Plumbing & Heating Works in Brighton & Hove
Good plumbing and heating is mostly hidden work — the parts that matter are the pipe runs, joints, falls and connections behind the walls and under the floors. In Brighton and Hove flats and older houses, the common problems are leaks, cold radiators, old lead and iron pipes, poor water pressure and awkward pipe routes added over the years. Done properly, plumbing and heating should be tested, balanced and reliable, not just working on the day it is finished.
When This Service Is Needed
- A bathroom or kitchen is being renovated and needs pipework moving or refitting.
- Radiators are cold at the bottom, noisy, or need moving during other works.
- There are leaks, dripping joints, low water pressure or a slow-filling cistern.
- Old lead, iron or badly run pipework needs replacing during a refurbishment.
- You are adding a bathroom, utility area or downstairs WC that needs new supply and waste.
- Heating needs upgrading, balancing or extending as part of a wider project.
Brighton & Hove Property Context
Many Brighton and Hove homes are Victorian and Edwardian terraces where the plumbing and heating has been added to, patched and rerouted over decades. It is common to find lead supply pipe, corroded iron waste pipe, undersized radiators and pipework buried in awkward places. Coastal weather also matters — pipes in cold lofts, external walls and unheated voids are more exposed to freezing, so lagging and sensible routing count. In flats, leaks can quickly affect the property below, and shared soil stacks and risers mean waste and supply routes need checking before any work begins.
Pipework & Approach
| Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Water supply pipework | Copper or quality plastic push-fit, correctly clipped and lagged |
| Waste and soil pipes | Correct falls, traps and connections to existing drainage |
| Radiators and valves | Correctly sized rads with lockshield and TRV valves |
| Pipe insulation | Lagging on pipes in cold voids, lofts and external walls |
| Isolation valves | Service valves fitted to appliances and fixtures |
How We Approach the Work
- 01Inspect existing pipework, stopcock, boiler type and heating system.
- 02Check water pressure, pipe routes, drainage falls and any signs of leaks.
- 03Plan supply, waste and radiator positions around the new layout.
- 04Isolate the system safely and drain down where needed.
- 05Run new pipework in copper or plastic, clipped, lagged and pressure-checked.
- 06Connect fixtures, appliances, radiators and any heating changes.
- 07Fill, vent and balance the system so radiators heat evenly.
- 08Test everything under pressure and check for leaks before boxing in.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is boxing in or tiling over pipework before it has been pressure tested. Once a joint is hidden behind plasterboard or under a new floor, a small weep can go unnoticed for weeks and cause real damage — especially in flats, where it can reach the property below before anyone spots it.
Another common mistake is ignoring balancing and system condition. Fitting new radiators onto an old, sludged system, or leaving valves unbalanced, means some rooms stay cold while others overheat. A quick flush, correct valves and proper balancing make far more difference than most people expect.
Building Regulations
Plumbing and heating work sits under several parts of the Building Regulations. Water supply, drainage, hot water safety and unvented cylinders are covered by regulations around sanitation and water efficiency, and unvented hot water systems must be installed by a suitably qualified person. Any gas work — including boilers — must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which we coordinate where a project needs it. Where plumbing crosses into electrical work, such as heating controls or electric showers, that element falls under Part P and needs a competent electrician. If pipework runs affect joists or structural timbers, notching and drilling must stay within safe limits, and floor or wall alterations may need their own approval. We flag anything that needs certification or a registered trade before the work is enclosed.
Cost Factors
- Size of the property and length of pipe runs.
- Whether pipework can be reused or needs full replacement.
- Number of fixtures, radiators and appliances involved.
- Access to floors, walls and ceilings for hidden pipework.
- Removing old lead or iron pipes found during the work.
- Moving soil and waste connections versus keeping existing routes.
- Heating changes such as adding, moving or resizing radiators.
- Making good floors, walls and finishes after pipework is run.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea and the wider Sussex area. Call us or fill in the contact form.