If you need to hire a plumber during lockdown, there’s more you need to know about than you might think. Let’s show you how plumbers practice social distancing during lockdown and give our advice for customers looking for tradespeople right now.

CAN I GET A PLUMBER IN LOCKDOWN?

Yes – but only for emergencies like water leaks, no access to water or no heating. Plumbers can carry out essential work only, not upgrades or installations in domestic settings.

CAN I GET A PLUMBER TO MY ESSENTIAL BUSINESS?

If you are one of the essential businesses running during lockdown and you have a plumbing issue that could prevent you from operating, you can hire an emergency plumber. Again, this is only for emergencies like those listed above, and not for non-essential plumbing work.

SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR PLUMBING EMERGENCIES

The rules here are quite clear: a plumber who is feeling well, with none of the known symptoms of coronavirus, can enter your home to carry out essential works. They must keep to the 2 metre distancing rule at all times. If that’s not possible, you may have to briefly vacate your home while they work, or isolate to another room.

This is where it gets tricky, though. If you or a member of your household has symptoms, a plumber won’t be able to enter your home for their own safety – but this has to be assessed based on the situation, vulnerability of the occupants and the nature of the emergency.

It’s really tough, but it’s up to the plumber to make a judgement based on the risks. If PPE is available and deeper isolation is possible, they might elect to do the work – but if you possibly can, you must totally isolate yourself from anyone outside your home, until the 14 day guideline period is over.

ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR TRADESPEOPLE

For renters, the best advice is to contact your landlord or letting agent first – they may have trusted suppliers to call out to you. They could even arrange alternative accommodation for you if your emergency plumbing problem is persistent. In either case, it’s their responsibility to ensure you have appropriate accommodation with a reasonable turnaround time for any issues – like emergency plumbing, power failures or anything else that impacts your health and quality of life.

For homeowners, it’s a little trickier. Your insurance provider could be a great first call; it’s rare, but some include emergency callouts for plumbers and other tradespeople in their cover, and can guide you through the steps to take.

Otherwise, it’s down to you to get help. And with Prestige Plumbers, you’re in good hands.

We’re Trading Standards Approved, a Which? trusted trader and have the UK government’s Buy With Confidence badge – so you can feel completely at ease when dealing with us.

What’s more, were closely following government guidelines during COVID-19, to keep you and our team safe.

PLUMBING EMERGENCY? CALL PRESTIGE PLUMBERS

We can get an emergency plumber to you within 2 hours. We cover Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham and wider Hampshire. Call us now on 0800 0886 417.