Domestic plumbing in Emsworth from Alan Kemish Plumbing, Heating & Fires covers leaks, taps, toilets, showers and bathroom plumbing, cold water tank cleaning and replacement, water softeners and appliance connections. Most small plumbing jobs take a few hours. Call 01243 371665 or send an enquiry for a free, no-obligation quote.

Last reviewed: by Alan Kemish Plumbing, Heating & Fires.

From a dripping tap to a loft full of old tanks, our domestic plumbing in Emsworth is carried out neatly and explained clearly. We are a small, local business, and most of our work comes from customers recommending us to friends and neighbours.

For radiators and hot water cylinders, see our central heating service.

At a glance

Who
Alan Kemish Plumbing, Heating & Fires, based in Emsworth, Hampshire
What
Leaks, taps, toilets, showers, bathroom plumbing, cold water tanks, water softeners and appliance plumbing
Where
Emsworth, Havant, Hayling Island and nearby towns
How long
Most small jobs take a few hours; bathroom and tank replacements can take a day or more
Rules
Cold water tanks must meet the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
How to book
Call 01243 371665 or use the quote form
Water softener installed as part of domestic plumbing in Emsworth

What domestic plumbing in Emsworth do we cover?

We cover most domestic plumbing in Emsworth homes, including:

  • Leaks and repairs: dripping taps, leaking pipes, faulty valves and stopcocks.
  • Taps and toilets: new taps, toilet repairs, cisterns and replacement toilets.
  • Showers and bathrooms: shower enclosures, shower trays, mixer and electric showers, basins and baths.
  • Cold water tanks: cleaning, repairing and replacing loft cold water storage tanks and float valves.
  • Water softeners: fitting softeners to protect your boiler, cylinder, taps and shower from limescale.
  • Appliance plumbing: connecting washing machines, dishwashers and outside taps.

Why clean or replace a loft cold water tank?

An old loft cold water tank can collect rust, sludge, insects and debris, which then feed into your hot water and bathroom taps. The photos on this page show sludge we removed from one local tank. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 require a cold water storage tank to have a close-fitting lid and screened overflow and vent pipes to keep contamination out.

When we clean a tank, we follow these steps:

  1. Isolate and drain the tank, protecting the loft and ceiling below.
  2. Remove the sludge and sediment by hand rather than flushing it into your pipes.
  3. Clean and inspect the tank for cracks, corrosion and a worn float valve.
  4. Refit or replace the float valve, lid and screens, then refill and check for leaks.

If the tank is badly corroded or has no proper lid, replacing it is usually the better option.

Is Emsworth water hard, and do I need a water softener?

Yes. Emsworth is supplied by Portsmouth Water, and water in this part of Hampshire is classed as hard because it comes from chalk. Hard water leaves limescale in kettles, showers, taps, hot water cylinders and boilers.

A water softener removes the minerals that cause limescale. We usually keep one kitchen tap on unsoftened water for drinking, which is the common advice for softened supplies.

Can you install a new shower or bathroom suite?

Yes. We fit shower enclosures, low-profile shower trays, mixer and electric showers, toilets, basins and baths. The shower on this page has a walk-in enclosure, a glass screen and a grab rail for easier access. Tell us about your plans and we will confirm what we can take on and quote for it.

What should I do if I have a water leak?

Turn off the water at the stopcock straight away. The stopcock is often under the kitchen sink, but it can be in a cupboard, under the stairs or in a garage. Then:

  • Switch off electrics near the leak if water is near sockets or light fittings.
  • Turn off the boiler if the leak is on a heating pipe or radiator.
  • Catch dripping water with towels or a bucket and move valuables away.
  • Call us on 01243 371665 and tell us what you can see.

Recent domestic plumbing work

These photos are from jobs we have completed for customers. You can see more on our recent plumbing, heating and fire projects page.

Rusty sludge and limescale in an old loft cold water storage tank before cleaning
Rusty sludge and limescale in an old loft cold water storage tank before cleaning.
Bailing dirty water and sediment out of a loft cold water tank
Bailing dirty water and sediment out of a loft cold water tank.
Cold water tank with its float valve and ball in place after cleaning
Cold water tank with its float valve and ball in place after cleaning.
Walk-in shower enclosure with low-profile tray, glass screen, electric shower and grab rail
Walk-in shower enclosure with low-profile tray, glass screen, electric shower and grab rail.

What do customers say about our work?

Most of our work comes from word-of-mouth recommendations. Here is what customers have said on Facebook. Read more on our customer reviews page.

100% recommend Alan, serviced my boiler and moved and supplied new radiator! Thanks Alan!

Review on Facebook

Alan is very reliable and honest, I highly recommend him.

Review on Facebook

How we work

How does booking a job with us work?

1. Tell us about the job


Call, text, email or use the quote form, and tell us what you need doing and where you are.

2. Get a free quote


We look at the details, visit if needed, and give you a no-obligation quote for the work.

3. Agree a start date


If you are happy with the quote, we arrange a date to carry out the work and keep you updated.

Domestic plumbing in Emsworth: frequently asked questions

How much does domestic plumbing in Emsworth cost?

The cost of domestic plumbing in Emsworth depends on the job, the parts and the time it takes. Small jobs such as a tap or valve cost far less than a new shower or tank. We give you a free, no-obligation quote before we start.

Where is my stopcock?

The stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, where the water main comes into the house. In some homes it is in a downstairs toilet, under the stairs, in a garage or by the front door. It is worth finding it before you have a leak.

How often should a cold water tank be cleaned?

There is no fixed legal interval, but a loft cold water tank should be checked regularly and cleaned if there is sludge, debris or no proper lid. Old galvanised steel tanks that are rusting are usually best replaced.

Can a water softener be fitted in any home?

Most homes can have a water softener. It needs space near the incoming water main, a drain for the waste water and, for most models, a power socket. We check your home and suggest the best position.

Do you fit electric showers?

Yes, we fit electric showers as well as mixer showers. An electric shower needs a suitable electrical supply, and the electrical work must meet Building Regulations Part P.

Free, no-obligation quotes

Need a plumber for a job in Emsworth?

Call 01243 371665, or 07973 283 356 on the mobile, or send us a message. We work Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. We cover Emsworth, Havant, Hayling Island, Westbourne, Southbourne, Rowlands Castle, Bosham, Chichester and Waterlooville.