Maintenance Troubleshooting

Is it gas or electricity?

Have you arranged for the connection of your gas or electricity?

If it is a gas hot water system is the gas turned on to flow through the gas hot water system?

Have you checked to see if your pilot light has gone out? Some gas hot water systems can be easily relit, while others may require a tradesperson

If it is electrical, please ensure the hot water cylinder is switched ON at the power point and that the plug is plugged in

Check the fuse box and ensure the hot water fuse is switched ON

Check that the tap that allows the water to flow into the hot water cylinder is turned on. Make sure the tap is turned anticlockwise for ON

Check the cut-out switch in the meter box

Check that the switch inside the cupboard, where the hot water cylinder is ON

Have you contacted your electricity supplier? There may be a fault in the street. Click Here to check for outages in your area.

Check with your neighbour as to whether they have any power

Check your fuse box. There may have been an overload and the safety switch has been activated and needs re-setting - tenant responsibility.

Check that one of your appliances is not faulty by unplugging all of your appliances in the house and plugging them back in one at a time. This tip also can be used if your power is tripping. Also check lights and power points in your house.

When smoke alarms start beeping, sometimes if not smoke or fire, it can be as simple as a low battery. Check for smoke first.

Check the water flow from the road into the house. This tap should be turned anti clockwise to make sure it is fully open. The tap is usually in a blue lidded box found at the front of the property.

Check the isolating tap that is often positioned under a metal plate in the wall of the garage. This does not relate to all properties.

Check your fuse box. If there has been an overload, the safety switch may need re-setting.

Does a light bulb need replacing?

Check to see if the safety switch on the wall is turned on and also check the fuse. If your stove has an element that can be removed, as opposed to glass top elements, check that all elements are working and the connectors are not loose or dirty. Sometimes pulling the elements out, cleaning them and putting them back in again may fix the problem.

The most common problem in properties is leaking from wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. A regular check for water leaks is advisable. If the carpet or floor is wet, sponge and dry the area thoroughly and check again after use. Advise our office if it is still a problem.

Try the following before contacting us:

Sinks - Put the plug in and fill the sink with water. Use hot water if you think it may be blocked with fat or oil, then pull out the plug. The sheer volume of the water may clear the blockage. If this does not work, try filling the sink with dishwashing powder and boiling hot water, and then pull the plug.

Showers: Remove hair from the shower outlet. This is a common problem with blocked showers. In most modern homes the outlet can be unscrewed and hair can be easily removed.

Other Options: Plunge or Plunger - this should clear easy blockages. Drano (available from most supermarkets) should dissolve most fats and may clear blockages.

Blocked Waste Disposal: Usually from the wrong things put down it. Never put teabags, onion skins, pumpkin seeds, or banana peel into a waste disposal. Remove any solid articles such as cutlery dropped down. Once the outlet is unblocked, find the reset switch located underneath or on the side of the waste unit under the sink. Just push this and the waste disposal should start.

Please ensure correct connections from the super tub to your own washing machine are done prior to using the machine. The first few times that you use the washing machine, please leave the super tub door open, to check whilst the washing machine is running that the hoses are not leaking.

If they are leaking, unscrew the hoses and re-screw again. If this fails, please do not use your machine until we have had a plumber attend to replace the thread or washers on the super tub side (which is the owner’s responsibility).

If your washing machine hoses are leaking, please note that you will need to attend to the repair of your washing machine hose at your own cost.

To clean a glass shower door, sponge with white vinegar. If you apply silicone car polish every few months to your glass shower, and the last person each morning gives it a quick wipe over with a window cleaning squeegee, it will always be sparkling clean.

This can be caused by any of the following:

Nails lifted, loosening the iron sheets - which they can do over time.

Rusted out iron flashing.

Broken or cracked tiles.

NOTE: Rain can get into any of these areas and move across ceiling beams and leak into another area of the ceiling. So it can be difficult even for a plumber to get to the problem straight away.