This month, Leonardo from Putney asks… Dear Samuele, With the onset of old-age, my mother is now becoming quite frail and has developed arthritis. I’m looking for ways to make improve the quality of her life. Is there any way I could make it more comfortable for her to adjust the heat setting on her radiators? The current valves are very stiff, and she can no longer grip them. Many thanks. Leonardo Ciao, Leonardo. Read More…
This month, Romana from Richmond asks… Dear Samuele, I always like to be prepared around the house, just in case I have a little emergency. Are there any basic tools you could recommend, just in case I have to deal with a plumbing issue? Please also tell me, what kind of things I’d be able to fix myself? Yours sincerely, Romana Samuele says: Ciao, Ramona! And grazie mille for your question. That’s wise thinking. It’s Read More…
This month, Christopher from Mortlake asks… Dear Samuele, I recently saw a product that made the job of removing radiators much cleaner and simpler. It was invented by someone in your trade. It got me thinking: Have you ever had an idea for a plumbing tool invention that you think would make plumbers’ lives easier? Yours sincerely, Christopher Ciao, Christopher. And grazie mille for your question! I’ve not had any ideas specifically for a Read More…
This month, Rita from Twickenham asks… Dear Samuele, I’ve started to hear all sorts of ticking noises coming from my water pipes, and the heating system seems to take ages to warm up. It got me thinking: How can I tell if my central heating pipes need replacing? Yours sincerely, Rita Samuele says: Ciao, Rita! And grazie mille for your question. That noise you can hear, and the slowdown in your heating system, is Read More…
This month, John from Richmond asks… Dear Samuele, I’m getting a little tired of the usual Christmas food… turkey, brussels sprouts, nut roasts – that kind of thing. I then remembered that you have a passion for food, and once showed a picture of a delicious-looking Coda alla vaccinara, in a past newsletter. It got me thinking. Can you recommend any traditional Christmas recipes that will help me to reinvigorate this year’s festive cuisine? Already Read More…
This month, Todd from Mortlake asks… Dear Samuele, My boiler is on its last legs. There’s brown, rusty water coming out of one of my radiators, I have no hot water pressure, and my sink is completely blocked up. I am very stressed and unhappy with this awful situation. Can you suggest anything? Yours sincerely, Todd Samuele says: Ciao, Todd! And grazie mille for your question. First of all, take some deep breaths. Don’t Read More…
This month, Simon from Acton asks… Dear Samuele, I am considering having underfloor heating installed in my flat. But my friend told me that they can cause blood circulation problems and could lead to the onset of varicose veins. This sounds completely weird to me. Is there any truth in it? Simon Samuele says: Ciao, Simon! And grazie mille for your question. Yes, I’ve heard this one before. First off, I can give plumbing Read More…
This month, Terek from Molesey asks… Dear Samuele, I’ve always been one to drink bottled water, but now that the cost of living is skyrocketing, the price of water has become ridiculous. So my question is, how safe is it to drink normal tap water? Yours thirstily, Tarek Samuele says: Ciao, Tarek! And grazie mille for your question. Yes, UK tap water is very safe to drink. In fact, it’s amongst the safest in the Read More…
This month, Isabel from Chiswick asks… Dear Samuele, I’ve heard that the government is bringing in a new grant scheme to help homeowners replace their fossil fuel boilers with a heat pump or biomass boiler. Will I be eligible, and will I be able to use the grant towards an air source heat pump specifically? Yours sincerely, Isabel Samuele says: Ciao, Isabel! And grazie mille for your question. The grant relates to the boiler Read More…
This month, Eric from Richmond asks… Dear Samuele, I have just noticed that my toilet flush always seems to be making a noise, way after I’ve actually flushed the toilet. It’s almost like the water is continuously running. Considering that I have my water billed on a metered basis, this must be costing me a fortune, not to mention the annoyance of the noise. Is there anything I can do myself to fix it? Yours Read More…