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  • Robin Mackie

    Plumber In Stockport
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    Latest Jobs

    • Boiler repairs in Stockport
    • back boiler removal
    • plumbers in Stockport
    • gas leak on lead pipework
    • Boiler leaks
    • employing Gas Xpress to install a new gas fire
    • Safe removal of an old gas fire
    • Flue terminal left dangerous by previous gas engineers, now fixed by Gas Xpress
    • Gas Safety Week for Gas Xpress in Stockport
    • Another quality boiler installation by Gas Xpress in Stockport
    • new toilet replacement installation and tiling work carried out by Gas Xpress
    • pigeon trapped at the back of the family's gas fire
    • gas safety certificates and landlord certificates
    • Investigation of carbon monoxide in Woodley Stockport
    • Registered Gas Installer Offerton Stockport New Inset Gas Fire Installation

    Professional Plumber

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    All Areas Covered: Stockport, Cheadle, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Bredbury, Wilmslow, Wythenshawe, Didsbury, Sale, Stretford, Rusholme, Withington, Denton, Reddish, All South and Central Manchester, Cheshire


    Contact me..
    Boiler repairs in Stockport

    Boiler breakdowns 21st April 15A lot of my business comes from customers whose boilers have broken down, and been left with no heating or hot water and are thus looking for a fast repair. They may have conducted an internet search looking for ‘Boiler repairs in Stockport’, or ‘Gas engineers in Stockport’ etc, and then come across my details online.

    By the way, it’s illegal for someone who isn’t Gas Safe registered to even remove the casing from a boiler, let alone repair it, so make sure you ask them if they’re registered, and even ask to see their Gas Safe ID card.

    Most boilers can be repaired fairly easily, assuming the parts, if required, are readily available. Most manufacturers stop supporting certain models after a particular amount of time, ie after such time when it’s no longer profitable for them to manufacture the spare parts because the demand for them is so low. Some repairs are straightforward, and cheap. Others, not so.

    It’s also worth considering that, in the unfortunate event that your boiler decides to go on strike, if you’re facing a potentially hefty repair bill, it actually might be worth cutting your losses and getting a new one installed instead. The reason for this is that when gas fueled boilers were first introduced, they were made of cast iron, were fairly sturdy, and to be honest there wasn’t a lot to go wrong on them. Today’s boilers, although very efficient, and packed full of essential (and very useful) features, simply don’t last as long. Even the best ones that come loaded with a 10 year parts and labour warranty, will probably be heading for the scrap heap in another 15 or 20 years.

    Having said that, if your broken boiler is easily repairable, and is otherwise providing you with trouble free central heating and hot water, it’s definitely worth keeping. If you’re having trouble with your existing boiler, whether a new or recurring problem, do not hesitate to call me on 0161 826 7538 for a ‘no call-out charge’ assessment of the problem.

    back boiler removal

    Back boiler removal 27th March 15There are still many of the old style back boilers out there in residential dwellings – the ones usually sat behind an equally prehistoric radiant style gas fire. These were installed on a major scale during the 70s and beyond as gas central heating became more accessible, affordable, and cleaner than using solid fuels to heat our homes.

    They were simple in their design, and didn’t really have many things on them that could go wrong, hence many of them still being in place, and regularly used, in today’s 21st century world. On the downside, they were extremely inefficient compared to the A+ ratings on most, if not all, of the boilers being produced today. Many people looking to undertake renovation work to their homes typically look for a back boiler removal service prior to carrying out work, with a view to upgrading to a new system in the process.

    One of my customers recently had a problem with the pump on the heating side of her old system, and had intended on upgrading the boiler at some point soon anyway, so decided to take the plunge, and install a new boiler at the same time. There was only a couple of options as to where the new boiler could be located, one of which was in the loft. It’s worth taking into consideration that, these days, with the utilisation of a remotely located heating controller, the boiler itself can go pretty much anywhere, as long as it meets the regulations as set out by both the gas industry, and the manufacturer. Needless to say, it was the loft that was chosen as the location for this installation.

    The old back boiler and fire was disconnected and removed, then the pipework was reconfigured and modified to accommodate the new boiler positioning. Electrical supplies were removed and installed respectively, and the gas supply was also upgraded to account for the extra consumption required by the new boiler. It’s also worth noting here that, although the new boiler was practically double the output of KW/hour compared to the old boiler, being so much more energy efficient, it will still consume much less gas whilst still providing the same performance in terms of both heating and hot water.

    Back boiler removal 27th March 15bThe pictures displayed show the old back boiler before it was disconnected and removed, and then the new boiler positioned neatly on the gable end wall inside the loft. The customer was highly delighted with the end result, and now has a clean, energy efficient, and reliable system that hopefully won’t let her down for the foreseeable future. Not only that, but this particular boiler was purchased with a manufacturer’s 10 year parts and labour warranty, for ultimate peace of mind.

    plumbers in Stockport

    People often ask me if I do plumbing work, after perhaps making an internet search for plumbers in Stockport. It seems a silly question to me, but looking at it from a customer’s point of view (being a gas engineer, and with Gas Xpress as my company name), I can understand why. In this industry there are gas engineers; who repair, service and install gas appliances (whether domestic or commercial); heating engineers, who repair, service and install all kinds of central heating systems; and plumbers, who repair, service and install all kinds of plumbing systems.

    Generally, these different arenas go hand-in-hand, with most engineers or plumbers turning there hand to all three aspects, and in my case, this is no exception. If purely employing the services of a plumber however (who you then may want to service or repair your gas boiler or fire), you must ensure that the plumber in question is Gas Safe registered (the replacement body for CORGI).

    Failure to fully understand the safety, regulations, and legality or working with gas, could result in the said plumber being fined or even imprisoned, and yourself and your family being placed in danger, if certain gas related work has not been carried out properly.

    So essentially, yes. I do plumbing work, as well as work on gas appliances, or central heating systems. So maybe next time you consider searching the internet for plumbers in Stockport, or get asked by a friend or colleague if they know any decent plumbers in Stockport, it might well be worth you giving my phone number a ring. But don’t just take my word for it – have a look at what some of my customers say about me too, by looking at the “What you said…” section on my home page of this website.

    gas leak on lead pipework
    Old lead gas pipe, found to be the cause of the gas leak

    Old lead gas pipe, found to be the cause of the gas leak

    I was telephoned by a customer last week to adjust some pipework on their gas supply to two separate gas fires, where a leak had previously been found by an engineer from National Grid. There was a gas leak on lead pipework which had been connected to the copper feed to these two particular fires, so I had to refabricate the supply pipe and take the feed from another gas supply.

    All pipework in this case was underneath the downstairs floor boards so it wasn’t the easiest job to actually work on but luckily there was a removable access panel in the downstairs toilet, which was actually the area that the customer had informed me that the gas smell was strongest.

    Natural gas being supplied through lead pipework, whilst not illegal, is not acceptable under current gas regulations – it certainly shouldn’t be fitted on a new installation – but is still common place for many UK properties. Where possible these days, I would always try and remove, or bypass, all lead pipework, certainly where the main water supply is concerned, and then replace with its copper equivalent. Lead pipe, particularly that which has not been properly clipped and supported in place, is very vulnerable to movement and fatigue, and is therefore more at risk of weakening, and consequently leaking.

    Whilst some very minor gas leaks are actually tolerated, provided they do not exceed a certain level, any gas leak where the smell of it can be physically sensed, is not acceptable and should therefore be treated as a matter of urgency. It’s a fairly simple procedure to ascertain whether a leak is present or not on any given installation, so if in doubt, just give me a call.

    Boiler leaks

    Boiler leakI often repair problems with boilers, where the boiler may have stopped working because it has developed a fault. These are not only annoying, especially in winter, but can cost a fair bot to rectify too, depending upon what the problem may be.

    In addition to this though, I’m frequently called out to repair boiler leaks that may have sprung too. It’s not surprising that leaks can happen, as the boiler itself has many components and fittings inside, many of which are concealing either fresh water, or central heating water, both of which can operate at mains pressure, or just below.

    It was no exception to the boiler I repaired recently, pictured above. However, the leak on this one was spraying a very fine mist from the point at which the leak had occurred, all over the boiler’s internal electrical components which, as you can imagine, can cause umpteen other problems if left unattended.

    It might be difficult to work out from the picture, but the leak was definitely there (on the left side hydraulic block – a common problem on Worcester Bosch boilers)! The relevant part was replaced and hence the leak fixed.

    If you notice water dripping down from the bottom of your own boiler, it may not necessarily be causing much harm, other than the fact that it’s making very damp whatever is sitting below the boiler, but it probably best to get it checked out anyway to avoid it getting any worse. It could just be a washer that’s failed, and therefore a fairly easy fix.

    employing Gas Xpress to install a new gas fire
    Fire install 28th Nov 2014 a

    Blockages present behind the old gas fire causing spillage of carbon monoxide

    A couple of weeks ago I was called by a customer who informed me that her carbon monoxide alarm had gone off one evening when herself and her husband had lit the gas fire, and wanted me to investigate it. It was the one and only time they had used the fire despite living there for a number of years.

    When I arrived, I immediately noticed that the fire was very old and in a poorly maintained condition. When I was eventually able to remove it from the wall I noticed straight away that there was a big blockage behind the fire in the form of birds nests and other debris that had fallen down the chimney over time. I cleared this out and proceeded to carry out my smoke tests. However, it appeared that there was still a further blockage which needed further investigation.

    I advised the customer to employ the services of a chimney sweep to completely remove all blockages from the inside of the chimney, which she did, and also that, in view of the age and condition of the current one, she think about employing Gas Xpress to install a new gas fire.

    Fire install 28th Nov 2014 b

    New fire and surround after fitting

    The customer decided to purchase a new gas fire, listening to my advice on the kind of fire to buy (plus dimensions etc). There were also a couple of upgrades she wanted to do on the fire surround itself. After everything was finished, they ended up with a brand new fire being installed which was not only safe to use, but gave a whole new look to that part of the lounge. Another satisfied (and warm) customer!

    Safe removal of an old gas fire
    Old fires once removed

    Old fires once removed

    I was asked by a customer this week if I’d undertake the safe removal of an old gas fire in Hyde. In fact not only one, but two. This was at a property which the customer had only recently purchased and was subsequently planning a lot of renovation work, including a damp-proof course to two of the downstairs room.

    The plan is to re-fit two new gas fires at a later date once the other work has been done, and replace the old fashioned fire surrounds in the process.

    The job here involved capping off the existing supply to both fires, but leaving the supply there, ready for when it’s needed again. The certificate from my side was left with the customer as proof that everything had been done correctly with no risk of any gas leaks occurring.

    These fires were still in full working order when removed, and had served the previous householders for 20 or so years! It just goes to show how convenient gas fires can actually be in today’s world. They offer good room-by-room heating without having to heat the whole house. With an inset, real flame effect fire, you also get that ‘real fire’ feel too without the hassle, stress and mess associated with a real coal or log burning fire or stove. They’re much more controllable than a solid fuel fire, and much cheaper to run than an electric fire too.

    We have used Gas Xpress several times for different needs. Prompt and reliable service! Thank you

    “We have used Gas Xpress several times for different needs. Prompt and reliable service! Thank you”

    Claire Nicoll

    I am very happy to give this trader an excellent review – his service was first-class in every way and, most importantly

    I am very happy to give this trader an excellent review – his service was first-class in every way and, most importantly, I felt able to trust him in my home.

    Sylvia Cowling

    Flue terminal left dangerous by previous gas engineers, now fixed by Gas Xpress
    Flue terminal left dangerous by previous engineers

    Flue terminal left dangerous by previous engineers

    I was conducting a routine annual service on a boiler this week when from the inside of the house, where the boiler was located, I noticed that I could see daylight around the hole through the wall where the flue was positioned. Part of the service procedure it to check the entire length of the flue, whether horizontal or vertical, in order to make sure it has been installed correctly in the first instance, and to also check it’s effectiveness.

    What shouldn’t occur, is for a big gap to be left around the flue, thus potentially allowing burnt products of combustion from coming back into the dwelling. Although to the layman this is no major problem, to a gas engineer it’s a dangerous situation! The worst of it was when the customer informed me of how the previous servicing company she used had also noted the problem and told her that it needed to be fixed, only to go away but then never be seen again!

    Fortunately for the customer, I was able to make good the flue terminal using a high temperature flue cement which stopped any further products of combustion from potentially coming back into the internal dwelling space and causing a dangerous situation to occur. It wasn’t even a major job, and was done in only half an hour. Needless to say that the customer was more than happy knowing that the boiler had no only been serviced correctly, but was now completely safe to use too!

    All Jobs Welcome

    I am a professional plumber based in Stockport always here to answer your call
    • Radiators
    • Gas Servicing
    • Landlord Certs.
    • Emergencies
    • Household leaks
    • Outside Taps
    • Installations
    • Toilets and more

    What You Said

    Alternative text

    We have used Gas Xpress severa...
    “We have used Gas Xpress several times for different needs. Prompt and reliable service! Thank you” Claire Nicoll

    Alternative text

    I am very happy to give this t...
    I am very happy to give this trader an excellent review – his service was first-class in every way and, most importantly, I felt able to trust him in my home. Sylvia Cowling

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    Excellent standard of craftsma...
    Excellent standard of craftsmanship. Delivered exactly what was expected. Very reliable. Andrew Clements

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    Robin arrived on time & s...
    Robin arrived on time & soon diagnosed the fault. He returned to fix it the same day & kept me well informed about his time of arrival. His charges were reasonable and would use him again. I am happy to recommend him to others. Colin Moores

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    A good job well done. We have ...
    A good job well done. We have struggled to find a good reliable plumber in Manchester, think we have now found one. Thanks Val Borrill

    Areas That I Cover:

    Stockport, Cheadle and Gatley, Denton, Bredbury and Romiley, Poynton, Hyde, Bowdon, Dukinfield, Altrincham, Manchester South, Manchester Central, Cheshire, Salford

  • Latest

    Boiler repairs in Stockport
    A lot of my
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    back boiler removal
    There are still many
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  • Contact me

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    0161 850 7621
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    robinmackiegbt@gmail.com
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    34 Hallbottom Street
    Hyde,
    SK14 4JQ
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