Whether you’re moving into a new home or getting ready for the new year, utility issues always seem to pop up at the worst moment.
We’ve used our years of experience as moving and utility experts to put together this guide. Find out what the most common utility issues in the UK are, and how to solve them.
How to fix no power at home
One of the most common utility issues faced by households is losing power to part or all of the house.
If you suddenly find yourself without electricity, here’s what to do.
- Check if it is the whole house, or just one room or floor. If only one part of the house is affected, it’s likely the problem is a blown fuse.
- If your fuse box shows no changes, check to see if your neighbours are also affected.
- Call 105, the UK power cut hotline. Let the operator know how long the power has been out and if anyone else is affected
- The operator will contact your local energy network operator to see if there is an issue in your area and advise you on when the power will be back.
- Read more about what to do in a powercut, and how to prepare, here.
Top tip! If you rely on electricity for medical care, sign up for your network operator’s ‘Priority Service Register’. You’ll be informed in advance of any planned outages, and you will receive additional support in an emergency to help you stay safe.
How to fix frozen pipes
Frozen pipes are a common problem in the UK, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing. It’s especially common for properties that have been empty and unheated for a while, which is why many unlucky movers are greeted by icy plumbing on their first day in a new home.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a complete guide to dealing with frozen pipes here. The most important points are:
- If a pipe has burst, turn off your water at the stopcock before defrosting it to avoid a flood
- Don’t use a naked flame to thaw a pipe; you’ll damage the surface
- Leave your house heated to at least 5°C, even when you’re away
Slow internet? How to fix it for free
Slow and sluggish internet is one of the more annoying utility issues to have at home. Luckily, there are plenty of simple changes that can improve your connection speed.
We’ve listed six of our favourites in the linked article, but some of the simplest are:
- Reposition your router so it has a clear line of sight into the room where you’re using it
- Disconnect devices you’re not currently using to free up bandwidth
- Switch to a wired connection for data-heavy tasks
Defrosting your freezer
It might be as urgent as some other utility issues, but a frosted-up freezer doesn’t just mean less room for food – it will also cost you more on your utility bills. Luckily, defrosting a freezer is a simple task.
Just assemble your tools: you’ll need Old towels, a washing-up bowl, sponges or cleaning cloths, multi-surface cleaner, a cool bag and ice blocks or frozen water bottles. Then, follow our step-by-step guide to getting your freezer working like new.
Using the right bins
Nothing makes your house feel less like a home than rubbish piling up. Unfortunately, which bin to use for what is not a simple question in the UK. That’s because each local authority (also known as your council) has different rules for which bin to use when.
In some areas, green wheelie bins are for recycling and are collected every two weeks. In others, recycling collection is weekly, but you need to sort your recyclables into smaller kerbside boxes.
The good news is that you can find all the details of which bin to use for what, and when they’ll be collected on your Council’s website. That’s also where you can find information about specialist collections, like having a large item of furniture removed or how to recycle your Christmas tree.
Hard water: how it causes utility issues
In the UK, we refer to water as hard or soft. Hard water has high levels of dissolved minerals like magnesium and calcium. Soft water has low levels of these minerals.
Top tip! Not sure what type of water you have? Find out with our water hardness checker.
Hard water can cause a number of utility issues around the home. The minerals in the water cause a solid white buildup in water fixtures known as limescale. This can lead to blocked pipes and damage your kettle, shower head and taps. There are cleaning products available that specifically target limescale buildup. If you find yourself having to regularly fight back the problem, however, there are more permanent solutions. Installing a descaler or an electric water softener will prevent the buildup in the first place, saving you time and protecting areas you might not be aware of from a surprise blockage.
