Ask Samuele: July 2020

This month, Janette from Chiswick asks… Dear Samuele, I have a hot water cylinder installed in my home, but the water that comes from my taps is so hot, I’m terrified my little one could accidentally scald himself. Why is it so hot, and how can I lower the temperature and still keep the hot water cylinder and its benefits? Yours sincerely, Janette and the little one Samuele says: Ciao, Janette! And grazie for your Read More…

Tip of the month: The Plumbing Inspector

Buying or selling a house? You might want to call a Plumbing Inspector. When I decided to resurrect this blog, I didn’t just want to roll out the usual tips like, ‘how to change a washer’, or ‘why install a combi boiler?’. Not that there’s anything wrong with these handy bite-sized guides – they are genuinely useful things to write about. Instead, I thought the best way to bring value to my readers was to Read More…

We kept telling him we didn’t do fridges….

We kept telling him we didn’t do fridges, but he wouldn’t listen…. Over the years we’ve built such good relationships with our customers, they start to feel like family. We’ve become an integral part of their lives: regularly fixing plumbing issues, solving problems that aren’t really in a plumber’s remit, and often just popping round for a cup of tea and a chat. Then, one day, we got a call from one of our most Read More…

Mario couldn’t believe how old it was…

Just a regular plumbing job. Or was it? We got the call. Mr Higginbottom (not his real name, but close), a very eccentric, much-loved customer of many years, was having trouble with his pipes. Over the years, we’ve fixed many a problem: split washers, leaky taps, radiators that stopped working in the dead of winter… But this job was different. We put Mario (not his real name, but close) on it. Mr Higginbottom has always Read More…

Tip of the month: Got a garden? Get a tap

Outdoor garden taps If you are fortunate enough to own a garden, there has never been a better time to get stuck in and turn it into your dream oasis. Spring is over. It’s time to clear the dead flowers and make way for the new. Get yourself down to the garden centre and stock up on some bargain flowers, seedlings, and hanging baskets. Now, if you are one of those people that has to Read More…

How to unblock a sink

Save your pennies! Sinks, showers and other household drains can get easily clogged with food waste and all sorts of nastiness. Most people with spend their hard earned money on expensive drain cleaner. But wait! We know a handy tip that does the job and could save you a few quid. All you need is some household vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and a kettle. Tip the bicarb into the affected drain and leave for 10 minutes Read More…

How to bleed a radiator

The last thing you need is for your heating to stop working, especially during the winter season when it is particularly cold. Make sure your radiators are in full working order; if they aren’t producing heat effectively, then there might be some trapped air or gas in the system. Below is a simple 8-point guide on how to bleed your radiators at home. What you will need: A Radiator Key or flat-headed screwdriver A cloth, towel or even Read More…

Stubborn with your Heating?

Depending on how cold it has been in your area, the likelihood is you’ve at least thought about putting the heating on for the first time in a long while. It might also be that your home isn’t as well insulated as others, and you know for sure that the only option will be to head for the thermostat. But that little voice in the back of your mind always says “No, not yet. I’ll put a jumper Read More…

Plumbing Hints & Tips

This month we’ve plumbed the depths of our knowledge to bring you a few handy hints and tips about your shower: Drain screen People with long hair are more prone to clogging up the shower. But don’t go reaching for the clippers just yet, a simple screen over the plug can help prevent the drains from clogging and they just cost a few £’s. Pets We all love our pets but sometimes they can cost us a pretty penny in plumbing. If Read More…