DIY repairs
Fixing small issues around your home will stop them becoming bigger problems. Here’s some easy-to-follow videos to help you take care of some common problems around your home. If you have a disability or additional needs which mean you need support carrying out repairs that you are responsible for, please contact us – we’re here to help.
How to unblock a toilet
How to unblock a sink
How to change a toilet seat
How to change a fluorescent lightblub
How to adjust a cupboard door
Electrical repairs
How to Diagnose a Faulty Circuit in Your Home
How to Diagnose a Faulty Circuit in Your Home
1. Check for a Tripped RCD
- If one of the RCD switches is down and won’t reset, there may be a fault on one of the circuits it protects (e.g., kitchen sockets, lighting, heaters).
2. Isolate the Fault
- Turn all the MCBs (individual circuit switches) off.
- Try resetting the RCD again. If it stays on, then the issue is likely with one of the circuits.
3. Identify the Problem Circuit
- Turn the MCBs back on one at a time.
- If the RCD trips again after switching one on an MCB (e.g., kitchen sockets), that’s the circuit with the fault.
- Leave that circuit off to restore power to the rest of the property.
4. Unplug Appliances
- Go to the affected area (e.g., kitchen) and unplug all appliances from the sockets.
5. Reset the Power
- Return to the fuse box and try resetting the RCD and the MCB for the faulty circuit.
- If the RCD stays on, the fault has been cleared.
6. Find the Faulty Appliance
- Plug appliances back in one at a time.
- If the RCD trips again after plugging in a specific item (e.g., an electric heater), that appliance is likely faulty.
- Leave it unplugged to keep the power on.
7. Still Having Issues?
- Contact Irwell Valley Homes on 0300 561 1111 for further support.
How to Check Your Fuse Box
How to Check Your Fuse Box
1. Start with the Main Switch
- This controls all power to your home.
- If it’s off, everything will be off - flip it up to restore power.
2. Understand the RCDs (Residual Current Devices)
- An RCD protects a group of circuits (e.g., kitchen sockets, downstairs lighting).
- If an RCD is down, power is lost to all circuits in that group.
- Flip it back up to restore power.
3. Check the MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers)
- Each circuit (like your cooker, lighting etc.) has its own MCB.
- If one is down, that specific circuit has no power.
- Push it back up to turn the circuit back on.
4. Lost Power? Here’s What to Do
- Go to your fuse box and check:
- Is the main switch up?
- Are the RCDs up?
- Are all MCBs up?
- If anything is down, flip it back up to restore power.
5. Still No Power?
- Call Irwell Valley Homes on 0300 561 1111 for further help.
Boiler and heating self-help videos
Check out our helpful videos showing how to use and fix your boiler and radiators here. If you have tried all these steps and your boiler is still not working, please contact us and we’ll come out to help.