Nine in ten London homeowners want to see their plumber qualified.
Statistics published by OnePoll found that 91% of homeowners in London believe that plumbers should be qualified and vetted.
Currently the UK doesn’t have a mandatory plumbing register like Gas Safe, which lists engineers and businesses that are legally qualified to work safely with gas appliances.
Jonathan Samuel, managing director of WaterSafe, said: “These findings send a clear message: people want to know the person working on their home’s plumbing is properly trained, competent and accountable.”
For plumbers there is no legal requirement to be licensed or registered, meaning anybody can call themselves a plumber even without formal qualifications.
This could be for normal plumbing work such as: fixing leaks, installing sinks or toilets or pipework for water systems.
Unfortunately, this means quality can vary a lot and having a qualified plumber can lower the chances of complaints over things like: poor workmanship, overcharging and having work needing to be redone.
The issue is not new – Robin Squire a former MP from 1979-1997, raised this subject in Parliament in 1981.
His issues were again raised 10 years later in 1991 in parliament but since then no further scrutiny has been brought to Parliament.
Many plumbers voluntarily get qualifications such as NVQs or join trade bodies, but it isn’t mandatory.
Gary Deeks holds several credentials, including being approved under the Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) and holding an Advanced Craft City & Guilds in Plumbing & Heating and fully believes all plumbers should have certifications
He said: “I got them to show I’m a competent and professional person and it helps to become approachable for specialist jobs.”
The 60-year-old has on multiple occasions fixed work because of an unqualified plumber but admits he’s never had to verify being a qualified plumber to homeowners.
“On a more common day to day basis of what we see by unqualified plumbers is property damage but worse case is that it can be life threatening,” he said.
“For plumbing work in people’s houses I’ve been recommended by word of mouth, never asked for any qualifications when changing a bathroom suite or toilet.
“I am on the Gas Safe register though so can checked through there for gas works.”
Featured image credit: Timur Shakerzianov via Unsplash
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