"HELP!" FAQ AND ANSWERS
I HAVE A SMALL LEAK. WHAT CAN I DO?
Depending on where the leak is coming from, you may be able to isolate an appliance or section of pipe without turning the whole house off. Look nearby for a valve. There could be a valve with a handle or a valve that requires a small flathead screwdriver to switch off.
THE LEAK IS STILL THERE. NOW WHAT?
Locate your incoming mains stop cock. This is typically under the kitchen sink or nearby, but can be anywhere on the ground floor of a house. These valves usually have a handle which can be used to switch off the water to the whole house. Once the valve is found, turn it off as tight as you can, then open all the taps in the house and wait for the water to stop. This could take a while - especially if there are tanks in the loft.
THEÂ LEAK IS COMING FROM THE HEATING SYSTEM, WHAT CAN I DO?
Repeat as above. Switch off your boiler and, if possible, the power supply to the heating system. Unfortunately, draining a heating system is not as simple as above, so unless you are confident, do not attempt to. Surround the leak with many towels or rags and call Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for help. It is not recommended that you turn off any radiator valves as this could cause even more problems.
MY HEATING/HOT WATER HAS STOPPED WORKING. WHAT CAN I DO?
Take a look at your boiler. is there a re-set button? Commonly, the issue is not the boiler itself, but an electrical issue elsewhere in the property. For example, the pump has stopped working or the programmer has failed. DO NOT attempt to rectify an electrical issue, call Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for help. Try to use the hot water or heating separately and see if the boiler works.
THE PRESSUREÂ IS DOWN ON MY HEATING SYSTEM. WHAT CAN I DO?
The drop of pressure on a heating system can happen for many reasons. Commonly, it is harmless and happens overtime e.g., evaporation or there is a small leak in the system. Check all your radiators and especially the valves and pipework and look for any damp patches on the ceilings or walls. It is possible to top the pressure up on a heating system yourself if you are confident. However this would not solve a physical leak in the system. Contact Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for advice.
I THINK I CAN SMELL GAS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Locate your gas meter immediately. Look for a large valve called the ECV. It has a lever and will only turn quarter of the way. Turn it so the lever is facing across the pipe, not in line with the pipe. This will isolate the gas supply. Then call the number displayed on the gas meter, or call Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for a registered Gas Safe engineer. Then move to a well ventilated area with doors and windows open to the outside. If you cannot find the gas meter or ECV valve, open all your windows and doors and call us right away.
I THINK MY BOILER/FIRE/COOKER/WATER HEATER IS GOING WRONG. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you are concerned about the safety of yourself or another, switch off the appliance immediately and open nearby windows and doors. Then call Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING?
If you suspect a CO leak within your property, attempt to isolate the gas supply as explained above. If you cannot, open all doors and windows and remove yourself from the property and call Cornerstone Heating and Plumbing for an engineer immediately. The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are as follows:
Dull headache.
Weakness.
Dizziness.
Nausea or vomiting.
Shortness of breath.
Confusion.
Blurred vision.
Loss of consciousness