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…
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…
![Old and new smart thermostat improved [city]](https://theitalianplumber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Old-and-new-smart-thermostat_improved-150x150.png)
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…
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…
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…
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…
![Shabby radiator [city]](https://theitalianplumber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shabby-radiator-150x150.jpg)
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…
This month, Sandra from Teddington asks… Dear Samuele, My husband and I have invited an Italian couple to stay with us over the Christmas period, which we are very excited about. We’ve already stocked up on a good festive mix of British and traditional Italian food and drink, but it made us wonder: Aside from food and beverages, is there a particularly nice gesture or tradition—specific to Italian culture at this time of year—that we Read More…
This month, Reggie from Chiswick asks… Dear Samuele, I’m worried about the impending cold weather, and the effect freezing temperatures could have on my water pipes. Is lagging the best solution, and is it an easy job I could do myself? Yours sincerely, Reggie Ciao, Reggie. And grazie mille for your question! Yes, lagging is an excellent way to stave off the cold and keep your pipes safe and flowing over winter. Just pop Read More…
You might not be aware of this, but there is something called a comfort height toilet – often referred to as a tall toilet. They’ve actually been around for some years – though, unfortunately, many people are completely unaware of their existence. Their purpose is to make sitting down and standing up easier by reducing strain on the knees, hips, and back – and they’re especially popular with taller individuals. In this article, I’m going Read More…