Is A Plumber The Same As A Gas Engineer
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Plumber, Gas Engineer, Heating Trades
- Posted date:
- 24-08-2022
Have you ever asked: is a plumber the same as a gas engineer? If you have a boiler problem, you will need to contact the right professional person to assist you with your heating system. This article looks at the key differences in these two professions so you can call the right person for the job.
When Should I Call a Plumber or a Heating Engineer?
When we need someone to work on our boiler or heating system, we frequently remark, "I need a plumber." A plumber can work on the radiators and plumbing in your heating system, but they cannot work on the boiler or the gas line. Since a plumber lacks any gas safe certifications, they mostly vary from heating engineers.
A heating specialist who specialises in boiler repairs, on the other hand, is not likely to work on any other components of your heating system. To discover the best tradesperson for your project, use our helpful guide.
When to Call a Heating Engineer
Always call a heating specialist if you need help with anything related to your heating system. They may assist with radiator emergencies as well as repairs, replacements, yearly maintenance, and other related tasks. thermostats, hot water cylinders, and related pipes are all part of central heating systems.
Always make sure to check that your heating engineer is Gas Safe registered before hiring them; this is crucial if they will be working on a gas appliance.
When to Call a Plumber
Generally speaking, a plumber should be consulted for any water-based equipment. That includes sinks, faucets, toilets, and dishwashers. Plumbers that share the same Gas Safe registration as heating engineers are possible to discover, but this does not always imply that they are certified to operate on gas boilers.
They might only be authorised to perform work on other gas equipment, such as a cooktop. So it's important to check. Major indicators that you need to hire a plumber include blocked drains, cold water, and overflowing toilets. Some plumbing issues appear to be simple fixes, yet you wind yourself knee-deep in water that has no apparent source.
When possible, we all want to take on DIY chores, but toilets and sinks may be particularly dangerous since leaks can spread or go undetected in walls until it's too late. Plumbing clogs frequently occur in both indoor and outdoor faucets, toilets, and bathtubs. Some of these obstructions may be cleared with a plunger and some effort.
However, if a little plunger effort doesn't help to clear them or if there is a persistent blockage, you should call a plumber. Plumbers can explore deeper within pipes with specialised equipment like cameras to seek for anything that might be the root of a long-term issue. A few potential difficulties include hair, oil build-up, roots entering subsurface systems, and septic tank troubles.
Any persistent drain issue is worth calling about since you can be dealing with a major situation. Even a seemingly insignificant issue, like a tub that clogs every time you bathe your dog, might get larger if it occurs frequently. Home cures can be used, but frequently you're only postponing an issue or treating a symptom while allowing an underlying issue to worsen.
Plumbing and Heating Trades
Plumbers are able to power flush, replace radiators, install towel rails, and install thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). Additionally, they work on bathrooms. Heating professionals may replace radiators, power flush, correct leaks, install heating controls, run new gas pipes, repair gas leaks, install new boilers, and install new boilers.
Plumbers install and keep up water systems in structures. This includes sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, showers, bathtubs, and toilets. They are also capable of installing central heating systems; however, working with gas boilers requires special training.
Plumbers can respond to emergency call-outs when water or heating systems are broken, as well as service existing systems, install new pipes, and find and rectify issues. The pipelines, fixtures, and fittings that are used to heat a building are installed, maintained, and repaired by heating experts.
They are experts in this area. They implement heating needs solutions in buildings that are either residential, commercial, or industrial. Heating engineers only work in the subject of heating; they don't do anything else. If you have a problem with your heating system or need to arrange for boiler servicing or boiler repair, you should get in touch with a heating engineer because they are the industry experts in these matters.
A Gas Engineer
The most obvious contrast between a gas engineer and a plumber or heating engineer is that a gas engineer must be licenced and licenced on an annual basis to practise. Currently, Gas Safe, a company that manages a licenced registry for gas safe engineers in the UK, is responsible for doing this. The majority of gas engineers divide their work into many specialities, which are covered in more detail below.
It is advisable to carefully confirm your specifications and your engineer's credentials. Due to where they entered the field, gas engineers are generally divided into distinct areas of employment. Sometimes, gas engineers lack any prior expertise in the plumbing or heating fields, let alone the gas sector.
Before they can become qualified, accredited, and licenced in the UK, they must undergo months or even years of training. The majority of gas engineers have extensive experience in the plumbing and heating industries and are either transitioning to the gas sector or expanding their "multi-trade" skill sets.
Your tradesperson or tradeswomen may already be a gas engineer in addition to a plumber and a heating engineer, which is becoming more typical every year.
A Plumber
The link between plumbers and heating engineers is much closer in the UK, as will be discussed later. A plumber could find it more advantageous to pursue more education and training to become a heating engineer.
This comes after they have satisfactorily completed all of the plumbing needs. According to what I can remember, it was formerly broken up into three distinct National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) levels 1-3 over 3/4 years with work placement.
Level 1 consisted of plumbing, Level 2 of advanced plumbing, and Level 3 of heating. By now, everything has probably changed, but my point is still the same.
Since it is not required to work in both crafts, plumbers and heating engineers are still considered different professions. A plumber can succeed just as well by concentrating on plumbing. As said above, my recommendation is to always verify with the appropriate tradesperson about your needs.
Please be aware that there is no licencing required in the UK for a plumber or heating engineer. Although I think this should change, it is still not a necessity as of the time of writing this article in 2019.
A Heating Engineer
The level above a plumber, a heating engineer often possesses a level 3 NVQ or an equivalent. Heating engineers commonly cooperate with gas engineers while working on a heating system that doesn't entail dealing with gas.
Always do the essential examinations before engaging any plumber, heating engineer, or gas engineer to ensure your safety and the safety of your family. Hot water storage cylinders are a common project for heating specialists.
These systems are sometimes referred to as electric boilers, which is exactly what they are. Some cold water storage tanks (CWS), either in the loft area or directly above the hot water storage cylinder, provide gravity feed to open vented hot water storage cylinders.
To be clear, in order to operate on the unvented sort of cylinders - whether you're a plumber in the UK, a heating engineer, or a gas engineer - you must have current, up-to-date certification. This goes for maintenance, repairs, and installation.
Building regulations demand that unvented cylinders be installed and maintained properly because they operate on mains pressure. For your peace of mind, always confirm with your appointed engineer that they are (1) qualified, (2) competent, and (3) in possession of the right licence for your needs.
Before Letting a Heating Engineer or Plumber Start Work
It's quite natural if you're unsure whether you need a heating engineer or a plumber because some skilled tradesmen can handle either job. Always consult a heating specialist who is on the Gas Safe registration when it comes to your boiler or heating system. The ability to operate on boilers or any other component of the heating system may not be possessed by all plumbers, even those who are registered with Gas Safe.
If you don't choose a tradesperson with the right credentials, you risk having a gas boiler that is improperly installed, malfunctioning, or damaged and may be leaking gas into your house. Before allowing a visitor inside your home or place of business to begin work on something as important as your boiler or heating system, taking a few measures can pay you.
So be sure you request to view their ID. When they provide it to you, carefully inspect it and check to see whether the business name matches the one you called, the engineer's appearance is captured in the photograph, the card hasn't been tampered with, it hasn't expired, and there is a security hologram. You have the right to report a tradesperson to the Gas Safe register if you believe they are performing work on gas appliances for which they are not licenced.
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