Ask Samuele: July 2026

This month, Angus from Surbiton asks: Dear Samuele, Sometimes, in the middle of the night, just as I’m about to fall asleep, I suddenly hear what sounds like a whoosh of water shooting out of the bathroom tap. It scares the life out of me! What could be causing it? Yours anxiously, Angus   Ciao, Angus. And grazie mille for your question! It is likely that you’re experiencing a temporary build-up or surge in water Read More…

Meet the team: Spotlight on Dariush

He can spot and diagnose a heating problem at a thousand paces. People call him gifted, and he loves learning technical stuff. Let’s meet Dariush, The Italian Plumber’s latest amazing addition to the team.   What do you do at the Italian plumber? I work as a gas and central heating engineer, so I don’t really get involved with the plumbing itself.   What first made you want to get into plumbing? I’ve always loved Read More…

You’re still using a food waste recycling bin?

You might want to sink that idea. With most Greater London boroughs now providing household food recycling bins, few could argue with the benefits. Much of the food waste is used to create nutrient-rich fertiliser for use in local farming, not to mention the positive effect it has on your main rubbish bins in terms of hygiene, reducing nasty smells and keeping foxes at bay. That’s assuming the bin is securely locked in the first Read More…

Ask Samuele: May 2026

This month, Mimi from Hammersmith asks… Dear Samuele, I’ve always done my best to keep my plumbing and heating well maintained including regularly bleeding my radiators and checking boiler pressure. However, in recent weeks I’ve noticed that the bottom of my radiator remains cold when the heating is on. Can you tell me what’s causing it? Yours sincerely, Mimi     Ciao, Mimi. And grazie mille for your question! If a radiator is cold at Read More…

Meet the team: Spotlight on Antonio

He likes the simple things in life – loves growing his own veg, and you won’t believe the one thing he doesn’t drink, even though he’s Italian. Let’s meet Antonio.   How long have you been working at the Italian Plumber, Antonio? Just a few months, but I feel very at home here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. It’s like a nice family – very supportive. I’ve actually been working as a plumber for Read More…

Be smart – upgrade your thermostat

If you are using a traditional thermostat to heat your home and hot water, you’re essentially being ‘hands on’. That is to say, if you want to adjust temperatures, you need to go to the thermostat control or even the boiler itself to make the necessary adjustment. Ok, so it’s not the biggest deal in the world – you can even set a timer to adjust the heat at times that suit you. But, in Read More…

Radiators noisier than a bag of spanners?

5 things that could be responsible for making those awful noises. Your home is meant to be your sanctuary; your place for relaxing and enjoying time with family. It should be a den of zen and tranquillity to be savoured after a hard day at the office. So, the last thing you need is for that peace to be broken by the incessant noise of a faulty radiator system. Here are the most common causes Read More…

A boiler that comes with an 18-year warranty?

Of all the things that can go wrong around the home, a boiler has to be up there with one of the most inconvenient. To add insult to injury, you tend to get years of good service from them without so much as a hitch. Then, just as it goes out of warranty, it develops a fault. Not just that, it’s never a cheap one to fix. We genuinely feel for the customer when this Read More…

Ask Samuele: March 2026

This month, Dana from Acton asks… Dear Samuele, I’m far from being an expert, but I do know how to turn my boiler pressure up. The thing is, it’s just a pain to keep having to do it. Why does it seem to lose pressure every few weeks? Yours sincerely, Dana   Ciao, Dana. And grazie mille for your question! If your boiler keeps losing pressure every few weeks, it usually means there’s a small Read More…

Radiators: Paint or replace?

It’s a familiar home interior dilemma. You’ve had your radiators for more years than you care to remember. They’re doing an okay job, but they’re starting to look their age. Do you keep your wallet closed and dig out a tin of paint to pretty things up — simple, cheap, and easy? Or do you go full replacement mode and bite a rather painful bullet? Let’s explore the pros and cons. Painting old radiators Painting Read More…