Useful information and advice on repair prevention

General repairs

·  Take all reasonable precautions for doors, which have glass inserts, such as not leaving front and back doors open at the same time, particularly in windy weather.

·  For wc pans, avoid hanging toilet fresheners from the rim (a common cause of blockages) and do not attempt to dispose of unsuitable waste such as sanitary towels etc down the wc pan. Also keep the cistern area free of clutter or items which could fall in.

·  For blocked drains, kitchen sinks, baths and wash hand basins, do not attempt to dispose of solid food waste, cooking fat or other unsuitable matter down the plughole.

·  If you experience total loss of water, check with neighbours to determine whether the problem is with Scottish Water.

·  If you experience total loss of electrics, check with neighbours to determine whether the problem is with Scottish Power. If not, try resetting trip switches, if applicable, remembering to unplug all appliances and switching off all lights before testing. This will ensure that appliance/fitting failures are easily identified.

·  If you have a faulty lock, and have a secondary lock in working order, please note that this is not an emergency repair and can be reported as a routine repair.

·  If you experience water penetration through doors, windows or roofs, please note that it is unlikely that these will be immediately repaired in adverse weather conditions, poor lighting conditions or out of hours. Repairs will normally be carried out the next suitable working day. Tenants should make provisions to contain water by use of towels (for windows and doors) and bucket/pail, where possible (for ceilings where leak is from roof). To allow water to escape it may be necessary to pierce the affected area of ceiling to minimise damage to plaster.

·  Cracked windows can easily be secured internally by using cardboard and cellotape until next working day.

Frost protection

·  Keep your property as warm as possible at all times and allow warm air to circulate

·  Open your loft hatch slightly to allow heat to get into the loft. This will help to prevent water pipes and water tanks from freezing

·  If you are leaving the property for some time over the winter months, turn off the water and drain down any water tanks or water cylinders. Remember to refill on your return

If your pipes freeze

·  Turn off the water at the stopcock

·  Switch off any electric immersion heater

·  Close all taps

·  Contact us immediately

If you have a burst pipe

·  Turn off the water at the stopcock

·  Switch off any heating systems/boiler

·  Switch off electricity at the mains

·  Open all taps

·  Contact us immediately and advise neighbours who you believe may be affected

Condensation

You can help prevent condensation by the following

·  Reduce moisture by covering pans and switching off a boiling kettle

·  Drying clothes outside or in a well ventilated room

·  Use an extractor fan (if installed), or open a window slightly while cooking or using a shower or bath

·  Do not use bottled gas heaters

·  Keep your home warm, especially bedrooms as they tend to be generally colder

·  Allow air to circulate within cupboards etc by reducing clutter

·  Leave a space between furniture and the wall to allow air to circulate, or where possible, place wardrobes and furniture on inside walls rather than outside walls

Useful maintenance and repair guidance for the most common repairs

If you experience loss of electrical power eg sockets or lights, this may be caused by a faulty appliance such as a kettle, cooker etc, or a faulty light bulb.

·  Unplug all appliances and switch off all lights before attempting to reset trip switches

If you experience a water leak, this may be caused by damaged waste pipe fittings, damaged water supply pipe fittings, damaged water storage unit, defective mastic, sealant or tiles, defective or displaced roofing materials etc.

·  refrain from using/draining affected appliance such as sink, bath, washing machine etc

·  locate and turn off nearest stopcock or sure stop switch

·  drain water from storage tank or water cylinder (if leaking)

·  pierce a hole in ceiling around affected area to allow water to escape

·  contain water flow where possible by using a suitable receptacle or towels etc

If you experience a blocked sink, wash hand basin or shower, this may be caused by build up of hair, soap, food stuff etc:

·  try to clear by using a drain clearing product

·  try to clear by using a hand plunger or by disconnecting appliance waste trap and emptying waste, before reconnecting to appliance

·  refrain from using appliance to prevent leakage or overspill, or, discard waste water from affected appliance to another for draining