legionnaire's disease, hosepipe fitting and maintenance and concerns about the effect of lead pipes on your water supply. Features films with advice on a variety of water quality concerns.…

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Installation FAQs

Installation FAQs

Answers to the questions you most frequently ask about plumbing work to ensure it is safe and complies with the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws and to keep your drinking water safe.…

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New home? Our Top Tips

New home? Our Top Tips

There’s lots to think about when you’ve just moved into a new home or business property, which should also include checking your plumbing. Follow our top tips to check your water and heating is working well for you.…

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Information for Developers

Information for Developers

Advice from WaterSafe and the Home Builders Federation to help developers build more water-efficient homes, including links to useful resources.…

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University water checklist

University water checklist

Here are five top tips students need to know before they move into student accommodation, to keep water supplies high quality, stay on top of bills and get the know-how on dealing with leaks and bursts.

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