Hambrook Plumbing and Heating

25/04/2026

Occasionally I work for a facilities management company that looks after a nationwide chain of dentists. There is a strict response time for any issues to be addressed because the financial consequences of a whole surgery having to shut down for any length of time are massive.

In this case I got the initial call at 4pm on the Tuesday - the main boiler for the surgery had been shut off because it was unsafe. An emergency replacement was needed. I had the new boiler installed and commissioned within about 20 hours - in a town 75 miles away. Quite proud of myself for this one!

25/04/2026

I was originally planning for this to be another "saving a boiler, no need to replace" post, but sadly, lazy servicing meant the previous boiler was terminal.

It had been "serviced" every year by a well known local company. I came to it to replace the plate heat exchanger, but on my way to taking that part out, I found that the system filter was absolutely full, the condense trap had never been cleaned, and the system had been run without any inhibitor chemical. The main heat exchanger in the boiler was blocked with sludge and it was kettling like mad (water boiling in the heat exchanger).

There was nothing for it but to replace the boiler, after giving the system a VERY thorough flush. Check out the colour of the water when it came out!

New Viessmann 050 installed with a 10 year warranty.

12/04/2026

At Hambrook Plumbing and Heating this heating system is getting a proper powerflush before the new boiler gets installed.

Without a powerflush, all of this sludge and dirt would be heading into the new boiler 😮

Second picture shows how the magnetic filter looks when it's clean...

08/04/2026

Bit hot to be working in the loft!!

Also a bit hot for the radiators to be coming on when they shouldn't be.

New zone valve supplied and fitted, and the thermal camera confirms the new one is closing correctly.

28/02/2026

Yesterday's job. Symptoms - hot water not getting hot enough. Lukewarm shower just about possible, but the temperature was fluctuating. Baths not possible :( because the water would go cold.

This boiler is 14 years old and I can GUARANTEE that some engineers would be telling the customer that it's past its time, in order to generate a nice easy boiler sale for themselves.

In fact, once I'd cleaned the internal filters, chemically cleaned and flushed the plate heat exchanger, and checked the sensors to make sure they're reading the right values, it's back together and working perfectly again, and it cost the customer less than half of the manufacturer's fixed price repair.

05/02/2026

💛 Please read and help if you can – This is Henry’s story 💛

Henry is a brave, kind and much-loved little boy who is facing the toughest battle of his life. At just 9 years old, after everything he and his family have already been through, Henry has sadly suffered a relapse of leukaemia and is now very unwell.

His world – and that of his parents and his little brother Tommy – has been turned upside down once again.

Henry and his family are close friends of the SWR family, and Henry is also the best friend of Rebecca, our Finance Lead's, son which makes this all even more personal for all of us.

Everyone at SWR is heartbroken for them. We are sharing Henry’s story to help raise awareness, love and support for this wonderful family as they face the hardest time imaginable.

The money raised will help take some of the financial pressure away, so they can focus on what truly matters: being together as a family and helping Henry through his treatment and recovery.

Funds raised will go towards:
• day-to-day living costs while they cannot work
• hospital travel and practical expenses
• and, if possible, something positive for the family to look forward to when Henry is well enough – perhaps a small holiday or special time together to heal and make happy memories after such a long and painful journey

Every single donation, no matter how small, truly makes a difference. And if you can’t donate, please share – it really helps spread Henry’s story.

Thank you for taking the time to read, for your kindness, and for supporting Henry and his family when they need it most. 💛

👉 https://gofund.me/71edd5ca2

09/01/2026

29/12/2025

Emergency repair on this 2009 Vaillant Ecotec Pro 24 today.

Despite being old, it's all in good shape, apart from dripping water when the heating is on.

Next-day attendance after the tenant messaged me yesterday. The expansion vessel had failed. Apparently the usual plumber spends about 10 minutes doing a "service" when they visit 🤦🤦🤦🤦 so I doubt they're checking the expansion vessel pressure in that time... New genuine part sourced and fitted, house warm again within 24 hours.

Will be returning to give it a (proper) service in the new year.

25/11/2025

Today's job, flushing forty years' worth of sludge out of a bedroom radiator. Tain't much but it's honest work...

01/11/2025

Labourers are Very Good Boys. (mostly)

By the way this isn't my picture, the world isn't ready for Roxie Dog to be out plumbing yet...

24/10/2025

Unsure of the name of this cat, he helped me this evening on a late night boiler fix ready for when the customers get back from holiday at the weekend. He is very lovely and very orange.

Using my thermal camera I was able to make sure that the cat was reaching an acceptable temperature... also the radiator.

24/10/2025

Previous plumber had told the customer that the filter didn't need to be cleaned.

Absolutely caked 🤨

This is from a recent job replacing microbore pipework throughout the whole house. If you have microbore pipework you *must* keep the system clean or it will block. Make sure the system filter gets cleaned at service time. When it gets to this stage the filter is useless, it can't pick up any more.