Got a plumbing question? You are in the right place. Below you will find straight answers to the questions we get most often — from emergency call-outs in the middle of the night to what an annual maintenance contract actually covers. If your question is not listed, call us on +44 7400 265421 or book a plumber online and we will get back to you quickly.
We cover properties across North London, Camden, Enfield and surrounding boroughs. Gas Safe registered. Available 24 hours a day.
Emergency Plumbing
Do you offer a 24/7 emergency plumbing service in London?
Yes. Our 24/7 emergency plumber line is always open — nights, weekends, and bank holidays. Burst pipes, serious leaks, and blocked drains with sewage risk all count as emergencies. Call +44 7400 265421 and a plumber will be on the way.
How quickly can an emergency plumber reach me?
Response times vary by location and time of day, but we aim to reach most London addresses within 60 to 90 minutes of your call. For properties in North London, Camden, and Enfield Borough we are typically faster due to local coverage. If you are unsure whether your situation needs an emergency call-out, ring us anyway and we will advise you honestly.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Situations that need immediate attention include:
- Burst or split pipes with active water flow
- Sewage backing up into your home
- Complete loss of water supply
- Severe leak detection situations where water is damaging walls, floors, or electrics
- Gas leaks (call National Gas Emergencies on 0800 111 999 first, then us)
For slower issues — a dripping tap, a slightly slow drain — you can book a standard appointment instead.
Is the emergency call-out rate the same day and night?
No. Out-of-hours call-outs (evenings, weekends, and bank holidays) carry a higher call-out fee than daytime visits. We are transparent about pricing before we attend. When you call +44 7400 265421, our team will confirm the applicable rate before sending an engineer.
Plumbing Costs & Pricing in London
How much does a plumber cost in London?
Plumber day rates in London typically range from £80 to £150 per hour depending on the job type and time of call-out. Straightforward repairs — a tap replacement or a toilet repair — are usually priced as a fixed job rather than an hourly rate. Larger jobs like bathroom fitting or new build plumbing are quoted individually. We provide a written estimate before any work begins.
Do you charge for a call-out?
Yes, a call-out fee applies to cover travel and the initial inspection. This is confirmed before we attend. For clients on one of our Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC), call-out fees may be reduced or waived depending on the plan chosen. See our AMC pricing and packages for details.
Do you provide written quotes?
Yes, always. We do not start chargeable work without first giving you a written quote or clearly communicating the cost over the phone. For larger installations and planned projects, a site visit is arranged and a full written estimate is sent by email before work is scheduled.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfer, card payments, and cash. Payment is due on completion of each job unless agreed otherwise in writing. For AMC clients, standing order arrangements are available.
Plumbing Repair & Drainage Questions
My drain is blocked, what should I do?
For minor slow drainage, a proprietary drain cleaner may help temporarily. For anything more persistent — blocked drains, bad odours, gurgling sounds, or sewage backup — contact us rather than pouring chemicals down repeatedly, as that can damage older pipework. We offer CCTV drain surveys to pinpoint the exact blockage location before clearing it, which saves time and prevents the same problem recurring.
Can you unblock a toilet?
Yes. Our team handles blocked toilet unblocking across London. If the blockage is deep in the soil pipe or sewer line, we use specialist jetting equipment to clear it properly. A CCTV survey is sometimes recommended afterwards if blockages keep returning, as tree root intrusion or pipe collapse can be the underlying cause.
Do you repair burst pipes?
Yes. Burst pipe repair is one of the most common emergency jobs we attend. The first step is always to isolate the water supply — your stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink or in the airing cupboard. Once the water is off, call us on +44 7400 265421 and we will send an engineer to assess the damage and carry out the repair.
My water pressure is low — is this something you can fix?
Yes. Low water pressure can have several causes: a faulty pressure reducing valve, a partially closed stopcock, limescale buildup in pipes, or a leak elsewhere in the system. Our team diagnoses water pressure issues correctly before recommending a fix, rather than guessing.
Can you fix a dripping or faulty tap?
Yes. Tap and faucet repair is a routine job. A dripping tap wastes more water than most people expect — roughly 5,500 litres per year if it drips once per second. We carry common tap cartridges, washers, and O-rings on the van, so most repairs are completed on the first visit.
Do you carry out sewer line repairs?
Yes. Sewer line repair requires specialist equipment and an understanding of where your responsibility ends and Thames Water’s begins. We handle private drain repairs and advise on any sections that fall under the water utility’s jurisdiction.
Plumbing Installation Questions
Do you install water heaters and boilers?
Yes. We carry out water heater installation and boiler and water heater servicing for both residential and commercial properties. All gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers. We recommend annual boiler servicing to maintain efficiency and comply with most landlord obligations.
Can you fit a new bathroom?
Yes. Our bathroom fitting service covers full bathroom strip-outs and installations, including tiling referrals, sanitaryware fitting, and all associated plumbing. We project-manage the plumbing elements and can coordinate with builders, electricians, and tilers where needed. Contact us to arrange a site visit and written quote.
Do you do pipe replacement or pipe relining?
Yes. Pipe replacement and relining is used where pipework is corroded, leaking repeatedly, or too degraded to repair economically. Relining is less disruptive than full replacement — no digging up floors or removing walls in most cases — and is a long-term solution for older London properties with lead or cast iron pipework.
Do you work on new build projects?
Yes. Our new build plumbing service covers first and second fix plumbing for residential developments and small commercial builds across London. We work with contractors and developers directly. Get in touch to discuss your project timeline and requirements.
Commercial Plumbing & Maintenance Contracts
Do you offer commercial plumbing services?
Yes. Our commercial plumbing team works with offices, restaurants, retail units, and managed properties across London. Commercial jobs are handled by engineers experienced in higher-volume systems, larger pipe diameters, and the specific compliance requirements that come with non-residential properties.
What is an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)?
An Annual Maintenance Contract is a service agreement where we take responsibility for your property’s planned plumbing maintenance throughout the year. It typically includes scheduled inspections, priority response times, reduced call-out rates, and documentation for landlords and building managers. We offer Residential AMC, Commercial AMC, and PPM (Planned Preventive Maintenance) packages.
I am a landlord — do you work with letting agents and property managers?
Yes. Landlords and letting agents make up a significant part of our client base. We understand the urgency of keeping rental properties habitable and meeting Gas Safety Certificate requirements. An AMC package is often the most practical arrangement for landlords with multiple properties, as it gives priority call-out access and keeps maintenance records in order. Contact us to discuss your portfolio.
Where Do You Cover?
Which areas of London do you cover?
We are based in Woolwich and currently cover North London, with service area pages for Barnet Borough, Camden Borough, and Enfield Borough. Within those areas we cover towns and neighbourhoods including Barnet, Finchley, Hampstead, Camden, Enfield, Edgware, Golders Green, Hendon, and more. View the full Service Areas page for the complete list.
Do you cover Central London?
We cover Camden-adjacent areas including Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, and Primrose Hill. Call us to confirm whether your address falls within our current operational area.
Credentials, Qualifications & Guarantees
Are your plumbers Gas Safe registered?
Yes. All gas work carried out by Catalyst Home Services is done by Gas Safe registered engineers. This is a legal requirement in the UK. You can ask to see a plumber’s Gas Safe ID card on arrival. Our licences and certifications page has further detail on our qualifications.
Do you guarantee your work?
Yes. We stand behind the work we do. All completed jobs carry a workmanship guarantee. Parts fitted by us are covered by their manufacturer’s warranty. If you have any concerns after a job, contact us and we will arrange a return visit.
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry full public liability insurance. Details are available on request.
Can I read reviews from previous customers?
Yes. You can read verified feedback on our reviews and testimonials page. You will also find us on Google — searching “Catalyst Home Services London” will bring up our Google Business Profile with customer ratings.
How to Book a Plumber
How do I book a plumber with Catalyst Home Services?
Three ways:
- Online: Use our Book A Plumber form — choose your job type, preferred time, and we will confirm the appointment.
- Phone: Call +44 7400 265421 any time, day or night.
- Email: Send your enquiry to contact@catalysthomeservices.co.uk and we will respond within a few hours during business hours.
For emergencies, always call rather than emailing.
How far in advance do I need to book?
For non-urgent work, we typically have appointments available within 2 to 5 working days. For urgent but non-emergency situations — a persistent leak that is not causing immediate damage, for example — we can often attend within 24 hours. Emergency call-outs have no booking lead time; call and we come.
Can I book a specific engineer?
We cannot always guarantee a specific engineer, particularly for emergency call-outs, but we note preferences where possible. If you have worked with one of our team before and would like to request them, mention it when booking and we will do our best.
Still Have a Question?
If your question was not covered above, get in touch. Our team is happy to advise over the phone before you commit to any booking.
- Call us: +44 7400 265421
- Email: contact@catalysthomeservices.co.uk
- Book online: Book A Plumber
- Emergencies: 24/7 Emergency Line
You can also read more about us on our About Us page or browse our latest blog posts for plumbing tips and advice.