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Turn off the isolation valve under the sink (slot screwdriver, turn 90°). This stops wastage until a plumber replaces the washer or cartridge.

Burst or leaking pipe

Locate your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink or where the mains enters) and turn it clockwise to stop water immediately. Open taps to drain the system.

Check your stop valve is fully open. If other neighbours are affected, it may be a mains issue — call Thames Water / your supplier.

Blocked sink or drain

Try a plunger first. Pour boiling water with washing-up liquid down the drain. Avoid chemical drain cleaners on older pipes as they can cause damage.

The flapper valve inside the cistern is likely worn. Lift the lid and press down on the rubber flap — if it stops, the flapper needs replacing (a cheap DIY fix).

Circuit breaker keeps tripping

Unplug all appliances on that circuit, reset the breaker, then plug items back one by one. The last one that trips it is the faulty appliance.

Power socket not working

Check your consumer unit (fuse box) for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Also check if it's a GFCI/RCD protected socket — there may be a reset button on a nearby socket.

Usually a loose bulb or failing lamp. Replace the bulb first. Persistent flickering on multiple lights can indicate a loose connection — call a qualified electrician.

Electric shock from appliance

Stop using the appliance immediately. Have it inspected by a PAT-tested engineer before using again. Never use an appliance that has given you a shock.

No power to part of the house

Check the consumer unit for a tripped RCD or MCB. If all breakers look fine, you may have a wiring fault and need an EICR inspection.

⚠️ Gas smell — EMERGENCY

Do NOT turn any lights or switches on/off. Open all windows and doors immediately to ventilate. Leave the property immediately. Call Cadent Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7).

Boiler has no pressure

Check the pressure gauge (should read 1–1.5 bar when cold). If below 1, re-pressurise using the filling loop (two valves under the boiler). Open both slowly until pressure reaches 1.2 bar, then close.

Boiler keeps cutting out

Could be low pressure, frozen condensate pipe (in winter), or a faulty component. Check pressure first. A condensate pipe can be thawed with warm (not boiling) water.

No hot water but heating works

Check the boiler settings — hot water may be switched off or timer incorrect. If settings are fine, the diverter valve or cylinder thermostat may need replacing.

Pilot light keeps going out

On older boilers this is usually a thermocouple issue. Do not attempt to fix this yourself — a Gas Safe registered engineer is required by law.

Radiator cold at the top

This means air is trapped. Bleed the radiator using a radiator key — place a cloth underneath, turn the bleed valve anti-clockwise until water (not air) comes out, then close it.

Radiator cold at the bottom

Likely sludge or limescale build-up. A power flush by a heating engineer will clean the system. Adding inhibitor fluid afterwards prevents recurrence.

Heating not turning on

Check the thermostat is set above the current room temperature. Check the programmer/timer. Check the boiler pressure. If all fine, the pump or zone valve may have failed.

Check the filter — a dirty filter is the most common cause. Clean or replace it. Also check no vents are blocked. If the unit is blowing warm air, the refrigerant may need topping up by an F-Gas engineer.

Locked out of your home

Check all windows and back doors first. Call a locksmith — they can open most locks without drilling. Avoid cowboy locksmiths; ask for a fixed price before work starts.

Do not force the lock. A locksmith can extract the broken key with specialist tools. Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour to avoid this in future.

Lock stiff or hard to turn

Apply graphite powder or a small amount of WD-40 to the key and insert/remove several times. Avoid oil-based lubricants on UPVC locks as they attract dirt.

Door won't latch properly

The door may have dropped on its hinges — tighten the hinge screws. If the latch bolt doesn't align with the strike plate, the plate can be adjusted slightly with a file.

Sticking door in summer

Wood swells in humid weather. Try rubbing a candle or bar of soap on the sticking edge. If it persists, the door may need planing — wait until winter when it naturally shrinks first.

Sprinkle talcum powder into the gaps between boards and work it in with a soft brush. For persistent squeaks, secure the board to the joist with a screw countersunk below the surface.

Remove the handle and tighten the grub screw on the spindle (often hidden under a small cap). If the spindle itself is worn, a replacement handle set is inexpensive.

Damaged skirting or architrave

Small gaps and cracks can be filled with decorator's caulk (paintable). Larger sections should be replaced — measure the profile and match it at a timber merchant.

Damp patches on walls

Do not paint over damp — identify and fix the source first (leaking gutters, rising damp, condensation). Painting over it traps moisture and worsens the problem.

Paint peeling off walls

Scrape back to a solid surface, apply a stabilising primer, then repaint. Peeling often indicates moisture behind the paint or a previously unprepared surface.

Mould on walls or ceiling

Clean with a diluted bleach solution (1:4 ratio) and let it dry fully. Apply an anti-mould paint. Improve ventilation to prevent recurrence — a bathroom extractor fan makes a big difference.

Wallpaper bubbling or lifting

For small bubbles, inject wallpaper paste with a syringe, press flat and wipe excess. For large areas lifting at the seams, apply seam repair adhesive and roll flat.

Most councils offer a bulky waste collection for large items (sofas, mattresses, white goods) for a small fee. Book online via your local council website.

Disposing of electrical items (WEEE)

Electrical items cannot go in general waste. Take them to your local household waste recycling centre, or many retailers will take old electricals when delivering new ones.

Many councils offer a brown bin garden waste service. Alternatively, a local rubbish clearance service can collect and responsibly dispose of it.

Hazardous waste (paint, batteries)

Never put these in general waste. Household hazardous waste (old paint, chemicals, batteries) should go to a designated recycling point at your local tip.

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Gas Smell? Don't wait.

Open all windows and doors immediately, then leave the property and call 0800 111 999 (Cadent Gas Emergency, free 24/7). Do not use any switches or flames.

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