Question 1

What Items Should I Avoid Flushing Down the Toilet or Washing Down the Sink?

Accepted Answer

Flushing inappropriate items down the toilet and sink can lead to blocked sewers, environmental pollution, and even flooding.

You should only flush waste and toilet tissue down the toilet.

Wipes

In a 2017 study, wipes made up around 93% of the material causing the sewer blockages.

Wipes Include:

Baby wipes

Cleaning wipes

Toilet wipes

Makeup wipes

Even those labelled as "flushable" or "biodegradable" do not break down quickly, often causing sewer blockages.

As well as wipes, don’t flush; cotton wool and cotton buds, paper towels, dental floss, cigarette butts, or sanitary products down the toilet.

Fat, Oil, and Grease

Pouring fat, oil, or grease down the toilet or drain can lead to the formation of fatbergs - solid masses that block sewers. In the UK, it is illegal to dispose of these substances into public waste pipes because of the significant damage they cause.

To properly dispose of cooking oil and fat, allow it to cool first, then place them in a food bin or general waste bin.

In addition to oil and fat, refrain from pouring gravies, coffee grounds, or rice down your sink.

For more information on what blocks drains: ‘What’s blocking Yorkshire’s pipes?’

Question 2

What should I do if I am having trouble with my gas heating?

Accepted Answer

If your heating isn’t working properly, here are a few quick checks you can try before reaching out for help:

The heating isn’t coming on at all.

Check your thermostat:

If the screen is blank, the batteries probably need replacing.

Make sure the settings are correct (e.g., temperature and scheduled heating times).

If you need help setting your thermostat, please get in touch.

Check your boiler pressure:

Look at the gauge on or under your boiler. If it’s below 1.5, your boiler might need repressuring. You will need to contact our Maintenance Team for support with this.

A radiator isn’t heating fully or at all.

Check the Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV):

This is the valve on the pipe leading to the radiator. Make sure it’s turned to the right setting (usually increasing from 1 to 6).

Radiators may need bleeding:

If a radiator is only partially warm, it could be time to bleed them. Contact our Maintenance team for support.

Contact Pickard Properties Maintenance Team

Question 3

What is best way to heat my home?

Accepted Answer

If you have a gas or electric heating system, here are some handy tips on how to heat your home most efficiently.

Keep your heating system at a consistent, moderate level.

Generally, it is more energy efficient to heat your home at specific times rather than maintaining a constant temperature. Although we suggest keeping an ambient temperature of 18C to prevent issues with condensation, you may choose to increase the heating to above 20C in the morning and evenings, or whenever you are typically at home.

Maintain circulation in the home.

To circulate heat around your home more successfully you should:

Avoid drying clothes on radiators, as this can block heat from circulating.

Ensure furniture isn’t blocking your radiators to allow heat to flow freely.

Close doors between rooms to contain heat where it’s needed most.

Utilise electronic extraction and vents when it is too cold to open windows.

4. Insulate your home effectively

Soft furnishings like curtains, rugs, and blinds can play a big role by trapping heat in your home.

Blinds and Curtains: Open blinds and curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight and warmth. Close them at night to add insulation and block out the cold.

Add Rugs: Rugs help insulate hard floors, reducing heat loss and adding an extra layer of warmth and comfort to your space.

Close Doors and Windows: Keep doors and windows in unused rooms shut to stop heat from escaping and prevent cold air from seeping in.

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Related Questions

What Items Should I Avoid Flushing Down the Toilet or Washing Down the Sink?

What should I do if I am having trouble with my gas heating?

What is best way to heat my home?

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