Repairs Manual - Eastlands Homes
Transcription
Repairs Manual - Eastlands Homes
Your repairs manual What to do and who to contact ➫ Contents ➫ Page How to report repairs 3 Reporting a repair – What we need to know 4 How quickly will the repair be done? 5 Making a note of important items 5 Appointments and Inspections 6 Emergency repairs 7 Your responsibilities 9 Our responsibilities 11 Rechargeable repairs 13 Repairs – Who is responsible for what 14 Useful hints 18 Repairs guarantee – Compensation 20 Your right to repair 22 Repairs – Illustrations and information 23 Index 72 02 How to report repairs Online at [email protected] Visit us 8.45am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday At Eastlands Homes: Eastlands House, Victoria Street, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2NX Belle Vue House, 27 Garratt Way, Gorton, Manchester, M18 8HE Cornbrook House, 217 Stockport Road, Ardwick, Manchester, M12 4DY Call the numbers below during office hours, Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm and for Out of Hours Emergencies Belle Vue House: 0161 230 1000 (if you live in Gorton North or Gorton South) Cornbrook House: 0161 276 7300 (if you live in Ardwick, Levenshulme, Longsight or Rusholme) Eastlands House: 0161 274 2390 (if you live in Beswick, Clayton or Openshaw) Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 03 Help us to help you… Contact hours This guide is designed to help you when reporting a repair. It looks at the different types of repair, and gives important hints on what you need to know when reporting a repair. For each type of repair, some technical information is given. There are also a number of illustrations, which will help you describe the fault to us. 'Eastline' is our dedicated customer contact centre, available Monday Friday, 8:00am until 5:30pm. When you report a repair we will ask you to describe the problem. This booklet has been designed to help you identify the work that needs doing. That way, it will help us do the work “right first time”. It is impossible to cover all areas, but we would welcome any suggestions you may have in improving this guide. You can find out more about how to get involved with 'Repairs & Maintenance' by calling our Customer Involvement Officer on 0161 274 2136. When you report a repair, or ask somebody else to report it for you, please give as much information as possible. We need to know: Eastlands Homes receptions are open to personal callers Monday – Friday, 8.45am until 4.30pm (for emergencies outside office hours please use our usual number) ➮ Your full address. ➮ A telephone number where you can be contacted. ➮ Times when there will be somebody at home to allow us to carry out an inspection or carry out the repair. ➮ As much information about the repair as possible. When you’ve reported a repair, our customer service advisor will give you details of the arrangements.You will also receive written confirmation of the date and time, and the expected completion date for the works. 04 How quickly will the repair be done? Every effort will be made to carry out repairs within the given time. Emergency 3 hours Urgent 5 working days Routine 10 working days Other 45 working days If an inspection is required, the timescale will start from the day the repair is reported. Making a note of important items Throughout this guide, you will find information on where to find stoptaps, fuse boxes etc, in your home. It will be useful for you to know the location of these items in advance. Item Make a note of where your important equipment is in your property. Fill this table in now for future reference. Contact us if you need help. Location Mains water stop valve inside your home Central heating boiler Electricity fuse box Gas tap/meter Water stoptap Hot water cylinder (if you have one) Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 05 Appointments Eastline will always make an appointment to carry out your repairs except: ➮ Emergencies. These will be done the same day that you reported the repair ➮ Repairs to external parts of the building ➮ Repairs to communal entrances and corridors Eastline will give you a specific date and choice of one of four slots; AM or PM. By prior arrangement, we can offer a Wednesday evening or Saturday morning appointment. In some circumstances we might be able to be more specific e.g. not during school runs. Once an appointment has been made it is important that you are in when we call. If, for whatever reason you miss an appointment, we will leave a card inviting you to contact Eastline to arrange a further appointment and reissue the repair. You will receive written confirmation of the revised appointment. If you are not at home on the second visit, the works will be cancelled and you will have to contact us to rearrange. 06 If we have carried out your repair whilst you are out, we will leave a card to tell you. Everyone who calls carries an Identification card and you are strongly advised to ask to see this BEFORE allowing any workmen into your home. If you're in any doubt whatsoever don't let them in. Contact Eastline who will be able to confirm whether they are genuine or not. Additionally if you have the works order number you can ask the workman to quote this. Where we are unable to complete a repair at the first visit, a convenient appointment will be made to return and complete the job. Inspections If it is not clear what repairs are necessary, or if the repair is complicated, a member of the Property Services Team will make a convenient appointment with you. They will carry out an inspection to decide exactly what repair is required. What is an emergency? Most repairs will be attended to by appointment. However, occasionally emergencies can occur which need to be dealt with immediately. Emergency work includes: ➮ No mains water supply ➮ Blocked toilets where the premises contain only one toilet ➮ A loss of heating during very cold weather. Applies only for elderly people living alone and families with a child under the age of 12 months. ➮ Blocked or leaking drains (but not blocked sinks) ➮ Serious storm, accident or flood damage to rooms ➮ Dangerous structures ➮ Serious electrical faults ➮ Regaining entry where a tenant is accidentally locked out. However, a charge is likely to be made in this instance If you feel your circumstances require immediate attention or you have special needs, we may be able to view your repair as an emergency What to do in an emergency Fire ➮ Dial 999. Get everyone out of the house and do not go back for any reason ➮ Warn your neighbours if any of them might be in danger Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk If you smell gas ➮ Open the doors and windows to let fresh air in ➮ Check to see if the gas has been left on unlit or a pilot has gone out. If so turn the appliance off and do not try to relight it until the smell of gas has been cleared from the property Email [email protected] 07 ➮ If the gas leak cannot be stopped by turning off an appliance, or you are uncertain whether it has been stopped, turn the main gas supply off at the meter. Incase of an emergency, phone National Grid Transco on 0800 111 999 ➮ Do not turn any electrical switches on or off. Do not use the door bell ➮ Do not smoke ➮ Do not use matches or naked flames Burst or leaking pipe ➮ Turn the water off at the mains ➮ If electrics are affected, turn off the electricity at the consumer unit. See page 24 for more advice ➮ Call our repairs service. If our office is closed, use the emergency number Loss of electricity ➮ If neighbours are also affected, call your electricity company (see under ELECTRICITY in the phone book). If it 08 is your home affected, see advice on page 24 ➮ If the problem persists after following the advice on page 24 call our repairs service. If our office is closed, use the emergency number What can you do if the offices are closed? Where a very urgent emergency happens when the offices are closed, repairs will be carried out to make safe the problem. If there are further repairs required these will be carried out within published timescales. We operate an out of hours emergency service that you can phone when the offices are closed. They will give you advice over the phone and also arrange for our emergency services to visit if necessary. The out of hours emergency service number is 0161 274 2390. Your responsibilities You are responsible for keeping your home in a reasonable condition, for attempting to solve minor problems, and for insuring the contents of your home. Please read the useful hints section on page 18. You are expected to take reasonable precautions to prevent damage to the property by fire, frost, the bursting of waterpipes or the blocking of drains and sinks. We rely on you to report any faults promptly and to provide access to our staff to make sure that the repair can be undertaken within our agreed timescales. Finally, remember that someone else will be moving into your home if you ever decide to leave. Please make sure that the property is clean, tidy, reasonably decorated and that all your unwanted belongings have been cleared, including any in the roof space. Protect your possessions Some of the repairs we carry out can cause disruption to your home. You are advised to move any belongings away from the work area, particularly if they are breakable. When working in your home, we will use dustsheets within the work area to offer some protection to your floor coverings. If the work involves moving Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk or lifting carpets and laminated flooring away from the work area, you are reminded that this is your responsibility. Please make sure you do this before we arrive. If you are elderly, infirm or have special needs we will move heavy or awkward items for you. Please let us know if you need such assistance. Whilst we will take every care not to damage your property we cannot take responsibility for any damage that might arise. If you have young children, please make sure that they are kept away from the work area at all times. We may be using materials or tools which can be harmful or dangerous. Gas servicing We have a legal obligation to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect and service gas appliances and pipes every 12 months. This will make sure that the systems are working correctly and that your home is safe. This servicing arrangement is a legal requirement and you MUST allow us access to carry out this work. Faulty gas appliances can give off poisonous fumes that cannot be seen or smelt so the regular maintenance of the gas appliances and pipework is very important. Email [email protected] 09 We will always write to you to arrange a convenient time and, in some circumstances, may also be able to offer an evening or weekend call. If you fail to respond to these requests we will start legal proceedings to gain access to your home. This may result in you paying some of the costs. Once the service is complete you will asked to sign a copy of the 'Landlords Record'. This shows when the service was completed, any works that are required and when the next service is due. The engineer will give you a copy of the 'Landlords Record' on the day of the service, for you to keep. Cookers Eastlands Homes will not connect your cooker. You must contact a CORGI registered gas engineer or a suitably qualified electrician. Alterations to your home If planning major alterations to your home such as fitting a new kitchen or removing walls, you MUST first get approval from us before you start work. In addition some types of work will also require you to get Planning Permission and/or Building Control Approval. Eastlands Homes has powers to force works to be done to remedy any 10 unauthorised work - so be sure about it before you start. Some examples of alterations: ➮ Forming car run-ins ➮ Erecting a garage/car port ➮ Erecting a garden hut or greenhouse ➮ Altering windows or doors ➮ Extending central heating ➮ Installing a new kitchen/bathroom ➮ Removing internal walls ➮ Fitting a satellite dish or TV aerial ➮ Laminated or fixed Vinyl flooring ➮ Ceiling fans Tenants contents insurance Could you afford to replace your possessions if they were stolen or damaged by fire, flood or storm? It happens in thousands of homes every day and the effects can be devastating. You can benefit from a special scheme run by Eastlands Homes, the council and an insurance company to provide contents insurance at a discount. We strongly recommend that you take out contents insurance – can you afford not to? Contact us for details. Smoke detectors The smoke detectors fitted in your home will give early warning of a fire by detecting smoke particles. They make a high-pitched alarm noise and a light flashes. These can either be battery powered or work off mains electricity [mains powered detectors have a back up battery should the power fail for any reason]. If you have a battery-powered smoke detector it is your responsibility to replace rundown batteries. We will assist the elderly or people with a disability to change batteries if they are having difficulty. You should clean your smoke alarm(s) at least once a year to keep the sensor clean and free from dust. We will visit once a year to check that your smoke detector is working correctly. care to keep common entrances, halls, stairways, lifts, passageways, rubbish chutes and any other common parts in reasonable repair. Please refer to the chart on pages 15, 16 and 17 for further details on specific repairs. Vandalism or graffiti Please tell us quickly if you know of any vandalism or graffiti. Do not assume that someone else will report it. We will prosecute vandals when there is a witness. This will discourage others, and save rent money being used to repair vandalised areas. We need your help to combat vandals. Once offensive graffiti is reported, we will remove it within 3 hours. Our code of conduct Our repairs team and any contractors we employ abide by a Code of Conduct. We will: Our responsibilities We must keep the structure and exterior of your home and the building in which it is situated in good repair. We also undertake to keep in good repair and proper working order installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity, for sanitation and for room and water heating. In the case of flats and maisonettes, we will take reasonable Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk ➮ Follow Health & Safety requirements at all times ➮ Make sure noise and nuisance is kept to a minimum ➮ Wear Eastlands Homes overalls and protective equipment where necessary ➮ Produce identification ➮ Ask permission to use your power/water Email [email protected] 11 ➮ Refrain from playing radios without asking your permission ➮ Use dust sheets ➮ Carry out work in a neat tidy manner ➮ Clean up after the repair is complete ➮ Deal with you in a polite/courteous manner ➮ Show sensitivity to those with special, cultural, faith or other needs ➮ Advise you about what work will be done, the purpose and the length of time ➮ Keep you advised of the work progress and make a further appointment if extra work is required We will not: ➮ Accept gifts or inducements from tenants, residents or friends ➮ Undertake any private work ➮ Tolerate abusive language or behaviour ➮ Smoke at any of our properties – either inside or outside We should never leave the work unattended without telling you and without making sure the work area is left safe. If we have to leave the work for any reason we will make a convenient appointment to return. 12 Inspection of finished works and feedback from you We do carry out some inspection of works after it has been done to ensure the work has been done properly and to your satisfaction. It would be impossible to inspect every single job, so a percentage of jobs are inspected at random. For all of these inspections we will make a convenient appointment with you. Alternatively you may be contacted and asked to complete a telephone questionnaire. We would be grateful if you can spare the time to answer as this is another way of making sure we get things right and meet your expectations. We will also send you a satisfaction questionnaire. If you can return this it will help us monitor our service and improve in the future. Planned maintenance Certain types of non-urgent work, such as repairs to fencing, footpaths, painting etc., may be put back and grouped together into a ‘Planned Maintenance Programme’. You will be told at the time of reporting the fault if the repair is to be included in a “planned maintenance programme”. Similarly we may defer non-urgent repairs if the fitting is due for replacement under a Major Works or Refurbishment Contract within the next 12 months. Asbestos We have a clear policy on dealing with any building materials that contain asbestos in our flats or houses. You are not at risk from asbestos material unless it is disturbed. If it is necessary to remove asbestos material from your home you and your family and premises will be fully protected while the work is in progress. Asbestos is not dangerous if it remains undamaged and undisturbed. However if at any time you suspect that any building materials, panels for example, may contain asbestos, please ring us for advice. If you require further information please contact us for a fact sheet. Re-chargeable repairs Certain works may be charged to you, for example if: ➮ The repair is needed because of damage through your negligence, wilful damage or neglect. This also applies if any member of your household, a visitor or any other person at your home causes damage ➮ You fit any type of installation or fixed appliance requiring repair that we did not give you our written agreement to install ➮ Having obtained prior permission and agreed to maintain, the installation was poorly fitted by you or some one employed by you to do it You must take reasonable care of your home and report any repairs or faults to Eastline straight away. If you have applied to buy your home then we will only carry out the basic repairs the law asks us to do If you have bought your own home you are responsible for all repairs inside if you own a flat or maisonette and all repairs inside and out if you own a house. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 13 You are responsible for any alterations you made or you agree to take on as part of a ‘mutual exchange’ prior to the purchase The cost of carrying out a repair together with any associated administrative costs shall be recovered from you if the repair, or the need for the repair, is considered by us to be your responsibility. We will always aim to tell you of the cost at the time of reporting the re-chargeable repair, and give you the option of appointing your own contractor or carrying out a repair yourself. This must be carried out to a satisfactory standard. If we have to carry out a repair that involves lifting laminate flooring or carpets, you are responsible for any damage that may be caused when replacing the flooring. What is a re-chargeable repair? ➮ Replacing locks/keys and door frames (following forced entry) due to loss or theft of keys ➮ Any reinstatement work following flood, fire or other similar substantive damage where such damage was caused by the actions or omissions of the tenant or other member of the household 14 ➮ Any damage deemed to be the result of vandalism from within the household ➮ Any unauthorised installation which has to be made good ➮ Vandalism – unless you can quote a police crime number Who is responsible for what? The list over the next three pages sets down the repairs that Eastlands Homes will do and the ones that you are responsible for. Do not hesitate to contact Eastline if you are unsure about the repair responsibility. If you need a contractor to carry out any work that is your responsibility, we can recommend suitably qualified companies to you. If you would like more information contact Eastline. Remember: if you apply to buy your home, Eastlands Homes will only carry out basic 'wind and watertight' repairs. If you go through with the purchase of the house you will be responsible for repairing and maintaining your home. Repair Bathroom fixtures Baths Responsibility Us You Except WC seats, bathroom cabinets, mirrors, towel rails and fittings and toilet roll holders ✔ Except unblocking wastes ✔ Carpentry Chains and plugs ✔ On basins, baths and sinks ✔ Chimneys ✔ Communal areas ✔ Decoration (external) ✔ Decoration (internal) Except when damage is caused by a structural defect ✔ Domestic appliances (installation and repair) Such as cookers, fridges, washing machines, dishwashers ✔ Doors Internal and external including frames, hinges, locks, door jambs and thresholds, letterboxes and handles ✔ External timber elements ✔ Fences and gates ✔ Fire grates and surrounds ✔ Fixture and fittings Such as coat hooks, curtains, curtain rails ✔ Floor covering Laminated flooring Including adapting doors to accommodate carpets ✔ Floor boards Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk ✔ Email [email protected] 15 Repair Garden maintenance Responsibility Us You Including dustbins and refuse areas ✔ Garages ✔ Gas ✔ Glazing If broken into you must get a crime number from the police to avoid recharge ✔ Heating Including storage heaters and fitted electric fires. Except bleeding radiators ✔ Hand basins Except blockages ✔ Hot water heaters Including cylinder jackets ✔ Infestations By ants, cockroaches, mice, rats or bedbugs ✔* Immersion heaters ✔ Kitchens Except domestic appliances ✔ Light fittings Except light bulbs, dimmer switches, fuses, fluorescent tubes and starters ✔ ✔* Locks of any type Loss of keys Including repairs to forced entry if you get locked out Only if provided by us ✔ Paths Including steps, footpaths and ramps ✔ Plastering ✔ Except for washing machines and dishwashers and bleeding radiators * Responsibility will be determined after further investigation. 16 ✔* ✔ Out buildings Plumbing repairs and leaks ✔* ✔ Repair Responsibility Us You Porches Except glazing Re-lighting pilot lights Including the resetting of any heating controls or programme ✔ ✔ Re-washer taps ✔ Roofs ✔ Sink Units Except blockages ✔ Skirting boards ✔ Stairs ✔ Switches and sockets Except dimmer switches ✔ Telephone points TV aerials and sockets ✔ Unless communal ✔ Washing lines ✔ WC seats Windows Waste blockages ✔ Including window sills, catches, sash cords and frames ✔ Including basins, bath, WC’s Worktops Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk ✔ ✔ Email [email protected] 17 Useful Hints Looking after your home You are responsible for keeping the inside of your home in good condition. To help you do this it is best to carry out small tasks and checks to prevent future problems such as: ➮ Wipe down on a regular basis all windows affected by condensation. If any mould has formed, clean it off using a wash of a suitable product available from all DIY stores. See Condensation section below. ➮ Limescale can be removed from baths, sinks, shower heads, and taps with a descaler available from all DIY stores. ➮ Blockages in kitchen sink waste pipes can be prevented by flushing through using washing soda and hot water. ➮ Outside gullies should be kept clear of leaves and other debris so that water drains away easily. ➮ Make sure you know where the main stoptap is, and how to turn it off. Also, be sure to know how to turn off your electricity and gas supply in an emergency. If you do not, ask any of our staff when they next visit or ring us. In the Autumn you should check the 18 following list of items and notify us of any problems. We can then repair them before they get worse and cause you any inconvenience: ➮ Are all your heating controls set correctly? Are there any tiles or slates missing or broken on your roof? ➮ Are there any leaks from gutters and downpipes? If in doubt, contact Eastline for details. Condensation Condensation occurs when there is an excessive build up of moisture in the air, but people create additional moisture in their homes by: ➮ Cooking or boiling water ➮ Taking baths or showers ➮ Using paraffin or bottled gas heaters ➮ Drying clothes indoors Warm moist air condenses and forms water when it cools: for example when it touches a cool surface. In your home these can be outside walls, mirrors, windows, wall tiles, ledges and even on clothes. If this condensation cannot dry out it will cause mould to form on walls, in cupboards, on window sills, and mildew to form on clothes, especially leather goods. There are four things you can do to stop condensation forming: ➮ Produce less moisture by covering pans and turning down the heat when boiling. Switching off boiling kettles, and drying clothes outside or in a well ventilated room, and not using paraffin or bottled gas heaters. ➮ Let the moisture out by opening a bathroom or kitchen window for a while to let the steam escape, or using an extractor fan; and by opening windows for a while each day to change the air in your house. ➮ Keeping your home warm by having a low background heat: this need not result in significantly increased heating costs. ➮ Wipe down where moisture settles. Leaking, Burst or Frozen Pipes When pipes leak Place a dish or bowl underneath the leak. Pull back any carpets and lay down newspapers or towels to absorb any dampness. When pipes burst Turn off the water at the main stop tap, Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk and any gate valves from the water tank, and switch off any water heaters. Open all taps to drain water from the system. Can it be isolated? Some items of equipment may have their own isolation valve (either a gate valve, or a service valve). If not, you may be able to isolate the fault by just turning off a gate valve on a pipe coming out of the cold watertank. This will leave you with some services, even though it might only be cold water at the kitchen tap. You could temporarily flush toilets using a bucket of cold water. If eIectric fittings get wet DO NOT TOUCH and turn electricity off at the meter. When ceilings bulge To prevent the ceiling falling down, place a bucket under the bulge and pierce a small hole to let the water through. When pipes freeze Turn off the water at the main stop tap and open the cold taps. It is best to leave the pipes frozen but you may try to thaw the pipe using hot water bottles Email [email protected] 19 or a hair dryer. Take great care and DO NOT USE A BLOWLAMP. Take care to thaw from one end of the frozen section and not from the middle. General information Know where your main stop tap is and check that it turns easily and is able to shut off the water supply. It is usually where the waterpipe enters the house or near the kitchen sink. Get to know where the gate valves for the hot and cold water tanks are. If you go away for a few days in winter, lower the setting on your central heating room thermostat but leave the heating on. Energy efficiency It is important when heating your home to make sure that you get the best from your heating system but also important that all your heat doesn’t escape because of poor insulation. We operate a number of schemes, which improve the energy efficiency in your home and reduce cost of your fuel bills. We can give you advice on energy efficiency including: ➮ Using your heating system effectively ➮ Reducing your heating bills and payment methods 20 ➮ Insulating your home Ring us for more information. Repairs Guarantee – Compensation You can claim for a compensation payment when a repair is not completed within the published timescales. If you owe us money, it will be taken off the compensation. You can claim by using our well-used and easily accessible Complaints scheme 'Are You Satisfied'. Certain repairs will be excluded from the scheme, notably: ➮ Where it is found that no repair is necessary ➮ Repairs where planned works are imminent ➮ Repairs which are not our responsibility ➮ Repairs where the tenants actions are the main cause of the delay ➮ Major disabled facilities grants Guidance on our compensation policy is given on the next page. Guidance on our Compensation Policy Category Description Compensation amount Repairs and maintenance Emergency and urgent repairs (3 hour and 5 day repairs) that we have twice failed to complete within published timescales. Note: This is a statutory compensation award under the Right to Repair provisions. £10 plus £2 per day for each day not carried out up to £50 Doesn't apply where: ✔ Repair attended to and parts on order (and the tenant has been advised) ✔ Repair is rechargeable ✔ The tenant was unavailable when we called Rooms not habitable or essential facilities not available due to lack of repair. A rebate of a weeks rent for each week (or part of a week) whilst the property is affected after the repair completion deadline. Lack of hot water and/or heating beyond the published repairs timescales. £2 per day after the completion deadline for each service not available if temporary heating and/or hot water facilities not provided Increased costs of utility bills due to us using tenants services e.g. drying out after a burst. £2 per day for each appliance Damage to tenants property due to the negligent or inappropriate actions of our staff or anyone employed by us Issue to be reviewed to assess the value of the damaged items following an inspection. If upheld to be paid as a “without prejudice” discretionary payment. Rubbish and materials not removed after the repair completed. £5 per day after 5 working days of completion of the work. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 21 Your right to repair If we do not do your repair on time, you can ask us to check whether you qualify to use the Right to Repair Scheme. The scheme only applies to some types of repair. There are also different timescales under the scheme for the repairs to be carried out. If you have an outstanding repair which does qualify under the scheme, we will explain the process for applying. We will also tell you if you qualify for any compensation. 22 Bleeding a radiator Bleeding a radiator When to do it If the top part of a radiator is cold, this is because air is trapped in the system. Bleeding the radiator releases this air and allows hot water to fill the whole system. Do not bleed if... ...you have a Combination Boiler: this type of boiler will have either a pressure guage or a low pressure light on the front or underside of the boiler, and you will probably not have a hot water cylinder. Before bleeding If the whole radiator is cold, check that the radiator valve is open. If more than one radiator is cold, the whole heating system will need to be checked by a plumber. Thermostatic radiator value Turn off the heating system before bleeding, otherwise the pump might draw more air into the system. You will need a special radiator key, available from most DIY and hardware shops. You will also need a rag or cloth and a bucket or bowl. How to bleed The bleed valve is the small square nut at the top end of the radiator. Place the key over the valve and hold the cloth around it to catch any water. Gently turn the key anti-clockwise until you hear a hiss - this is the air being released. When water starts to come through, turn the key back clockwise to shut the valve off. DO NOT unscrew the valve completely as the plug will come right out. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 23 Loss of Electric light or power Fuse or trip switch Check your consumer unit or fuse box: it will either have fuses or trip switches (see diagrams). Modern electric circuits are fitted with a circuit breaker fuse system: if a fault develops, a switch is tripped and the circuit is broken. Older ones have fuse holders and when the fuse is blown it must either be replaced or rewired using special fuse wire of the correct amperage. Only replace a fuse if you are confident you can do it safely, and have a replacement of the same amperage. If in doubt contact us or a qualified electrician. Electrical Consumer Unit Main on/ off switch Fuses or trip switches Types of fuses Trip switch Trip Switch Replaces fuses in modern consumer units MCB Cartridge type Rewirable type Warning ➮ Never tamper with electricity company’s fuse and seals. ➮ Never take any action unless you are confident you can do it safely. 24 Setting a trip switch Open the cover on the consumer unit to expose the trip switches. The Consumer Unit is usually next to the electricity meter. Check which switches have tripped to the OFF position and put them back to the ON position. For more detail, refer to any handbook supplied. If tripping occurs again It is probably being caused by a faulty appliance. You need to identify which circuit is affected and which appliance on that circuit is causing a problem. Which appliance is faulty? Go around the house noting which set of lights or sockets are not working. Unplug all appliances on that problem circuit and switch off the immersion heater. Switch the tripped switch to the ON position and plug in the appliances one by one until the trip goes again. Leave that appliance unplugged. If one of our appliances is at fault, report the repair; otherwise get it fixed yourself by a qualified electrician or a service engineer. What causes it to trip or blow a fuse? ➮ An overloaded circuit ➮ Too many appliances being used at the same time ➮ A faulty or misused appliance ➮ Overfilled kettles ➮ Unclean toasters ➮ Cooker rings worn out or cracked ➮ Faulty immersion heaters ➮ Faulty connections on leads to appliances, eg hi-fi, TV, etc ➮ Light bulbs blowing Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Plugs The socket outlets in your home will take square pin plugs. The plug which you require will have a fuse inside it. We do not supply plugs and you will have to obtain them yourself. To find out the correct type of fuse to fit in a plug, check the rating plate on the appliance. Do not overload plug sockets by using multiple plug adaptors. Controlling your Central Heating How to set a digital timer Check the clock is showing the correct time. If not, put the timer switch to ‘clock’ and adjust the time using the ‘forward’ and ‘reverse’ buttons. Reset the timer switch to‘auto’. Set the ‘heating’ and ‘hot water’ switches to come on at once, twice, or stay on all the time, as you require. During freezing spells, keep the heating on all the time and turn the thermostat down during the night and if you are out all day. How to set a clock timer Turn the clock until it is showing the correct time. Decide when you want the heating to come on and go off and set the pins or arrows for those times (see below for how to change pins and arrows). Set the timer switch to ‘timer’ or ‘auto’ as appropriate to the unit. During freezing spells, keep the heating on all the time and turn the thermostat down during the night or if you are out all day. How to control the temperature To set the thermostat turn the dial so that the arrow or marker is against the temperature setting you want. A comfortable temperature is between 18°C and 22°C. Email [email protected] 25 Changing pins on a timeclock Push them in against any time you want the heating to come on. Pull them out against anytime when you want the heating to go off. Changing arrows on timeclock Slide the ‘on’ arrows (usually red) around the clock to the times when you want the heating to come on. Slide the ‘off’ arrows (usually blue) around to the times when you want the heating to go off. Digital programmer Room thermostat Clock programmer Storage Heater Controls heat input heat output 26 Clearing a blocked waste pipe Clearing a blocked WC Clearing a sink or bath blockage Bale out most of the water using a suitable container. Hold a rag firmly over the overflow opening, and place a plunger over the drainhole. Pump the plunger up and down rapidly. Plungers can be obtained from most DIY shops. After clearing the blockage, it is advisable to clean out the trap. Clearing blockages If the pan is already full, remove some of the water into a suitable container using a jug or bowl. Push the toilet brush or plunger to the bottom of the pan and pump up and down vigorously about 10 times. This creates a vacuum and pressure which may shift the blockage. Check by flushing the toilet to see whether the blockage has gone. You may need to repeat the process several times before the toilet flushes normally. Do not use plungers with a metal disk, as these may chip or crack the toilet bowl. Clearing a blocked waste pipe Clearing a blocked WC Cleaning out a waste trap First bale out any excess water from the bath, basin, or sink using a jug or bowl. Place a bowl underneath the trap and unscrew the joints to remove the trap. Clean thoroughly and replace the trap, checking that the seals are in place and that all joints are screwed up tightly. If more than one fitting is blocked The problem may be in the soil stack or main drain. This will need to be cleared by one of our contractors. Blockages are usually caused by the build-up of fat, tea leaves, hair, etc. It is advisable to clean wastes with hot water and soda crystals. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Avoiding blockages Air fresheners that attach to the rim of the toilet pan should be fastened securely to ensure they do not fall in and cause a blockage. Blockages are usually caused by unusual objects: nappies, toys, sanitary towels, air fresheners, etc. If such a blockage occurs as a result of one or several of these objects becoming lodged, you may be charged for clearing the blockage. Email [email protected] 27 Overflows To stop an overflow If the toilet cistern is overflowing try lifting the float to close the ball valve: if this stops the overflow, try to tie it up, using a piece of wood and some string, as in the diagram or using the service valve on the supply pipe. You can do the same with a cold water storage tank as a temporary measure. Typical toilet cistern showing float tied up Service valve Ball valve Supply pipe Cold water storage tank Hot water vent pipe Overflow pipe Gate valves on feed pipes 28 Rising main Stoptaps, Gate valves etc Stop cock or stop tap Gate valve Service valve Draincock Stoptap with drain valve Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 29 Baths and basins Bath Wall tiles or splashbacks Seal Plug to waste trap and pipe Side panel End panel Waste traps ‘S’ trap ‘P’ trap Bottle trap 30 Bathrooms and WC Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Bath/basin water leaking ➮ If water is near electrics, do not touch. Turn electricity off at consumer unit main switch. ➮ Are electrics affected? ➮ Stop leak causing more damage. ➮ What is affected? (waste pipe/trap, pipe or tap. See page 30/32) ➮ Where is the leak? (bath or basin) ➮ If pipework is affected, is it hot or cold supply pipe, or waste trap? Before you contact us Bath/basin blocked ➮ Can you clear blockage yourself? (see Tips page 27) ➮ Are electrics affected? ➮ Where is the leak? (bath or basin) ➮ What is affected? (waste pipe/trap, pipe or tap. See page 30/32) ➮ If pipework is affected, is it hot or cold supply pipe, or waste trap? Bath or basin damaged/broken ➮ What is damaged? (bath or basin) ➮ What is affected part made from? (metal, plastic or china etc) ➮ If a bath panel is affected, which panel (side or end panel) and what is it made from (hardboard or plastic)? ➮ Does it need to be replaced or refixed? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 31 Baths and basins Basin Pop up waste Wall tiles or splashbacks Water control pull Seal Overflow Pop up waste plug Pedestal Types of taps Standard pillar tap Bib tap 32 High neck pillar tap Lever tap Modern pillar tap Supa tap Mixer tap Bathrooms and WC Tell us ➫ Damaged wall tiles ➮ Where are tiles? ➮ Are they loose, broken or damaged? ➮ How many are affected? ➮ What size and colour are they? ➮ How did it happen? Bath panel loose ➮ Which panel is affected? (side or end panel) ➮ What is it made from? (hardboard or plastic) Seal gone around bath Seal gone around basin Bath tap dripping ➮ What type of tap is it? (see diagrams opposite) Basin tap dripping ➮ What type of tap is it? (see diagrams opposite) Tap loose ➮ Bath or basin tap? ➮ What type of tap? (see diagrams opposite) Plug/chain required ➮ Is it on bath or basin? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 33 Showers Shower Ceiling pullcord power switch For electric shower Shower head Shower arm Control value Hose Seal Waste Tray Bath/shower mixer tap 34 Electric shower Bathrooms and WC Tell us ➫ Seal gone around shower tray Shower tray broken ➮ What is it made of? (ceramic or plastic) Before you contact us Shower not working ➮ If it is your own shower, this is your responsibility. ➮ What type of shower is it? (electric or connected to the central heating. See diagrams opposite) ➮ If electric, check power is switched on (by cord or switch) and controls are set correctly. ➮ What is happening? (no water, or only hot or cold water) ➮ Do you have hot water in rest of home? ➮ Can you see a make or model number on shower? Shower curtain damaged Before you contact us ➮ If it is your own shower curtain, this is your responsibility. Before you contact us Shower blocked ➮ If limescale is the problem, use descaler fluid which can be bought from a DIY shop. ➮ What is causing blockage? Shower switch broken Shower hose broken ➮ How did it happen? Shower arm broken ➮ How did it happen? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 35 WC WC Overflow pipe Cistern Flush pipe Supply pipe Pan Soil pipe Soil pipe joint Cistern Flushing handle Overflow Ball valve Float Syphon 36 Bathrooms and WC Tell us ➫ Damaged wall tiles ➮ Are the tiles loose, broken or damaged? ➮ How many are affected? ➮ What size and colour are they? ➮ How did it happen? Cubicle door not working ➮ Is it broken or stuck? Before you contact us WC leaking ➮ If water is near electrics, do not touch. Turn electricity off at consumer unit main switch. ➮ Where is leak? (Pan, cistern,or pipe joint. See diagrams opposite) ➮ If serious, turn off water at stoptap and gate valves from cold water tank. Open all taps to drain water from system. Turn off heaters affected. ➮ If leak is from cistern, is it high or low level cistern? (see diagrams on page 38) ➮ Is affected part loose, cracked or broken? ➮ Is it your only WC? ➮ Is it a coloured WC or white? Before you contact us WC will not flush ➮ Has water authority said that water would be going off? ➮ Is the handle or chain moving properly? ➮ You can use a bucket of cold water to flush until problem is fixed. ➮ Is the float still working? ➮ If cistern is not filling, lift lid and see if anything is stopping the float from working. Try moving the float up and down to see if it will fill. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 37 WC Types of WC 38 ‘P’ types waste trap ‘S’ types waste trap Low level cistern High level cistern Bathrooms and WC Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Overflow running ➮ As a temporary solution, tie in the up position, thus closing the ball valve (see page 28 for help) or turning off the supply at the service valve. ➮ Does the overflow run outside? ➮ Is the cistern flushing? ➮ Is the float working? ➮ Is the overflow running continuously? Seat damaged ➮ Is it broken, damaged or missing? ➮ What is it made from? (plastic, wood etc) ➮ What colour is it? WC blocked Before you contact us ➮ Try unblocking it yourself by removing excess water into a bowl, and using a toilet brush or plunger (without metal disk). (See page 27 for help) ➮ What caused blockage? Soil stack blocked ➮ Do you live in a house or flat? ➮ If a flat, which floor are you? ➮ Is your WC causing the blockage? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 39 Water systems Hot water cylinder Types of water temp controls Gate valve Top entry immersion heater (electric) Cylinder usually has insulation jacket Economy 7 controller for water heater Cylinder thermostat Bottom entry immersion heater (electric) Drain off valve Cylinder thermostat Gas boiler Flue Ignition light Pilot light Boiler thermostat Time clock 40 Water systems Tell us ➫ Before you contact us No hot water ➮ If gas, check time clock controller is set for hot water and timer is set correctly. ➮ What heats water? (gas, electric, or solid fuel) ➮ If electric, is there a power cut? Are neighbours affected? If so, contact your electricity company (see under ‘electricity’ in Phone Book). ➮ If electric, are other electrical facilities working? ➮ If coin or credit meter has it run out of credit? ➮ Are heating controls set correctly? ➮ Is room heating still working? ➮ Do you have an alternative source of hot water? (immersion heater or gas heater etc) ➮ Do you have a hot water cylinder? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 41 Communal Door entry call unit Door entry phone in flat Outside light Metal hopper to refuse chute Removable cover 42 Hopper door Communal facilities Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Door entry faulty ➮ If door is jammed, see page 45. ➮ Has whole system failed, or is only your home affected? ➮ Is fault at entrance or your phone? ➮ Is door jammed? Emergency lighting faulty ➮ Which lights are affected? ➮ Is it failing to turn off or not coming on? ➮ Is fire alarm ringing? Before you contact us Communal lighting faulty ➮ Is power cut causing the problem. If so, contact electricity board (under ‘electricity’ in the Phone Book). ➮ Which lights are affected? ➮ Is it on all the time? ➮ Does it not come on at all? Rubbish chute faulty ➮ What is wrong? (chute is blocked, broken etc) Communal TV aerial faulty ➮ What is the nature of the problem? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 43 External doors External door Door closer Frame Top rail Door stile Glass panel Letter plate Threshold Panels Bottom rail Weatherboard 44 External doors and windows Tell us ➫ Door jammed ➮ Is it front or rear door? ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams on page 46) ➮ What is door made of? (wood, metal or plastic etc) ➮ Is door jammed open or closed? ➮ Can you still get in and out of your home? Door frame damaged/rotten ➮ Is door or frame affected? ➮ Is it front or rear door? ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams on page 46) ➮ What is door made of? (wood, metal or plastic etc) ➮ What is wrong with it? (damaged or rotten) ➮ Is home insecure as a result of this problem? Threshold rotten/ needs repair ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams on page 46) ➮ What is it made from? (wood, metal etc) ➮ What is wrong with it? (rotten, broken etc) Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 45 External doors Types of external door Panelled Panel and glazed Fully glazed Glass Glass Rim night latch - double security Outside Latch Deadlocking cylinder Inside Lever Cylinder 46 Automatic latch bolt Hold open catch Keep External doors and windows Tell us ➫ Weatherboard rotten/broken ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams opposite) ➮ What is it made from? (wood, metal or plastic) ➮ What is wrong with it? (rotten, broken etc) Glass damaged ➮ What type of door is it? ➮ If fully glazed which panel(s) is damaged? ➮ Is it your own door or a communal one? ➮ Is it front or rear door? ➮ Is it single or double glazed? ➮ What type of glass is it? (clear, wired or obscure) ➮ Is your home secure? Draught coming around door ➮ Where is the draught coming from? (between wall and frame, around door or under door) ➮ Is there any draught proofing around door? Rain coming in under door ➮ Does the door have a weatherboard? (see diagram on page 44) Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 47 External doors Mortice deadlock Rim lock Keep Keep Deadlock Escutcheon Latch Mortice claw bolt deadlock Deadlock Knob Internal door latch for sliding doors Keep Keep Claw bolt Thread escutcheon Mortice sash lock Lever handle Outside door pull Keep Latch 48 Deadlock Lever handle Barrel cylinder External doors and windows Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Door lock not working ➮ If it’s your own lock, it’s your responsibility. ➮ What type of lock is it? (see diagrams opposite) ➮ What is wrong with lock? (lever handle faulty, spring worn out, striking plate out of place or lock not fitting into keep etc. See diagrams opposite) ➮ Which door is affected? ➮ What is door made of? (wood, metal or plastic) ➮ Is your home secure? Before you contact us Keys lost/locked out ➮ This is usually your own responsibility. ➮ Are you locked out of your home? ➮ What type of lock is it? (see diagrams opposite) ➮ Where is door? (front, rear, patio or store) Before you contact us ➮ If it’s your own fitting, it’s your responsibility. Ironmongery missing/ not working ➮ What fitting is it? (letterplate, handle, chain, door ➮ Is door not closing properly? ➮ Is your home insecure? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 49 Windows Sash window Casement windows As seen from outside Fastener Trickle vent Stay Sash cords Fastener Weights Window sill Tilt & turn window Stay Pivot window Pivot hinges Opens in for ventilation 50 Fasteners External doors and windows Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Glass damaged ➮ If you can do it safely, remove any loose broken glass which could be dangerous to others, and wrap it in newspaper before binning it. ➮ Is it single or double glazed? ➮ Where is window? (which floor of the building, a communal window or one to your home) ➮ What type of glass is it? (clear, wired or obscure) ➮ What is window frame made of? (wood, metal or plastic) ➮ Is your home secure? Window frame jammed ➮ What is frame made of? (wood, metal, or plastic) ➮ What type of window is it? (sash, pivot or tilt window etc. See diagrams opposite) ➮ What is causing the problem? (rotten wood, hinges or sash cord broken etc. See diagrams opposite) ➮ Is your home secure? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 51 Windows Fitch sash fastener Keep Brighton sash fastener Thumb catch Hook casement fastener Screw Restrictor stay Prevents window opening fully Hook plate Casement stay Stay arm Pin plate 52 External doors and windows Tell us ➫ Ironmongery defective ➮ What type of window is it? (sash, pivot or tilt window etc. See diagrams on page 50) ➮ What is frame made of? (wood, metal or plastic) ➮ What part is defective? (stay, catch, fastener or lift etc. See diagrams opposite and on page 50) ➮ Is your home insecure? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 53 Garage/garden Up and over garage door Tracks Metal door Hanger Pivot arm Lifting spring Locking mechanism 54 Frame Garages and gardens Tell us ➫ Garage door faulty ➮ What type of garage door is it? ➮ What is door made from? (wood, metal etc.) ➮ What is the problem? (door or frame is loose, damaged or off mechanism, lock is broken or keys are lost etc) Rubbish dumped in garden ➮ What sort of rubbish? ➮ Who put it there? ➮ Is it hazardous? Clothes post broken ➮ What is it made of? (concrete or metal etc) ➮ How was it broken? Clothes line broken ➮ What type of clothes line is it? ➮ Is pulley or bracket broken? Clothes line stolen ➮ What type of clothes line is it? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 55 Electrical Outdoor electricity meter Electrical consumer unit or fuseboard Main on/ off switch Electricity meter Electricity supply Fluorescent lights Fuses or trip switches Trip switch Replaces fuses in modern consumer units Types of fuses Trip switch 56 MCB Cartridge type Rewirable type Heating, gas and electrical Tell us ➫ Before you contact us No power at all ➮ If you have a pre-payment meter, check that it has credit on it. ➮ Is yours the only property affected? ➮ See if trip switch is activated or a fuse has blown on consumer unit. (see page 25 for help) ➮ Has trip switch been activated or a fuse blown on the consumer unit? ➮ Are your neighbours affected? If so, contact your electricity board (under ‘electricity’ in the Phone Book). Before you contact us Electrical fitting smoking ➮ Do not touch fitting. ➮ What fitting is it? (light, plug etc) ➮ Turn electricity off at consumer main switch. ➮ Where is it located? Before you contact us Light circuit failed ➮ See if trip switch is activated or fuse has blown on consumer unit. (see page 25 for help) ➮ Are power sockets working? ➮ Has bulb blown? ➮ Is light fitting causing the problem? (the pendant, batten holder, wall or ceiling switch etc. See diagrams on page 58) ➮ Are power sockets working? ➮ How many lights are affected? Fluorescent tube not working ➮ What is the problem? (tube flickers, broken etc) Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 57 Electrical Single power socket Double power socket Cooker control power socket Ceiling pull switch 58 Smoke detector/smoke alarm Pendant lamp holder Batten lamp holder Heating, gas and electrical Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Plug socket not working ➮ Is it appliance rather than power socket that is faulty? ➮ Are other power sockets not working? ➮ Is trip switch activated or a fuse blown in the consumer unit? (See page 25, for help). ➮ Is trip switch activated or a fuse blown in a consumer unit? ➮ Is there no power at all in your home? If so, see page 57. Before you contact us Appliance not working ➮ If it’s your appliance it’s your responsibility. ➮ Are other power sockets working? ➮ Is it power socket rather than appliance that is faulty? ➮ Is trip switch activated or a fuse blown in consumer unit? ➮ Has fuse blown in the plug? If so renew it with a suitably rated fuse. ➮ Is trip switch activated or a fuse blown in the consumer unit? ➮ Is there no power at all in your home? If so, see page 57. Before you contact us Smoke detector defective ➮ If it is battery operated, press in the test button for a few seconds. If the alarm fails to sound the batteries should be replaced. ➮ Is it battery operated? ➮ Where is the smoke detector? ➮ What appears to be problem? ➮ If you have a warden, contact them. Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 59 Heating Gas boiler Flue Ignition light Pilot light Boiler thermostat Time clock Extractor fan Showing wiring to fused spur Fused spur Types of heating controls Digital programmer 60 Clock programmer Room thermostat Heating, gas and electrical Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Extractor fan faulty ➮ Is fan switched on? ➮ Where is fan? ➮ What type of fan is it? Before you contact us ➮ If electric, check that power is still on, and that meter is still in credit. Central heating boiler faulty ➮ Is it your only source of heat? ➮ Do you have hot water? ➮ If gas, check that pilot light is on. ➮ Check that room thermostat is set correctly (usually between 18°C and 22°C. See diagram opposite) and that the boiler thermostat is turned to a high setting. ➮ Can you see manufacturer’s name and what model it is? ➮ Check that clock or digital timer is set correctly (see page 25 for help). Before you contact us Communal heating faulty ➮ Check that room thermostat is set correctly (usually between 18°C and 22°C). ➮ Is this your only source of heat? ➮ Is there any hot water? ➮ Are other flats affected? ➮ If you have a warden or caretaker, contact them. Before you contact us Radiator not heating up ➮ Check that thermostatic valve is turned up enough (See page 23 for help). ➮ Is thermostatic valve turned up enough? ➮ Try bleeding radiator. (See page 23 for help). ➮ How many radiators are affected? ➮ Have you tried bleeding radiator(s) affected? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 61 Heating Storage heater Wall mounted convector heater Control settings Control settings Supply for convector Supply for convector Panel radiator Central heating pump Pre-set balancing valve Switched electric power supply Radiator valve (See diagrams below) Radiator valves Manual radiator valve 62 Thermostatic radiator valve Heating, gas and electrical Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Radiator leaking ➮ Try to stop leaking causing damage. ➮ Turn radiator valve off. ➮ Where is leak coming from? (see diagram opposite) Before you contact us Fumes appear in room ➮ If gas leak, do not smoke, use matches, or turn electrical switches on or off. Open windows. Follow emergency action outlined on pages 7 and 8. ➮ What is causing fumes? ➮ Has flue been cleaned recently? ➮ Turn off any appliances that are causing fumes. ➮ If the heating system is the cause, can you see the manufacturer’s name and the model? Before you contact us Storage heater defective ➮ Make sure heater is turned on at socket. ➮ How many heaters are affected? ➮ Check thermostat is set correctly. ➮ Where are they? ➮ If no power in rest of home, see page 57. ➮ What appears to be the problem? ➮ Can you see manufacturer’s name and model number? Before you contact us ➮ Check thermostat is set correctly. ➮ If faulty plug, see page 59. Radiant/convector heater faulty ➮ What appears to be the problem? ➮ Can you see the manufacturer’s name and model? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 63 Internal doors Types of internal door Fully glazed Panelled Glass Cylinder plate (fits to door edge) 64 Flush Glass Perko door closer Spring in cylinder Top glazed Anchor plate (fits to door frame) Door latch Lever handle Mortice latch Internal doors Tell us ➫ Door sticking/jamming ➮ Where is door? ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams opposite) ➮ What appears to be the problem? Door Damage ➮ Where is door? ➮ What type of door is it? (see diagrams opposite) ➮ What appears to be the problem? ➮ How did it happen? Door latch defective ➮ What type of latch fitting is it? ➮ Where is door? ➮ What is wrong with it? ➮ How did it happen? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 65 Kitchens Kitchen unit Larder unit Plinth 66 door hinge Floor unit Worktop Drawer Wall tiles or splashback Drawer runner Seal Kitchens Tell us ➫ Damaged cupboard ➮ Which unit is affected? (a corner unit, floor or wall unit, with single or double doors) ➮ What part is faulty? (see diagram opposite) ➮ In what way is it damaged? ➮ Do you think it can be repaired or will it need to be replaced? ➮ What is it made of? (wood, plastic or metal etc) ➮ What colour and size is it? Before you contact us Sink unit leaking ➮ Try to stop the leak causing more damage ➮ Where is leak coming from? (pipe, tap or waste pipe/trap. See diagram on page 68) Before you contact us Sink blocked ➮ Try to clear it yourself using a plunger. (See page 27, for help). ➮ Are other outlets affected? ➮ Stop others using sink while blocked. ➮ What caused the blockage? ➮ Is washing machine blocked? Damaged wall tiles ➮ Where are tiles? ➮ Are they broken, loose or missing? ➮ How many are affected? ➮ What size and colour are they? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 67 Kitchens Washing machine Showing typical plumbing Sink top Sink waste trap Washing machine waste trap Washing machine supply taps ‘P’ trap with washing machine connection 68 Kitchens Tell us ➫ Seal gone around sink Sink tap dripping ➮ What type of tap is it? (see diagrams page 32) Tap loose ➮ What type of tap is it? (see diagrams on page 32) Sink plug/chain required ➮ What happened to the plug and chain? Washing machine blocked ➮ Do you know what caused the blockage? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 69 Outside Gutters and downpipes Outlet Gutter bracket Soil pipe Gutter Hopper Gully Grid or grate Manhole Types of gully Back inlet gully 70 Open gully Roofs, chimneys and rainwater Tell us ➫ Before you contact us Manhole cover defective ➮ If dangerous, put something over it to alert others to the danger. ➮ Where is it? ➮ What is the problem? (loose, broken or missing) ➮ What is it made of? ➮ Is it dangerous? Manhole overflowing ➮ Where is it located? Gully cover defective ➮ Where is it? ➮ What is the problem? (loose, broken or missing) ➮ Do you think it can be refixed or does it need to be replaced? ➮ What is it made of? ➮ What size is it? Gutter overflowing ➮ Where is the overflow coming from? (gutter, hopper, pipe etc. See diagram opposite) Before you contact us Gully blocked ➮ Try to clear any leaves or other rubbish yourself with a stick. ➮ What is blocking the gully? Drains blocked ➮ What is blocking the drain? Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 71 Index Subject Basin Blocked Damaged/broken Tiles damaged Plug chain required Seal gone Tap dripping/faulty Tap loose Water leaking Bath Blocked Damaged/broken Tiles damaged Plug chain required Panel loose Seal gone Tap dripping/faulty Tap loose Water leaking Boiler (central heating) faulty Clothes line Broken/stolen Post broken Cupboard (kitchen) damaged Door (internal) Damaged Sticking/jammed Latch damaged Door (external) Draught Frame damaged/rotten Glass damaged/broken Ironmongery (letterplate, handle etc) 72 Page No. 31 31 33 33 33 33 33 31 31 31 33 33 33 33 33 33 31 61 55 55 67 65 65 65 47 45 47 49 Subject Jammed Lock not working Rain coming in Threshold damaged Weatherboard damaged Door entry faulty Downpipe/guttering faulty Drains blocked Electrics: none at all Electrical appliance faulty Electrical fitting smoking EMERGENCIES Extractor fan faulty Fumes in room Garage door faulty Gully Blocked Cover defective Gutter overflowing Heating Communal Radiant/convector Storage Hot water stopped Keys lost Leak From bath/basin From kitchen sink From radiator From WC Lighting Failed Fluorescent tube gone Page No. 45 49 47 45 47 43 71 71 57 59 57 7 61 63 55 71 71 71 61 63 63 41 49 31 67 63 37 57 57 Subject Page No. (Emergency) faulty (Communal) faulty Locked out Manhole Cover broken Overflowing Plug socket failed Power: none at all Radiator Leaking Not heating up Rubbish chute faulty Rubbish dumped in garden Sealing strip gone Around basin Around shower Around kitchen sink Shower Blocked Cubicle door faulty Curtain damaged Hose broken Not working Seal gone around tray Shower arm broken Switch broken Tray broken Tiles damaged Sink (kitchen) Blocked Tap dripping Tap loose Unit leaking Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk 43 43 49 71 71 59 57 63 61 43 55 33 35 69 35 37 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 37 67 69 69 67 Subject Smoke detector faulty Soil stack blocked Splashback damaged Around bath/basin Around kitchen sink Around shower Tap dripping/faulty on basin/bath Tap loose on bath/basin Threshold damaged Tiles (wall) damaged Bath/basin Kitchen sink Shower TV aerial (communal) faulty Useful Hints Washing machine blocked Waste blocked (bath/basin) Water Leaking from bath/basin WC Blocked Leaking Flush not working Overflow running Seat damaged Soil stack blocked Window Frame jammed/sticking Glass damaged/broken Ironmongery (handle,fastener etc) Weatherboard damaged Email [email protected] Page No. 59 39 33 67 37 33 33 45 33 67 37 43 18 69 31 31 39 37 37 39 39 39 51 51 53 47 73 Notes 74 Visit www.eastlandshomes.co.uk Email [email protected] 75 Arabic Bengali Cantonese Czech Farsi French Polish Portuguese Punjabi Somali Urdu This document can also be made available in large print, Braille or audiotape. Please ask at Eastlands House reception or phone us on 0161 274 2390 for this service. This publication is printed on environmentally friendly paper from sustainable forests. Design and production by ThinkTank Creative: 0161 236 6800. Reprinted December 2009