Ask Handy Sam

Protect your home and your loved ones

2011-01-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Don't let your boiler let you down

Keep your boiler running efficiently

As a homeowner, it is vital that you have a regular boiler service at least once a year. Faulty gas appliances in the home can result in carbon monoxide leakage, with potentially deadly consequences. An annual service by a Gas Safe Register engineer will not only keep your boiler running efficiently, helping to reduce your bills, but it could also save your life.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can be given off by appliances that burn fossil fuels such as gas, coal, wood or oil, if they’re not working properly. Poor combustion, a blocked flue, or insufficient ventilation, can cause flue spillage. Ensuring your boiler is properly serviced is vital; one of the biggest problems facing CO detection is that carbon monoxide gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless.

If left undetected, the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body are deadly. The gas prevents blood from transporting oxygen to the cells and organs, which can result in brain damage, paralysis or death. Government statistics indicate that around 20 people die each year, while the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported in 2008/9 that over 180 incidents were reported due to carbon monoxide gas leaking from appliances in the home.

Unfortunately, early symptoms of carbon monoxide are rarely obvious, making them hard to detect. A regular boiler service is one way to safeguard yourself and your family against this danger. Servicing also greatly reduces the risk of a breakdown and helps extend the life of a boiler. It could cost far more to fix your boiler in an emergency than the price of a regular service. Whether you go for an annual service of your boiler or a boiler breakdown contract, by preparing ahead for the winter, you can ensure your home remains safe and your appliances run efficiently without risk to your friends and family.

The future of boiler servicing

In rented properties, legislation in the UK is very detailed when it comes to the requirements of safety checks. Annual boiler and gas safety inspections are required, undertaken by a certified Gas Safe Register engineer. However, in private residential properties, there is no law that requires these important checks. It is a personal responsibility that many homeowners overlook with potentially dangerous results.

Over the past 15 years, 58% of all deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have happened in owner occupied homes. Mandatory annual boiler servicing could help prevent the associated health risks and helps ensure that every boiler is performing efficiently to avoid such dangers. Gas safety certificates should also be mandatory for every home, making homeowners aware of the installation date of each appliance so safety standards are easier to follow.

A regular, annual gas boiler service is not only essential to ensure that any issues developing are discovered and dealt with quickly and efficiently at less inconvenience to yourself, it is also essential for safety, energy efficiency, and ensuring you get the most out of the life of your boiler. In addition to an annual boiler service, we strongly advise the installation of a carbon monoxide detector, helping to alert any occupants to a possible carbon monoxide leak. These devices are designed to measure CO levels over time and sound an alarm before dangerous levels accumulate. This ensures people have adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate.

Don't get left out in the cold

If you can, aim to book your boiler service in the summer months, as servicing companies are less likely to be busy with breakdown call-outs. The engineer will check the condition of the boiler, test for leaks, and ensure the gas pressure levels are normal and that all of the boiler’s valves and pumps are working efficiently. For most boilers, it is important to have flue gases analysed and the burner adjusted to check the boiler is working correctly. The engineer will also check that there is adequate ventilation and that the flue is clear to prevent any problems from occurring.

Whether it’s an annual service or a boiler cover contract you adopt (make sure your contract includes an annual service) it is your responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances in your home do not put your life or your families at risk.

For a limited time only, when Sutton and East Surrey Water Services installs your new boiler, we’ll also give you a free 12 month heating cover policy*. For more information or to arrange your free survey, call us today on 020 8722 7220 or visit our website www.h2oservices.com.

*Special offer: Free annual heating cover policy with every new boiler installed before 28th February 2011. Available to new customers only.

The true cost of a potential boiler breakdown

2011-01-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

Are you protected?

Protect your wallet and your home

Without boiler breakdown cover, a lack of heating or hot water won’t be your only worries. Boiler breakdowns can be a huge inconvenience and expense.

Take a look at just some of the things that can go wrong and how you can ensure you’re protected.

Call-out charges: Most companies will charge a call-out free for non-policy holders. This will differ for each supplier. Average charge: £75.00
Labour charges: Charged by the hour. Based on an average job taking two hours. Average charge: £150.00

Average part prices:

New boiler: To supply and install. Average price: £2,000.00
Heat exchanger: A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. Average price: £350.00
Printed circuit board: Modern boilers are controlled by electronics and the PCB is the brain of the boiler controlling all of its activities. When the PCB fails the boiler stops. This can be a major cause of problems as pipework leaks can often put water on the PCB leading to failure. Average price: £175.00
Water pump: The central heating water pump circulates the water through the central heating system. The boiler may still produce hot water but the failure of the pump means that this water will not circulate and heat up the radiators. Average price: £100.00
Flue fan: The flue fan expels exhaust gases through the flue. This is essential for your safety and ensures that waste gases do not build up within the boiler area. If this fails, the boiler’s control mechanisms will prevent it from operating. Average price: £150.00
Gas burner: Your central heating boiler mixes gas and air at a regulated mixture to burn and heat the water in the most efficient manner. Average price: £150.00
Expansion vessel: The expansion vessel controls the pressure within the heating system. Heated water expands and would significantly increase the boiler internal pressure. The expansion vessel provides an outlet for this pressure and is an important part of modern boiler systems. Average price: £75.00
Thermostat: The boiler’s internal thermostat is a secondary protection device monitoring the boiler internal temperature. If the external control thermostat fails this internal thermostat ensures the safe and effective operation of the boiler. Average price: £75.00
Gas valve: The gas valve regulates the flow of gas to the burner. Average price: £150.00

As you can see from the charges above, depending on the problem you could be looking at over £1,500 in repairs and replacement parts.

Protecting your wallet and your home
In order to protect your home and your wallet from the damage of a broken boiler, it’s wise to invest in boiler breakdown cover. Sutton and East Surrey Water Services’ 365 Assured Classic Policy for central heating, for example, offers you the protection against such household emergencies from just 54p a day, including:

Annual service of boiler and systems safety check
Radiators and pipework repairs
Replace irreparable standard pattern radiators and towel rails
Standard domestic hot water cylinder
Feed and expansion tank
£500 contribution towards a new boiler, when required
Same day call-out for heating emergencies if reported before 9pm
Unlimited number of call-outs.

Plus with any of SESWS’s 365 Assured policies, you can benefit from a guaranteed response time, 24-hour free phone emergency helpline and all work is fully guaranteed. For more information, please visit http://www.h2oservices.com/ or call 020 8722 7004.

The cost of adapting your home

2010-09-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

Can you put a price on your independence?

For many homeowners, one of the biggest barriers to re-modelling their bathroom is the cost involved. However, for individual remodelling due to a disability or mobility problem, local councils now offer a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to enable you to continue to live there. A grant is usually paid when the council considers that changes are necessary to meet your needs, and that the work is reasonable and practical.

Who can get a Disabled Facilities Grant?
In order to claim for a Disabled Facilities Grant, you, or someone living in your property, must be disabled. You must also be the owner or tenant (including licensees) of the property with the ability to certify that you intend to occupy the property throughout the grant period (five years). A landlord may also apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.

What can you use your Disabled Facilities Grant for?
A Disabled Facilities Grant can be used for a number of adaptations to ensure your home is better equipped to provide you with freedom of movement and the essential facilities required to live in it. This includes:

widening doors or installing ramps
providing or improving access to rooms and facilities – for example, installing a downstairs bathroom
improving or providing a heating system which is suitable for your needs
adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
improving access to and movement around the home to enable you to care for another person who lives in the property.

How much will you be given?
The grant available is based on a financial assessment or ‘means test’, which measures your average weekly income in relation to your outgoings. Means testing also takes the following into account:

Account savings: Account savings are only taken into account above a certain limit. The current limit is £6,000. However, if the disabled person’s income and savings are below this limit, there will be no need for him/her to contribute to the cost of the works.
Benefits: Disability Living Allowance and Income Support are generally disregarded during the assessment period.
Combined income: If you have a partner, your combined income will be assessed jointly. Capital is also included in the means test. However, the first £6,000 of savings is disregarded.

When assessing your outgoings, a range of premiums and allowances is used, for example, rent/mortgage and personal expenditure. Actual recorded outgoings are not taken into consideration.

Depending on the outcome of this assessment, the grant can vary from 0 to 100 per cent of the refurbishment costs. The maximum amount that a council is required to pay is £30,000 in England, per application, less any assessed contribution from you. If the cost of the eligible works is more, the council can use discretionary powers to increase the amount.

Will this grant affect your other benefits?
No. A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits you are currently receiving.

How do you apply?
Contact your local council’s housing or environmental health department and ask them to send you the Disabled Facilities Grant application form. You must apply before you start any refurbishment. The local council must notify you with the result of your application, in writing, within six months of the date of your application.

How is the grant paid?
The grant can be paid in instalments, or in full on completion of the work. The council may pay the contractor directly, or give you a cheque to pass on. They will agree this with you at the outset.

What if you’re refused?
If you are refused a Disabled Facilities Grant, or you’re unhappy with the amount awarded, you can appeal against the decision. Ask your local council for their appeals and complaints procedure.

Where can you get more information?
For more information, please contact your local council or you can contact the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 0303 444 0000 or email: disabled.facilitiesgrant@communities.gsi.gov.uk

For more information on our range of daily living equipment for bathrooms, please call 020 8722 7004.

Don’t let restricted mobility restrict your bathroom choices

2010-09-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

The bathroom is one of the key rooms in your home for relaxing and enjoying that little touch of luxury. It is also the place where the ability to do things independently is extremely important.

However, showering, bathing or having a shave are all everyday tasks most of us will take for granted. They all require a range of movements that necessitates flexibility, balance, strength and co-ordination. For the elderly, disabled or those with mobility problems however, these everyday tasks can be difficult to do alone. No one wants to lose his or her independence, or the ability to choose when help is required. For a long time, the technology needed to assist independent living was often built to suit the needs of nursing homes or hospitals, and rarely residential properties, but this is now changing.

New ranges are now available consisting of speciality walk in baths, portable or fixed bath lifts, disabled toilets and a wide range of bathroom accessories designed for every individual, ensuring no matter what your level of mobility, you can get the most out of your bathroom.

Top tips for designing a bathroom that meets your needs

The last thing you want is for someone to design a bathroom that doesn’t meet your needs – whatever they may be. So, what should you consider? A good bathroom design company will access your bathroom and your mobility needs to ensure you have the right type of bath or walk-in shower for you and your home. These top tips will help you ensure you are getting the right guidance for your money, and a bathroom you can enjoy.

Enable access to all facilities
The bathroom is quite possible one of the most awkward spaces to work with. For example, a person with a wheelchair must be able to access all of the facilities provided and manoeuvre around the room without constraint. All facilities should be at a suitable height for regular use. There should also be a suitable space beneath the counter top so that the individual can get closer to the taps.

While surfaces and sinks are mounted at a lower height, toilets can be raised to enable movement from a wheelchair. The seat ideally should be elongated rather than round and support must be provided, such as handrails to enable movement without assistance.

Adapt facilities for enhanced use
Facilities need to be adapted not just for accessibility, but also for general use. Safety and security are key factors in building the confidence to use a bathroom independently. For example, many taps are tricky for anyone to use, especially once your hands are wet and soapy. If your grip is even slightly reduced, lever taps will be much easier to operate. Alternatively you can now find taps with infrared sensors that you won’t need to even touch at all.

Provide suitable support
Handrails must be provided throughout the household. As an essential aid, they help boost access and mobility as you move around your bathroom. Handrails are available in a wide range of varying lengths and thicknesses based on your grip or dexterity. Some rails have a special grip-assisted surface to enhance safety, and are available in bright colours for easy identification and use. All bathrooms should also feature slip-resistant floors for safety at all times.

Remove the barriers to mobility
In a disabled or limited mobility household bathroom, standard bath and shower fixtures create a number of barriers for the elderly and disabled, primarily involving access and mobility. Walk-in baths and showers provide the ideal solution.

Accessible bathing
Available in the same size, or smaller, than a conventional bath, walk-in baths are available with a low-threshold and wide inward-opening door for ease of entry. Many bath designs will feature a contoured seat for comfort and to facilitate easier bathing by helping users to maintain an upright seated position.

Bath lifts may also be required. A bath lift is a safe way of enabling easier bathing. Suitable for most traditional baths, a bath lift will fit securely to the base of your bath and can be gently lowered and raised with a choice of recline positions.

Walk-in showers
Available with a choice of level, above floor or ramped access, these showers are designed with practicality in mind. Many walk-in showers can also be fitted with a shower seat to make showering easier for those who have difficulty standing for long periods.

Wet rooms
Alternatively, you could transform your bathroom into a ‘wet room’ for ultimate accessibility and ease of use. Wet rooms are completely waterproofed bathrooms, complete with a walk-in shower. No shower tray is required and the drain is set into the floor, which can be sloped to enable water to easily drain away.

Equip your bathroom with the right accessories
Once you’ve decided whether it’s a walk-in shower, bath or wet room you require, it’s time to think about the wider accessories you need. Based on your individual requirements, these can range from grip rails to assist with moving in and out of a bath; slip resistant mats; flood detectors; temperature and water level indicators, through to adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use.

The most important factor throughout the design of your bathroom is safety and functionality. Your bathroom must cater for you and your needs without adding any further hazards. For more information on our range of daily living equipment for bathrooms, please call 020 8722 7004 or visit www.h2oservices.com.

To find out more, please call 020 8722 7004

It's never too early to get ready for Winter

2010-08-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

With the summer months upon us, the last thing on your mind is getting your boiler ready for the cold long winter months ahead. But many of us take our boilers for granted. We expect our boilers to last a long time, and in most cases they do without a problem. But it's no good finding out your boiler needs servicing once winter has set in, so it makes sense to get someone to service your boiler in the summer months and ensure your heating system is healthy.

Think about it. If the winter months of 2009 provide any indication of what's to come, then a boiler breakdown is the last thing you'll want when the cold sets in. While you may not want to stretch to annual cover - an annual service is the least you can do. Most manufacturers recommend a service at least once a year, but this increases as the boiler gets older, or if it has an open flue.

Plus if you're already looking for a new boiler for the winter months ahead, and you get a new boiler installed by a Sutton and East Surrey Water Services (SESWS) Gas Safe Registered engineer, you could cut your energy bills by up to 40% according to the Energy Saving Trust.

For a limited time only if you're a new customer and you install your new boiler before the 30th September 2010, we'll even ensure you've an annual heating cover policy for FREE.

Check out our offer in your local Guardian newspaper or see our latestadvertisement below. Alternatively you can call 020 8722 7220 for moreinformation.

Summer's (nearly) here - time to think about your boiler!

2010-05-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

We may now be approaching the first throes of the summer months, but, surprisingly, now is the time to start thinking about your boiler.

The severe winter that hit the UK saw people keeping their heating on significantly longer, especially if they were at home most of the day. Of course, it’s your poor old boiler that has to take the strain. Many of us tend not to think about the boiler from one month to the next. It’s just there and as long as it does its job, we’re happy.

But what if it broke down? It’s not so bad in the summer, but how about during the colder months?

Just like a car or anything else we value, it’s worthwhile having a boiler serviced regularly. Most manufacturers will recommend a service at least once a year. It becomes more important as the boiler gets older and if it has an open flue (one that goes up vertically through a chimney). This is because these types of ‘open flue’ boilers are responsible for most deaths caused by carbon monoxide. Making sure your boiler is regularly serviced will ensure your family doesn’t face this danger.

Some top tips for finding a trustworthy installer

The last thing you want is for someone to come into your house and leave after a few minutes of tinkering with the boiler, leaving you with a big bill and the suspicion whether the boiler has really been looked at properly or not. So, what should a good boiler service consist of?

A good service company will check the boiler’s operation, in accordance with manufacturer instructions, clean it, test it and look at any faults that could crop up in the future.

This boiler service checklist will help you ensure you are getting a proper boiler service for your money, one that will ensure safe and efficient operation.

• Boiler flue output should be analysed

• Pipework should be inspected – this should include a ventilation and clearance check

• All boiler components should be tested and their correct function ensured

• All key components should be inspected and cleaned, if required.

• Any boiler components that are faulty or nearing end of life should be disclosed to the owner and replaced ASAP.

If your service engineer can satisfy this checklist, most problems should be detected earlier on and fixed without causing unnecessary problems.

Think twice if you see someone advertising something like an annual safety check, interim boiler service or quick boiler service. It might sound like the real deal, but it may not cover all the safety and cleaning tasks that a full boiler service should entail.

Sutton and East Surrey Water Services offers a scheme that looks after your boiler. As well as an annual service of your boiler and a system safety check, our scheme covers radiators and repairs to pipework, your hot water cylinder and feed and expansion tank.

For more details, visit our heating services page and give your boiler a break!

Look out for our House of Horrors ads!

2010-05-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered whether the things that go bump in the night could be a sign of an impending household disaster?

Whether it's a leaking pipe, a boiler on its last legs or a broken roof tile, the last thing you need is to be caught unawares by a problem that could potentially mean forking out hundreds of pounds to fix. Yet despite this, many people choose to ignore the warning signs and put off buying protection, thinking they're saving money.

In fact, when the inevitable does happen, they could find themselves actually forking out hundreds of pounds, not just on the cost of reapirs, but also replacing damaged possessions.

This was the inspiration behind our new 'House of Horrors' ad campaign, which you may already have seen running in the local Post and Guardian newspapers. If you haven't seen them yet, here's one of them (you can see the complete series in the slideshow in the right hand panel of this site).

With their dark and moody look, the ads explore the full horror of an unexpected plumbing, drainage, heating or household emergency, which often could be avoided by spending just a few pence per day.

So don't let your home because a House of Horrors. Why not call Sutton & East Surrey Water Services today on 0800 316 6858 or email plumbingservices@waterplc.com to see just how little it costs to get yourself protected against the things that go bump in the night.

Let the sun cut your energy bill while you save the planet

2010-05-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Everywhere you turn at the moment, there is a message about renewable energy and how we can all do our bit for the environment, and our pockets, by making more use of it.

One of the most popular renewable or alternative energy sources is solar power. Unlike coal and oil, the sun is not expected to exhaust its power for centuries to come.

Investing in solar power is a good way to cut your personal ‘carbon footprint’ while cutting your energy bill and, with solar energy systems becoming cheaper all the time, it makes more and more sense to consider.

But don’t you need lots of sun to make solar power work properly? The answer is no, because it’s the amount of daylight that determines how much power is generated by a solar panel. In hot countries with cloudless skies and long days, it can provide a huge amount of energy but even in cloudy Britain, it can help provide plenty of hot water in our homes.

If the temperature of a solar panel increases by 20°C, they can produce around 90% of the energy they would at room temperature. So on a clear but cold day in London, solar panels could produce more energy than on a hot and sunny day in Spain.

The power of daylight can be used in two ways – to produce electricity or to heat water. Solar power is the most popular form of renewable energy in use in homes in the UK. It’s not difficult to see why such a system can provide a home with around a third of the hot water it needs over a year. Just think of the massive savings that could produce!

With solar power getting cheaper, cutting your fuel bills, while helping protect the environment, it’s a winning proposition all round.

Find out how you could start saving with solar panels for hot water heating - click here.

What to do if you have a plumbing emergency

2010-04-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

You can never predict when a plumbing emergency is going to happen. Luckily, people like myself are here to help. Hopefully, you’ll never have any of these problems, but, if you do, here’s what to do until help arrives.

Burst Pipes
Burst pipes can happen at any time. Here’s what to do if it happens to you:

• Turn off all your stop valves to stop water passing the point of the leak
• Open all your cold water taps so that the pipe work and storage system drain quickly
• Make sure you switch off the central heating, immersion heater and any other water heating – with no water in the system, you could damage this equipment
• Switch off any electric equipment near the leak at the mains. Do not touch them until they have been checked over by a fully qualified electrician

Frozen Pipes
The cold winter months can lead to frozen pipes, particularly if your pipes are not adequately lagged. If your pipes do freeze, then here’s what to do:

• Turn off the mains water supply at the stop-valve
• Make sure your boiler is switched off. If the hot water system is frozen and the boiler is still alight then there could be a risk of an explosion
• Carry out visual pipe checks where possible
• Protect your possessions by moving them away from the pipe to prevent water damage when the pipe thaws
• If the frozen pipe runs from a storage cistern and is not controlled by a valve, check if it has split. If it has, open all cold water taps in the system and flush your toilet(s) to empty the cistern
• If the pipe hasn’t split, then open the cold water tap nearest to the part of the pipe you think is frozen. This will allow the water to flow once the ice has melted
• Speed up the thawing process by applying a hot water bottle or heated cloth to the frozen area of the pipe. Start at the end nearest the tap and work back towards the cold water tank

Remember:
• Never use an electrical appliance or an open flame such as a blowtorch to thaw out the ice
• Don't try to thaw it too quickly. There may be splits in the pipe which are difficult to see
• Be careful, although water may be flowing from taps, other parts of the system may still be frozen

And finally:

Call for a plumber as soon as possible!

Keep your pipes warm for a happy home

2010-03-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

There are few experiences that can be as bad as coming home and finding your house flooded. In fact, it’s every householder’s nightmare.

The risk of flooding during the winter months is higher because of the danger of frozen pipes, which can burst and cause a significant amount of damage. Imagine all your clothes and carpets soaked, your electrical goods damaged beyond repair and your favourite photographs and books floating in a pool of water.

It doesn’t bear thinking about does it? Yet, take some time to prevent it and it needn’t happen to you.

The first thing to do is know where your stop-tap is and how to turn it off in an emergency, so if you do have a flood, you can stop the water supply at source.

Don’t forget the loft space. Most loft areas in houses contain water tanks and pipes so you will need to insulate these. Look at any insulation that is already there. If it is damaged or very thin, you should improve it, or replace it.

Use pre-formed pipe insulation on any water pipes. This should be at least 50mm thick, but if you can get it, 75 mm would be even better. Wrap bends or hard-to-get-at pipes with securely fixed strips of insulation material.

When it comes to water tanks there are several options. Insulate the top and sides of the tank with one of these:

• A preformed plastic tank jacket filled with glass fibre matting
• Rigid polystyrene sheeting at least 25mm (1") thick
• Insulation matting, 150mm (6") thick

Don’t insulate under a water tank, as this will prevent warm air from getting to it and helping to keep it from freezing. The exception is header tanks, generally used for central heating. These should be insulated all year round.

Generally, loft insulation is a good thing, preventing heat escaping through your roof, but it also means that little warm air will be circulating in your roof space, warming the pipes and tanks. On cold days, you can open your loft door to let some heat into the loft and prevent the pipes from freezing.

Look around the house for any dripping taps - if you find any, have them fixed as soon as you can, because if they freeze they will block the tap. Dripping taps also cost you in water bills – and energy bills too if it is a hot tap.

If you fancy some winter sun, don’t forget your pipes back home – ask a friend or neighbour to pop in to check on the pipes and make sure they are not frozen. Make sure they know where the stop-tap is as well.

Another tip, especially if you are away, is to keep the heating on low or set the timer to switch it on a couple of times a day for a few hours. This will keep the system ticking over and again prevent the still, cold water that would encourage freezing.

Keep your pipes warm and you’ll have a happy home in the winter.

For more information on what to do in an emergency, click here.