Home maintenance
Plumbing and heating maintenance checklist
Practical checks for your boiler, radiators, pipework and controls before colder weather arrives.
Read article →Practical advice for your home
Advice from the SMC team
Straightforward answers to plumbing, heating and bathroom questions from homeowners in Cardiff, Caerphilly and the surrounding areas.
Plumbing
How to avoid an emergency plumber call-out
Plumbing problems rarely pick a convenient time. You can’t prevent every leak or blockage, but a few sensible habits can reduce the chances of a small problem becoming an urgent call-out.
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Plumbing
How to unblock a drain—and when to call a plumber
A slow-draining sink or a shower tray filling around your feet usually means something needs attention. Some minor blockages are straightforward to clear. Others need more than another bottle of drain cleaner.
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Plumbing
What to do before calling an emergency plumber
Water coming through the ceiling or a toilet threatening to overflow can make anyone panic. The first priority is to keep everyone safe and limit further damage. Here’s what homeowners in Cardiff and Caerphilly can check before arranging an emergency visit.
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Choosing a tradesperson
How to choose the right plumber in Cardiff
Choosing a plumber means trusting someone with your home, your money and a problem you want sorted properly. A smart van and a five-star rating are a start—but there are a few more useful checks to make before booking.
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Boilers & heating
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?
Topping up the boiler gets the heating working, then a few days later the pressure is down again. Sound familiar? Repeated pressure loss needs a diagnosis, but it doesn’t automatically mean you need a new boiler.
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Boilers & heating
Why is my radiator cold when the heating is on?
The heating is on, most rooms are warming up, but one radiator is doing very little. Before assuming it needs replacing—or that the whole system needs flushing—it helps to establish what is actually happening.
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Boilers & heating
Should I repair or replace my boiler?
A boiler breakdown doesn’t automatically mean it’s time for a new one. Equally, repeatedly repairing a badly deteriorated appliance isn’t always good value. The right answer starts with knowing what has failed and what condition the rest of the system is in.
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Boilers & heating
What’s included in a boiler service?
A boiler service is routine maintenance carried out to the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. It helps identify problems and keep the appliance operating as intended. But it isn’t the same as booking a repair, and it isn’t automatically a landlord gas safety check.
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Bathrooms
Planning a bathroom renovation: what to consider first
Choosing tiles is the enjoyable part. A bathroom that works well also needs the layout, plumbing, ventilation and installation planned properly. Before ordering a suite, think about how you use the room and what is practical in your home.
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