What to check

Bathrooms use a lot of water so there will be a few things to keep an eye on and check from time to time, particularly if you are in an older property or the bathroom suite has not been recently replaced or safeguarded.

• Toilets. Water and other liquids will easily find their way to the base of your toilet, so the first thing to check is that it is not coming from something else such as an open shower curtain, proximity to the sink, ‘bad aim’, or bad mopping. If the floor around the toilet is spongy, stained, or has some give then you most likely have a problem which will need to be addressed.
• Showers and baths. After every shower, do a quick check to make sure that any water isn’t escaping through a crack or collecting and sitting anywhere. Check your shower pan at least once a year to make sure that the sealant has not cracked or lifted allowing water to seep through which can cause you a problem under the shower or behind a wall.
• Walls and floors. If you notice any discolouration or softening of floors and walls it means you have water underneath or behind them. Dry wall can become warped and soft; you need to allow any trapped moisture to escape before addressing the problem.

Preventing leaks

There are a few things you can do to prevent leaks from happening in the first place, including:

• Repair or replace missing tiles or gaps in grouting. Equally, if you notice that your grouting is starting to decay or is cracking, get it replaced before it deteriorates further.
• Don’t leave any standing water in your bath, drain it as soon as you have finished. Standing water can find its way into tiny cracks and gaps and start to cause damage over time.
• Reseal any areas that are showing signs of age or deterioration. This includes the shower tray, and around your toilet bowl and sink.
• Consider installing an extractor fan, even if you have a window. This will help ensure that no moisture remains behind which can start to find its way into cracks and gaps.
• Keep an eye on and test your shut off valves Repair or replace them at the first sign of a problem as they are your first line of defence against a burst pipe or overflow.

If you would like some advice or help checking or repairing bathroom leaks, our Total Plumbing plumbers are here for you. You can contact us on 01822 735 200 or 07973 206 085 or drop us a line at info@total-plumbing.co.uk for some advice or for a free, no-obligation quote.

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What to do if your boiler breaks down

If disaster does strike, it is important to get the professionals in and keep the cold out:

• Call your boiler engineer straightaway. The problem may be a minor one that can be fixed by repairing or replacing boiler parts. Our engineers carry some of the most common spare parts to cut down on any waiting time, getting your heating back up and running more quickly.
• Keep the heat in. Avoid heat escaping by keeping doors, windows, and shutters closed. If you have large gaps in your windows and doors use draught excluders; if you don’t have any to hand, rolled up sheets and towels will do a good job.
• Time to layer. Curling up under the duvet or a blanket is a great way of staying warm, as is pulling on an extra couple of layers – think jumpers or fleeces, a thicker pair of socks, or if things are really cold a hat.
• Comfort food. Eat and drink yourself warm with some hearty soup or a hot mug of something – tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hot water…any of them will do.

Avoiding a breakdown in the first place

We often think it won’t happen to us but boilers will not live forever. A little bit of regular maintenance and vigilance will keep it going for longer and minimise any problems or breakdowns.

• Get an annual service. We can’t stress this enough to our customers: regular servicing will pick up any potential problems before they develop into full-blown breakdowns and keep all parts in good working order.
• Keep an eye on your boiler. Check the pilot light is on and that it is blue in colour. Check that the pressure is at no more than two bar (and ideally closer to one bar). Anything other than that and you should get it checked.
• Do you hear unusual noises? If your boiler is making unusual noises then it could have some air or sludge trapped in the system. Either way, get a specialist in quickly to run a check and clear it out.
• Check your radiators. Are they warming up evenly or are there cold spots? If they are not evenly warm then get the system checked as there is likely to be a blockage somewhere which will only get worse the longer it is not dealt with.

For emergency assistance if you boiler breaks down or for maintenance checks and repairs our team at Total Plumbing have the skills and experience to help. Find us on 01822 735 200 or 07973 206 085 or email us at info@total-plumbing.co.uk for some advice or for a free, no-obligation quote.

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