07791 848655
kamheating@hotmail.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to our FAQs page. We realise sometimes people will always have some unanswered questions that may not have been resolved by reading various sections of our website, we hope therefore that this page will have one of the questions you had in mind.
Please be aware that we couldn't post every conceivable question our prospective customers would end up asking, therefore we would welcome a call from you. Alternatively, fill out our contact form and we'll gladly answer any questions you may have.
FAQs - General Plumbing
Q - What do you cover under 'General Plumbing' ?
A - We provide a range of general plumbing services. These include:
- Fixing Dripping Taps
- Fixing Disabled Toilets
- Blocked Drains
- Blocked Sinkholes
- Pipework Repairs
- Fixing External Taps
- Shower rooms installations
- Wet rooms installations
- Cylinder replacements
- Radiator Replacements
- Gutter Replacements
- Leaks & Bursts
- Pipe Installations
Q - Can you repair damaged and blocked drains ?
A - Yes we can. This is one of the things we've mentioned we cover, and have experince in dealing with all kinds of drainage problems.
Q - Can you fit a complete shower suite for us ?
A - Yes we could do that for you, providing you have all the required parts and pieces.
Q - Do you provide a 24 hour emergency callout service ?
A - Yes. We provide 24 hour emergency callouts.
Q - We have a new gas cooker that needs installing - can you do it for us ?
A - Yes of course. We're Gas Safe Registered, this means we do the job correctly and ensure its done to a high standard.
FAQs - Leaking Pipes
Q - What should we do if a pipe bursts ?
A - 1. When you first spot the burst, Turn off main stopcock.
2. If the flow hasn't stopped, look to turn off the nearest valve or stopcock on the damaged pipe.
3. If this doesn't help, close the valves on all pipes that run from your storage tank.
4. If this has not helped either you should tie up the ballvalve on the storage tank to shut off the supply followed by
opening the taps of the storage tank itself.
Q - What happens if a Pipe bursts near electrical fittings ?
A - Turn off from the mains immediately. Do not power up without getting a qualified person to take a
look.
Q - How do I drain down a central heating pipe ?
A - You can do this only via the draincock outlet which you will find fitted at
the systems lowest point.
Q - Do you come out to repair leaks and bursts ?
A - Yes we do, we are on hand to repair all kinds of pipe leaks and bursts and are available to come out on short notice if its an emergency.
Q - How do I drain down a central heating pipe ?
A - You can do this only via the draincock outlet which you will find fitted at
the systems lowest point.
Q - What should we do if a pipe bursts ?
A - 1. When you first spot the burst, Turn off main stopcock.
2. If the flow hasn't stopped, look to turn off the nearest valve or stopcock on the damaged pipe.
3. If this doesn't help, close the valves on all pipes that run from your storage tank.
4. If this has not helped either you should tie up the ballvalve on the storage tank to shut off the supply followed by opening the taps of the storage tank itself.
Q - What happens if a Pipe bursts near electrical fittings ?
A - Turn off from the mains immediately. Do not power up without getting a qualified person to take a look.
Q - How do I drain down a central heating pipe ?
A - You can do this only via the draincock outlet which you will find fitted at the systems lowest point.
Q - Do you come out to repair leaks and bursts ?
A - Yes we do, we are on hand to repair all kinds of pipe leaks and bursts and are available to come out on short notice if its an emergency.
Q - How do I drain down a central heating pipe ?
A - You can do this only via the draincock outlet which you will find fitted at the systems lowest point.
FAQs - Tanks & Overflow
Q - Vented and Unvented Hot Water Cylinders - Whats the Difference ?
A - The two systems differ in setup and how they work. A Vented system is one that is open to air
and uses a small feed and an expansion tank. Such systems will be 'fed' from a water tank, situated above it (gravity being driving force)
Unvented Cylinders are usualy fed from the mains at much higher pressures
than vented cylinders, and as a result offer much better performance if you use hot water from more than one
tap outlet in the home.
Q - We have many tap outlets in our house used simultaneously - which system is ideal for us ?
A - We would advise you opt for an unvented system which eliminates the need of a cold-water
tank. In this setup, a hot water cylinder will be cold water mains fed and as a result will be operating at mains pressure.
Ultimately this means better all round performance, better flow rates which in turn means water output rate will be
much faster.
Q - Grr - I still don't get it! - Which one makes the water go faster then ?
A - Ok don't worry let us explain this more clearly. If you want your water to 'go faster', which
is, you want the water pressure and flow rate to be increased, you need to go for an unvented hot water storage system.
Q - So all we need is an Unvented Hot Water Cylinder and we're guaranteed to get high pressure water
output and faster flow rate yes ?
A - Not necessarily. In order for these systems to work to their optimum levels, and to manufacturer
performance standards you MUST have a minimum of 1.5bar pressure reading and a minimum flow rate of 20 litres of water
per minute. You test this yourself by using any cold water mains tap, such as your dirnking water tap, bathroom tap or outside tap.
Q - Whats the difference between Direct and Indirect heating ?
A - The two terms 'direct' and 'indirect' refer to the way in which water in your Cylinder
gets heated. Your Cylinder will be a direct heating Cylinder if the water inside the cylinder is heated by an internal
immersion heater. This immersion heater will in turned by powered by electric power, which means it does not require
your gas boiler to heat it. This means, if your gas boiler breaksdown - you will still get hot water as its not relying
on the boiler to heat it.
Your Cylinder will be an 'indirect' heating Cylinder if the water inside of it is heated by a heat exchanger inside the vessel
itself. This heat exchanger carries hot water which runs from the boiler itself, so the heat exchanger gets hot and warms
the water within the cylinder itself. Unlike a direct heating cylinder, if the boiler fails - you will be left withouthot water.
Q - Vented and Unvented Hot Water Cylinders - Whats the Difference ?
A - The two systems differ in setup and how they work. A Vented system is one that is open to air and uses a small feed and an expansion tank. Such systems will be 'fed' from a water tank, situated above it (gravity being driving force) Unvented Cylinders are usualy fed from the mains at much higher pressures than vented cylinders, and as a result offer much better performance if you use hot water from more than one tap outlet in the home.
Q - We have many tap outlets in our house used simultaneously - which system is ideal for us ?
A - We would advise you opt for an unvented system which eliminates the need of a cold-water tank. In this setup, a hot water cylinder will be cold water mains fed and as a result will be operating at mains pressure. Ultimately this means better all round performance, better flow rates which in turn means water output rate will be much faster.
Q - Grr - I still don't get it! - Which one makes the water go faster then ?
A - Ok don't worry let us explain this more clearly. If you want your water to 'go faster', which is, you want the water pressure and flow rate to be increased, you need to go for an unvented hot water storage system.
Q - So all we need is an Unvented Hot Water Cylinder and we're guaranteed to get high pressure water output and faster flow rate yes ?
A - Not necessarily. In order for these systems to work to their optimum levels, and to manufacturer performance standards you MUST have a minimum of 1.5bar pressure reading and a minimum flow rate of 20 litres of water per minute. You test this yourself by using any cold water mains tap, such as your dirnking water tap, bathroom tap or outside tap.
Q - Whats the difference between Direct and Indirect heating ?
A - The two terms 'direct' and 'indirect' refer to the way in which water in your Cylinder gets heated. Your Cylinder will be a direct heating Cylinder if the water inside the cylinder is heated by an internal immersion heater. This immersion heater will in turned by powered by electric power, which means it does not require your gas boiler to heat it. This means, if your gas boiler breaksdown - you will still get hot water as its not relying on the boiler to heat it.
Your Cylinder will be an 'indirect' heating Cylinder if the water inside of it is heated by a heat exchanger inside the vessel itself. This heat exchanger carries hot water which runs from the boiler itself, so the heat exchanger gets hot and warms the water within the cylinder itself. Unlike a direct heating cylinder, if the boiler fails - you will be left withouthot water.
FAQs - Boiler Servicing
Q - How often should I get my boiler serviced ?
A - We normally you have your boiler serviced annually. This way, you will have complete
peace of mind knowing your boiler is functioning at optimum levels and will look after you during those harsh winters.
Q - Our neighbour haven't had their boiler serviced in over 3 years - are you sure this is worth the bother ?
A - Your neighbour is taking a big chance by avoiding a regular boiler service check-up. The boiler
is made up of a number of electrical and mechanical parts and components which work in unison. Over time, these can
and will start to decline in performance due to ageing and other factors. There is simply no knowing when your neighbour's
boiler will 'packup' for good, and when it does - you'll have another story to tell us. Yes - its worth the bother
to get your boiler serviced annually. Its also the smart thing to do and will pay you back in dividends.
Q - So what gets checked during a boiler service ?
A - During a Boiler Service a number of things will be carefully inspected against a check-list.
These include:
- A visual check, to see if the boilers physical condition meets the current standards. We will be looking out for
problems such as leaks, signs of damage, bad installation, suitability of the appliance, the age and condition of the electrics,
the location and positioning of the boiler itself, the proximity to which it is exposed to other combustible materials, signs of
overheating, rattling noises and other various issues.
- A 'Gas Rate' reading will be obtained of your boiler, this is a measurement of the volume of gas consumed by the
boiler. We check to see if this measurement is in compliance with the data found in the manufacturers handbook.
- Boiler turned on or 'fired' , and closely observed making a note on any irregularities.
- The cover of the boiler will be removed so that the main boiler components such as the main injector, the burner, the heat exchanger
and spark/sensor probe are in good working order.
- The flue terminals will also be carefully inspected, in case there is any obstructions as well as to ensure they
are sealed correctly.
- Using a flue gas analyser, a through inspection and check-up is performed to see if the burner is able to initiate combustion efficiently
and properly.
- Observe and check the operation of the flame sensing control if needed
- Check the operation of the boiler thermostat
- Debris will be removed from the inside casings of your boiler.
- If boiler parts are dirty, they will be cleaned and put back into the boiler system.
- A 'Tightness Test' is performed to see if there is any gas escaping from the system.
Q - Who can carry out a Boiler Service ?
A - ONLY Plumbers and Engineers who are Gas Safe Registered should be allowed anywhere near your Gas Boiler.
Furthermore, any gas appliance in your home should be serviced ONLY by a Gas Safe Registered person. All gas safe engineers will carry
a 'Gas Safe' Register ID Card with them when on the job. If somebody arrives to carry out a Gas Service and fails or refuses to
produce one, do not let them come near your Gas Appliance. Here at KAM Heating & Plumbing, we are Certified Gas Safe Engineers
and are on the Gas Safe Register. Rest Assured, WE CAN carry out your Boiler Service for you. Your Safety will always come
first so remember this.
Q - How long does a boiler service take ?
A - Typically a boiler service will take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. The exact time
it will take will depend on the number of (or lack of) of faults/issues discovered with the boiler.
Q - Do you fit audible Carbon Monoxide Alarms ?
A - ONLY Plumbers and Engineers who are Gas Safe Registered should be allowed anywhere near your Gas Boiler.
Furthermore, any gas appliance in your home should be serviced ONLY by a Gas Safe Registered person. All gas safe engineers will carry
a 'Gas Safe' Register ID Card with them when on the job. If somebody arrives to carry out a Gas Service and fails or refuses to
produce one, do not let them come near your Gas Appliance. Here at KAM Heating & Plumbing, we are Certified Gas Safe Engineers
and are on the Gas Safe Register. Rest Assured, WE CAN carry out your Boiler Service for you. Your Safety will always come
first so remember this.
Q - How often should I get my boiler serviced ?
A - We normally you have your boiler serviced annually. This way, you will have complete peace of mind knowing your boiler is functioning at optimum levels and will look after you during those harsh winters.
Q - Our neighbour haven't had their boiler serviced in over 3 years - are you sure this is worth the bother ?
A - Your neighbour is taking a big chance by avoiding a regular boiler service check-up. The boiler is made up of a number of electrical and mechanical parts and components which work in unison. Over time, these can and will start to decline in performance due to ageing and other factors. There is simply no knowing when your neighbour's boiler will 'packup' for good, and when it does - you'll have another story to tell us. Yes - its worth the bother to get your boiler serviced annually. Its also the smart thing to do and will pay you back in dividends.
Q - So what gets checked during a boiler service ?
A - During a Boiler Service a number of things will be carefully inspected against a check-list. These include:
- A visual check, to see if the boilers physical condition meets the current standards. We will be looking out for problems such as leaks, signs of damage, bad installation, suitability of the appliance, the age and condition of the electrics, the location and positioning of the boiler itself, the proximity to which it is exposed to other combustible materials, signs of overheating, rattling noises and other various issues.
- A 'Gas Rate' reading will be obtained of your boiler, this is a measurement of the volume of gas consumed by the boiler. We check to see if this measurement is in compliance with the data found in the manufacturers handbook.
- Boiler turned on or 'fired' , and closely observed making a note on any irregularities.
- The cover of the boiler will be removed so that the main boiler components such as the main injector, the burner, the heat exchanger and spark/sensor probe are in good working order.
- The flue terminals will also be carefully inspected, in case there is any obstructions as well as to ensure they are sealed correctly.
- Using a flue gas analyser, a through inspection and check-up is performed to see if the burner is able to initiate combustion efficiently and properly.
- Observe and check the operation of the flame sensing control if needed
- Check the operation of the boiler thermostat
- Debris will be removed from the inside casings of your boiler.
- If boiler parts are dirty, they will be cleaned and put back into the boiler system.
- A 'Tightness Test' is performed to see if there is any gas escaping from the system.
Q - Who can carry out a Boiler Service ?
A - ONLY Plumbers and Engineers who are Gas Safe Registered should be allowed anywhere near your Gas Boiler. Furthermore, any gas appliance in your home should be serviced ONLY by a Gas Safe Registered person. All gas safe engineers will carry a 'Gas Safe' Register ID Card with them when on the job. If somebody arrives to carry out a Gas Service and fails or refuses to produce one, do not let them come near your Gas Appliance. Here at KAM Heating & Plumbing, we are Certified Gas Safe Engineers and are on the Gas Safe Register. Rest Assured, WE CAN carry out your Boiler Service for you. Your Safety will always come first so remember this.
Q - How long does a boiler service take ?
A - Typically a boiler service will take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. The exact time it will take will depend on the number of (or lack of) of faults/issues discovered with the boiler.
Q - Do you fit audible Carbon Monoxide Alarms ?
A - ONLY Plumbers and Engineers who are Gas Safe Registered should be allowed anywhere near your Gas Boiler. Furthermore, any gas appliance in your home should be serviced ONLY by a Gas Safe Registered person. All gas safe engineers will carry a 'Gas Safe' Register ID Card with them when on the job. If somebody arrives to carry out a Gas Service and fails or refuses to produce one, do not let them come near your Gas Appliance. Here at KAM Heating & Plumbing, we are Certified Gas Safe Engineers and are on the Gas Safe Register. Rest Assured, WE CAN carry out your Boiler Service for you. Your Safety will always come first so remember this.
FAQs - Boiler Installations
Q - How long does a boiler installation normally take ?
A - The time varies according to the type of boiler that needs fitting but generally speaking,
it usually takes at least a day.
Q - What Boiler Makes do you highly recommend ?
A - There a many good makes and brands to choose from. It all depends on your budget, and type of boiler you are after.
However from our experience, we have found that the top boiler brands are Vaillant and Worcester Boilers. These seem to be most popular.
Q - Why these boilers ?
A - Well, taking aside the fact they're very high quality and offer great performance,
they also offer a minimum 5 year warranty on parts T & C apply according to manufacture requirements.
Q - We have a Combi boiler. Do we now need a hot water cylinder ?
A - No you will not need a hot water cylinder if you have a combi boiler installed. Your Combi Boiler directly provides heat for central heating and heats the water for you. This means you have no need
for any water storage tank or hot water cylinder. This is also one of the advantages of having a combi boiler installed.
Q - How long does a boiler installation normally take ?
A - The time varies according to the type of boiler that needs fitting but generally speaking, it usually takes at least a day.
Q - What Boiler Makes do you highly recommend ?
A - There a many good makes and brands to choose from. It all depends on your budget, and type of boiler you are after. However from our experience, we have found that the top boiler brands are Vaillant and Worcester Boilers. These seem to be most popular.
Q - Why these boilers ?
A - Well, taking aside the fact they're very high quality and offer great performance, they also offer a minimum 5 year warranty on parts T & C apply according to manufacture requirements.
Q - We have a Combi boiler. Do we now need a hot water cylinder ?
A - No you will not need a hot water cylinder if you have a combi boiler installed. Your Combi Boiler directly provides heat for central heating and heats the water for you. This means you have no need for any water storage tank or hot water cylinder. This is also one of the advantages of having a combi boiler installed.
FAQs - Boiler Repairs
Q - With boiler repairs, do you offer a same day service ?
A - Yes we can offer a same day service however it all depends on the work load.
Q - So what boiler makes do you repair ?
A - We are capable of carrying out for repairs and servicing on all major boiler brands.
Q - What happens if you don't have the required boiler parts ?
A - We make sure that we are able to get the parts and fit and repair on the same day.
Q - Can anyone conduct a boiler repair ?
A - No. You need to get somebody who is specially trained and approved to handle gas appliance repairs and installations.
Its recommended to have a Gas Safe engineer repair your boiler at all times has they are qualified and insured.
Q - With boiler repairs, do you offer a same day service ?
A - Yes we can offer a same day service however it all depends on the work load.
Q - So what boiler makes do you repair ?
A - We are capable of carrying out for repairs and servicing on all major boiler brands.
Q - What happens if you don't have the required boiler parts ?
A - We make sure that we are able to get the parts and fit and repair on the same day.
Q - Can anyone conduct a boiler repair ?
A - No. You need to get somebody who is specially trained and approved to handle gas appliance repairs and installations. Its recommended to have a Gas Safe engineer repair your boiler at all times has they are qualified and insured.
FAQs - Power Flushing
Q - What exactly is Power Flushing ?
A - Power Flushing is the process by which the existing water inside your radiator gets 'flushed' out
and replaced with cleaner water. The basic idea behind it, clean water with a de-scaler or chemical will be fed into the radiator
at high velocity from one end - whilst on the other end, we simply collect (if indoors) or flush out (outdoors) the dirty water.
Its this dirty water which contains 'sludge' and 'debris', that we want to remove from your radiators. This is called Power Flushing.
Q - How will Power Flushing benefit my home ?
A - A Power Flush will remove unwanted build up of 'sludge' and 'debris', which accumulates in your central
heating system. This sludge and debris causes 'cold spots' in your radiators which means that the overall heat you get out from them
is limited. By removing this sludge and debris through a Power Flush, water circulates with ease around the internals of your
radiators thus ensuring maximum heating efficiency. A warmer radiator will mean a warmer home.
Q - We are experiencing 'cold spots' on our radiators - can you help ?
A - Yes we can. We will provide a thorough professional Power Flush Service for you, and once we're done
you will see the big difference.
Q - Can the build up of debris inside radiators cause problems for the boiler ?
A - Yes, in some ways it can. You may hear a 'rattling' or 'kettling' like noise from the boiler.
This means its working harder than it should and in turn could cause potential unwanted problems. We would recommend
getting a Power Flush as soon as possible if you are hearing those noises from the boiler.
Q - How long does it take to power flush a 7 Radiator combi boiler system ?
A - Approximately 3 to 4 Hours sometimes a little longer depending on how bad the system is.
Q - How often do we need to power flush ?
A - Power flushing system can be voided if you treat your system yearly with inhibitor.
Q - What exactly is Power Flushing ?
A - Power Flushing is the process by which the existing water inside your radiator gets 'flushed' out and replaced with cleaner water. The basic idea behind it, clean water with a de-scaler or chemical will be fed into the radiator at high velocity from one end - whilst on the other end, we simply collect (if indoors) or flush out (outdoors) the dirty water. Its this dirty water which contains 'sludge' and 'debris', that we want to remove from your radiators. This is called Power Flushing.
Q - How will Power Flushing benefit my home ?
A - A Power Flush will remove unwanted build up of 'sludge' and 'debris', which accumulates in your central heating system. This sludge and debris causes 'cold spots' in your radiators which means that the overall heat you get out from them is limited. By removing this sludge and debris through a Power Flush, water circulates with ease around the internals of your radiators thus ensuring maximum heating efficiency. A warmer radiator will mean a warmer home.
Q - We are experiencing 'cold spots' on our radiators - can you help ?
A - Yes we can. We will provide a thorough professional Power Flush Service for you, and once we're done you will see the big difference.
Q - Can the build up of debris inside radiators cause problems for the boiler ?
A - Yes, in some ways it can. You may hear a 'rattling' or 'kettling' like noise from the boiler. This means its working harder than it should and in turn could cause potential unwanted problems. We would recommend getting a Power Flush as soon as possible if you are hearing those noises from the boiler.
Q - How long does it take to power flush a 7 Radiator combi boiler system ?
A - Approximately 3 to 4 Hours sometimes a little longer depending on how bad the system is.
Q - How often do we need to power flush ?
A - Power flushing system can be voided if you treat your system yearly with inhibitor.
FAQs - Central Heating & Gas
Q - How do I turn of a leaking radiator due to a pin hole ?
A - Each side of a radiator will have a valve, turn clock wise on both sides to stop the radiator filling up.
Q - Why is there still water leaking after turning radiator off ?
A - If the pin hole is at the bottom of radiator it obviously needs empty out before stopping, or the possible
cause is the valve is still open due to debris stuck in it.
Q - Why is the Radiator not heating the room efficiently ?
A - Possible causes are Radiator under sized and lack of maintenance to system causing water not to flow through rapidly.
Q - Why are all the radiators not getting hot ?
There can be more than one reason for this, one of possibility's are weak pump, faulty diverter valve or partial system blockage.
Q - How do I manually increase/decrease how hot the radiators get ?
A - If for instance, you want your living room radiator to get hotter than the bedroom radiator, you will need to turn the TRV
on your living room radiator to a higher setting.
Q - I don't really use two of the rooms upstairs, can i turn their radiators off ?
A - We would discourage this, reason being, this could cause condensation to occur in those rooms. Our best advice would be to
simply turn the TRV on the radiators in these rooms to a lower setting.
Q - How do I turn of a leaking radiator due to a pin hole ?
A - Each side of a radiator will have a valve, turn clock wise on both sides to stop the radiator filling up.
Q - Why is there still water leaking after turning radiator off ?
A - If the pin hole is at the bottom of radiator it obviously needs empty out before stopping, or the possible cause is the valve is still open due to debris stuck in it.
Q - Why is the Radiator not heating the room efficiently ?
A - Possible causes are Radiator under sized and lack of maintenance to system causing water not to flow through rapidly.
Q - Why are all the radiators not getting hot ?
There can be more than one reason for this, one of possibility's are weak pump, faulty diverter valve or partial system blockage.
Q - How do I manually increase/decrease how hot the radiators get ?
A - If for instance, you want your living room radiator to get hotter than the bedroom radiator, you will need to turn the TRV on your living room radiator to a higher setting.
Q - I don't really use two of the rooms upstairs, can i turn their radiators off ?
A - We would discourage this, reason being, this could cause condensation to occur in those rooms. Our best advice would be to simply turn the TRV on the radiators in these rooms to a lower setting.
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