July 2005

• DIY problems

Dying to improve your home?

Research shows that every year there are around 250,000 serious accidents and 70 deaths caused by DIY enthusiasts. Many of these accidents happen in the summer months, with Bank Holidays being sited as the worst.

Home improvement programmes on television have inspired many to tackle jobs that they are not qualified to do, which often result in damage to the property that costs thousands of pounds to rectify. Botched DIY plumbing is a common problem.

DIY work can devalue the property if not carried out to the correct standard, and it can land you in serious trouble if you haven't complied with Building or Water Regulations.

So, if you are thinking of adding an en-suite to your bedroom or replacing the bathroom suite, don't try to save money by doing it yourself - it could cost you a lot of money to put right if it all goes wrong. The advice from the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is to always use a professional plumber.

Householders with Internet access can find a Registered Plumber on www.iphe.org.uk or can ring 01708 472791 between 9 - 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

ENDS (193 WORDS)
JULY 2005
The Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (IPHE) is the UK plumbing and heating industry’s professional body. Formerly known as the Institute of Plumbing (IoP), the body is a registered educational charity with around 12,500 members who are competent via formal qualifications or extensive experience and abide by a Code of Professional Standards. The Institute’s principal aim is to raise the standards of plumbing and heating engineering in the public interest.

For more information on this press release or the IPHE, please contact Carol Cannavan on 01708 463114 (direct line), fax: 01708 448987, email: carolc@iphe.org.uk.

• DIY problems