Services: Water, Gas, Electricity and Heating
Next to your meter is a square peg with a handle on it. This is where you turn the gas supply to your house on and off. If the handle is in line with the pipe, the gas supply is 'on'.
- Do not light a match or cigarette lighter or turn any electrical switches on or off
- Check that the smell is not from an unlit fire, heater, cooker or boiler.
- Turn the gas supply off immediately
- Open all windows
- Call British Gas on their emergency number 0800 111 999
Emergency number 0800 783 8838
There should be a separate stop tap next to your hot water cylinder or multi point water heater. Remember to turn off the heater before turning off the hot water supply from it.
If water leaks from the spout, this usually means the washer needs replacing. If water appears around the spindle, the packing probably needs renewing.
- Turn on the tap to drain water from pipes or use the isolation valve if fitted.
- You now need to get at the tap body. There are two basic types
of tap - the old 'rising spindle' type and the modern tap:
- On the older type you need to turn the nut between the turning handle top piece and the spout. Do this using a spanner whilst holding the spout in place with a block of wood.
- On more modern taps, prise off the hot/cold marker and undo the retaining screw. You will then be able to pull off the 'shroud'.
- Remove the old washer. Some are push-on washers over a centre point and need prising off; others are held on with a small nut that may need loosening.
- New washers should be the same size and shape as the old one, but remember that the old one may have changed shape and spread slightly over the years
- If there is writing on one side of the new washer fit it with the writing side up or the smooth side down.
- Put the tap back together
- If on an older type of tap the leak continues, it may be that the brass has become porous. In this case the tap should be replaced.
Overflowing cisterns
If your toilet or water tank overflow pipe is dripping, this means that the ball valve in the cistern needs attention. A ball valve service kit will contain all the necessary parts for repairs. It is recommended that all the replaceable parts are changed at the time of service. After re-assembling and refitting the valve, adjust the ball valve if necessary to make sure the valve stops the water supply before the water level reaches the overflow outlet of the cistern.
Standard cistern
Burst or leaking pipes
These can cause a lot of damage over a short period of time and so
must be dealt with immediately. Leaks or bursts can happen because
of frost or strained or corroded pipework. When you detect a leak
or burst:
- Find out exactly where it is happening
- Turn off the water supply
- Turn on all the cold water taps to drain the system
If the leak continues after water has stopped flowing from the taps, this could mean that the pipe is part of the central heating pipework. To empty the system use the drain off valve that is usually near the boiler. Before using the valve, make sure that the boiler is off and that all electrical switches for the central heating controls are off. Attach a hose to the pipe on the valve and run it to a sink, bath or toilet. Turn the square peg on the valve to the left. This will open the valve and let the water drain away. You should use a spanner to do this but you can use pliers if you are careful. Once you have drained the leaking or burst pipe you can make a temporary repair. On pipes you can use a pipe clamp and on joints and fittings use plastic putty or tape. Unless you know how to cut and join new lengths of pipe or how to completely refill a central heating system, you should call a plumber to make a permanent repair. When turning on your water supply after a temporary repair, do not turn the stop tap fully on immediately. This will prevent the full pressure of the system causing more damage.
Central heating
In summer switch your heating system on from time to time. It
will stop the pump from jamming and should ensure that it works
properly in winter. If you have radiators that are cold at the top
and hot at the bottom it means they have air in them which needs
removing.
To do this:
- Put a radiator key which has a square notch on it into a slot at the top of the radiator and place a cloth around the radiator key and hold in place with your free hand to collect the escaping water. Turn it to your left until you hear a hissing noise
- When you get water coming from the valve, turn the key to the right to shut it.
It is a good idea to have your system checked and serviced every year by a CORGI registered plumber. Any major problems should also be dealt with by an expert.
Electricity
Changing a plug
All new plugs come with an instruction card fitted over
the pins. Make sure that this card is there when you buy the plug.
Only replace the plug if the appliance and cable are in good
condition. Follow the instructions on the card, as different makes
of plug may vary in the length of conductor required for each
terminal. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT, CALL A QUALIFIED
ELECTRICIAN.
Fuses
See that the fuse in the plug is right for the appliance:
- 3 amp for lamps, radios, televisions and low power items under 720 watt
- 13 amp for heaters, vacuum cleaners, kettles and higher power items over 720 watt
- For a portable hand-tool socket, fit an RCD (Residual Current Device) adaptor
The fuse is a wire big enough to carry the amount of electricity used by each appliance. If it becomes overloaded it will break and disconnect the power to your appliances. It may also break after a long period of use. If an electrical item suddenly stops working:
- Check that all wires are correctly fitted
- Fit a new fuse of the correct rating
If it's still not working, try the appliance in another socket. If this doesn't work, or if the new fuse blows quite quickly, it indicates there is a problem with the appliance that you should have repaired.
House wiring
You may be able to do simple tasks yourself. These may include
changing a cracked or broken socket or switch or changing a broken
pull switch in the bathroom. If you do this remember, turn off the
electricity before doing any work. Make a sketch and notes of the
position and wiring of everything when you have taken the cover
off. This will help you when wiring the new socket or switch or
enable you to put everything back if you are unable to fit the new
one. If in doubt, call an electrician.
Remember:
- Do not overload sockets
- Check cables for cuts and breaks
- Do not extend a cable - buy a new one
- Unplug non-essential equipment before going to bed