WHY SPRING IS THE BEST TIME TO GET YOUR BOILER SERVICED

Spring is here and it's the ideal time to get your boiler serviced. While most people tend to think about their heating system in the colder months, scheduling a boiler service as the weather warms up can provide great benefits and ensure the efficiency of your heating system. Here’s why spring is the best time for a boiler service.

1. Reduced Demand on Your Boiler

During the winter, your boiler works tirelessly to keep your home warm. After months of continuous use, it’s natural for components to experience wear and tear. Servicing your boiler in the spring, after the cold season has ended, gives your system the attention it needs without the pressure of daily heating demands. This allows a technician to thoroughly inspect, clean, and identify any minor issues before they turn into major problems next winter.

2. Avoiding Peak Season Costs

Winter is often the busiest time for heating engineers, which means boiler servicing can be more expensive and harder to schedule. By choosing spring, you’ll find more availability and potentially lower rates as the demand decreases. You’ll also avoid the stress of trying to secure an appointment during the colder months, and most importantly, you can get your boiler in tip-top shape before you really need it again.

3. Preventing Breakdowns During Next Winter

Having your boiler serviced in spring gives you the luxury of time to address any potential issues. A technician can spot small malfunctions that could turn into major problems in the autumn or winter, when you need your boiler the most. Early detection and repair will save you from unexpected breakdowns in the middle of winter when emergency appointments can be difficult to secure.

4. Increased Energy Efficiency

As the heating season winds down, your boiler might have accumulated dirt, dust, or debris that could reduce its efficiency. A thorough service ensures that your system operates at peak efficiency, helping you save on your energy bills when you start using it again next year. An efficient boiler consumes less fuel, which is not only good for your purse but also for the environment.

5. Peace of Mind

Finally, getting your boiler serviced in spring gives you peace of mind knowing that it’s ready for the following winter. With regular maintenance, your system will be more reliable, and you won’t have to worry about waking up to a cold house on the first frosty morning of the year.

Signs of Rising Damp: A Detailed Breakdown and Steps to Take

Rising damp is a common problem especially in older properties. It occurs when groundwater seeps through porous building materials, such as bricks and mortar, and rises up through capillary action. Left untreated, it can cause serious structural damage and health issues due to mold growth. Identifying the early signs of rising damp is essential to prevent costly repairs and for you to maintain a safe living environment.

In this post we’ll explore the clear signs for you to look out for, how to differentiate it from other forms of damp, and the steps you should take if you suspect you have a rising damp problem.

What to Look For

1. Tide Marks and Staining

One of the most recognizable signs that you have  rising damp is the appearance of tide marks on your walls. These are horizontal, discolored stains  typically occur up to around 1 meter (3 feet) above floor level. Tide marks are caused by soluble salts being drawn from the ground and deposited on the wall surface as the moisture evaporates. The staining may appear brown, yellow, or a patchy white color due to salt deposits.

2. Peeling or Flaking Paint and Wallpaper

Moisture from rising damp causes your paint and wallpaper to deteriorate. Paint may bubble, crack, or flake off, while wallpaper can start peeling off or develop wrinkles. In severe cases, entire sections of your wall covering may come loose.

3. A Damp, Musty Odor

A persistent musty smell in your property is a strong indicator of damp. As moisture permeates the walls, it creates the perfect beading ground for mold and mildew to grow, which produces a distinctive odor.

4. Plaster Deterioration and Crumbling

Rising damp can cause plaster to become soft, powdery, or crumbly. In some cases, it may fall away from your wall altogether. The surface may also feel damp or cold to touch.

5. Visible Mold or Mildew Growth

Although black mold is more commonly associated with condensation, rising damp can also create a mold-friendly environment, particularly at the base of walls. Mold spores are a health risk, especially for people with respiratory conditions or allergies.

6. Salt Efflorescence

As water rises through the masonry, it carries salts from the ground. When the water evaporates, the salts crystallize on the surface, forming a white, powdery residue known as efflorescence. This is a telltale sign of rising damp and often appears along skirting boards or at low wall levels.

7. Rotting Skirting Boards or Floorboards

Persistent moisture exposure can cause wooden fixtures, such as skirting boards and floorboards, to rot. You may notice warping, discoloration, or a spongy texture when pressed.

WHAT TO DO ( & NOT DO) WHEN DEALING WITH A PLUMBING EMERGENCY

There are times when you are likely to be faced with a plumbing emergency.  There are things that you will need to do and things you should definitely not do! I'll be sharing these with you below along with some common plumbing emergencies you may encounter and what to do about them. 

Do:

Keep calm

Staying calm during an emergency and dealing with the situation with a clear head is preferable to being in a state of panic. Take a moment to gather your thoughts before you act.

Turn off the water immediately 

If the emergency is a leak than turn off your water at the nearest stopcock to prevent further damage. 

Unplug and remove any electrical equipment 

If there any electrical equipment near water than unplug and remove them from the area. Make sure they are fully dry before being plugged back in.

Look for the source of the problem.

Once the water is switched off at the stopcock, you should be able to tell where the leak is coming from. Depending on the issue, you may feel confident in being able to deal with it yourself, or you may need to call a plumber.

Contain the leak as best you can

If, for whatever reason, you cannot switch off the water, try to contain the leak as best you can. Use containers like  buckets, saucepans, or whatever is in hand to catch any running water. Keeping some old towels for cleaning up leaks is advisable or you can use a mop.

Make a note of any damage for an insurance claim.

If there is unfortunately damage that  you will need to submit an insurance claim for, make sure to take plenty of photos. 

If it's beyond your ability, call a professional plumber or heating engineer.

One of the most important parts of dealing with a plumbing emergency is to know your limits. If the problem is something beyond your ability to fix, then call an emergency plumber or heating engineer out.

Don’t: 

Panic

Although a plumbing emergency is stressful don't panic. Panicking can cause you to delay acting which means more damage is likely to be caused especially with a leak.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME SMELLING FRESH

 Your home is a place where you should be comfortable and be able to relax at the end of the day. However this can be difficult if you have odours lingering around. So it's important to address them promptly. In this post I'll be sharing with you easy ways you can do this that doesn't cost alot.

Addressing the source of odours

Before dealing with any bad odours the first step is to identify the source. This is an important step as you won't be able to prevent nasty smells from returning, if you don't know where they are coming from. Here are some tips for 3 most common sources:

Drains

Kitchens and bathroom sinks produce some of the worst smells, especially if not well maintained. This is because of the build up of food, soap, grease and grime that attracts bacteria. So make sure you clean and unblock them regularly. You can buy products that do just that or you can do it a much cheaper and eco friendly way, where you use baking soda and vinegar to do the job. 

Bins

Your kitchen bin needs to be emptied regularly into your outdoor bin. Smells from the bin is due to the decomposition of what you have thrown away which produces gases and chemicals. The longer you leave it the worse smells will get. As well as disposing rubbish regularly it's important to regularly clean out the bin itself. Cleaning and disinfecting your bin not just gets rid of nasty odours but also gets rid of harmful bacteria. Lemon scented products tend to be best for cleaning them out and also adding a bit of baking soda helps to absorb smells.

OUR HOME GOALS FOR 2025

 A fresh new year is here and so it's time for setting those goals. We don't have many big jobs for our home this year as we need time to save up for the main project the attic. So whilst we are saving there will be smaller things we are planning to do around the home as well as snagging lists.

Replace our front wall

The one big job this year is replacing our front garden wall. It's unfortunately needing to be sorted out sooner rather than later. We have made the decision to knock down the wall and replace it with fencing instead. There is a house near us that has done this which is where we got the inspiration from. 

HOW TO KEEP WARM IN BED IN WINTER

Sleep is so important and what's also important is during the cold winter months being able to hibernate for 8 hours or so and be cosy and warm. Our bed should be a place for relaxation and comfort. Although it can be hard to maintain the perfect temperature throughout the year, here are some things you can do to help during these cold winter months ahead.

Your Duvet 

The tog rating of your duvet determines how thick it is and suitability for the season. So during cold months a tog of 10.5, 13.5 or 15 is ideal for providing more insulation and traping in the heat. 

Blankets/throws

Blankets and throws are ideal especially if you are unable to store second duvets to swap out with the season. Not only are you able to get them in so many varieties of designs such as floral, chequered or faux fur they add an extra layer of warmth. Plus they are easy to move around if you want to take them to snuggle up on the sofa.

Mattress protectors

You won't need to swap out your mattress protector during the winter however adding an extra layer is an effective way of adding insulation to your bed. You can replace the covering of your mattress protector for one with a soft touch filling.