Common Plumbing Problems in Surrey Homes

Surrey falls within one of the hardest water areas in England. Water in Woking, Guildford, Weybridge and the surrounding area is classified as 'very hard', with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium carbonate. This causes limescale to build up inside pipes, shower heads, tap aerators and cylinders over time.

Scale build-up reduces water flow, forces cylinders and appliances to work harder (increasing energy bills), and eventually causes premature failure of appliances. Surrey homeowners typically need to descale shower heads, water heaters and taps more frequently than those in soft water areas.

What to do: Install a water softener or scale inhibitor on your mains supply. Descale appliances annually. Book a heating system flush every 3–5 years.

Much of Woking, Guildford and the surrounding area was developed between 1890 and 1940. Many properties still contain original lead supply pipes, galvanised iron waste pipes, or early copper pipework with outdated lead solder joints.

Lead pipework poses a health risk and should be replaced. Galvanised iron pipes corrode from the inside, progressively reducing flow and eventually causing leaks. Early copper with lead solder can also deteriorate.

What to do: If your home was built before 1970 and you haven't had pipework replaced, have a plumber inspect it. Lead supply pipes in particular should be replaced as a priority — Surrey water companies may contribute to the cost of external lead pipe replacement.

Surrey has seen significant new housing development in Woking, Addlestone, Chertsey and along the A3 and M25 corridors. New-build homes bring a different set of plumbing challenges to period properties.

Common new-build plumbing issues include: poorly installed plastic push-fit connections that work loose, incorrectly positioned soil pipes that lead to gurgling or slow drainage, water pressure that's too high (causing noise and premature fitting failure), and poorly balanced heating systems leaving some rooms too hot and others too cold.

What to do: New-build properties typically have a 2-year developer warranty for defects — report plumbing issues promptly. After the warranty period, have a plumber check and balance the heating system and inspect key connections.

While Surrey's winters are milder than northern England, frost and extended cold spells — typically January and February — regularly cause frozen pipe problems across the area. Pipes most at risk are those in unheated loft spaces, garages, external walls and outbuildings.

When water freezes inside a pipe it expands, often splitting the pipe or pushing joints apart. The burst usually isn't discovered until the thaw, when the water starts flowing again — sometimes with catastrophic results inside the home.

What to do: Insulate all pipes in vulnerable locations before winter. Set heating to a minimum of 13°C even when away. Know where your stopcock is. See our full guide: What Should I Do If a Pipe Bursts.

Blocked drains are one of the most frequent plumbing callouts across Woking and Surrey. Kitchen drains block from fat, grease and food debris accumulating inside the waste pipe. Bathroom drains block from hair, soap and product residue. External drains block from leaves, roots and general debris — particularly in the autumn.

Slow drainage is often the early warning sign before a complete blockage. Don't ignore it — a partial blockage becomes a full blockage, and a full blockage can cause sewage to back up into the property.

What to do: Avoid pouring fat or grease down kitchen sinks. Use drain guards in showers to catch hair. Have external drains checked and jetted every 2–3 years. Call us at the first sign of slow drainage — before it becomes an emergency.