Helping you maintain your home

If you find your toilet is blocked, you'll need to unblock it yourself. Need a hand? Watch our quick how-to video here

Use a plunger
The easiest way to unclog a toilet is with a plunger. Hold it vertically, place it into your toilet and pump until you feel the clog loosen. 

Losen the clog with boiling water
If you don't have a plunger you can try pouring boiling water down the toilet to dislodge the blockage, but be careful not to overflow it. 

Create your own drain unblocker
Alternatively, you can create your own drain unblocker using 1 cup of baking soda, two cups of vinegar and half a cup of dish soap.

If your electricity trips it's important you know how to resolve the issue and get it back on again. Need a hand? Take a look at our how-to video here

Or follow our step by step instructions below:

1. Locate your fuse box
2. Find which switch is in the off position
3. Turn that switch on
4. If it trips again, check which switch it relates to in the house. They're usually labelled by the area or room
5. Once you've located which room the fault is in, unplug all the appliances in that area. 
6. Reset the tripped switch as before, and plug appliances back in one at a time to see which is causing the electricity to trip. 
7. Once you've located the appliance, unplug it, put it out of use and get it checked by an electrician. 

When moving into a new home, it's always best to know where your water stop tap is located so you can turn it off in case of an emergency. Need a hand? Watch our how-to-video here

Or follow our step by step guide below:

1. Locate the tap, usually found under your sink
2. Turn the handle or wheel clockwise
3. Wait for a few minutes
4. Turn your tap on to check if it's worked. There should be no running water. 
5. To turn it back on, turn the handle anti-clockwise

When you move in we'll make sure all your light fittings have lightbulbs in them. If they stop working you'll need to replace them. 

Normal lightbulb

1. Turn the lightbulb off and wait for it to cool
2. Twist the bulb anti-clockwise and unscrew until it comes out
3. Replace your bulb (you can get these from your local DIY store)
4. Fit the new bulb by screwing into the light fitting in a clockwise motion
5. Test your light by turning it on

wikiHow also has a helpful step-by-step guide here: www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Light-Bulb

Recessed lightbulb

1. Turn off the lightbulb and wait for it to cool down
2. Get a strip of duct tape about 12cm long 
3. Once the lightbulb is cool, place the centre of the duct tape to the bulb and with the ends of the tape twist anti-clockwise
4. Once the bulb is out far enough, finish unscrewing the bulb by hand
5. Grab a new lightbulb and start screwing in by hand
6. When you can't access any further, repeat the tape method but twisting clockwise until the bulb won't twist any further 

wikiHow has a helpful step-by-step guide and video to help you through this here: www.wikihow.com/Video/Change-a-Lightbulb-in-a-Recessed-Light

Tube lightbulb 

1. Turn your electricity off using your fuse box
2. Once the bulb has cooled, rotate the bulb 90 degrees remembering to support it with both hands 
3. You should then be able to slide the tube down and out of the fixture
4. Get your replacement bulb (you'll be able to buy these at your local DIY store)
5. Line up the bulb's prongs with the socket and push, then rotate 90 degrees until you feel it lock into place

wikiHow has a helpful step-by-step guide here: www.wikihow.com/Replace-Fluorescent-Lighting

We'll make sure all sinks and baths have plugs in your home when you move in. If the chain or the plug breaks, you'll need to replace it. 

1. Measure your plug and chain and find a suitable replacement. You can get these from your local DIY store. 
2. Release your old plug from the chain using pliers. 
3. Measure the ideal length of your chain and cut away the excess.
4. Connect the hook bracket and tighten using pliers. 

We'll make sure all toilets in your home have a working toilet seat when you move in. If it breaks, you'll need to replace it. Need a hand? Watch our quick how-to video here

1. Measure the size of your toilet seat and find a suitable replacement from your local DIY store
2. Put your toilet seat down, and pull off the plastic covers near the hinges of your toilet seat, this will uncover two screws. 
3. Unscrew making sure to keep hold of the other side of the screw underneath your toilet. 
4. Grab your new toilet seat and follow the manufacturer's instructions to install it. 

When you move into your home, we'll make sure you have working drains. If you clog your sink or drain you'll need to unblock it. Need a hand? Watch our quick how-to video here

1. Use a plunger to loosen the clog
2. Pour boiling water down the drain to unlodge to clog
3. Dissolve the clog with baking soda and vinegar
4. Use a drain cleaner (you can get these from local supermarkets) 

When you move in we'll make sure all your external doors have locks and keys for you to use. If you lock yourself out or damage your door lock, you'll need to replace it. You can call a locksmith and pay for them to replace the lock, or you can replace it yourself. 

Replacing your lock will depend on the type of door or lock you have. You'll be able to find how-to guides by searching 'how to change my front door lock' on Google or Youtube. 

When you move in, we'll make sure your home has damage-free glazing. If you or your visitors break this you'll need to get it replaced. Need a hand, watch our how-to video explaining how here

Or follow our step-by-step guide below:

1. Clean up any broken glass and dispose of it safely.
2. Secure your home and board up the broken glass.
3. Arrange to have your window or door re-glazed. We can do this for you, but please note you will be charged.