Handyman Plumbing

When You Need a Plumber for the Small Stuff

Plumbing is one of those trades with a reputation problem. Customers have been quoted £150 to fix a leaking tap that should have cost £40, and £400 for a new outside tap that should have been £120. Many of our customers have come to us specifically because they have had bad experiences with other quotes. We can confidently say we are not in that bracket. We charge a sensible hourly rate, we tell you in advance how long the job is likely to take, and we charge for materials at trade cost.

We are a handyman service that does the everyday plumbing work that most full-scale plumbing companies are too big to bother with. Tap replacements, washer changes, leaking traps, blocked sinks, outside taps, isolating valve fitting, basin and toilet replacement, radiator and towel rail replacement — these are the bread and butter of what we do. For larger jobs such as boiler replacement, full central-heating installations or anything involving gas, you need a Gas Safe registered engineer, and we are happy to recommend one of the local firms we trust. For everything else, we are your service.

Common Plumbing Repairs

The job we get called for most often is a leaking or dripping tap. Most kitchen and bathroom taps fail in one of two ways: either the cartridge or washer at the centre of the tap has worn out, or the seal underneath the body of the tap has perished. Both are quick repairs once we have the tap apart, and both can usually be fixed without replacing the whole tap. For tap replacements, we carry common cartridges for popular brands and we can usually have a faulty tap working again within an hour.

• Tap and mixer replacement, kitchen and bathroom
• Washer and cartridge replacement
• Outside tap installation, including fitting non-return valves
• Isolation valve installation under sinks and toilets
• Sink waste replacement and trap repair
• Toilet pan and cistern replacement
• Toilet syphon and fill valve replacement
• Heated towel rail replacement
• Radiator replacement on existing pipework
• Washing machine and dishwasher plumbing-in
• Boxing in pipework after repairs
• Tracing and curing minor leaks

Outside Taps and Garden Plumbing

An outside tap is one of the cheaper but most life-changing plumbing additions a Middlesbrough home can have, and we fit a lot of them. The job involves drilling cleanly through the cavity wall, fitting a non-return valve to comply with water regulations, installing the tap with a back-plate that does not move when the hose is twisted, and tidying any pipework inside the house. We can also fit drain-down points so you can isolate the outside tap in winter and prevent freeze damage. Most outside taps we install in a couple of hours and the cost is significantly lower than people fear.

Toilets, Cisterns and Bathroom Plumbing

Toilet repairs are a huge proportion of our plumbing call-outs. The classic continuously-running toilet is almost always a failed fill valve, a stuck flush valve or a perished washer in the cistern, all easy fixes once diagnosed. Toilets that rock when sat on usually need new fixings down to the floor, and sometimes a new wax-pan connector to the soil pipe. For cosmetic upgrades, replacing a tired toilet seat or a dated chrome flush handle takes minutes and lifts the room.

We are also happy to fit complete new bathroom suites, including freestanding baths, vanity units with under-mount basins and contemporary shower trays. For larger projects such as moving the position of a toilet or installing a macerator, we will quote in advance and explain any building regulations implications.

Quotes, Pricing and Coverage

Most plumbing repairs we can quote by email, particularly if you can send a couple of photos. We charge at our standard hourly rate with materials at trade cost, and we never add hidden extras. There is no callout fee for jobs we go on to complete. We cover the whole of Middlesbrough and Teesside. Get in touch by email if your situation is urgent or via the contact form for non-urgent enquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions