What to Do in a Plumbing or Heating Emergency

Tina Hart Preto • May 8, 2025

A HARNCE Member’s Guide – Because You're One of Us

Let’s be honest—plumbing and heating problems never happen when it’s convenient. It’s the dripping pipe on Christmas Eve or the boiler that quits right before your morning shower. At HARNCE, we’ve built our name on showing up when others won’t, and while we don’t offer a guaranteed emergency response, we do want you to feel supported and confident in those stressful moments.




HARNCE Members: What You’re Covered For


We want you to feel like part of the family—because you are. So here’s what your membership includes, depending on your level:

  1. Inclusive labour and materials (for most repairs). Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00.
  2. Priority scheduling
  3. Discounted rates if out-of-hours attendance is needed


Out of Hours


Between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday, and all day Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.
£135 for the first hour, then £90/hour thereafter



Please note:


We do not offer an emergency response service. We monitor WhatsApp 365 days a year, but replies may take up to 24 hours—or 48 hours during public holidays. If we have engineers available during out-of-hours, we’ll do our best to attend or offer advice remotely.

So here’s our friendly guide—
what to do in an emergency, who to call, and what your HARNCE membership covers.


1 - Gas Emergency? Stop. Call Cadent.


If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, this is an emergency. Do not wait.
Immediately call Cadent Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
They’re available 24/7 and will talk you through exactly what to do.



2 - First: Keep Yourself Safe


Before anything else, if there’s ever water near electrics, signs of structural damage, or a risk to health—get everyone safe, and contact the relevant emergency service.


3 - Message us via WhatsApp



Common Issues & First Steps


1. Burst Pipe or Major Leak

  • Turn off your mains water (usually under the kitchen sink).
  • Catch water with towels or buckets.
  • If water is near electrics, turn off power at the consumer unit (fuse box).



2. No Heating or Hot Water

  • Check your thermostat settings and boiler pressure (ideal range is 1–1.5 bar).
  • Try resetting your boiler following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Use portable heaters safely while you wait.


3. Toilet or Drain Blockage

  • Don’t flush again!
  • Use a plunger if available.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals—they can damage your pipes.


4. Boiler Noises (banging, gurgling, whistling)

  • Turn off the heating.
  • These could be signs of trapped air, low pressure, or limescale.
  • We’ll guide you on the next steps.


5. Cold Radiators

  • If some are hot and others are cold, they might need bleeding.
  • Check boiler pressure too—it affects radiator performance.


6. Frozen Pipes

  • Turn off your stop tap to avoid further damage.
  • Gently warm pipes with a towel or hairdryer on low. Never use a flame.
  • Keep your heating on low during freezing weather to prevent recurrence.

A Note on Rogue Traders


In emergencies, it’s easy to panic and ring the first number on Google. But please be cautious—there are too many companies charging extortionate prices with no credentials.

Stick with trusted professionals. If you're unsure, drop us a
message and we’ll happily point you in the right direction.

Prevention is Peace of Mind


Emergency or not, prevention is your best friend. Regular servicing, system checks, and smart add-ons like leak detectors can save you time, money and stress. That’s exactly what our
HARNCE membership is designed for—peace of mind, all year round.


Still Unsure What to Do?


Message us on WhatsApp or send an email. We're a family business that truly cares—we won’t leave you in the lurch. And if we can’t come out straight away, we’ll always try to offer helpful advice to tide you over.

Keep this guide handy. You're not alone.


HARNCE has your back.


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