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Approved Contractors and other services
"I’ve been working in plumbing for around 20 years. My work spans everything from kitchen and bathroom installation to water supply pipework and point-of-use water cooler fitting. Brighton has a lot of older housing stock, so I regularly work on existing lead pipework, but I never use lead solder or fittings."
“I've understood for as long as I've been in the trade that lead solder has no place in potable water systems. So when I found out about the pledge, I was shocked that some plumbers are still using lead. I find that completely unacceptable. Anyone doing that should not be on a register of approved installers.“
"My godfather is 82 and one of the most experienced plumbers I’ve ever known. He’s based in Italy and has done every type of plumbing work imaginable, from techniques rooted in ancient Roman tradition right through to modern large-diameter regional supply pipes. His knowledge is extraordinary."
"He tells me there are no lead pipes left in Italy. They learned their lesson from the Romans and removed it all. Whenever I try to ask him about working with lead, he shouts, ‘No!’ and refuses to discuss it. He’s adamant that I should never work with it - and of course, he’s right."
"The current pledge is far too weak. I've always known it was illegal to use lead on water supplies for human consumption – and there’s no need to use it for any plumbing and heating work. We should learn from the Romans, and from my godfather's generation, who saw the dangers and acted on them."
"It varies a lot. I could be fitting a bathroom, installing a kitchen, running a water supply pipe, or working on a point-of-use cooler. I also regularly work on existing lead pipework in older Brighton properties; most people can't afford to have it all replaced. That's the reality of the housing stock here. But whatever the job, lead solder never enters the picture."
"Water regulations exist to protect people's health. It's not optional. You need to understand the rules and take them seriously. Any decent plumber should take the pledge to remove lead solder from their toolkit entirely.”
"For me, being part of WaterSafe Register means doing things properly and protecting public health. I think anyone working on mains water should be legally required to be registered, the same as with gas. Poor plumbing can do real harm, especially to vulnerable people.”
“I still see bad practice out there, from dead legs left in place to toilet sprays connected straight to the mains. Most plumbers want to do the right thing, but they need to understand the risks. That’s why WaterSafe Register matters, and why plumbing should have stronger legal backing."
Tea or coffee? I mostly just drink water, but have coffee sometimes
Fish and chips or curry? Both are good options!
Copper pipe or plastic? I only ever use copper. Even though it takes longer to install, it lasts a lifetime, is more reliable and hygienic, and is often cheaper than plastic fittings.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Self-employed or part of a team? Self-employed
Pipework or paperwork? Pipework.
WaterSafe Register Approved Contractors' Scheme Operators
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