Legionella remedial works are the jobs that turn a risk assessment action plan into a safer water system. Because our assessors are also plumbers and heating engineers, we carry out most of that work ourselves. So you don’t need to find, brief and chase a second contractor.
The remedial work we carry out
Most action plans come down to a familiar set of tasks. We handle all of these in-house:
- Cleaning and disinfecting cold water tanks
- Fitting tank lids and insect screens
- Removing dead legs
- Adjusting cylinder and boiler temperatures
- Servicing and fitting thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs)
- Descaling or replacing shower heads
- Temperature monitoring
- Writing schemes of control
Why it helps when the assessor is also a plumber
No second contractor
Many assessment firms can only tell you what’s wrong. We can also put it right, so there’s no extra firm to find, vet or let in.
Faster fixes
The person who spotted the problem already knows the system. As a result, there’s no need to explain it all again to someone new.
One report, then one visit
You get the report, then we come back once to clear the action plan. That means less disruption for staff, residents or tenants.
How we quote Legionella remedial works
Every report ends with a prioritised action plan. Each item says what the problem is, where it is and how urgent it is. We then price the work straight from that list, so the quote lines up with the report item by item.
As a result, you can see exactly what you’re paying for. You can also choose to tackle the urgent items first and plan the rest later. Either way, the price is fixed before we start, with no call-out fees or hidden extras.
Tank cleaning and disinfection
Cold water storage tanks collect sludge, scale and debris over time. Because that sediment feeds bacteria, a dirty tank is one of the findings we see most often. An open tank with no lid or screen also lets in insects and dust.
- First, we isolate the tank and drain it down.
- Then we clean out the sludge, scale and debris from the base and sides.
- Next, we disinfect the tank and the pipework it feeds.
- After that, we flush the system through and refill it.
- Finally, we fit a proper lid and insect screen if the tank doesn’t have one.
Once the work is complete, we record what we did and the state of the tank. If the site needs sampling afterwards, we arrange it through our Legionella testing service.
Removing dead legs
A dead leg is a length of pipe where water no longer flows. It’s often left behind after a kitchen or bathroom refit, when an old sink or washing machine comes out. The water inside sits still and drifts towards room temperature, which suits Legionella well. So we cut the redundant pipe back to the live run and cap it, leaving nothing to stagnate.
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs)
TMVs blend hot and cold water to a safe outlet temperature. That’s why you find them in care homes, schools and shared bathrooms. However, the mixed water sits in the 20°C to 45°C range where Legionella grows most. For that reason, they need regular care.
We usually service TMVs at least once a year, and more often where the setting or the risk assessment calls for it. Each service includes cleaning the valve and checking the mixed water temperature. We also carry out a fail-safe test. During this test, we shut off the cold supply and check that the valve stops the hot water quickly.
If a valve fails the test or is past servicing, we can fit a new one on the same visit where possible.
Getting temperatures right
Many problems come down to water that isn’t hot enough or cold enough. Your stored hot water should reach 60°C. Meanwhile, hot taps should reach 50°C or more within a minute, and cold taps should fall below 20°C within two minutes.
As heating engineers, we can adjust cylinder and boiler settings ourselves. We can also find out why a far outlet is slow to warm up, and then put it right. In addition, we can set up regular temperature monitoring, so you can see the fix is holding.
Re-checks after the work
Once the work is done, we check that it has made a real difference. For example, we take fresh temperature readings at the outlets we worked on. Where we disinfected a tank, or a sample was positive, we can also take new samples for the lab.
Then we update your records, so the action plan shows each item as closed. If you need one, we’ll also write a scheme of control. That gives you a clear trail if an inspector, insurer or licensing officer asks how you manage water safety.
Legionella remedial works across Hampshire
We’re based just over the border in Poole, so most of the county is an easy drive. We carry out remedial work in Southampton, Eastleigh, Fareham, Romsey, Winchester and the New Forest. The work ranges from tank cleans in blocks of flats to TMV servicing in care homes.
If you haven’t had an assessment yet, start with our Legionella risk assessment. Landlords can also read our page for landlords, which covers single lets, HMOs and portfolios.
Pricing. Remedial work is priced as a fixed quote from your report’s action plan. Send us the report through our contact page and we’ll price each item.
Questions about remedial work
Do I have to use you for the remedial works?
No. The report and its action plan are yours to use however you like. However, most clients find it simpler to have the same people do the work, because we already know the system and the findings. We quote each item at a fixed price, so you can compare it with any other quote before you decide.
How quickly should I complete the action plan?
Each item in the action plan carries a priority. So deal with the urgent ones first, especially anything involving a dirty tank, very low hot water temperatures or a positive sample. Lower priority items can be planned over the following weeks. If you’re unsure, we’ll talk you through the order when we send the quote.
Will the water be off while you clean the tank?
Yes, some outlets will be off while we drain, clean and disinfect the tank. However, we agree the timing with you before the visit. That way, you can warn staff, residents or tenants in advance. On larger sites, we plan the work to keep the disruption as short as we can.
Can you write our scheme of control as well?
Yes. A written scheme of control sets out who checks what, how often, and what to do if a reading is wrong. We often write one alongside Legionella remedial works, because the fixes and the ongoing checks go hand in hand. It also gives your team a clear routine to follow between reviews.