With Friday 13th just around the corner, Londoners are urged to avoid plumbing horror stories by choosing a qualified tradesperson.

plumber arriving (7)
WaterSafe Register, the UK’s largest online directory of registered plumbers, has issued the warning as research reveals one in five homeowners have used a plumber who didn’t carry out the work properly, requiring a second plumber to put it right.

More than half of Londoners who had experienced a rogue trader said the first plumber caused a water leak, while 46 per cent reported incorrectly connected pipework and 35 per cent experienced property damage.

Worryingly, 34 per cent reported drinking water that tasted, looked or smelled unpleasant. This was over 10 per cent higher than the UK average.

The average cost of rectifying the poor workmanship, across the UK-wide survey, was £388.

Jonathan Samuel, Director of WaterSafe Register, said: “An unqualified installer can leave households facing a nightmare.

“Incorrectly connected pipes can not only cause leaks, but they can also contaminate drinking water and put your family’s health at risk. We want to spare households these horror stories.

“Anyone in the UK can call themselves a plumber, whatever their qualifications, but WaterSafe-registered contractors have verified plumbing qualifications and have passed specific training in drinking water safety regulations.”

WaterSafe-registered contractors provide a ‘Certificate of Compliance’ confirming that the work meets water safety regulations.

Registered plumbers must also put right their work if it is later found to breach legal requirements.

Visit watersafe.org.uk to find a local, qualified plumber.