Plumbing and heating fixes that improve how you live
When we consider plumbing and heating, we frequently consider the major investments (boiler installations, bathroom installations, etc.) and the emergency callouts (leaks, boiler breakdowns, burst pipes, etc.), but we may not frequently consider the smaller upgrades that actually make a significant difference in how we live and use our homes.
Numerous of these improvements are reasonably priced and are unquestionably worthwhile for making life easier.
HOT OUTSIDE TAP
This is primarily for dog owners! Anyone with a dog who enjoys jumping in muddy puddles, diving into duck ponds or rolling in fox poop can appreciate the importance of having a hot outdoor tap for washing the dog off before letting them inside the home. Naturally, you can wash them off with a cold tap, but chances are they won’t appreciate that very much in the winter. Instead, you have a far better chance of them tolerating—if not actually enjoying—a doggie shower with wonderful warm water (more enjoyable for you as well on cold winter days)!
In the summer, it’s also quite helpful for filling up the kiddie pool because it eliminates the need to expose it to the sun for six hours before anyone can enter.
Use a Sure Stop in place of your stop tap.
When was the last time you checked your stop tap? It’s crucial to know where it is and that you can turn it quickly in an emergency. Stop taps do eventually seize up and are frequently hidden in hard-to-reach places (typically under sinks or behind a lot of items). Installing a Sure Stop that will always turn can be done in an accessible location.
Although it may not seem like a very exciting possibility right now, you will be very grateful for it if a pipe bursts!
Hot water tap
Having a boiling water tap may not seem like much of a benefit because we all have kettles that produce scalding hot water, but it is. First off, quick boiling water means no waiting for the kettle to heat up, which is wonderful for cooking as well as brewing cups of tea. You’ll wonder how you ever managed to wait for the kettle to boil again once you’ve had one! Additionally, it is more cost-effective because you only ever heat water when you actually need it. Even though we are all aware that we should only boil a kettle’s worth of water at a time, how many of us still fill it to the brim to avoid having to refill it?
Additionally, you free up counter space because you don’t need a kettle, and if your kitchen, dining area, and living area are all open, you won’t miss trying to hear the TV or radio over the sound of the boiling water.
Adaptive heating
This one offers significant convenience, cost savings, and carbon footprint reduction advantages. Installing a smart metre can improve your understanding of your energy use and help you manage it more efficiently. You have even more control with a smart heating system, like Hive or Nest, which lets you regulate the temperature from anywhere and configure scheduling regimens based on your daily routine (no more “one setting fits all” approach). When you can control the heating from wherever you are, you never have to worry about leaving the heating on accidentally. It’s ideal for when plans change (like when you’re out longer than expected or when you’re going to be in earlier and want to come home to a warm house).
Replace the bathroom’s radiator with a towel rack.
We all know how great a warm, dry towel is after a bath or shower, so a heated towel rail in the bathroom is not only a decorative feature but also incredibly functional for holding multiple towels at once. They are incredibly cost-effective to operate, and because you may choose a tall rather than a broad model, they are perfect for bathrooms with limited wall space.
Downstairs loo
A downstairs toilet might be useful in homes with just one occupant because it eliminates the need to go upstairs whenever you need to use the lavatory. A second toilet is a need in every home with a large family! Additionally, if you ever decide to sell your property, it will gain appeal and value.
If you can fit one in, it’s definitely worth thinking about as installing a downstairs toilet doesn’t take up a lot of room.
Our Plumbcare Pods are “pop up” washrooms that can be installed in any room (for example, a dining room) and removed later if you no longer have a requirement, so if you really need a downstairs restroom for someone who is elderly or disabled and is finding it difficult to climb the stairs, you might want to take that into consideration.
Improved handicap accessibility and toilet seats
Due to sore knees or other mobility concerns, getting on and off the toilet may become progressively difficult. In these cases, a few straightforward tweaks may be all that is required. To raise the toilet higher, you can add a riser for a reasonable price, or you can replace the toilet with a taller model while preserving the design of your bathroom.
Baths can be modified so that you don’t have to step over the edge or stand up when taking a shower as people become more weak as they age or have disabilities.
Two sinks
Do you ever find yourself struggling for room to brush your teeth as kids ignore all rules and come in to squabble for position or lament at the state that other family members leave the bathroom sink in? A dual washbasin could be the answer to all your issues if you have the space! You can make sure you keep possession of one of the sinks so at least you won’t discover blobs of toothpaste and spray soaked faucets in your sink, and you can also promote mass teeth cleaning and face washing!
Similar to this, having a second sink in the kitchen is useful for disposing of waste liquids when the primary sink is in use. excellent for dishwashing as well.
While some of these improvements are more expensive than others, all can significantly improve your quality of life while also raising the value of your property.
Call us at 07852 238167 or send us an email using this form if you have any questions about these or other plumbing upgrades.