Plumbers in London: Leaks, Drains, Taps and Hot Water

A plumber in London typically charges £65 to £95 an hour in 2026, usually with a one-hour minimum, and £300 to £600 for a full day. A call-out fee of £90 to £120 is common and normally covers attendance and diagnosis rather than the repair. Expect higher rates in the evening, at weekends and on bank holidays, often time and a half.

It depends on where the blockage is. You are responsible for a drain inside your boundary that serves only your property. Since October 2011, Thames Water has been responsible for shared drains and sewers and for drains outside your boundary, and clears those free on 0800 980 8800. On a terrace, the shared run behind the houses is often Thames Water’s, so check before paying for jetting.

First check whether it is the supply or your pipework. Thames Water must provide at least 7 metres of head, 0.7 bar, at the outside stop valve, and pays £50 if it falls below that twice in 28 days. If the supply is fine, the cause is inside the property: a part-closed stopcock, an old narrow or lead supply pipe, scale, or a failing valve, which a plumber can trace.

You pay for the supply pipe inside your boundary, and Thames Water replaces its own section free of charge when you replace yours. Apply through the Thames Water lead pipe replacement scheme and have your section done within three months. Homes built before 1970 are the most likely to have lead pipes, and the replacement pipe is usually 25 mm, which can improve water pressure too.

Yes. Under Part G3 of the Building Regulations, an unvented hot water cylinder over 15 litres must be installed by a competent person with G3 training, and the work notified. Unvented cylinders run at mains pressure and rely on safety valves, so a non-compliant installation is a real safety risk and can void the manufacturer’s warranty and your home insurance. A new one typically costs £2,000 to £3,800 fitted.

Turn off the stopcock straight away; it is usually under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard or near the front door. Open the cold taps to drain the pipes, switch off the electrics if water is near fittings, catch what water you can and photograph the damage for your insurer. Then call a plumber. Never thaw a frozen pipe with a naked flame.

Most policies cover sudden damage from escaping water, one of the most common home insurance claims, but not repairs to parts that simply wore out. Many include trace and access cover to find a hidden leak. Insurers expect you to act quickly, so stop the water, take photos, and keep the plumber’s report and invoice. Check your own policy wording, as cover and excesses vary.

Sometimes. Under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, some work must be notified to the water company before it starts, such as a bath holding more than 230 litres, a bidet with an ascending spray, or certain backflow devices. Most repairs and like-for-like replacements do not need notifying. A good plumber checks this before quoting and handles the notification.