Protect your home from hard-water scale, from £800.
Thomas installs water softeners across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, covering Stansted, Bishop's Stortford, Harlow, Saffron Walden and the surrounding area. Essex and the wider London area have some of the hardest water in England. If you can see scale building around your taps or inside your kettle, the same thing is happening inside your boiler, your washing machine and your hot water cylinder. A water softener stops that process.
Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. When water is heated, those minerals precipitate out and form limescale. Over time, limescale builds up inside heating systems, hot water cylinders and household appliances, reducing their efficiency and shortening their working life. A water softener removes the calcium and magnesium before the water reaches your plumbing. The result is water that doesn't scale up, which means appliances run more cleanly and boilers run more efficiently.
Most homeowners notice the difference within a few weeks. Heating systems that have been dealing with limescale start to run more efficiently. Shower screens and taps stop showing scale deposits. Dishwashers and washing machines need less detergent. In Essex, where water hardness is well above the national average, the long-term protection a softener provides is particularly relevant. Hot water cylinders and boilers that might otherwise need early replacement last longer.
Water softener installation prices run from £800 to £2,000. The price varies depending on the unit specified and the complexity of the pipework. The softener is typically installed under the kitchen sink or in a utility room and connects to the incoming cold water supply. It uses a small amount of salt to regenerate, which needs topping up periodically. Thomas will explain how the unit works and what upkeep it needs when he installs it.
David Ellison
I’ve used Tom over the years for boiler servicing and water softer install / servicing. We had major issues with our boiler recently and Tom came round after work (on time) spending time fault finding and fixed the issue whilst explaining everything to me as he goes along.10/10 for professionalism, expertise and leaving everything clean and tidy.We couldn’t recommend Tom enough to anyone.
Joshua Adams-Piggott
I’ve used Tom for a number of jobs over the years and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him. Reliable, knowledgeable, and always professional, the quality of his work has consistently been excellent. He takes pride in what he does, explains everything clearly, turns up when he says he will, and leaves everything tidy afterwards. It’s hard to find tradespeople you can genuinely trust, and Tom is definitely one of them. 👍
Nicolas Treble
I have used Tom as my go to guy for all of my plumbing and heating problems over the last couple of years. Tom has always been 100% reliable and has always fixed the problem without any fuss unlike other plumbers I have used in the past. I would highly recommend Tom to solve all of your plumbing issues.
Chris E
Extremely reliable and professional plumber who has installed and serviced our boilers in Chigwell for a number of years. Always top quality and tidy workmanship at reasonable rates.
Thomas covers Stansted, Saffron Walden, Newport, Bishop's Stortford, Dunmow, Sawbridgeworth, Hertford, Harlow, Epping, Loughton, into London, and the wider M11 and M25 corridor. If you're not sure whether you're within range, call 07774 323248 and Thomas will let you know.
Call 07774 323248 or use the contact form. For most installation jobs, Thomas needs to visit the property before quoting, so the sooner you get in touch, the sooner he can arrange a visit.
Yes. Thomas issues CP12 landlord gas safety certificates and is qualified for both Natural Gas and LPG appliances.
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Thomas answers the phone during working hours and calls back if he misses you.
Yes. Thomas carries out all the work himself, usually with a young apprentice who he trains to the same standard. When you call to discuss a job, you're speaking to Thomas directly, not a call centre.
Once a year. Annual servicing keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid and catches problems before they become breakdowns. Most people book a service in autumn, before the heating runs hard through winter. If you're in the Bishop's Stortford or Stansted area, Thomas can help with that.
Most straightforward replacements take one day. If you're changing boiler type, for example moving from a back boiler to a combi, or if there's significant pipework work involved, it may take two days. Thomas will give you a realistic timeframe when he visits to quote.
Yes. You won't have heating or hot water during the work, but the property is habitable throughout. In most cases the new boiler is commissioned and running by the end of the same day.
Most new boilers include a manufacturer's warranty, typically ranging from two to ten years depending on the brand and model. Thomas will register the warranty on your behalf as part of the installation process.
Not necessarily. Pressure loss is often caused by a small leak in the system or a failing pressure relief valve, both of which can be repaired. Thomas will diagnose the cause. If it's a repair job rather than a replacement, he'll tell you.
Thomas installs a range of reliable makes. The right brand for your home depends on the system type, your budget and availability. He'll give you his honest recommendation rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
Once a year. Annual servicing keeps the boiler operating safely and efficiently, and helps maintain most manufacturer warranties.
Common signs are no heating or hot water, low boiler pressure, unusual noises such as banging or whistling, leaks from the boiler or pipework, radiators not heating properly, the boiler repeatedly switching off, or a fault code showing on the display.
A standard boiler service usually takes around 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the type and condition of the system.
Yes. A properly maintained boiler runs more efficiently, which can help reduce energy usage and heating costs.
Thomas works on most major boiler manufacturers and domestic heating systems.
Thomas checks the boiler and controls, inspects for leaks or corrosion, tests gas pressures and safety devices, cleans key components where required, checks the flue and combustion performance, and confirms the system is operating safely and efficiently.
Pressure loss can be caused by leaks, faulty components, recently bled radiators, or expansion vessel issues. Thomas will diagnose the cause and recommend the correct repair.
It depends on the boiler's age, condition and the cost of the repairs. Thomas always gives honest advice on whether a repair or a replacement is the better long-term option.
Yes. Thomas carries out boiler servicing and gas safety inspections for landlords and rental properties, and issues CP12 landlord gas safety certificates.
Yes. Ongoing circulation or blockage issues are often linked to sludge, poor system design, failing components, or a lack of filtration. Thomas can investigate and recommend suitable solutions, such as a power flush or a magnetic filter, to improve system performance.
A power flush is a professional cleaning process that removes sludge, rust and debris from a central heating system using specialist equipment and cleaning chemicals.
Most power flushes take between one and two days, depending on the size and condition of the system.
In many cases, yes. Sludge build-up is one of the most common causes of radiators heating unevenly or staying cold at the bottom.
No. The process is carried out using specialist equipment connected directly to the heating system, and Thomas takes care to protect the work area and keep disruption to a minimum.
Common signs are black water when bleeding radiators, noisy pipework, poor circulation, repeated pump issues, or radiators with cold spots.
Yes. Removing restrictions and improving circulation helps the heating system run more efficiently and reduces unnecessary strain on the boiler.
Not always. Thomas assesses each system individually and only recommends a power flush if it is genuinely needed.
Thomas normally recommends adding inhibitor and, where suitable, fitting a magnetic filter to help keep the system clean and protected going forward.
In many cases yes, but older systems are always assessed carefully first. Thomas carries out checks beforehand to make sure the most suitable approach is used.
A power flush uses specialist machinery to create high flow rates through the system for a more intensive clean. A standard chemical flush is gentler and is often carried out during a boiler installation.
The most common causes are dirty injectors or a failing thermocouple. Dirty injectors restrict the fuel supply and cause the burner to cut out. A thermocouple on its way out fails to hold the gas valve open consistently, so the burner drops. Both are dealt with as standard during an annual service.
AGA and Rayburn both recommend annual servicing. The appliances that cause the most trouble are the ones that haven't been looked at in several years. A yearly service keeps injectors clean, replaces the thermocouple before it fails, and checks the flue is clear.
Yes. Thomas is qualified for both Natural Gas and LPG work. If you're on an LPG bulk tank or a domestic cylinder supply, he can service your appliance without any issue. He doesn't cover oil-fired models.
The appliance needs to cool before Thomas can work on it safely. For a traditional AGA that runs constantly, this means planning ahead. He can advise on timing when you book, and he'll relight and test the appliance fully before he leaves.
Generally yes, up to a point. A well-maintained AGA can run for a very long time. Thomas will give you an honest view on whether the appliance has more years in it or whether it's approaching the end of its useful life. He won't recommend a service just for the sake of it if the appliance is beyond practical repair.
Yes, and it's particularly valuable. Because underfloor heating takes longer to reach temperature than radiators, a smart thermostat that learns the warm-up time will start heating well ahead of when you need it. The result is a room at the right temperature when you want it, without wasted running time.
Most floor finishes are compatible, including tile, stone, engineered wood and vinyl. Solid wood is less suitable because it can expand and contract with the heat. Thomas will advise on floor finish compatibility when you discuss the project.
Wet systems run at lower water temperatures than radiators, which means the boiler runs more efficiently. Running costs depend on insulation, floor area and how the system is controlled. A properly designed and insulated installation typically runs at lower cost than a comparable radiator system in the same space.
Yes, but it involves more work than installing during a build. Retrofitting usually means lifting existing floors, which adds cost and disruption. It's worth discussing with Thomas whether it's practical for your specific property.
In the rooms where it's installed, yes in most cases. Thomas designs the system so that the underfloor circuit is the primary heat source for those rooms. In some older or poorly insulated properties, supplementary heating may still be needed, but he'll advise on this as part of the design.
Essex has consistently high water hardness. Limescale builds up inside boilers, washing machines, dishwashers and cylinders over time, reducing efficiency and shortening their working life. A water softener removes the minerals that cause scale before they reach your plumbing, protecting those appliances for the long term.
Most units are installed under the kitchen sink or in a utility room, close to where the cold water supply enters the property. The unit is plumbed into the cold supply and requires a drain connection for the regeneration cycle. Thomas will identify the best location when he visits.
The softener typically bypasses the drinking water tap, which stays connected to the untreated cold supply. That means your drinking water is unaffected. Some people choose to add a separate filter to the drinking tap, which Thomas can also supply and fit.
The main ongoing task is topping up the salt. Most households need to do this once every four to eight weeks, depending on water usage. Beyond that, the units are low maintenance. Thomas will explain what to watch for when he installs it.
Prices run from £800 to £2,000 depending on the unit and the installation requirements. Thomas visits the property and gives a fixed quote before any work is agreed.
Two common causes. On a direct system, the immersion heater may have failed. These can be replaced without necessarily replacing the cylinder. On an indirect system, where the boiler heats the cylinder via the coil, a failed motorised valve stops hot water reaching the cylinder properly. Thomas can diagnose which it is and advise on the most practical fix.
A vented cylinder works with a cold water tank in the loft and operates on gravity pressure. An unvented cylinder connects directly to the mains supply and typically gives better water pressure throughout the house. Unvented systems require installation by a qualified engineer because they operate at mains pressure with safety devices that must be set correctly.
Most replacements are carried out in one day. Thomas will confirm the timeframe when he quotes. You won't have hot water during the work, but you'll have it back the same day in most cases.
A well-maintained copper vented cylinder can last 20 to 25 years. Unvented cylinders typically last 15 to 20 years, though hard water areas like Essex can shorten that if the water hasn't been treated. If you're installing a new cylinder, it's worth considering a water softener at the same time.
No. Combi boilers heat water on demand and don't use a stored cylinder. However, if your home has more than one bathroom or high hot water demand, a system or heat-only boiler with a cylinder often performs better in practice. Thomas can advise on whether your current setup is right for your home's needs.