The latest episode of consumer protection show Watchdog featured a dangerously dodgy plumber. It also featured Danny Davis, principal technical officer with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, whose expertise was instrumental in pinpointing the plumber’s pitfalls.
The show recorded a plumber wasting time, overcharging and replacing parts that weren’t faulty. In one instance he left the toilet with a new leak and in his final job on the program he left a property at risk from flooding.
Said Danny, “Plumbers like this give the industry a bad name but it’s important for members of the public to realise what can go wrong if they don’t hire the right sort of person. Many plumbers are well qualified professionals but sometimes people need help finding a good one, which is a big part of what the CIPHE do.”
The CIPHE is a non-profit organisation responsible for a UK-wide register of qualified and reliable plumbers and heating engineers. All members must abide by a strict code of professional standards, as well as maintaining high levels of expertise and competence.
Added Danny, “I was really shocked by what I saw taking part in the Watchdog show. Working with the CIPHE I’ve heard a lot of bad stories about rogue plumbers but seeing it with my own eyes was incredible. I hope that everyone who saw it will realise that they need to take care when hiring a plumber and that it’s OK to get a few quotes before they commit.”
To find a local registered plumber or heating engineer search the website or telephone 01708 472 791.