Looking after your home

Sometimes resetting your boiler is all it takes to get it working again.

How to reset your boiler:

1. Push the reset button for up to 10 seconds
2. Wait 2-3 minutes for the boiler to start back up
3. Repeat it twice if the first go fails
4. If it still fails to fire up on the third go, double-check the gas supply is on.

Boilers can stop working if the pressure is too low. If the pressure gauge reads below one you’ll need to re-pressurise it. This YouTube video explains how to do this.

If resetting and re-pressurising the boiler doesn’t work, you need to contact us or our gas contractor PH Jones on 0800 0193 222 to report a repair. The boiler may show a fault code on the display screen, make a note of this so you can let PH Jones know what it says.

You shouldn’t have to reset or re-pressurise your boiler often, so if it keeps going off get in touch to report a repair.

1. 1. Make sure that the electricity is turned off first – just flick the switch on the fuse box to ‘off’.
   2. Let the bulb cool before touching it.
   3. Take the bulb out of the socket and carefully fit the new one in. Depending on your fitting it might be a screw bulb, bayonet cap or a G9 or GU10 bulb. Most lightbulbs have instructions in the box if you’re not sure how to fit it.
   4. Once it’s fitted, flick the fuse box switch back to 'on' and test your bulb.

If your toilet seat is broken, cracked or feels loose, then you can change it. All you need to do is:

1. Remove the bolts that hold the toilet seat to the actual toilet and lift the seat away – you’ll need to unscrew them with a screwdriver.
2. Line up your new seat and attach the seat to the toilet with the new fittings and slot the bolts through the toilet fixture holes. You might need some pliers to do this.

Watch the video below.

The trusty sink plunger is often a go-to for shifting tough blockages. Plungers work by increasing the pressure inside your pipes to push and clear any blockages.

1. Clear water from the sink

To unblock your sink or bath with a plunger, you’ll first need to clear any standing water or debris from the sink. You should also clear as much of the debris from the plughole as you can.

2. Seal the overflow

Next up, you'll need to cover your overflow to create an airtight seal. You can do this with tape or stuff it with a cloth.

3. Add water to cover the plunger

Now you've blocked your overflow and removed as much of the debris as possible, you can add around 5cm of water to the sink to help create a tighter seal as you plunge.

4. Plunge the sink

Position your plunger over the plughole and pump it up and down vigorously, making sure you pump evenly in both directions. Always keep the plunger completely sealed over the plughole.

This motion should help to dislodge the blockage and clear your sink. If the water hasn’t drained, it’s likely the blockage hasn’t moved so check you sealed the overflow correctly then try again.

If that doesn’t the fix the issue get in touch to report a repair.

To unblock a toilet, follow these steps:

1. Keep the toilet from overflowing: If it doesn't flush properly after one flush, don't flush again.
2. Prepare the bathroom: Place newspapers or paper towels on the floor to soak up liquid.
3. See if you can clear the obstruction: Reach in and remove the cause of the clog if possible.
4. Use a plunger: Create a seal over the toilet drain and use a pumping motion to create pressure and suction. Repeat if necessary.

If that doesn’t the fix the issue get in touch to report a repair.  

You need to bleed your radiators if you notice any of these common problems.

• The top is cold
• The entire radiator is cold
• They’re rattling or making gulping and gurgling noises

If your radiators are working, it’s still a good idea to bleed them once a year to prevent any problems.

What you’ll need:

• Radiator key
• Bucket or mug
• Old cloth or towel
• Safety gloves

How to do it:

1. Start with the radiator on the lowest floor and the furthest away from the boiler.
2. Pop your radiator key in the valve at the top of the radiator. Hold your old cloth or your bucket/mug just under this and slowly turn the key anti-clockwise until you hear a hissing noise.
3. When the hissing stops and it’s just water coming out, tighten up the valve again by turning the key clockwise.
4. Repeat on all your radiators.
5. Turn the central heating back on and check to make sure that each radiator has heated up evenly.
6. Check your boiler pressure as sometimes bleeding your radiators can make the pressure drop. If you need to re-pressurise your boiler, you can follow these instructions.

If you know where your electrical fuse box is take a look at the switches and if any are pointing downwards flip them back up and see if that solves the issue.

They might live outside in summer but during the colder months, some pesky pests look for warmth and shelter in our homes.

Prevent unwanted visitors by:

• Keeping your kitchen clean and tidy
• If you've got family members with paws, make sure their flea treatments are up to date
• Wash your bedding and vacuum regularly
• Keep outside areas clean and tidy too.
• A hole or broken drain can make it easier for pests to find their way into our homes, report damage like this to us so we can get it sorted.

Click here for our section on safety in your home .