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There are many questions we get asked on a regular basis. So to help our customers, we have compiled a list of the top 10 questions we get asked. Some are plumbing related, others are company related, but we hope in some way they will help!

Plumbing Related Top Questions

1 – How do I top the pressure up on my boiler?

Switch the boiler off and allow it to cool down. Check that both ends of the filling loop (usually a silver braided hose on the pipework under boiler) are securely attached. Open both valves and allow water into the system. You should be able to hear this as the pressure is rising. Let the pressure gauge reach around 1.5 bar then close both valves, one after the other. If you are needing to do this regularly, there may be a leak on your central heating!

2 – My heating isn’t coming on automatically, what should I do?

Check your thermostat. It may need new batteries causing it not to detect the need to switch the heating on! When switching your heating on, we recommend that it is set between 18 and 21 degrees. This is the most energy efficient temperature.

3 – I have a bad water leak, what shall I do?

Turn off the water at the mains to prevent any further damage. Once the mains water is turned off, look for where the leak originally came from and see if it is possible to isolate the water supply to allow you to turn the water back on. Only turn the water back on if you are certain that the leaking area has been isolated! Once this is done, call a plumber to repair the leak.

4 – My radiator isn’t getting hot. What should I do?

If your radiators have a small amount of heat at the bottom but nothing at the top, it may be that it needs bleeding. This is a straightforward process that requires a bleed key and an old towel to remove any excess air out of the system. However, if there is heat at the top and not at the bottom or none of your radiators are heating up at all there may be a more in-depth problem with your central heating.

5 – I can smell gas. What should I do?

Turn off the gas at the emergency control valve located at the gas meter and open windows and doors in the area. Once this is done, call 0800 111 999 to come and isolate the gas supply. This needs to be done as soon as possible as gas may still bypass the valve on the meter. Then call a Gas Safe Registered engineer to repair the problem.

Company Related Top Questions

6 – What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept debit card, credit card, cash and BACS payments. However, we do not accept cheques. Payment for all jobs are taken on completion and our engineers have card machines with them to make the payment process simple!

7 – Do you offer cover on my plumbing and heating?

Yes. We offer three types of cover. These can be found at https://dtsplumbing.co.uk/boiler-service-plans/ and range from £10 – £25 a month.

8 – Who will be coming to my house?

When booking your appointment, wherever possible we will tell you which engineer will be attending. The engineer will send a text message on their way to your appointment to let you know they are on their way. When they arrive, they will also have DTS Plumbing and Heating ID. All of our engineers are DBS checked to give our customers peace of mind that those entering their house are safe and trustworthy.

9 – Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. However, we do not offer free call outs for boiler breakdowns or boiler diagnostics.

10. Will you need to turn my water off when you attend?

It depends on the job. For most boiler related appointments, we shouldn’t have to turn off the water at the mains. For plumbing appointments, we will try our best to isolate the water from each appliance. However, as a last resort we may need to turn the water off.

Thanks for reading,

The DTS Plumbing and Heating Team!

www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

Its here – the annual gas safety week. Gas Safety Week is a week long campaign that helps people to be more gas safe aware in their homes. The campaign runs from 16th to 22nd September and this years main focus will be vulnerable people. 

This blog contains our tips on how the vulnerable and their dependants can keep gas safe, as well as advice from the Gas Safe Register.

A Recent Study

According to a recent study by Gas Safe Register, 1 in 5 households have unsafe gas appliances! This may include appliances such as boilers, fires and gas cookers. This research involved over 2000 people who have elderly or disabled relatives or loved ones, that they see regularly to care for or check in on. The majority of these people said that the main reason for checking in on their loved ones was for their safety. Scarily, 92% of these people didn’t know what the crucial signs of an unsafe gas appliance was!

What to Look For

• Does yours or your loved ones cooker have a lazy yellow flame when lit? This is a sign that the cooker is not working as it should be and may pose a serious risk to those in its vicinity for a long period.
• More frequent amounts of condensation inside the windows is also a sign that a gas appliance may not be working as it should. This may mean that gases from the boiler flue are spilling back into the house, which can be extremely dangerous in a confined space.
• Make sure there is a carbon monoxide alarm in yours and your loved ones property. These relative inexpensive devices will sound if carbon monoxide is detected. This could potentially save lives, as carbon monoxide is a odourless gas that may not be picked up without one!

Our Tips

• Make sure you know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. There are 6 main symptoms, many of which can present themselves as a flu or a hangover. These are:
  • Headache, Nausea, Dizziness, Breathlessness, Collapse, Loss of Consciousness
• Make sure you have your boiler serviced every year and ensure your loved ones remember to put it in their diary. Many of us lead very busy lives and may forget, however a simple boiler service will pick up on gas leaks and put your mind at ease. 
• Always use a gas safe engineer. The engineers are put through training to ensure that their work is carried out safely. It is common for people without Gas Safe registration to attempt to work on gas appliances. If this should happen politely decline and call someone who can carry out the work safely and is certified to do so. Examples of this may include: 
  • Building work meaning that a boiler may have to be relocated. Make sure that the building company have a gas safe engineer with them to carry out this work.
  • Kitchen fitting meaning that a new gas hob or cooker have been installed. Always ask to see the accompanying gas fitters card, most gas engineers will be more than happy to show it off!

Thank you for reading our blog. I hope this has given you some insight into gas safety and the dangers of not being gas safe aware in the home!

Shannon

http://www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

At some stage or another, sadly, we’ve all been on the receiving end of poor customer service, whether that be being put on hold for what seems like hours, assistants chatting to each other whilst they’re serving or tradesmen not turning up.

To us, along with the quality of our workmanship, customer service is paramount and we like to think that we do it quite well, our reviews certainly reflect this.

The areas of customer service that are key for us are ……

Know your customers

Since we started up 5 years ago we have been lucky enough to have gained many loyal customers and feel that we have learned a great deal about their requirements and preferences.  We use a software system where we can make note of any special requests or information, to which all our staff have access and can act upon.  Having said that, there’s nothing l quite like the personal approach, anyone who has rung the office and spoken to Shannon will know she likes a chat; as do our engineers when they call, usually accompanied by a cuppa and a biscuit!

Timely responses

There’s nothing worse than calling a business, leaving a message then waiting days for them to ring you back.  We try and respond to all our messages on the same day, whether that be by phone, email or via a social media platform.

Proactive v Reactive

There will always be times where we have to be reactive, if you have a leak or if your boiler stops working, but we do try to be proactive wherever we can.  We will always remind you it’s time for your boiler service, appliance check or gas safety certificate, but when we do visit if we spot anything our engineer thinks may cause a problem further down the line, we would let you know in advance.

Communication

This is a key thing for us.  There are many ways in which you can get in touch with us; via our website, by email, phone or text message, we also use Instagram and Facebook messaging.  As well as our Facebook page, where we post hints, tips and information daily, we also have a group where members can ask plumbing and heating related questions to save having to call us out for easily solved problems, such as bleeding radiators or topping up boiler pressure.

Feedback

We welcome your comments and feedback and there are several ways in which you can do this.  Our engineers will leave you a Checkatrade and/or Which Trusted Traders form to complete, you can also review us online or on Google.

We hope that you agree that our customer service is one of the areas where we strive as a small business. Our Which customers definitely do, with 100% of them agreeing that they would recommend us!

Thanks for reading,

Paula

www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

Most people know, if your radiators are cold at the top and warm at the bottom they usually just need bleeding. A simple process where you turn the valve slowly and let any air out of the radiator so the water can get to the top. But what if you have a build up of magnetite in your system?

What does it mean if your radiator is hot at the top but warm at the bottom?

This could be a sign of magnetite building up in your radiators which could lead to costly problems, particularly if it reaches the inside of the boiler! Magnetite is sediment that collects in the heating system over time, which can potentially damage pipework, boiler and heating components and radiators.

Signs of Magnetite Build Up

Other signs of magnetite building up in the central heating system may be;

• Radiators not getting as hot as they used to
• Increased gas bills
• Boiler making kettle sounds
• Rust on your radiators
• Black inky substances coming out of the radiator when they are bled

Solutions

To solve this problem, there are a few solutions. Please note, all of these should be completed by a qualified professional. 

• Firstly, a magnetic filter can be added to your central heating system. This attracts the magnetic sediment and stops it from reaching your boiler. This is vital as if the boiler components are damaged, this is likely to be the most costly to repair!
• A central heating chemical flush can be completed. This is where chemicals are added to the central heating system to loosen any build up and are then flushed through all of the radiators and emptied out. If they are particularly bad, thick black sludge will come out!
• A magnetic flush can be completed. This is when two extra strength magnets are attached to the central heating system to extract of the magnetic sludge built up in the system. The picture below highlights what can often be taken from central heating system when completing a magnetic flush.

These are just some of the options that are available, for solutions tailored to your own heating system, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to talk through it with you. 

What to do if you think you have a build up of magnetite in your system?

Here are a few tips if you think your system may be getting clogged up with black sludge!

• When you next book an appointment with a plumber, ask them to do a water test of your central heating water. The colour will show the water quality in the system.
• Book an appointment with a plumber for them to give you a quote to rectify any issues you may have. If the problem is caught early it easier to solve!
• Turn on the heating and turn off all of the radiators aside from the problem radiator. Check to see if this radiator gets hot. Slowly turn all of the other radiators back on. If the radiator stays hot, the issue was air and the problem is solved! If not, there may be a blockage in the system!

Thanks,

The DTS Plumbing Team

www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

New home?

Are you buying a new home and not sure what telltale signs to look for that the plumbing just isn’t quite right? This blog tells you what to look for when buying a new home and explains in detail our new homeowner survey, which may help you pick up a few top tips!

Signs of Plumbing Issues

• Look for damp or browning patches on ceilings or walls. Pay particular attention to those directly below the bathroom and boiler, if it is located upstairs.
• If the sealant around the shower, bath or sinks is black and looks like it is coming away from the wall, there may be a leak that has not presented itself yet.
• Check under the kitchen sink. If the cupboards are showing signs of damp or water damage, it may be that a pipe behind the unit is leaking, which may be a costly repair if it has been leaking for a long time!
• Turn on the shower. It may seem another strange thing to do but it can highlight if there are any issues with the water pressure in the property and whether there are any underlying issues that may crop up in the future.

Signs of Central Heating Issues

• Check that the radiators aren’t showing any signs of rusting, either on the panels themselves or on the valves at the top and bottom. Rusting on the valves may be a sign of a leak, the current homeowners may have already had this fixed but it’s always worth checking! Rust on the radiators themselves can be caused by a variety of things, but may lead to needing new radiators or even a full central heating powerflush.
• They may find it strange, but ask the current owners if they wouldn’t mind turning on the heating. A new boiler is a big expense and one that most people don’t want to worry about when moving in to a new home!
• Does the boiler look in good condition? It isn’t always possible to tell to the naked eye but the main things to look for are signs of rust or water marks around the boiler area, the boiler being intact including the case and surrounding panels being attached correctly and that the boiler has been serviced regularly, for which the engineer should have provided a certificate.

How We Can Help

We have designed a plumbing audit to carry out on your current or new property to ensure everything is running smoothly and you wont encounter any nasty plumbing surprises! This includes:

• Boiler and hob gas safety check
• Radiator health check – ensure all radiators are getting hot when tested
• Thermostat is working correctly, safely and is in good working order
• Test all taps to ensure they are in working order and hot and cold water is running
• Test all valves throughout the central heating – this includes zone valves, radiator valves etc
• Visual check on all central heating pipework to ensure this is in good condition.
• Visual check on all basins and sinks to ensure they are in good condition and that there are no visible leaks when water is drained.
• All toilets are flushing, are in good working order and have no visible leaks.
• All showers are in working order, there are no visible leaks and hot and cold water is available.
• A written report to explain findings and give any recommendations that may be needed.

Plumbing audits start from £100. This may increase due to a higher number of gas appliances, radiators and the size of the property. 

For more information, contact us on 0114 2483011 or at enquiries@dtsplumbing.co.uk. For more handy tips, visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

Happy 5th Birthday DTS Plumbing and Heating

August 1st marks the 5th birthday of DTS Plumbing and Heating being formed and we can’t wait to celebrate! After 5 eventful years, a lot has happened at DTS, many things have changed and we have lots to be happy about!

From then to now…

Dale started the company in 2014 as himself, an apprentice and his trusty green van. In 2019, this has grown to a team of engineers and office staff who make sure all our customers are getting the best possible service and quality they deserve. 

On this Day

On the day that DTS Plumbing & Heating was Happy-

• David Cameron was the Prime Minister.
• Top of the charts was Cheryl Cole with “Crazy Stupid Love”
• The first of the blockbuster trilogy Guardians of the Galaxy was released in cinemas across the UK.
• Manchester City were the premier league champions
• Millions of people dumped ice water over their heads to raise awareness for ALS

DTS Plumbing Proud Facts

• More than 500 customer reviews have been published across various platforms
• We have installed 176 boilers
• Over 13,000 jobs have been attended and resolved
• We have serviced over 1500 boilers
• We have developed and launched three tiers of customer care plans.

Our Proud Moments

As well as all of these, plumbing related proud moments, there are also many other things we are proud of. Some of these are:

• Working alongside Cathedral Archer Project and Support Dogs, two local charities that we are extremely passionate about. We have completed numerous fundraisers and events for both of these charities including doing a sponsored sleep out and sponsoring a puppy.
• We are accredited installers across 3 of our favourite boiler brands, which means we can offer extra benefits to our customers.
• The development of our apprentices over the last 5 years who have all had major influences on our company.
• The launch of a brand new website that reflects our brand and company values.
• We now have a working office with a dedicated office team! 

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, new and old, for your continued custom and support. Without the loyalty and recommendations from our customers, we could not have reached the position we are currently standing in today!

Thank you again!

From all of us at DTS Plumbing & Heating

http://www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

http://www.dtsplumbing.co.uk/meet-the-team

Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. It is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. Carbon monoxide is responsible for up to 60 deaths in England and Wales each year and up to 4,000 medical visits, according to the NHS.

Do you know if carbon monoxide (CO) is present in your home? It isn’t always clear to the naked eye. Therefore, this blog will give you tips on how to prevent a carbon monoxide leak and what to look out for.

Symptoms

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not always obvious and can present themselves in many ways, sometimes even leaving you feeling as though you have a hangover or flu. Symptoms when exposed to small amount of the gas may include; Headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, confusion and shortness of breath.

These symptoms may be different if you are exposed to carbon monoxide for an extended period of time or a high level of the gas. 

Causes of CO Leaks

Carbon monoxide leaks are often caused when the fuel supplying your home doesn’t burn correctly. This can come from appliances such as boilers, gas fires and cookers, as well as other fuel supplied appliances.

If these appliances aren’t installed or maintained correctly by a qualified professional, this increases the risk of CO leaks and exposure to the gas. Other causes of CO poisoning may be blocked chimneys, poor ventilation and exposure to the gas in confined spaces. 

Think You Have a CO Leak?

If you believe there may be a CO leak in your home, make sure the room is well ventilated by opening all windows and doors where possible. Call Cadent, the emergency gas line on 0800111999. It is advised you visit your GP or nearest medical facility as soon as possible to rule out any medical issues. 

How to Prevent CO Poisoning

1. Ensure all of your gas appliances are serviced regularly by a gas safe registered engineer.  If you have a new gas appliance installed, check the credentials of the installer and never attempt to do this yourself.
2. Be sure you have a carbon monoxide detector near all gas appliances. Ensure these have the British kite mark to show they have been tested to acceptable standards.
3. If you have a gas cooker or hob, ensure that you have an extractor fan or hood fitted above it to extract any harmful gases that may occur.

We hope you will never need these tips, but they are there should you need them. 

Thanks as always. For more tips, head to our Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

Dale

For this fortnights blog, we wanted to tell you all about our current promotion that we have running. Its one that is a bit different and that everybody can get involved with!

What is the Competition?

In local pubs, bars and hotels around the Sheffield area we have distributed 1000 drinks mats with details of our company and what we do on one side and a competition on the other. All you have to do is send us a selfie of you and the drinks mat, let us know where you are and tag us or post the photo to our Facebook. Once we receive it, you will be entered into the chance to win a Nest Learning Thermostat! (RRP £219).

What is a Nest?

Find out more here: https://store.google.com/gb/product/nest_learning_thermostat_3rd_gen?hl=en-GB

Who is Involved?

The participating pubs so far are:

• Toolmakers Brewery – Neepsend, S3
• The Forest Pub – Neepsend, S3
• Fat Cat – Kelham Island, S3
• Kelham Island Tavern – Kelham Island, S3
• Three Merry Lads – Lodge Moor, S10
• Shiny Sheff – Lodge Moor, S10
• The Bridge Inn – Ridgeway, S12
• The Swan – Ridgeway, S12
• The Devonshire Arms – Dore, S17
• The Hare & Hound – Dore, S17
• The Cross Scythes – Totley, S17
• The Crown Inn – Totley, S17
• The British Oak – Mosborough, S20
• The Queen – Mosborough, S20
• Angel & Harlequin – Spinkhill, S21
• Renishaw Golf Club – Renishaw, S21
• The Mossbrook – Eckington, S21
• The Crown – Killamarsh, S21
• The Black Bull – Aughton, S26
• The Beehive @ Harthill – Harthill, S26
• Robin Hood Inn – Aughton, S26
• Rother Valley Golf Club Bar – Wales Bar, S26

Rules & Regulations

You can gladly enter more than once if you see them in more than one location, just make sure you tag the location!

Just a few boring rules that we hope you can follow:

• Competition is open to everyone over 18 years of age
• No unsolicited photos (no rude’s please!)
• Be creative and share with your friends.
• DTS plumbing and Heating have the right to withdraw your entry at any times if rules are broken.

When Will it Finish?

The winner will be announced on Sunday 1st September, keep your fingers crossed and your eyes peeled!

We can’t wait to see your entries and good luck!

Thanks,

The DTS Team

Small drips can become big bills! Not only do these pesky leaks hike your water bill up, they also damage the environment by using more energy! We have put together a blog with some handy tips on how to save water and what are the main culprits of water usage!

Bath & Shower

• Do you find yourself taking more baths than showers? Five minute showers use less than 30 litres of water, whereas baths use between 55 and 95!
• There are now water saving shower heads available. These combine air and water through the head to save the amount of water being used!

Taps

• If your tap drips more than twice per minute, you could be wasting over 4 litres of water a week. This could be due to a perished washer or the cartridge or tap may need replacing!
• Turning the tap off whilst brushing your teeth could save you over 12 litres of water if you brush for the recommended time of 2 minutes!

Toilet

• Did you know, flushing the toilet accounts for up to 30% of your water bill. An average flush can use between 7 litres of water, for an ultra low flow toilet, all the way up to 16 litres for older, less water efficient toilets.  Considering the average person uses the toilet 2500 times per year, that’s a lot of water! 
• A continuously running toilet not only becomes annoying, it can also waste over 500 litres of water daily! Thats enough to send your water bill sky high if it is left without repair!
• Our advice to save money would be to have the internal mechanisms of the toilet changed if they are starting to show wear or small leaks. These will make your toilet work like brand new! 

Garden

• There’s nothing we like more than a lovely hot summer, after all we don’t really get them that often!  However, a long dry period takes its toll on our lawns and gardens.  Instead of hiking up your water bill, consider having a water butt fitted, not only will it save money on your water bills it’s also much better for the environment. 
• If you have no space for a water butt, be sure to water your garden with a watering can rather than your hose pipe. The garden hose can use up to 1000 litres of water an hour. In a prolonged dry spell, why not use your bath or washing up water to water your beds and baskets?

Thanks for reading, for more handy hints visit our Facebook page

www.facebook.com/dtsplumbingandheating

Thanks,

Paula

What Cathedral Archer Project Do

“At the Cathedral Archer Project (CAP) we help homeless and vulnerable adults to lead fulfilling and enjoyable lives. We believe that every person who comes through our doors is an individual with talents, the ability to lead a healthy, sustainable life, and who in time and with support, will have aspirations they want to achieve. It is our experience, supported by research, that through building positive relationships, we can help people change their lives for the better.”

About Cathedral Archer Project

Cathedral Archer Project provide so many services to the homeless people of Sheffield. We were amazed by these when we first visited the project around 2 years ago. The project has visiting doctors and dentists to help with any issues the service users may have, they offer classes, support to attend drug and alcohol treatment services, a safe place to keep their belongings as well as showers, laundry and hot food.

How we Help

We love working with the Archer Project for many reasons. The number of rough sleepers on the streets is becoming more and more by the day and we want to do whatever we can to help. This ranges from donating key items such as clothes, shoes and food supplies to serving breakfast and having a chat. We also collect monetary donations for the Archer Project and try to raise money wherever we can. The atmosphere at the project is positive, everyone is polite and the facilities they provide are amazing!

Why we Help

None of us at DTS Plumbing have ever experienced homelessness, and we hope we never will. But after working with the Archer Project, we realise that this can happen to anyone and want to continue to support the charity to help these people back on their feet. We don’t do this for any other reason other than to help others to have the things in life that we often take for granted.

Upcoming Events

The Cathedral Archer Project are holding their first ever music festival “Music for the Homeless” on Saturday 8th June. We will be there and hope you can come too, the money raised all goes to a great cause. There will be fun for all of the family and live music playing all day. There is also a chance to take part in a sponsored sleep out straight after the event!

Thanks for reading,

Shannon – DTS Plumbing & Lynne – Cathedral Archer Project

https://www.archerproject.org.uk/