Plumbheat Summer 2017

Newsleaks
WaterSafe launches ‘Moving House’ campaign
WATERSAFE HAS launched a Moving
House campaign with a quick and easy
five-step guide for new home owners
to check their plumbing is in tip top
condition.
The guide advises home buyers on what
they should look out for in their new home
when it comes to plumbing, pipes, taps
and fittings.
It was put together following a survey
with WaterSafe approved plumbers to find
out the most common problems they get
called to help with and their top advice.
The plumbers’ top five tips for
customers are:
• Find your internal stop tap - where your
water supply comes into your home -
you may need to turn the water off in an
emergency
• Check the boiler’s service history and
that there is a lid on the cold water tank
(usually in the loft) - and always use a Gas
Safe registered engineer for servicing.
• Look out for leaky taps, toilets and
radiators – tell-tale signs are low water
pressure, rust and water stains on the
floors or carpets, or mould on ceilings
and walls
• Find out if your home has any lead water
pipes – these are shiny when scraped
with a screwdriver. Lead can be harmful
so it’s a good idea to replace these
• Check if you have a water meter – as
you’ll be billed for the amount of water
you use if you do. it’s usually in the
ground outside the front of your home,
or inside near the stop tap.
WaterSafe has produced postcards,
posters, radiator keys and stop tap labels
to share with estate agents or solicitors
to give to new home owners in their
‘moving in’ packs. These are also available
for WaterSafe members to share with
customers.
A short ‘Doodle’ film is also being used
to promote the campaign.
To find out more or to watch the film
visit watersafe.org.uk/movinghouse, or
follow us on Twitter or Facebook with
#movinghouse and @watersafeuk. •
2017 Scotland Master Builder Award Winners
This year’s Scottish master Builder Award Winners were announced
at a reception on 4 May
New Home Winner: Haldane
Construction Services, Falkirk
Award presented by Ruth Davidson, MSP.
Small Renovation Project Winner: True
Build Trade Services, Edinburgh
Award presented by Adrian Feeney of
Tradepoint.
Large Renovation Project Winner:
Crannog Construction, Linlithgow
Award presented by Muir Somerville
from Local Authority Building Standards
Scotland.
Apprentice Award Winner: Darias Shade.
Employer: Barratt North Scotland,
Award presented by Sandy MacGillivray
from CITB, Scotland
Kitchen or Bathroom Project Winner:
Haldane Construction Services, Falkirk
Award presented by FMB Scotland Board
Member, Willie McEwan
Commercial Project Winner: MCK
Construction, Montrose
Award presented by FMB Scotland Board
Member, Ronnie Pennycook
Heavenly Builder Winner: Tom McCrank,
MCK Construction, Montrose
Highly Commended: Andrew Haldane,
Haldane Construction Services, Falkirk
Awards presented by Nicola Barclay,
Homes for Scotland & Malcolm Macleod,
NHBC.
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:
Martin Sneddon, Martin & Son Builders,
Kilwinning.
Award presented by FMB Scotland
President, Robert Wilson •
Heritage Award Winner: MacGillivray
Construction, Forres
Award presented by FMB Scotland
President, Robert Wilson.
Building Merchant Award Winner:
Beatson’s Building Supplies, Alloa
Award presented by Graham Bolton from
the Builders Merchant Federation
12 Summer 2017