Bleed a radiator
⚠ Safety: Never open up or tamper with your boiler or gas pipework. If you smell gas, don’t use switches, open windows and call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.
What you’ll need
- Radiator bleed key (from any DIY shop)
- Old cloth or towel
- Small container
Step by step
- Turn the heating on and check which radiators are cold at the top – that means trapped air.
- Turn the heating off and let the radiators cool down so you don’t get scalded.
- Find the bleed valve at the top corner of the radiator and hold the cloth beneath it.
- Turn the key slowly anticlockwise about a quarter turn. You’ll hear a hiss as air escapes.
- When water starts to dribble out, close the valve clockwise. Don’t over-tighten.
- Check the boiler pressure gauge. On most combi boilers it should be around 1–1.5 bar when cold; top up using the filling loop per your boiler manual if it has dropped.
When to call a pro: If radiators stay cold after bleeding, the boiler keeps losing pressure, or you notice leaks from the boiler itself. Boiler work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Fix a dripping tap (traditional washer tap)
What you’ll need
- Adjustable spanner
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Replacement washer (or cartridge for quarter-turn taps)
- Cloth
Step by step
- Turn off the water supply – use the isolation valve under the sink, or the main stopcock.
- Open the tap to drain remaining water and put the plug in so small parts can’t go down the drain.
- Prise off the decorative cap, undo the screw and lift off the handle.
- Wrap the cloth around the headgear nut to protect the finish and unscrew it with the spanner.
- Remove the old washer from the bottom and fit the new one of the same size.
- Reassemble, turn the water back on and test.
When to call a pro: If the drip continues because the valve seat is worn, or you can’t isolate the water.
Stop a door squeaking
What you’ll need
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Hammer
- Light oil or petroleum jelly
- Cloth
Step by step
- Close the door, or wedge it so it’s supported.
- Tap the hinge pin upwards from below with the screwdriver and hammer, one hinge at a time.
- Wipe the pin clean and coat it lightly with oil or petroleum jelly.
- Tap it back in and swing the door a few times. Wipe off any excess.
When to call a pro: If the door is dropping or rubbing, hinges or frame may need repair.
Reset a tripped circuit (consumer unit)
⚠ Safety: Never remove the consumer unit cover. If you see scorch marks or smell burning, leave it off and call an electrician.
What you’ll need
Step by step
- Unplug or switch off appliances on the affected circuit.
- At the consumer unit, find the switch (MCB or RCD) in the “off” position.
- Push it back to “on”.
- Plug appliances back in one at a time – if it trips again, the last one is likely faulty.
When to call a pro: If it trips again with everything unplugged, or keeps tripping. Electrical faults need a registered electrician.
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