Plumbing emergencies, such as a leaking radiator, require urgent attention and leave many of us in a panic when disaster strikes. The cold winter weather makes us completely dependent on our domestic heating systems for hot water and heat – but what should we do if one of them fails? Express.de spoke to real estate expert Gregory Smith at PriceYourJob.co.uk for its top tips on how to safely solve these common plumbing problems.
Solving a plumbing problem on your own can be a daunting task.
With confusing plumbing, precious screws, and running water, a lot can go wrong in a home improvement repair shop.
Plumbing emergencies are vital to resolving them quickly as they pose a significant threat to you and your property if left untouched.
Damage to your furniture, floors, and even the structure of your home could be at stake if you don’t act quickly when faced with a plumbing problem at home.
Gregory’s top tips show you what to expect from a plumbing repair and how to keep it from happening again.
READ MORE: Can you plant a garden in winter? 10 seasonal flowers, bulbs and seeds
Leaking radiator
It’s time to blow up the heater when the temperature drops outside, but once our radiators are back on, a variety of installation issues can be fixed.
Left unattended, a leaking radiator can cause serious damage to your beloved home furnishings and furniture.
Pools of water seeping out of your radiator valve can seep into your home and, in severe cases, leave floors and furniture beyond repair.
There are three common signs that your radiator is leaking, including:
- Water build-up around the radiator
- Your boiler can lose pressure
- Hissing, gurgling or knocking noises when using a radiator
Error in the radiator thermostatic valve
A defect in your thermostatic radiator valve can be frustrating, especially in the colder months when homes need to be heated.
You will know if your TRV is broken, if your radiators are having trouble changing the temperature properly, or if there is no resistance when turning the valve.
TRVs can get stuck in an on or off position, especially if left in place for an extended period of time or if they have been installed on the wrong side.
An emergency TRV failure will cost you around £ 180, Gregory said, and it will take an hour or two to fix.
A TRV error can easily be prevented by:
- Check your TRV position and adjust it occasionally, even in the warmer months
- Avoid bumping into your radiators and TRVs
- Make sure your boiler is compatible with TRVs
