Your apartment is most probably fitted with 2 heat / smoke detectors . alarm units:

• kitchen area – most common are the Arco heat sensors
• hallway close to the fuse boxes – most common Arco smoke sensitive

They can be easily removed, both with the same base plate fitting) and replaced using just a screwdriver. 

Amazon sell :

1. Arco Heat Alarm Ei144RC – about £35
2. Arco Model number Ei141RC – about £17

Please note these should be replaced in a like for like basis – some of the smaller apartments have two heat sensitive alarms fitted.

Both units detection units look identical except that the smoke detectors has no protrusion from the base

All alarms have a 10-year life span – See Image for an example of the date stamps and types

All fire safety equipment have a life-cycle and you should plan an annual check – you are responsible for everything inside your apartment.

If you have any concerns you should consult a qualified professional to carry out safety or electrical work for you.

.

Offer a check and fit service:

www.allcabling.co.uk – Paul Hartnett

To replace both wired in heat and smoke detectors with new units with a ten year life span.- cost less than £200

Use a spray silicon lubricant At lease 2-3 times a year. 

Window mechanisms can fail if they are not lubricated or greased with WD40, spray light oil or spray silicon lubricant At lease 2-3 times a year. 

Try repeated use of above for stuck windows and locks.

I have known of the following attending on site to fix/replace seized window mechanism components:

Window and Glazing Services – Sussex Glazing Solutions

For keys and key locks try using Graphite Powder

Replacement window handles (under £10) from Shaws of Brighton  8-9 Centenary Industrial Estate, Brighton
BN2 4AW

We tried every fancy tap connector to connect our garden hose and eventually found this 

Garden Hose Quick Connect Nickel-plated Water Hose Fitting Connectors M22 Female Threaded Adapter

£6 from Amazon 

You remove the water disperser at the end of your tap and add this and we leave it there so we can use our hose. All we adaptors we purchased were not leak proof or would fit the taps.

Perfect Water System Tools—Use at the tap end of the hosepipe for connect accessories, compatible Hozelock and Gardena Hose connector to form a simple and convenient irrigation system.

Dealing with damp

Five simple tips to prevent a blocked drain

Find out how to keep your drains clear so you can avoid spending money on a shower or kitchen drain unblocker

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/five-simple-tips-to-prevent-a-blocked-drain/ – Which?

A drain blocked with hair or food is inconvenient, can smell bad and if left untreated can cause chronic problems to your home’s plumbing system. Which recently tested seven shower drain unblockers, 11 kitchen drain unblockers and one home remedy made from bicarbonate soda, salt and vinegar to find the best product or method to unblock your U-bends. But, ideally, you want to avoid your drains becoming clogged up in the first place.

Find out the quick and easy steps you can take to keep your pipes clear.

1) Combing hair and scraping plates We recommend that you give yourself a comb through before having a shower, especially if you have long hair. We also recommend after every meal that you scrape your plates into the food waste or compost before rinsing them. This sounds simple enough, but these quick and easy tasks will go a long way to help stop your drains getting blocked.

2) Drain protectors Drain protectors are a small and simple tool that you place over the plughole in your sink, bath or shower. The drain protector will catch most things that could cause a blockage. Then it’s easy to clean it up. Make sure to measure the plug hole’s diameter before you order a drain protector, otherwise you could end up with one that doesn’t fit properly and won’t work effectively.

3) Enzyme cleaning sticks An enzyme cleaning stick is a stick made of natural enzymes designed to digest fat, grease and soapy residue. In most cases, these small and mighty sticks are remarkably effective at keeping your drains clear and odour free. With most of these products, you drop one stick into the plughole once a month and then leave it to do its work in your U-bend.

4) Regular unblocker treatments If you’re finding the previous tips aren’t giving you the results you’re want, then it might be time to start regular unblocker treatments. We recommend getting one of our Best Buys that impressed in our tests and apply it on a monthly basis. Make sure you follow the instructions for whichever product you choose. Find the best kitchen drain unblockers and the best shower drain unblockers

5) Avoid home remedies As well as testing unblockers you can buy in the shops, we researched the most commonly mentioned home remedy to see if it worked better than the chemical products. The concoction, made from equal parts bicarbonate soda (125g), salt (125g) and vinegar (125ml), failed to remove the food or hair blockage. So we’d recommend keeping the bicarb for baking and the salt and vinegar for your chips, rather than wasting them down the drain. How we tested drain unblockers To test both kitchen and shower drain unblockers, we used a free-standing catering sink and a lot of U-bends. Each U-bend was clogged for the tests. The kitchen products were tested on a clog made of equal parts breadcrumbs, grated broccoli and melted lard (left to harden in the U-bend overnight). The shower products, on the other hand, were tested on a clog made of real human hair mixed with shampoo. Each product was tested by first pouring 500ml of warm tap water down the drain followed by the product. This was left for the minimum amount of time stated on the instructions of the products before the U-bend was flushed with eight litres of water. We then examined the U-bend with a tube camera and poured a further eight litres of water through the system, then timed how long it took to get through. This was compared with the time it took water to pass through a U-bend that had never been clogged.

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/five-simple-tips-to-prevent-a-blocked-drain/ – Which?

Steve Hill 01727 063575

Hill Window Cleaning

https://www.hillclean.co.uk/

DEVIreg 535 Programming instructions _ Manual

We suggest Paul at All Cables does most of the sparks work on GOE https://www.allcabling.co.uk/ – they are not the cheapest but they are local and know the site etc

If you use out of area contractors check about travel costs and time – some have been canvassing but come from Bedfordshire – To attend they charge £60 + vat per hour to include min 1 hour onsite plus travel time which is a 5 hours round trip – always ask before=hand. 

Connect with the NHBC direct or your conveyancing solicitor

NB: the directors or agents do not have this information

If your policy booklet is missing and you have your policy number to hand, you can easily download a duplicate using the section below. You’ll just need the first two letters of your policy number which you will find on your Buildmark insurance certificate.

https://www.nhbc.co.uk/homeowners/find-your-policy-document

Email: [email protected] quoting your name, address and postcode

If you would like to talk to us, please call:  0800 035 6422   We are available: Mon to Fri 09:00 – 17:00

Write:  6th Floor, 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AA

A list of NHBC certificate numbers is in the documents section if you register and login the Members Area

Taking care of your security 

We all need to be aware and take precautions to protect ourselves and each other in our homes. There have been a number of concerning reports. 

Get to know your neighbours, a friendly “hello” could be enough to identify an intruder.

Ask for identification if people visit you do not know. If you are not sure do not open your door and say you are calling the police. Never ring number they give you look up the company number yourself.

If you have any concerns ring the Police

Communal door

Your communal door is only effective if it is closed and secure, so always remember to check that it locks behind you. If it doesn’t, then report it to Remus in writing so it can be repaired quickly.

Don’t ever buzz anyone in that you don’t know – even if they say that they’re expected by another resident – or let them follow you in, just say “Oh I’m sorry its against the house rules, please use the key pad”

If a door is open close it, if its propped open close it and do not prop open

Do not force electric door opening, sometimes the green buttons get stuck If a door is faulty report it in writing to Remus.

Key fobs

All fobs are personalised security key fobs that can track who is leaving and entering the property. Do not share lend or try to get bootleg replacements.

The added benefit, apart from closer scrutiny of visitors to the building, is that there’s no fumbling to get keys in a lock while on the doorstep.

Common areas

Consider where the post boxes are located as these are often targeted by criminals. If you are not going to be in try using the local shops who offer a collection service.

Your flat doors and window

Your front door will always tell a thief the levels of security surrounding your home. If it looks really secure and burglar-resistant, then they’ll think twice about trying to gain entry.

Sliding patio doors are vulnerable to forced entry, so do check that yours have an anti-lift device fitted so they can’t be lifted out of the frame.

Spy holes and security chains are recommended to always use, so that anyone visiting can be identified before you open the door.

If you live on the ground floor, ensure that your windows are closed and locked every time you leave your flat.

Always remember to use the handle lock and then lock your door and check to make sure that the lock is double-locked every time you leave your home. 

Don’t leave valuables on show it’s easy to pop in an open door or reach though a window or when people come into your home that you do not know.

Communal responsibility

Communal Living means communal responsibility for your own and your neighbours safety. Be savvy, be safe!

I can highly recommend a local decorator. His name is Ernestas on 07898011366.

Linda

Hey neighbours, its tumble drying season so figured id pop a reminder here that im an experienced tumble dryer technician in Ionian.

I specialise in Hotpoint/Indesit so please save my details if you need a repair done and avoid expensive call outs from other companies.
Thanks so much

Awen Fletchur

[email protected]