Emergency Services

 They can be particularly annoying if the toilet is close to a bedroom. The main reason for this problem is that cisterns are usually the most heavily used parts of a plumbing system. However, a noisy toilet cistern can be repaired with simple plumbing tools and in a very short time. There can be many reasons for a noisy toilet cistern. Dirty valve One of the most common reasons for a noisy cistern is that dirt and debris has built up in the fill valve. A honking or whistling sound is caused by the water pressure running over this dirt and debris. Fixing this problem is quite simple. The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply, then open the top of the valve and check for debris. If you find any dirt, remove it and replace the valve. Switch the water supply back on and check the pipe for any leaks . This should stop the noise from the cistern. Water hammer This can be caused by a worn valve diaphragm disc, which is relatively easy to repair. You only need to replace the

  Like any other electrical device, a circuit breaker can become faulty . The reason for a circuit breaker failure can be anything from a short circuit to an overloaded circuit. Circuit breakers play an important role in every home. Installing circuit breakers in a circuit gives you peace of mind. They can protect your household appliances in the event of surges. As the name suggests, a circuit breaker is used to control the circuit. For this reason, you should be able to determine whether your circuit breaker is faulty or not. There are a few things you can do to detect problems with the circuit breaker. However, hiring a professional electrician can help fix the problem faster. Below are some steps you can take to determine if your circuit breaker is faulty. Identify the circuit A circuit breaker protects a specific circuit. You may have multiple breakers installed for multiple circuits. If you have a problem with a breaker, determine which circuit it is protecting. To identify the c

  Leaky faucets are not only nerve-wracking, but they can also rack up expensive bills. Small leaks that go unfixed can use up to three gallons of water, and a plumber's bill to fix the leak can be expensive and totally unjustified. Loose nut If you've only recently connected the tap and it's already leaking, the fault is probably that you've left the connection a little loose around the sealing nut. This nut is located underneath the handle and is hidden in a decorative handle on most modern taps. Remove the handle so that the tap mechanism is visible. Tighten the loose nut with an adjustable spanner. Worn washer If the tap is relatively old or the nut is tight, the next problem is a worn, damaged or hardened washer. This usually results in water dripping from the handles or pooling around the handles. Shutting off the water supply Before you begin, make sure you have shut off the water supply at the stop valve, which is usually located directly under the sink, or by

  Unsafe and faulty electrical connections are not only a fire hazard, but can also lead to life-threatening injuries. Therefore, it's important to keep an eye on the condition and age of your electrical system to spot potential problems before they become dangerous. We've listed some signs that it may be time to rewire your home. 1- Lights can flicker Lighting circuits are often the first signs that rewiring is important , as they are lower wattage compared to plug circuits. Flickering lights can sometimes be a sign that something is wrong. The light may dim or flicker if the bulb is not fitted correctly or needs replacing. In rare cases, however, it can also be a more serious problem caused by faulty wiring - especially if the lights are flashing throughout the house. 2- Electrical shocks Electric shocks are always a bad sign. If you feel uncomfortable plugging into a socket, there may be a problem that requires the attention of a professional circuit repair service, such as

  As a DIY enthusiast, you may feel confident that you can tackle various home improvement projects on your own. However, certain problems require a more comprehensive approach and professional expertise. One such problem is when you hear running water even though there are no visible leaks and nothing is switched on. This problem can indicate serious plumbing issues in your home , including hidden leaks or faulty pipes. Rule out water leaks The first step to solving this problem is to rule out water leaks. Start by checking all visible pipes and fittings for signs of leaks. Look for wet spots on the walls, ceilings or floors. Check connections and fittings for signs of corrosion or damage. If you find signs of a leak, turn off the water supply to that area and call a plumber to fix the problem.  A moisture meter is a device that measures the moisture in a material such as drywall or flooring. Use the moisture meter to check areas around pipes and fixtures for signs of water. If you fi

  With so many people interested in DIY, it's no wonder that the number of DIY enthusiasts is on the rise. One way to learn DIY is to follow online guides and tutorials to make quick repairs around the house. But with all these newbies jumping into this world where mistakes can cost them their home or even their health, there needs to be a guide on what not to do when planning your first repair job. Most homeowners know that they will need an electrician at some point - but sometimes things just happen too quickly for our best efforts! Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately?) we often make basic mistakes, such as disconnecting one breaker before switching off another, which can have potentially fatal consequences. Wrong wires - extremely thick wires   When it comes to electrical faults, the most common mistake is not connecting the wires correctly. What are some examples of this? Perhaps unprotected and uncovered wires have been connected incorrectly, or you have connected an incor

  Plumbing is one of those skills that if you know it, you can do it... and if you don't, you're basically lost. But anyone can learn a few secret brilliant plumbing hacks that can solve small problems that plumbers would charge big money to fix. Use secret, brilliant plumbing hacks to solve common, everyday plumbing problems like leaky taps, clogged drains, running toilets and the little things that plumbers would charge a lot of money to fix. With these tricks, you can avoid high plumbing costs, save money on your water bills and solve problems because that's what DIY is all about. Plumbing hacks With little tricks and repairs that plumbers know, you can fix common home problems that drive up your water bill and potentially cause bigger problems later on. With common household products and a little insider knowledge, you can fix a variety of plumbing problems you'll frequently encounter. As long as you have a few common hand tools and some fairly common items, you ca

 Rewiring a kitchen is one of the most challenging aspects of a home remodelling project. There are a number of factors to consider when planning the electrical rewiring of your kitchen. The most important thing is to create a plan for the electrical rewiring of your kitchen, as this can save both time and money. Take into account both stationary appliances and those that you will be moving from one place to another. Rewiring the kitchen is a great way to rearrange your appliances, lighting and sockets. It's a great way to change the look and feel of your kitchen. When it comes to wiring, the kitchen is one of the most important areas, but also one of the most difficult. You need to work with a licensed electrician to get the job done. We've outlined some of the licensed electrician tips to help you go with kitchen electrical rewiring. Tip #1 - Create a plan for rewiring Creating a plan is the first step to getting started with electrical rewiring. In this plan, you should con

  Introduction Most of us tend to overlook electrical problems until they grow into a bigger problem. While this may be okay in certain cases, electrical problems should be fixed immediately to avoid serious accidents. Dealing with electrical wiring and fittings is dangerous, and you should not do it alone if you are unable to fix it. The time when you need an electrician/electrical engineer When you see flashes from your electrical outlet If your outlet sparks when you use it, you should call in an electrician immediately. The appliance plugged into the socket may be fine, but the panel itself may be faulty. This can lead to electric shocks, short circuits or even a fire. To avoid these disasters, you should seek expert help. If you are organising a meeting If you're hosting a large gathering at home, hire an electrician to perform a standard check of all wiring, sockets and fittings. This will help you avoid the indignity of a power cut in the middle of the party and ensure the

  Are you l ooking for a professional, qualified electrician ? When hiring an electrician, there are some important qualities you should look for. In addition to qualifications and skills, these qualities go beyond the technical abilities of the electrician. The qualities you should look for are known as soft skills. These skills enable any worker to interact effectively with others. Therefore, paying attention to some important qualities can help you hire a professional electrician. Here are some of the qualities or traits you should consider: Quality  #1 - Excellent communication skills Many people hire electricians for their technical skills. However, you should look for excellent communication skills. Remember that you will be interacting with the electrician through various channels. Therefore, make sure that the electrician has good communication skills. He should work closely with you and respond in a timely manner. In addition, the electrician must be able to respond to your co

 Imagine coming home after a long journey and realising that your plug socket isn't working - no matter how hard you try. This can be overwhelming and annoying at the same time, especially if the outlet controls your air conditioner or fan. Your first thought is probably to call an electrician or a professional for electrical services or electrical repairs to fix the problem. However, before you decide to call an electrician, you should do a little research on your outlet and why it has stopped working. What is a power socket? An electrical outlet, also known as a wall socket or electrical plug , is installed in the wall by an electrician or electrical service team to plug in your electrical appliances. Sockets can vary in size, shape and voltage capacity depending on what you want to plug into the socket. Reasons why your socket doesn't seem to be working Dealing with a problematic socket can be a nuisance. That's why we've listed below various reasons why it may not

  Nowadays, electricity is a basic necessity for every household, but it can also cause problems, especially if you don't follow standards and guidelines. Have you ever noticed the lights dimming frequently or a buzzing sound coming from a socket? If so, then your circuit is overloaded . This happens when there is too much current flowing through your home's electrical wiring. When the current exceeds the capacity of the wiring, the likelihood of a mishap increases. Signs that the circuit is overloaded Imagine it's a cold night, and you're sleeping with all your tech devices plugged in. To combat the cold, you suddenly plug your heater into the socket. This puts more strain on your electrical system, which may be signalling before things get out of hand.  Frequent tripping of circuit breakers The circuit breaker will trip if you draw too much current from the circuit to prevent potential damage. So if you are already using full capacity and plug in the heater, the circ

  The electrical outlets in your home are called outlet boxes and are attached to a wall stud. The screws on the outlet boxes loosen over time. Are you trying to plug a power cable into the plug, but it feels like the whole thing is falling out? Then you're probably dealing with a loose socket box. Someone who knows a thing or two about DIY would love the opportunity to try and fix the problem. However, a loose electrical box is not just a matter of tightening the screws; the box needs to be replaced or the holes in the wall re-cut. Why is it important to repair a loose socket? Loose electrical outlets cause the power cables to be susceptible to damage because the wires can rub against something in the drywall. This leads to heat build-up, which can cause problems in the wiring and put your dream home at risk of an electrical fire. Watch out for warning signs Below are some warning signs that you should definitely not ignore: The socket box comes loose from the wall when you try t

 Understanding leaking bathroom sinks Before we get our hands wet, let's understand the possible causes of a leaking bathroom sink . A bathroom sink can leak due to problems in three main areas: the tap, the drain pipe and the sink. Leaking taps are often due to worn components. Whether it's O-rings, valve seats, washers or the cartridge, time, use and hard water can wear down these parts and lead to leaks. Leaks in drain pipes are usually caused by loose connections or cracks in the pipe. Over time, the joints between different sections of your pipe can loosen or the pipe itself can crack, causing water to leak out. Leaks in sinks are usually due to a poor seal around the drain. The putty or sealant that holds the drain in place can break down over time, allowing water to leak out. How to recognize the type of leak The first step to fixing a leak is to recognize the type of leak. Here's how to recognize them: Tap leaks : Look for continuous dripping, even when the tap i

  Before you start Regardless of whether the bathtub faucet is a double or single lever faucet, certain parts can be replaced instead of installing a new assembly. Remove the old parts and take them to the hardware store to find a suitable replacement, as there are many possible shapes and sizes. Two-handle bath tap There is a rubber seal on the back of the tap that touches the metal seat of the tap when closed. If a leak occurs , the rubber seal is most likely torn, corroded or severely compressed. In any of these cases, the sealing ring can no longer hold back the water. Replacing the rubber seal fixes most leaks. Single lever bath mixer tap Behind the single-lever bath mixer tap is a valve cartridge: a single unit made of plastic, metal and rubber that controls the flow of water. If a bath mixer is leaking, the entire valve cartridge or its rubber O-rings may be worn or corroded. Valve cartridges generally cannot be repaired. Instead, they are replaced with a new valve cartridge th

  There are a number of problems that can cause a toilet not to fill or flush. One such inconvenience can occur when the toilet tank does not fill or appears to empty by itself. This problem is often caused by the float or filling valve being too low in the tank. However, it can also be caused by the chain of the release lever getting stuck under the flap. If there is suddenly no more water in the tank, it could be one of these problems. How does a toilet work? The water enters through the connected water pipe at the bottom of the toilet tank. The water is collected in the tank by a large rubber seal, the so-called baffle plate. When the tank fills with water, a float rod or a float bowl is forced upwards.  Reasons why there is no water in the toilet tank Incorrect position of the float or fill valve One of the most common problems that can cause the tank to be empty is the position of the float or fill valve.  To fix the problem, simply remove the lid of the toilet tank and locate th

  Switch off affected lights and appliances The last thing you need is not only for your circuit breaker to trip , but also for the fuse in your living room TV or other important appliances to blow. Not only will you have no power, but you'll also have a very unhappy household. To avoid this problem, switch off all major electronic appliances before you attend to the circuit breaker. If there is no off switch, unplug the appliance to disconnect the power source before proceeding. Find your circuit breaker box Don't know where to find your circuit breaker box? Circuit breakers are usually located in a grey metal box located in a utility area, such as the basement, laundry room or storage room. If the breaker box is located in a finished room, it may not be immediately visible. Check if there are wall cabinets in the room where the box could be located. If you can't find your main breaker box and you own an older home, you may have a fuse box instead. Fuse boxes are similar

  If your bath tap is old or broken , you can easily replace it with a new one yourself. The process is the same whether you have a tap with one handle or one with multiple controls. If you want to replace the handles on your tap, you need to remove them along with the stems that are connected to the pipes. To replace your spout, all you have to do is unscrew the old one and insert the new one. Removing the old tap handles and stems Turn off the water supply in your home.  Since most bathtubs do not have a separate shut-off valve, you will need to turn off the entire water supply in your home. Locate the supply pipe in your home and turn the supply valve perpendicular to the pipes. This will prevent water from flowing into the bath while you are working on it. The water supply pipe may be located in the basement or outside the house. If you do not know how to turn off the water supply, contact a plumber to help you. While the water supply is turned off, other fixtures in your home will

  Have you ever been pouring your morning coffee when suddenly the power went out and then came back on, only to find that you had misjudged the distance between the spout and the cup in the dark? Have you ever thought about what might happen if something worse than a spilled coffee happens, such as your appliances and equipment being permanently damaged? While you can't prevent a power surge from ever happening again, there are some steps you can take to prevent short- and long-term damage to your home and electronics. Unplug the power cord during a thunderstorm Electronic devices are not only very expensive, but they also contain a lot of personal and important information. The best way to protect your most sensitive devices during a thunderstorm is to simply unplug them. No matter how advanced your technology is, lightning voltage is always higher than what your devices can withstand. So if you know a thunderstorm is coming, you can ensure the safety of your important electroni

  How does an electrical short circuit work? What happens during a short circuit may seem like a mystery, because electric circuits are complicated systems. Simply put, electricity flows through the circuit to power devices such as lamps, household appliances and phone chargers. However, when a "hot wire" touches a neutral or earth conductor in a socket or appliance, a so-called "short circuit" occurs. When a short circuit occurs, excess current flows through the circuit for a short time until the fuse blows or the circuit breaker turns off the circuit. The excessive current flow can lead to such serious consequences as damaged appliances or even a house fire, which can cause devastating damage. What causes an electrical short circuit? An electrical short circuit occurs when the hot wire comes into contact with the neutral wire (the wire that makes the return path to the control panel) or the earth wire (the green or bare wire that also returns current to the contr

  Two types of valves Although they are often confused, there are actually two types of shower valves that can be used to balance water temperature and prevent burns. Pressure-balancing shower valve : With this type, the volume ratio of hot and cold water is measured and adjusted to continuously deliver water at your chosen temperature. When you turn on the water with a single handle, you control the quantity and the temperature at the same time. As you turn the knob, the amount of water increases while you simultaneously increase the temperature. Thermostatic shower valve : With this option, the actual temperature of the incoming water is measured and the hot and cold water flow is adjusted to ensure an even temperature. With these shower valves, you usually set the water temperature and the water flow with individual regulators: These valves have two regulators, one for the temperature and one for the quantity. The water temperature remains the same regardless of whether the water t

  If you want to retrofit a bath-only installation with a shower, the easiest way is to replace the bath spout. You can install a different type of spout with an adapter that allows you to attach a flexible shower hose to the wall. Permanently attaching shower pipes behind the bathtub wall is a more challenging project, but you can do it yourself if you have basic plumbing skills. Close the main water tap in the house. Open the tap in the kitchen until no more water comes out of it. Loosen the screws holding the handles of the bath faucet. Pull off or unscrew the fittings. Unscrew the grub screw holding the bath spout, if there is one, and then unscrew or pull off the spout. Gain access to your work area behind the existing "wet" wall of the bath - the wall with the bath spout and the water pipes. Pry off the tiles from the edge of the bath to the area of the shower arm and from one stud to the other flanking the tap. Cut through the cement board or drywall with a drywall saw

  Plumbing problems are stressful, especially when they are related to your toilet. After all, the toilet is perhaps the most important piece of plumbing in your entire home! There are a number of things that can go wrong with your toilet, and it's always the wrong time when one of these things happens. Here's how to solve the most common problems. Blockages Toilets are often clogged. It's quite stressful when the toilet overflows, not to mention disgusting. There are a number of drain cleaners on the market that advertise that you can easily clear blockages. You just pour the solution down the drain and let it do the work for you. However, drain cleaners are not a good choice. All plumbers advise you against chemical drain cleaners for good reason. Drain cleaners can eat through blockages, but they can also eat through your pipes. This can cause leaks and holes that lead to bigger problems. The most useful tool you can have to hand is a plunger. This is often enough to cl