24 Hour Emergency Plumber, Edinburgh - First Call Plumbers

First Call Plumbers – Emergency Service

First Call Plumbers have their unbeatable 24 Hour Emergency Service for businesses and consumers throught the Edinburgh and Lothian areas. We aim to be with you within the hour – 24 hours a day – 365 days a year.

Our plumbers are able to tackle any plumbing, heating or drainage situation including:

• Boiler breakdowns & repairs
• Radiators & pipes
• Leaks & bursts
• All drainage problems including sinks, toilets & taps
• High pressure water jetting
• Washing machines & dishwashers
• Shower installations
• Toilets, sinks & taps
• Tanks & overflows
• Internal stop taps
• Outside taps
• 24/7 speedy response, 24hours a day, 365 days a year.

To use this emergency service, call an experienced plumber direct on the emergency mobile number 07917-772-774 or call our office number 0131-669-1007.

If your need is not urgent, you can also email us at enquiries (at) firstplumber.com or fill in our contact form here.

Our emergency plumbing service provides a rapid emergency response, however, it’s still best to prevent disasters in the first place. Check out our website and you will find quite a few top plumbing tips to prevent plumbing emergencies. Especially valuable are our Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter tips which can be found by clicking here.

One of the most common problems with toilets is a handle that sticks or is loose when you go to flush it. If you’re experiencing this problem, remove the tank cover of your toilet and check the mounting nut. This is located on the inside of the toilet behind the handle. It may need tightening or cleaned, as lime can build up on it. The lime will come off fairly easy using a small brush and some vinegar. If the mounting nut does not appear to be the problem, check the chain that connects the flapper valve and the lift arm. The chain should have only about one inch of slack in it. If it’s too loose remove a link or two of the chain or hook a different hole. Of course if the chain is broken replacing it will fix the problem.

Another common problem is the toilet will not flush. Again you will want to remove the tank cover. Check to make sure that all the pieces, the handle, lift arm, flapper valve, and chain, are connected and working. Check the handle to make sure it is not too loose or too tight and causing the toilet not to flush. You should check the lift arm to make sure it is not broken or bent. Also check that the lift arm and lift chain are connected and not out of adjustment, as this would cause the flapper valve to not open enough to flush the toilet.

Everyone at some point has had a toilet overflow or clog up on them. To solve this problem you might try using a plunger to loosen any clog that may be stuck, and should that not work you can use a snake to work down through the plumbing. If the problem is that the toilet keeps overflowing there is most likely a solid object in the toilet such as keys or a small toy. If more than one toilet is overflowing or clogging up in your house, it usually indicates a water line or septic system problem.

The toilet running constantly is also another common problem. Many people temporarily fix this by jiggling the handle. Most times the flapper valve needs replaced, as it is failing to seal the tank after flushing. That is why jiggling the handle temporarily fixes the problem. Replacing the flapper valve is an easy and cheap repair to make.

If you are experiencing a toilet problem different from those listed above or you need professional experience contact First Call Plumbing on 0131 669 1007 who can solve any of your plumbing problems.

If you have problems with CYLINDERS, IMMERSIONS, STOPCOCKS, OVERFLOWS, BALL VALVES, LEAKS, BURST PIPES, TANKS, BOILER REPAIRS, SHOWERS, SINKS, OUTSIDE TAPS, TOILETS, BATHS, BASINS, SANIFLOWS, WASTE PIPES, TRAPS and if you live in any of the following areas, we aim to be with you within the hour: Abbeyhill • Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

A tap that is leaking or dripping is usually a sign that a part of the tap is worn out and needs to be replaced. Often times it is a washer or a seal, as these parts wear out due to water pressure. These parts can easily be purchased at any hardware or plumbing store and are relatively easy to fix for even those with little home repair experience.

Fixing leaking or dripping taps should be a priority. While this doesn’t seem like a major problem, it can cost you over time. A slow leaking tap can waste between 15 and 20 gallons of water each day. In addition, it can corrode the tap or fixtures, stain sink bowls or basins, and ruin cabinets or floors if it is leaking on to them.

Another common problem with taps is the amount of water flowing through the spout. Water contains minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in varying degrees depending on whether you have hard or soft water. Over time, these minerals can build up in the tap aerator, where the water comes out of the tap fixture. This piece can normally be taken apart from the tap by unscrewing it or twisting it off. You may be able to do this by hand, or you might need a wrench to give you a grip and help loosen it. Once you have it off, check it for mineral buildup or clogs. If minerals are built up in the aerator, you can remove them using a toothpick or a small brush, such as a toothbrush. To aid in cleaning you might also use some vinegar to loosen the minerals from the metal. Once you have it cleaned, return the part to the tap, and your water flow should be normal again.

Next time you are experiencing tap problems, remember that a leaking or dripping tap is one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners like yourself experience. Usually this problem can be easily fixed for a relatively cheap price, but should you run into problems or not have time to do it, contact your plumber who will be happy to come and fix it for you.

If you are unable or unwilling to do this then call First Call Plumbers on 0131 669 1007

If you have problems with CYLINDERS, IMMERSIONS, STOPCOCKS, OVERFLOWS, BALL VALVES, LEAKS, BURST PIPES, TANKS, BOILER REPAIRS, SHOWERS, SINKS, OUTSIDE TAPS, TOILETS, BATHS, BASINS, SANIFLOWS, WASTE PIPES, TRAPS and if you live in any of the following areas, we aim to be with you within the hour:

Abbeyhill • Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

Household plumbing pipe seems invisible. You don’t really see it, until it bursts in the basement or under a kitchen sink. Then you need to know something about pipe–and quickly!

Household plumbing pipes are installed in walls and under floors during construction. They carry fresh water to kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and so on. A separate system carries waste water from a sink or toilet to the main drain and out of the house to the sewer or septic system.

Pipe is available in cast-iron, brass, copper, galvanised steel, and plastic. Fittings are connections between pipes that allow pipes to turn or attach to a fixture such as a tap or water heater.

How the fittings are installed on pipe depends on the material. For example, copper pipes are soldered together or joined with compression or flare fittings. Plastic pipes are joined with plastic screw-on fittings or PVC cement. In addition, transition fittings can be used to join plastic and metal pipes.

Pipe doesn’t move, nor is it subject to wear. So the greatest cause of pipe problems is age (pipes become brittle or corrode, fittings fail) or damage from freezing.

Lead piping
Lead piping in domestic properties is prohibited today for health reasons. Drinking water lying in a lead pipe for some time absorbs toxins from the metal. (If lead piping supplies the drinking water, always run the water for a short time before using it). Thousands of homes still have a lead rising main connected to a modernised system. When the occasion arises lead pipes should be replaced rather than repaired with either copper or plastic piping.

If you have problems with pipes, burst pipes or even CYLINDERS, IMMERSIONS, STOPCOCKS, OVERFLOWS, BALL VALVES, TANKS, BOILER REPAIRS, SHOWERS, SINKS, OUTSIDE TAPS, TOILETS, BATHS, BASINS, SANIFLOWS, TRAPS and if you live in any of the following areas, we aim to be with you within the hour:

Abbeyhill • Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

What to do if a pipe or tank freezes

• Turn off the water at the main stop valve. If there is a stopcock fitted on the system side of the header tank (to stop water leaving the tank) this should also be turned off.
• Do this even if you only suspect your pipes are frozen, as they could also have burst.  By turning off the water you will reduce the amount of water which can escape and therefore minimise damage to your home.
• Before you start to thaw the system do what you can to protect or remove anything which might be damaged by the thawing water running from the burst.
• Thaw the pipe using a hairdryer or hot water bottle – DO NOT USE A BLOW LAMP OR HEAT GUN.
• Open the tap closest to the frozen part of the pipe.
• Begin thawing the pipe from the tap side of the frozen area by heating it gently and work back towards the header tank.

CALL FIRST CALL PLUMBERS on 0131 669 1007

If you have problems with CYLINDERS, IMMERSIONS, STOPCOCKS, OVERFLOWS, BALL VALVES, LEAKS, BURST PIPES, TANKS, BOILER REPAIRS, SHOWERS, SINKS, OUTSIDE TAPS, TOILETS, BATHS, BASINS, SANIFLOWS, WASTE PIPES, TRAPS and if you live in any of the following areas, we aim to be with you within the hour:

Abbeyhill • Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield

* No call out charge * Free estimates * Free consultations * Installation and Fitting * Surveys and Inspections * Servicing and repairs * Residential * Domestic * Commercial * Insurance work * 7 Days a week *

Whether you choose to give your bathroom or cloakroom a facelift with some new taps and tiling, or you require a full bathroom installation we are here to help you make your dream a reality. This could comprise of a walk in power shower and contemporary fittings with a modern towel rail and partial tiling of showers and walls or full tiling including floors. We will work with you on your new bathroom or cloakroom to design and develop your style of choice and make your ideas become reality.

Baths, Toilets, Showers, Bidets, Whirlpools, Taps, Sinks etc. Giving your bathroom an affordable bathroom makeover by changing the existing bathroom furniture or incorporating new bathroom accessories is an effective way of transforming your bathroom. Water may be splashed on the walls and floor, and hot humid air may cause condensation on cold surfaces. From a decorating point of view the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned.

The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials, is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. However, such surfaces are often cold to the touch and so water-resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable. Alternatively, the floor may be heated, possibly by strategically placing heater conduits close to the surface.

If a syphon type of cistern has never flushed properly, the likelihood is that the water level is too low – it should be about 12mm (half inch) below the overflow outlet.  To correct this, raise the height of the float, the method depends upon the type of valve/ball fitted.

If a linkage has become detached within the cistern, this should be fairly obvious as the handle/chain will loose its normal ‘feel’ – i.e. the handle or chain won’t return to its normal position. Most linkages which have come loose can just be refitted and tightened after removing the top of the cistern.

If the cistern is a direct action type syphon type, the flexible diaphragm on top of the perforated disc may have become torn.

If a cistern fills very slowly, more than 2 minutes, this problem would normally be associated with the ball valve which fills the cistern with water, possible causes include:

• The wrong type of valve nozzle is fitted, a mains valve nozzle fitted where the valve is fed from a water tank – most valves are supplied with both nozzles, the appropriate one needs fitting at the time of installation.
• Low water pressure in the feed pipe – either a valve has not been turned fully on or there is an obstruction in the pipe.
• The valve itself may have become clogged by scale or muck in the water supply.

If a cistern does not flush when handle/chain is operated and if a syphon type of cistern has never flushed properly, the likelihood is that the water level is too low – it should be about 12mm (half inch) below the overflow outlet.  To correct this, raise the height of the float, the method depends upon the type of valve/ball fitted.  On some set-ups there is a hinge in the arm between the valve and the ball with a lock nut/screw – loosen off the nut/screw and adjust the hinge.  The final arrangement is where there is a solid brass rod between the valve and ball without any adjustment; in this case, the rod needs to be physically bent.

If you have any problems at all with your cistern, call First Call Plumbers on 0131 669 1007.  If you have problems with pipes, burst pipes or even CYLINDERS, IMMERSIONS, STOPCOCKS, OVERFLOWS, BALL VALVES, TANKS, BOILER REPAIRS, SHOWERS, SINKS, OUTSIDE TAPS, TOILETS, BATHS, BASINS, SANIFLOWS, TRAPS and if you live in any of the following areas, we aim to be with you within the hour:

Abbeyhill • Alnwickhill • Ardmillan • Baberton • Balerno • Balgreen • Bankhead • Barnton • Beechmount • Bingham • Blackford • Blackhall • Bonaly • Bonnington • Burghmuirhead • Braepark • Braid Hills • Broomhouse • Broughton • Brunstane • Bruntsfield • Bughtlin • Burdiehouse • The Calders • Calton Hill • Cameron Toll • Cammo • Canongate • Canonmills • Chesser • Church Hill • Clermiston • Clerwood • Colinton • Comely Bank • Comiston • Corstorphine • Cowgate • Craigcrook • Craigentinny • Craigleith • Craiglockhart • Craigmillar • Cramond • Crewe Toll • Currie • Curriehill • Dalmeny • Dalmahoy • Dalry • Davidson’s Mains • Dean Village • Drumbrae • Drylaw • Duddingston • Dumbiedykes • East Craigs • East Pilton • Easter Road • Eastfield • Edinburgh Park • Fairmilehead • Ferniehill • Ferry Road • Firrhill • Forrester • Fountainbridge • Gilmerton • Gogar • Gogarloch • Goldenacre • Gorgie • The Grange • Grassmarket • Granton • Greenbank • Greendykes • Greenhill • Haymarket • Hermiston • Holy Corner • Holyrood • Holyrood Park • Hunter’s Tryst • Ingliston • Inverleith • Jock’s Lodge • Joppa • Juniper Green • Kaimes • Kingsknowe • Kirkliston • Lauriston • Leith • Liberton • Little France • Lochend • Lochrin • Longstone • Marchmont • Maybury • Mayfield • Meadowbank • The Meadows • Merchiston • Moredun • Morningside • Mortonhall • Mountcastle • Muirhouse • Murrayfield • New Town • Newbridge • Newcraighall • Newhaven • Newington • Niddrie • Northfield • Old Town • Oxgangs • Parkgrove • Parkhead • Piershill • Pilrig • Pilton • Polwarth • Portobello • Powderhall • Prestonfield • Ratho • Ratho Station • Ravelston • Redford • Restalrig • Riccarton • Roseburn • Saughton • Sciennes • Seafield • Sighthill • Silverknowes • Slateford • South Gyle • South Queensferry • Stenhouse • Stockbridge • Swanston • Tollcross • Torphin • Trinity • Turnhouse • Tynecastle • Warriston • West Coates • West Craigs • West Pilton • Wester Hailes • Wester Broom • Western Harbour • Westfield

When using water taps it is a good idea not to over tighten them when turning them off. This can damage the tap washers. Just turn taps off enough to stop any drips.

If washers need replacing frequently the valve seats of the respective taps may be worn or damaged and may need reaming out. This is done with a special tool that screws into the tap body.

Changing washers is a good time to think about other things in your wet areas. Is water draining away well? Maybe you need to clean your drainage plugs and pipes. Sink drainage plugs and pipes, for example, can get clogged with things like hair and soap slime.

Call First Call Plumbing, Edinburgh on 0131 669 1007.

Photo Credit on this post goes to Julian Cassell’s DIY Blog (Julian is The Guardian’s DIY Guru and co-author of DIY (2nd edition): Know-how with show-how.)

An ever increasing amount of people living in tenement buildings in cities like Edinburgh, are having serious problem with their gutters and downpipes. For the most part the problems are caused by a simple blockage/vegetation growing in the gutters or minor maintenance problems such as seam lining, that have been allowed to go on untended for too long without gutter cleaning or gutter maintenance.

First Call Plumbing in Edinburgh have been receiving more and more calls about downpipes and guttering failing in the winter with the extremely cold temperatures and the very heavy snowfalls we have had over the past couple of years. We will also clean and repair the guttering and downpipes to ensure that you don’t have any problems in the future.

We are competent in finding the best solution, even if it is only temporary, to allow you to go on that the problem will not be affecting the fabric of your house, building or flat.

The reason that these guttering problems have not been simply taken care of long ago is obvious; there aren’t many cost effective, quick and easy solutions to cleaning gutters or gutter maintenance on tenement blocks / at height. People are understandably extremely wary of having to pay out huge sums for scaffolding to allow workers to get to the problem area. What’s more the various red tape associated with erecting scaffolding on public streets causes delays and complications. Similarly, the cost of a cherry picker and operative, which is another potential solution (where a cherry picker can actually gain access to the street) is much too high for what is essentially at its basic level, just the minor task of maintenance, clearing unblocking or gutter cleaning.