May 2026 - Christy Plumbing & Heating

Why you should’nt ignore early warning signs from your boiler.

May 28, 2026 | Boilers

With the increase in the energy price cap and the ever-increasing cost of living, you might be tempted to ignore early warning signs from your boiler. I’ve always tried to relate a boiler to the human body. It’s the heart of your house connecting to the arteries that make up your heating and hot water system. Just like a human, if you start getting palpitations, don’t ignore it, go to the Doctor, it will only get worse. If your boiler starts telling you things aren’t running like normal, get the heating engineer to look at the symptoms.

You might dismiss low pressure or ‘chuffing noises’ or slight brown stains on the worktop under the boiler, and these kinds of common boiler faults are often dismissed at first, only for the problem to escalate over time and potentially become terminal.

It is rare for a boiler just to stop working.

You might have to top up your boiler pressure every few months, but this will become every few weeks, then every few days. This means that there is a leak somewhere in the system, as it’s not holding pressure. The boiler might work temporarily, but the rest of your system starts to be put under strain.

Chuffing or kettling noises are usually a sign that limescale or sludge is affecting how efficiently the boiler is operating, and the boiler might overheat like your De’Longhi, and this equates to damage!

Small leaks showing up on the worktop might corrode the inside of your boiler, damaging otherwise working parts.

Typical early boiler issues discussed include:

Low or fluctuating pressure
Banging or rumbling noises (kettling)
Small visible leaks
Radiators not heating evenly
Hot water is taking longer to come through
Boiler switching off unexpectedly

Ryan said many homeowners try to live with early symptoms rather than calling for help straight away.

“It’s understandable because no one wants the disruption or cost of a repair call.”

You might think, “I can’t afford to call someone out and pay that bill. But if you leave it, you are just kicking the can down the road, and looking at costs snowballing when the boiler finally gives up.

All your boiler needs is not to be ignored and a little bit of TLC. So invest in an annual service where we would highlight potential issues early, and don’t wait for a full breakdown.

Bathroom Problems We See All The Time (And What’s Actually Causing Them)

May 23, 2026 | Bathrooms

Bathroom Problems We See All The Time (And What’s Actually Causing Them)
If I had a leaking tap, I could not put up with it. It might send me insane with the drip…drip…drip. But many of our customers just ignore it’ until the limescale is caked in and the tap just will not work anymore. I just don’t understand it.
At Christy Plumbing & Heating, we’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the bathrooms held together by wishful thinking and silicone sealant.
The good news? A lot of common bathroom problems are far cheaper — and easier — to fix than people think.
Here are four of the biggest bathroom bandits we get called out for all the time…

1. The Dripping Tap That’s Driving Everyone Mad
You know the one.
It starts as “just a tiny drip” and before long, it sounds like Chinese water torture at 2am.
Most people assume the whole tap needs to be replaced, but honestly? Usually it’s just a small internal part like a washer or cartridge causing the drama.
In many cases, it’s a straightforward repair — not a full bathroom renovation and definitely not a reason to avoid using that sink forever. If you know the make and model of the tap it’s easy to find a replacement part.
Also worth mentioning: a dripping tap wastes far more water than people realise. So while you’re pretending not to hear it, your water bill definitely can.
2. The Toilet Seat That Moves Like a Theme Park Ride
We don’t judge.
Loose toilet seats happen to the best of us. But if you are fed up of a pinch on the bottom, it’s time to get someone to sort the wobbles out.
Usually, it’s just worn fixings or loose screws underneath the seat that need tightening or replacing. This can often be sorted without replacing the entire seat.
And please — if your toilet seat has reached the point where guests are silently trying to balance like Simone Biles… it might be time.
Life’s too short for a stressful toilet experience.
3. The Toilet That Won’t Stop Running
A constantly running toilet is sneaky because after a while people stop noticing it.
Meanwhile, your toilet is quietly pouring money down the drain every single day.
A leaking flush valve can waste hundreds of litres of water daily if ignored.
One quick way to test it:
Flush the toilet, wait until you think it’s stopped running, then place a bit of toilet paper on the back inside wall of the pan. If it slides away into the bowl… you’ve got a leak.
The best part? Most of the time it’s a fairly simple fix— not a whole new toilet.
So before you start browsing luxury toilets online for absolutely no reason… maybe get it checked first.

4. The Shower That Goes From Arctic to Volcano
Nothing wakes you up faster than a shower that suddenly turns freezing cold halfway through washing your hair.
Usually, fluctuating shower temperatures point to a worn thermostatic cartridge inside the shower valve.
In plain English?
The bit controlling the temperature is tired and needs replaced.
And honestly, older showers do this all the time. It doesn’t necessarily mean you need a brand-new shower system — despite what your partner might suddenly decide after one dramatic cold-water incident.

The Main Thing? Don’t Leave Small Problems Too Long
Most bathroom issues start off small.
Tiny leak. Slight wobble. Small drip.
Then suddenly you’re Googling “why is there water coming through my kitchen ceiling” at midnight.
A quick repair now is nearly always cheaper than waiting until things properly give up.
And if you’re not sure what’s causing the problem? That’s what we’re here for.
At Christy Plumbing & Heating we believe in fixing problems properly, explaining things clearly, and never making customers feel silly for asking questions.
(Yes — even if you’ve been living with the dripping tap since last Christmas.)

Christy Plumbing & Heating 01234 325620

4 Things You Should Never Store in Your Boiler Cupboard

May 19, 2026 | Boilers

In many homes, the boiler cupboard quickly becomes a handy extra storage space. We completely understand — every bit of storage counts! But storing the wrong items near your boiler can create safety risks and even affect how efficiently your heating system works.

You may think your boiler is safely sealed in its own white box – but you really need to remember it is a machine that gets hot with fuel, electricity, water and electronics moving through it.

My Worcester Bosch 18Ri boiler is housed, all alone, on a gable end wall in our loft. There’s nothing near it for a few feet. The loft has a permanent ladder and lighting and a boarded floor so if the boiler needs servicing or repairs, it’s easy for the gas engineer to get straight to it.

Here are four things I recommend keeping well away from your boiler cupboard.

1. Flammable Items

Paint tins, aerosols, cleaning sprays, cardboard boxes, and other flammable materials should never be stored near a boiler. Boilers naturally produce heat, and enclosed cupboard spaces can become warmer than you realise.

Keeping these items nearby could increase the risk of fire.

2. Clothes, Towels & Bedding

A lot of homeowners use boiler cupboards as airing cupboards, but hanging clothes or towels directly around the boiler can block ventilation and trap heat. Traditional siring cupboards do not existing any more. Although boilers may heat up, you don’t want them getting too hot .

Your boiler needs airflow to operate safely and efficiently. Blocking that airflow can lead to overheating and reduce the lifespan of the appliance.

3. Chemicals & Cleaning Products

Cleaning products and household chemicals might seem harmless, but some can release fumes or damage components over time when exposed to heat.

It’s always safer to store chemicals in a cool, ventilated cupboard away from heating appliances.

4. Electrical Items & Chargers

Avoid keeping extension leads, chargers, batteries, or electrical gadgets in your boiler cupboard. Heat and moisture can build up around boilers, which isn’t ideal for electrical equipment.

Give Your Boiler Space

Modern boilers still need enough room around them for ventilation, servicing, and safe operation. Overfilling the cupboard can make it harder for engineers to carry out maintenance and could even affect performance. And if you cupboard, especially kitchen cupboards are too close to the boiler casing your boiler will fail its annual safety check as manufacturer’s require set clearances around the boiler.

Our advice is simple:
Keep the area tidy
Avoid overcrowding
Store only safe, non-flammable items well away from the boiler

If you ever have concerns about your boiler setup or need a service, Christy Plumbing & Heating is always here to help. 01234 325620 . Bedford’s boiler experts for servicing, repairs and brand new boilers.

Stay safe and keep warm