Do you have a budding plumber in your family?

Recently we came across the book "My Mummy is a Plumber". As we've got a couple of keen mini builders in our midst we were intrigued!

Written by brother and sister team Kerrine and Jason Bryan, and published last November, it is the second in a series of books aimed at promoting skills to young children.

The publication comes at a time when there's a noted skills shortage so promoting plumbing as a valued career choice to both young boys and girls is a wonderful idea.

"Kerrine Bryan, the founder of Butterfly Books, has a background in engineering and is a STEM ambassador. She realised that as children we are simply just not made aware of what life truly has to offer in the workplace, regardless of gender." (Jason Bryan, Butterfly Books)

If you're interested in finding out more check out the publisher's website: http://www.butterflybooks.uk/

Many thanks to Kerrine for letting us use the images, they're fantastic too!

You can also find out more about careers in plumbing from the following websites: https://www.watersafe.org.uk/advice/howtobecomeaplumber/
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/plumber.aspx

 

Winter is coming!

Here at Proactive Plumbing we are getting very excited about Christmas... let's hope it's a white one this year! (You never know!)

We're created some hints and tips to help you safeguard against the chilly weather and help prevent your pipes from bursting.

As ever, Stu is on the end of the phone if you want any advice or have an emergency. Here are his details:

mob: 07835107651
tel: 01242 300173
email: stu@proactiveplumbingsolutions.co.uk
 

Case Study: New en-suite in Bishop's Cleeve

Recently we were asked to fit a new en-suite for some clients in Bishop's Cleeve. Marion found out about Proactive Plumbing Solutions after posting a request on the Streetlife website (if you haven't discovered it yet, take a look, it's a great online-but-local community that I rave on about quite a bit). It was a great job to work on and I am very happy with the finish. Massive thanks go to Marion for her kind words below, recommendations and great cups of tea!

"Stu is really good at what he does and I can't speak highly enough of him; Great guy who is really tidy, efficient, reasonable rates and explains everything as he goes along.  The en-suite looks amazing and just so thrilled with it."
– Marion, Bishop’s Cleeve

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It's nearly Gas Safety Week - Gas Safety Tips #4

We've just pledged our support for the Gas Safe Register's 2015 Gas Safety Week. "But, what's this all about?" I hear you cry.

Every year GSR run Gas Safety Week, as a national campaign, to raise awareness of gas safety in the UK. It's co-ordinated by the Gas Safe Register and supported by retailers, manufacturers, consumer bodies and businesses like Proactive Plubming Solutions.

It's all about keeping customers safe and we're taking part to raise awareness of the risks to customers. We thought we'd make our contribution a little more specific to the South West and Gloucestershire by creating an infographic with some scary statistics:

We'll be posting more information about Gas Safety Week, but in the meantime don't hesitate to get in contact with us if you have any concerns about your gas appliances:

stu@proactiveplumbingsolutions.co.uk
Stu can be contacted on 07835107651 or 01242300173

Case study: New bathroom in Nailsworth

Back in May I was recommended to Rich, from Nailsworth, for a bathroom and cloakroom refit. It was a great opportunity for me to work on another stylish bathroom, so I was very pleased to be offered the job.

As you can see from the photos I was asked to install a shower (with rain shower head) above a bath and fit a basin and WC. These all look amazing with the grey toned tiles.

The whole bathroom had to be redesigned and modified to accomodate a shower above the bath (the bath was originally below a sloped ceiling).

Rich, and his partner, gave me the following fantastic feedback:

"Stu was recommended to us after trying to find a reliable and professional plumber for some time. 

And we weren’t disappointed! From his first visit, to sending his quotes and on to the final work, he was always on time and got the work done to a very high standard.

He always treated our home like his own, with no mess – in fact he hoovered every day!

Stu also had to reconfigure our bathroom, dismantling the raised platform for our old bath and removing floor and wall tiles. All the waste materials were always neatly stacked for us to dispose of which made life so much easier.

 Stu has given us faith in trades again, We couldn’t recommend him enough!

 Thank you Stu!"

Carbon Monoxide Risks - Gas Safety Tips #3

What's all the fuss about?

Did you know that between May and September 2014, the gas emergency service provider National Grid was called out to over 9,500 cases related to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?

According to the Gas Safe website a survey among gas consumers, released on June 1st 2015, has found that one in five homeowners (19%) said they do not use gas boilers at all during the summer, despite admitting they are still using hot water and cooking on gas appliances. Furthermore, only one in 15 (6%) people said that they would consider CO poisoning a summer health risk.

The Register is concerned that the public is putting itself at risk during the summer by unwittingly believing that as their heating is turned off they are not using their boiler and therefore not thinking about staying gas safe.

So why is it important that we detect Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colourless, odourless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of organic matter due to insufficient oxygen supply to enable complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2).

How can Proactive Plumbing Solutions help?

We can:

  • Fit Carbon Monoxide detectors
  • Service your boiler
  • Maintain gas appliances (to ensure safe operation)
  • If you're a landlord we can provide Landlord Gas Safety Certification
  • Provide free guidance and help

Read more

You can read more on the Gas Safe Website here:
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/news/gas_safe_register_news/uk_at_risk_of_summer_gas_dange.aspx

Case study: Ray & Sarah's new shower

before.jpg

I was invited along to install a new shower in Ray & Sarah's house. They found me using a website called 'Streetlife', check it out if you like; you can find out loads of things about your local area, share stuff, recommend a tradesperson/place. It's great and really useful.

As the shower would need to be sited on an awkward curved wall, I suggested building a stud wall, square with the bath, and then tiling onto a tile backing board; this meant that they could keep their existing bath in place and we could get a shower screen sat on the bath rim. Here's a before photo to show you what I mean.

It was a great opportunity to use some of my other skills; a bit of carpentry and some tiling (and fitting the shower screen of course). Not things that every plumber can turn their hands to, but I enjoy it, and it's great to be able to do a whole job for a client and not just the plumbing bits.

Once I got the stud wall in place I fitted the shower and did the tiling. I think you'll agree it looks great! Many thanks to Ray & Sarah for letting me work with them and allowing me to share a few photos - you have great taste and your bathroom looks fantastic!

We had some great feedback from Ray & Sarah too:

"We were very pleased with Stu's work.  He provided good advice, obtained trade prices for the tiles, and was very punctual.  A hard worker, he continued over the bank holiday Monday to get the job finished.  Stu was also a most courteous and unobtrusive worker and went out of his way to avoid disturbing the house occupants.  Scrupulously tidy and multi-skilled, he was diligent in protecting the carpets and other fittings in the house and he was a real pleasure to have around.  We would certainly recommend him for similar jobs, provided we can have him back for our next one!  Ray and Sarah, proud new shower owners."

 

An Introduction to Gas Safe - Gas Safety Tips #2

Do you know what the Gas Safe Register is actually all about?

We've written a blog post in the past about gas safety tips, but people often ask us about why it's important to use a Gas Safe Registered engineer. This video explains all! Further details can be found on their website: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ .

People often ask if we're Corgi Registered, well, the Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man on 1 April 2009, and Northern Ireland and Guernsey on 1 April 2010; so the answer is yes!

Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and Guernsey, appointed by the relevant Health and Safety Authority for each area. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.

"The main focus of the Register is on improving and maintaining gas safety to the highest standards. We make sure all gas engineers on the Register, over 120,000, are qualified to work with gas.

We work to protect the public from unsafe gas work through;

  • a dedicated national investigations team tracking down individuals working illegally

  • regular inspections of Gas Safe registered engineers

  • educating consumers and raising awareness of gas safety

  • investigating reports of unsafe gas work

Gas Safe Register is here to help keep you and your family safe."

Proactive Plumbing Solutions can be found on the register; you can find us by searching using our registration number: 570826.

If you've got any questions or queries, just give us a shout on 01242 300173 or 07835107651.