James Harrington

James qualified as a plumber through a Level 3 NVQ in Plumbing and Heating Engineering, followed by ACS certification for gas appliances — required for Gas Safe registration. He joined London Emergency Plumbers Ltd in 2011 after five years working with a large commercial contractor across London and the Home Counties.

Having worked in thousands of London properties — Victorian terraces in Islington, Edwardian semis in Wandsworth, purpose-built flats in Canary Wharf, and Georgian townhouses in Chelsea — James has developed a deep understanding of the specific plumbing challenges that London's varied housing stock presents. Old lead supply pipes, cast iron soil stacks, Thames Water's exceptionally hard water (around 300mg/L calcium carbonate), and aging boiler systems are all part of his daily work.

James began writing plumbing guides in 2024 to help London homeowners understand their plumbing better — and avoid being overcharged or misled by unscrupulous traders. Every guide is based on real call-outs and real problems he has encountered on the job.

"Most plumbing emergencies are less complicated than they look — and most homeowners are capable of more than they think. My guides aim to help people understand what they're dealing with before they panic or call someone out unnecessarily."