The main supply of water to all homes in the UK comes via a local or regional water company. They are responsible for the provision of good quality, clean drinkable (or Potable) water. Potable is Latin for drinking. Your local Hampstead Plumber has all the knowledge and skill to advise on water supply and management. This water we get will go through many processes to ensure that it is fit for use. These processes include filtering, chlorination, and the adding of fluoride. Things called trunk mains are fitted underground and supply a series of principal and local mains. Hampstead Plumbers understand these systems and are skilled tradesmen.

Mains supplies are buried deep to guarantee they are not affected by forces like heavy goods vehicles and really cold weather. These mains were made from asbestos cement, or cast iron. Now, PVC is used with blue pipes used when new or replacement mains are being laid. The local main connection is made with a special isolating valve which means you don’t have to switch off the supply to the rest of the road, allowing a supply to a new house to be done without affecting the water to other buildings nearby. The water pipe is laid underground from this valve to just outside the property’s boundary where an external stop valve is fitted. Access to the stop valve is provided by a vertical pipe called an access chamber and has a cover at the top, well marked to make it easy to identify. The water from this stop valve the supply pipe runs towards the house in a part referred to as the service pipe which is the responsibility of the homeowner. This service pipe is usually made of medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and continues underground until it enters the building. The service pipe should be sleeved where it passes under the building and, as it rises up it will also be insulated to protect it from frost damage. A water meter is usually fitted inside or out.

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