Plumbing and heating help
Straight answers to common problems, including what you can safely check yourself and when to call an engineer.
Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 now. Don't use switches or flames, and open windows.
Why is my boiler losing pressure?
Most boilers need a pressure of about 1 to 1.5 bar when the heating is off. If it keeps dropping, there is usually a small leak or a problem with the pressure relief valve or expansion vessel.
No hot water but the heating works
On a combi boiler, this usually points to a fault in the diverter valve, which switches the boiler between heating and hot water. It needs an engineer to diagnose.
Radiator cold at the top, warm at the bottom
This is almost always trapped air. Bleeding the radiator with a radiator key usually fixes it in a few minutes.
How to turn off your water in an emergency
Find your internal stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, and turn it clockwise until it stops. This shuts off the mains water to the house.
What to do if you smell gas
Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away. They are free and open 24 hours a day.
Got a plumbing or heating problem?
Call me directly. If I'm on a job, leave a message or send the form and I'll call you back, usually within 10 minutes.