Helpful hints
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1. Avoiding Blockages
2. Jaquzzi Baths
3. Glass Shower Doors
4. Protection of your Central Heating System (Wet)
5. Hot Water Cylinder Temperatures
6. Boiler has stopeed working
7. Scale Removing
1. Avoiding Blockages
They say prevention is better than a cure, so it always pays to be very careful what goes down your drain via your sink, basin, shower and loo!
If avoidable do not pour fats or heavy greases down your sink and if you have to run lots of hot water before and after to prevent it damming up. Don't try and force food scraps down the plug outlet as these can create blockages on sharp bends or shallow fall.
If possible and if you don't mind the asthetics try fitting a hair catcher in your shower tray to prevent hair blockages.
Obvioulsy don't flush things down the loo unless they are designed to be flush down loo. It is very surprising how easily a loo can be blocked and how extremely difficult it can be to unblock.
2. Jaquzzi Baths
Jaquzzi/Whirlpool type baths are amazing but need cleaning regularly to prevent build up in the pipework and a very good possibility of a smell casued by the break-down of organic matter in the pipes.
Follow the manufactuers instructions very carefully and if in doubt call them up, because not cleaning the bath as recommended could lose you your warranty.
3. Glass Shower Doors
If you want to help prevent water marks on your lovely glass shower door/enclosure try buying a bottle of 'Rain-X' from your local car parts shop and follow the instructions.
Apply 'Rain-X' to the inside (wet side) of the door/enclosure to prevent the water sitting on the glass and drying in place creating water marks (with the aid of hard water as well).
4. Protection of your Central Heating System (Wet)
Your Central Heating System is a very expensive and wonderful luxury to have, so naturally being sure your system is in good order should be very important and without being too complicated.
The simplist thing you can do is to be sure you have a reputable central heating inhibitor in the system at all times.
If you have your system drained down at any time - be sure to ask your Plumber-Gas Fitter if he has put inhibitor back in the system to protect it.
5. Hot Water Cylinder (HWC) Temperatures
It is recommended that the minimum temperature of the HWC thermostat is 60 degrees centrigrade (140 degrees fahrenheit) and the basic reason for that is at 60 degrees centrigrade bacteria is killed and won't grow in the water. Whereas at 30-50 degrees centigrade bacteria can thrive in the right conditions.
If the temperature of 60+ is a concern for young children or the elderley then a temperature limiting valve can be fitted so basically the HWC can be at 70 but the hot water delivery to the taps can be set to whatever you please like 45.
If this is a consideration for a new home or alteration it is worth running an untempered hot main to the kitchen.
6. Boiler has stopped working
If your boiler has stopped working, firstly if in any doubt call your trusted CORGI/OFTEC Registered Engineer!
Secondly refer to the manufacturers insructions and look for any flashing codes in relation to resetting/restarting your boiler or relighting your pilot light. If this doesn't sort out the problem call your trusted CORGI/OFTEC Registered Engineer.
If you don't have the instructions or can't find them, some manufacturers have them on their website so you could do a Google search for the manufacturer of your boiler e.g. Vailant UK or Worcester UK.
7. Scale Removing
Lime scale is such a pain and unsightly but I have found a product that removes lime scale quick and easily, well it did at my house anyway! The product is VIAKAL and is easily available from most large supermarkets and works very well, but be sure to follow the instrcutions very carefully.