PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2026 14 Business Matters


No time to take a break from work


Industry viewpoint Galvanic corrosion


With the increasing mix of metals found within modern installations, understanding how corrosion occurs – and how to prevent it – is essential for heating engineers. Steve Sutton, HHIC technical manager, explains the causes, eff ects and practical steps that can help reduce the risk.


A new survey of small business owners has found that the average owner takes just 15 full days off a year – well short of the 28-day statutory minimum, while 17% of founders say that they actually don’t manage to take any full days off during an entire year. Company registration provider Tide


surveyed 500 UK small business owners on how many days they take off , where they are fully on holiday, defi ned as no calls, no emails and no business admin. The breakdown reveals a clear split between a minority who successfully manage to protect their rest and a majority who do not. The number of business owners taking


no full days off in a year increases to 21% for sole traders, with 1 in 5 feeling unable


to fully switch off without a team to hand


anything over to. This number decreases to 7% of owners with 50-99 employees, while the research reveals that owners aged between 25 and 34-years-old take the lowest amount of annual leave, taking an average of just 12 days off each year. George Schmidt, CEO UK/Europe at Tide,


comments: “Many founders start a business to create more freedom and fl exibility, yet the reality is that too many end up feeling unable to properly switch off . Nobody should feel they have to choose between their business and their wellbeing. Tide exists to make running a business simpler, helping owners cut down on admin and reclaim valuable time.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/29


Take payment via your mobile


With the aim of providing small businesses with the latest in payment technology, Lloyds Bank has launched Lloyds Accept – a system that enables tradespeople and self-employed workers to take contactless payments directly through their Lloyds business account using their smartphone. The system can be set up in a matter of minutes and there is no need for a card reader. The new Lloyds Accept proposition provides small businesses with access to payment tools powered by Stripe Connect. Tools include Tap to Pay on smartphones, payment links and modern terminal devices for in-person payments. Using only a smartphone and the


Lloyds Accept app, users will be able to accept contactless payments wherever they are working. At checkout, customers simply hold their card or digital wallet near the merchant’s device to pay securely. Amanda Murphy, CEO of Lloyds Business & Commercial Banking, comments: “Our new tools enable businesses to get set up and start trading instantly, supporting healthy cashflow - which is vital for small businesses. We’re delighted to be working with Stripe to bring market-leading technology that helps our customers grow and manage their finances with confidence.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/30


New lead generation service


E-commerce entrepreneur Dean Keating has launched an SEO website service designed to help UK plumbers and heating engineers generate direct enquiries from Google, and thereby avoid any need to invest in costly lead generation platforms. “The average tradesman is paying


somewhere between £100 and £200 a month just to be listed,” says Keating. “Then they’re competing against fi ve other plumbers in the same postcode for the same customer. The customer picks the cheapest. The tradesman either wins on price or loses the job. Neither outcome is great.” Keating’s answer


is straightforward: help tradesmen rank on Google in their own area, so customers fi nd them directly. His service,


available at deankeating.com, delivers a 200-page SEO-optimised website in fi ve days – with no contract and no long-term commitment. Beyond the website, Keating’s process


focuses on Google Maps visibility, getting tradesmen into the local pack — the three businesses shown at the top of a local search result — within two weeks. “My whole model is built on the


fact that a 55-year-old gas engineer in Wolverhampton should not need to learn digital marketing to run a successful business,” Keating says. “He should be able to focus on the job. We handle everything else.” The service is currently


available at a launch price of £59 per month, with a limited number of places available before the price increases to £149. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/31


G


alvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are connected within the same system and exposed to an electrolyte, such as water.


This creates an electrochemical reaction in which one metal becomes the anode and corrodes more rapidly, while the other becomes the cathode and is protected. Metals sit at diff erent positions on


what is known as the galvanic series. The greater the diff erence between the metals, the greater the potential for galvanic corrosion. In heating and hot water systems, water acts as the electrolyte, allowing the electrical current to fl ow between the metals. Galvanic corrosion is most commonly


seen where diff erent metals are connected together without adequate protection. Typical examples in heating and hot water systems include copper connected to carbon steel, cast iron, galvanised steel, stainless or aluminium components.


Increased risk As modern heating systems increasingly incorporate a range of materials – including steel radiators, brass valves, copper pipework, aluminium heat exchangers and stainless steel cylinders – the risk of galvanic corrosion can increase if systems are not designed, commissioned and maintained correctly. The problem is often concentrated around connection points, where corrosion can attack the less noble metal and eventually lead to leaks or component failure. While dissimilar metals are a key factor,


corrosion is not solely a materials issue. Poor water quality can signifi cantly accelerate corrosion processes. System water with an unsuitable pH, high conductivity, elevated dissolved oxygen, contamination from installation debris or inadequate inhibitor protection can all contribute to corrosion. Flux residues left behind after soldering can also create localised acidic conditions. If these residues are not properly removed during commissioning, they can accelerate corrosion and damage system components over time. Particular care is needed where aluminium components are present, as they can be more sensitive to unsuitable water chemistry.


Serious consequences The impact on system performance: Galvanic corrosion can have serious consequences for both heating engineers and end users. As metal surfaces deteriorate, systems


become more vulnerable to leaks and failures. Corrosion products and sludge can accumulate within the system, restricting fl ow rates, reducing heat transfer effi ciency and increasing energy consumption. Over time, corrosion can damage key components including heat exchangers, pumps, valves, radiators and hot water cylinders, potentially


resulting in expensive repairs or premature replacement.


Good practice The good news is that galvanic corrosion can largely be avoided through good design, installation and maintenance practices. 1. Select materials carefully Where possible, avoid direct contact


between metals that are far apart on the galvanic series. When dissimilar metals must be connected, consider using dielectric fi ttings or other non-conductive barriers to minimise electrical continuity between components. 2. Commission systems correctly Thorough fl ushing and cleaning remain


essential parts of the commissioning process. Remove installation debris, fl ux residues and contaminants before the system is placed into service. Correct balancing and fl ow rates should also be maintained, as poor circulation can


contribute to corrosion-related issues. 3. Use a quality inhibitor A properly dosed corrosion inhibitor


remains one of the most eff ective methods of protecting mixed-metal heating systems. Inhibitors help reduce electrochemical reactions and provide ongoing protection against corrosion. Heating engineers should check inhibitor levels during servicing and


top up where necessary. 4. Maintain water quality System water should be maintained


within the parameters specifi ed by the appliance and component manufacturers, as well as following relevant guidance such as BS 7593. For many closed heating systems, maintaining the correct pH, limiting oxygen ingress and monitoring inhibitor concentration are critical to long-


term protection. 5. Flush systems when required Routine system cleaning and fl ushing can


remove sludge, corrosion debris and other contaminants that contribute to ongoing corrosion problems. 6. Inspect sacrifi cial anodes Where fi tted, sacrifi cial anodes in


hot water cylinders should be inspected and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. These components are designed to corrode preferentially, helping to protect the cylinder itself.


And fi nally… Galvanic corrosion may not be visible during installation, but its eff ects can be costly if left unchecked. By selecting compatible materials, maintaining good water quality, using eff ective inhibitors and following recognised commissioning procedures, heating engineers can signifi cantly reduce the risk of corrosion- related failures. Taking these preventative steps not


only helps protect the system and improve effi ciency, but also reduces call-backs and supports long-term customer satisfaction. ◼ www.hhic.org.uk


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