Practical help
Know what to do.
Know when to stop.
Clear home guides for the jobs you can safely take on yourself, with sensible points to call a professional.
Good advice should be easy to follow and honest about its limits. Choose a guide below. Gas work and work inside electrical equipment are for qualified professionals.
09 / PRACTICAL GUIDESHeating
Heating · 10 minutesHow to bleed a radiatorA radiator that is cold at the top but warm below may have air trapped inside. Here is a measured way to release it.Heating · 10 minutesRe-pressurise a combi boilerLow boiler pressure can prevent heating from working. The exact controls vary, so your boiler manual is the authority for this job.Heating · 20 minutesThaw a frozen condensate pipeIn a cold snap, an external condensate pipe can freeze and stop a condensing boiler. Keep this job to the accessible outside pipe.Plumbing and electrics
Plumbing · 5 minutesFind your stopcock and stop a leakKnowing how to isolate your water supply before an emergency can limit damage. Find the main valve while everything is dry.
Electrics · 15 minutesReset a tripped RCDAn RCD that trips may be responding to a fault. You can use the labelled switches on the front of the consumer unit; never remove its cover.Home safety and landlords
Home safety · 5 minutesTest smoke and CO alarmsA quick test tells you whether an alarm can sound. It does not replace checking its age, position or the maker's instructions.
Landlords · 8-minute readWhat a landlord gas safety check coversIn England, landlords must arrange an annual safety check of relevant gas appliances and flues by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A safety check and a service are different jobs.Landlords · 8-minute readWhat an EICR is and when a landlord needs oneAn Electrical Installation Condition Report records the condition of a property's fixed electrical installation after inspection and testing by a qualified person.Home projects
Home projects · A day or moreLay laminate flooringRather have someone do it? Wolf is a buying group for trade businesses. A public member directory is planned, but it is not live yet.