Global Home Warranties Ltd

Homeowners Guide

Global Home Warranties Ltd

Unit 3c
Fingal Bay Business Park
Harry Reynolds Road
Balbriggan
Co Dublin
Tel: 01 690 4413
 2
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
This Guide provides information and guidance on your 10 Year Structural Defects Insurance
Policy and advice on settling into your new home. It contains:

Contents
Moving in ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Any problems .................................................................................................................................... 5
Drying out .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Condensation .................................................................................................................................... 6
Cracks and efflorescence ............................................................................................................... 7
Painting walls and ceilings .............................................................................................................. 8
Painting woodwork ........................................................................................................................... 8
Heating systems & Heating control ................................................................................................... 9
When you are away ......................................................................................................................... 9
Taking care of your heating ............................................................................................................ 9
Dealing with problems ................................................................................................................... 10
Recognising and dealing with a problem .................................................................................... 11
Carbon monoxide ........................................................................................................................... 12
Electrical Safety .................................................................................................................................. 13
Everyday electrical safety ............................................................................................................. 13
Working with electricity .................................................................................................................. 13
Useful Tips ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Gardens ............................................................................................................................................... 14
The Policy ........................................................................................................................................ 15
What happens if I sell on?............................................................................................................. 16
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) ......................................................... 18
Handy Hints ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Adjusting a ball valve ..................................................................................................................... 19
Re-washering a tap ........................................................................................................................ 20
Clearing a blocked wastepipe or toilet ........................................................................................ 22
Drains and gutters .......................................................................................................................... 23
Freeing a seized thermostatic radiator vale ............................................................................... 25
Useful Numbers .................................................................................................................................. 28

3
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 4
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Moving in
When moving in to your new home, it is worth taking a look around to
check that you are happy with its condition, both inside and out. For
example,

Inside:

 General decorative order of all of the rooms

 The condition of doors, windows and glazing
 The condition of all bathroom and kitchen fittings
 All instruction manuals and appliance manuals have been supplied
 All the keys have been supplied
 All of the ‘extras’ ordered have been provided
 For flats or apartments, that all stairways, landing, entrance areas etc., are in good
order
 Where the controls are and how to operate them, e.g. gas isolating valve, electric
isolating switches, water stop cock, central heating/hot water controls, domestic
appliances etc.
 General cleanliness of the property

And outside

 The property has been left as tidy as you might expect

 The paths and drives meet expectations
 All fencing is in good order
 Type and colour of paint or satin used on exterior paintwork or render is known.

Any problems
Should you find any problems commonly referred to as ‘Snagging’, advise your builder
or developer as soon as possible in writing.

If you fail to report snagging after 2 months it may be considered that they are not the
responsibility of the Builder/Developer.

5
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Settling in

Drying out
Your house needs time and care in order to dry out.

As the new home dries out:

 The different materials used in its construction may shrink at different rates
 Small cracks may appear in the plaster and woodwork. These are unavoidable and
will not affect the structural integrity of the property – they can be dealt with easily
during normal redecoration
 Condensation may form, as water is released into the home
 White deposits may appear on the surface of walls inside or outside your new home.
This condition is called efflorescence.

Condensation
The additional moisture in the air that results from ‘drying out’, coupled with moisture
produced by everyday activities, may cause condensation to appear on cold surfaces, e.g.
windows and external walls

This can be reduced by:

 Covering pans and switching off kettles after they boil

 Drying clothes outdoors wherever possible, otherwise use well ventilated rooms.

Try to control where excess moisture goes by:

 Closing kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent steam going into other, colder rooms
 Opening windows for a while each day, even in winter, to allow a change of air and
ensuring that vents are not blocked
 Avoiding use of bottled gas or paraffin heaters
 Wiping down surfaces when moisture settles
 Maintaining low background heat.
 Ensure all extract fans are fully operational & switched on.

6
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Cracks and efflorescence
To minimise cracking. The drying process needs to be gradual! You should:

 Ventilate the house as much as possible

 Use the central heating as sparingly as possible during the first few weeks or months.

If minor cracks appear these should be left, then sealed during decoration, once the
drying out process is complete.

Efflorescence is caused by the natural seepage of salts. These salts come from the
materials used to construct the walls. They can appear on both internal and external
walls and can be easily removed by wiping or brushing with a dry, fairly stiff brush.
Externally, the wind and rain will usually help these disappear. Do not try to wash off the
salts since this may make matters worse.

7
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Decorating inside and out
Painting walls and ceilings
The walls will probably have been painted with a light paint which lets the moisture
work itself out during the drying out period.

After the walls have dried out (normally 9-12 months, but less if the walls have been
drylined), further coats of emulsion, oil based paints or wallpaper can be used for
redecoration.

When you redecorate, use a DIY filler to make good any minor gaps and plaster cracks
which have arisen from normal drying out and shrinkage.

When you redecorate Artex or similar plastic compound finishes on ceilings do not sand
or wash the surface, just lightly brush the surface with a soft bristle brush before you
paint with 1 or 2 coats of emulsion.

If you want to remove wallpaper from a plasterboard wall, avoid scraping too
vigorously, otherwise the surface may be damaged.

Painting woodwork
New woodwork absorbs a lot of paint or stain. So the first painting of a home will need
extra care. When you are painting always prepare the surface properly, and never paint
on wet wood.

Outside woodwork should be repainted or re-stained regularly to preserve the

wood. The first repainting outside will probably be required in about 2 years. After that it
should only be necessary every 4-5years. You may need to do it more often if you live by
the coast or in an exposed area.

Micro-porous paints are often used for external painting. These are water repellent,
but allow the wood to breathe. Water is also less likely to be trapped in the wood if there
is a crack in the paintwork and the wood is therefore less likely to rot. These paints are
easier to apply and require less preparation than conventional paints. You may already
have checked this type of paint with your builder at handover.

8
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 Fixtures and alterations

Seal holes in plasterboard to ensure full sound insulation of the wall, for your sake as
well as your neighbours.

When fixing to floors, ceilings or walls check the location of any pipes or electrical
cables before drilling.

If you are fixing heavy items, such as kitchen units, bookshelves or light fittings, to
timber stud partitions and plasterboard lined ceilings, the fixing must go into the framing
behind the plasterboard.

If the item to be fixed is lightweight, it can be fixed to the plasterboard using

proprietary cavity fixings (i.e. cavity plugs and toggle devices)

Heating systems & Heating control

When you are away
If you intend to leave your home unoccupied for more than a day or two in winter, you
should

 Ask a friend to operate the central heating system to avoid freezing

Or

 Leave the thermostat set to 100C (500F) and set the programmer or time control
to maintain this constant temperature

Taking care of your heating

Have your boiler serviced each year. You should not attempt this yourself. Always use
an approved registered engineer appropriate to your type of heating.

Do not restrict the supply of air to the boiler by closing or blocking ventilators in the
room containing the boiler. Only have boilers with balanced flues incorporating their own
air supply. Check the type of flue you have with your builder

Look for signs of corrosion or leakage from any part of the system. This may be the
first indication that the system, or parts of it such as radiators need to be repaired or

9
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 replaced. However, slight surface rust on radiators is not unusual and can be easily
removed by light sanding prior to repainting as part of normal redecoration.

Radiator valves should be turned occasionally to ensure they do not stick.

Do not paint over the small bleed valves at the top of radiators. Radiators need to be
bled at least once a year.

Chimneys should be swept each year to prevent chimney fires. Keep solid fuel under
cover and dry.

Dealing with problems

Do not attempt to repair faults in electrical components yourself. The Register of
Electrical Contractors of Ireland keeps a register of approved firms.

If there is the slightest smell of gas, do not switch on the lights. See Gas Safety on
page 11.

Check the heating and water systems if you have been away for any length of time.

If you need to re-light the boiler or switch on the immersion heater, you will need to
make sure that the system has been re-filled before doing so.

Timeclocks, programmers and controls vary. Make sure these are demonstrated at
handover and read the instruction manual.

10
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Gas Safety
Keep appliances safe
Do not seal off or obstruct vents.

Keep fresh air circulating around appliances:

 Open windows at some time during the day

 If there are no vents, keep some draught coming in at all times
 Sweep chimneys at least once a year.

Buy approved appliances which meet current safety standards and always use a RGI
Registered installer.

Check all gas appliances regularly for signs of poor functioning:

 Stains around a gas fire

 Orange flames on a gas appliance.

Get your appliances serviced at least once a year by a RGI Registered expert.

You may be eligible for a free safety check if you are elderly or disabled. Contact your
gas supply company.

Recognising and dealing with a problem

If you suspect a gas leak,

 Do not turn on the lights

 Turn off the gas tap – ensure you now where it is. You may have
checked this at handover
 Open the windows
 Notify your gas supplier at once, on their emergency number.

Know the location of the main gas valve so that you can turn off the
supply in an emergency

Carbon monoxide has no smell. It is very important therefore to recognise the signs of a
carbon monoxide leak and, more importantly, poisoning.

11
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Carbon monoxide
An appliance that gives off carbon monoxide can be recognised by:

 Stains, spots or discolouring around a gas fire, or at the top of a water heater
 A yellow or orange flame.

If someone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, there are some tell-tale signs.
You should look for:

 Headaches or drowsiness
 Nausea or vomiting
 Contraction of the eye pupils
 Bluish tinge to the skin
 Stumbling or confused behaviour
 Fainting

If you suspect someone is suffering act quickly as follows:

 Get them to fresh air

 Call an ambulance immediately.

If you are able to do so:

 Turn off the appliance

 Open the windows

Emergency Number to call if you suspect a gas leak

If there is not an emergency contact number on your boiler, call the following:

24-Hour National Grid Gas Emergency Helpline:

England, Scotland & Wales 0800 111 999

Northern Ireland 0800 002 001

24-Hour Bord Gáis Emergency Helpline

Ireland: 1850 20 50 50

12
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Electrical Safety
Everyday electrical safety
Always make sure your hands are dry when you operate electrical equipment or switches.

Unplug all appliances not being used.

Use the correct fuses in plugs.

Check flexes and plugs regularly. Tighten them up or replace them when necessary.

In the bathroom do not use an electric hairdryer or any other portable electric appliances.
This does not apply to shavers used on electric shaver sockets.

Do not touch exposed wires. Turn off electrically at the consumer unit.

Do not touch wet fittings.

 Turn off electricity at the consumer unit

 Don’t use the fitting until it is dry. Be careful not to overload
electrical sockets

Do not overload sockets. Only use one appliance in a socket at one time.

Do not paint over switches or sockets

Turn off your television set when it is not in use. Do not leave on standby

Working with electricity

Make sure your hands are dry.

Before doing any work on an electrical fitting, isolate the circuit mains supply at the
consumer unit (usually referred to as the fuse box) and unplug any appliances.

Use the correct fuse for the appliances. This will be given in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for wiring appliances.

Do not attempt to repair, alter or extend electrical appliances or installations without the
necessary knowledge and skills.

Call an electrician

13
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Useful Tips
You should know:
 Where your electricity meter and consumer unit are situated
 How to reset an overloaded circuit breaker before you actually need to do so
 Keep a torch handy by the consumer unit for emergencies.

Gardens
Within the garden please use any equipment in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Tree planting close to your house can cause damage to foundations or
drainage systems, particularly if you are in clay soils. It is advisable not to plant trees etc.
within 10meters of the dwelling and you should consult a specialist for the safe distance
which you should plant trees so that they will not have an adverse effect on your dwelling.
Also take care when digging in your garden as drainage and water supply pipes may be
located at shallow depths.

Moisture is drawn off Soil shrinkage

by the tree (settlement)

14
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Your new Home and the Global Home Warranties structural
defects insurance policy

The Policy
Problems with new homes are rare but if you should need this insurance it is important that
you understand what is and what is not covered.

The policy should be accompanied by a Building Period Certificate and/or an Insurance

Period Certificate and is not valid without it. We must stress the importance of your reading
the policy wording, the definitions and conditions, the certificate and any endorsements
printed on it carefully for the full details of cover.

The Global Home Warranties 10 year structural defects insurance policy is designed to
cover your home against “structural defects” in the property that were not discovered prior to
completion.

Structural defects are defined in your policy document. It is not the same as the cover
provided by your buildings and contents insurance and does not cover general wear and
tear, condensation, normal shrinkage, snagging, theft, fire, flood, or damage from failure to
maintain your property.

Structural defect is a fault in the construction of the load bearing portions or weather proofing
of the property i.e. the Foundations, load-bearing parts of floors, staircases and associated
guard rails, walls and roofs, together with load-bearing retaining walls necessary for stability,
roof covering, any external finishing surface (including rendering) necessary for the water-
tightness of the external envelope, floor decking and screeds. You should read the policy
document for a full definition.

If damage happens to occur to your property as a result of a fault you can make a claim to
the insurer providing the structural defect was not picked up prior to completion and only
became evident during the policy period.

The insurance will pay the costs to put right the defect, it does not however pay for the
damages that follow from the defect (please refer to the policy document for a full
explanation). You may also need to be aware that your excess under this policy is €1,000 in
respect of each and every claim. Therefore the insurer can only pay the amount of your
claim which is over and above the excess.

15
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Your policy also includes cover for defects in the property that cause imminent threat to
Health & Safety. You should read your policy closely.

You should read the policy closely to understand what the product gives and you should
refer to the policy document. If damage occurs to your property as a result of defect and
design causing structural damage to the structural element and weather proofing elements
of the property you can make a claim under the policy.

This policy is for the benefit of the home owner and it is based on the details provided to
Global Home Warranties Ltd by the developer or contractor who constructed the property.

If any of those details change you must let us know as soon as possible, otherwise it may
invalidate the insurance.

Certain words have specific meanings when they appear in this policy. These meanings are
shown as ‘Definitions’ and appear throughout the policy in bold type.

You may only claim under this policy whilst you are the current owner. You are not entitled to
make or continue a claim under this policy once you have sold or otherwise disposed of your
interest in the new home.

Your cancellation rights: you have the right to cancel this policy, however we are unable to
return to you any premium paid to us. Before you decide to cancel the insurance it is
important to check with your mortgage lender that you will not breach any conditions of your
loan. You may also want to consider whether cancellation could affect the ability of any
subsequent buyer to obtain a mortgage.

What happens if I sell on?

The structural defects insurance policy is automatically assigned to the new owner of a
property if you sell on. The policy continues to run to completion of the term.

16
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
How to make a claim

On the discovery of any occurrence or circumstance that may possibly give rise to a
potential claim under any Section of this Policy, you should as soon as reasonably possible:

1. Take all responsible immediate steps to prevent any further loss or damage.

2. Give written notice to the Scheme Administrator at:

The Claims Department

Global Home Warranties Ltd
Suite 5
The Exchange
1B Goban Street
Portadown
BT63 5AG.

3. Submit in writing full details of the claim and supply all correspondence, reports,
plans, certificates, specifications, quantities, information and assistance as may be
required to verify the claim. Where the Insurer subsequently accepts the claim, the
Insurer will reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining such reports.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

1. In the event that the Policyholder has a complaint regarding this Policy, they should
write to;

The Complaints Department

Global Home Warranties Ltd
Suite 5
The Exchange
1B Goban Street
Portadown
BT63 5AG
Quoting the Building Period Certificate or Insurance Period Certificate number
and the reasons why they feel dissatisfied.

17
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 2. If after receiving the final written response from the Insurer the Policyholder still
wishes to take the matter further, they can then approach the Financial Ombudsman
Service (FOS);

The FOS is an independent body that arbitrates on complaints about general insurance
products.

The Ombudsman can be contacted at:

3rd Floor, Lincoln House,

Lincoln Place,
Dublin 2,
D02 VH29

Telephone Number: +353 1 6620899

e-mail [email protected]

This is a free and impartial service and will not affect your legal rights.

If you are unsure whether the FOS will look at your complaint please contact them directly
for further information.

You are entitled to contact the FOS at any stage of your complaint.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

The Insurers we use are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
You may be entitled to compensation should we be unable to meet our obligations. Further
information is available on www.fscs.org.uk or you may contact the FSCS on 020 7892
7300.

Following this complaints procedure does not affect your legal rights.

18
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Handy Hints

Adjusting a ball valve

If a service valve is fitted, this can be used to turn the water supply off temporarily. Make
sure a quarter turn only is applied.

Recognising the problem

A ball valve in a water tank or toilet needs adjusting if the water flow is dripping or
running, or the tank or cistern is not filling up.

If the ball float does not float, it can be replaced easily.

You need

Small screwdriver

Small adjustable spanner

What to do
Closed
You can stop the water temporarily either by closing the appropriate valve
or by placing a piece of wood across the top of the cistern and tying the float
arm to it. This will keep the valve closed.

Remove the cistern or tank lid and if a toilet, flush.

Check to see if a service valve is fitted. If a service valve is fitted, the Open

water supply to the cistern can be turned off temporarily. To turn the water
off, turn the screw on the valve a quarter turn.
Service Valve
Lift up the ball float and check if the water flow stops.

If the water flow does not stop, the ball valve may need to be replaced or rewashered.

If the water flow stops, the ball valve needs adjusting:

 Turn the adjusting screw on the float arm a couple of turns (clockwise) and tighten
the lock nut
 Let the cistern fill and check the new water level
 Adjust the float arm further if necessary by repeating the above procedure.

19
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Re-washering a tap
Re-washering a tap is a straight-forward task. Make sure you turn off and drain the water
supply before following the procedure carefully.

Recognising the problem

You need to re-washer a tap if it is still dripping or running when turned off.

You need

Small screwdriver
Adjustable spanner
New washer:
 ½” or 15mm for basin or sink taps
 ¾” or 22mm for bath taps
Wrench
Small basin
Towel

What to do

Turn off the water at the service valve or the main stopcock, usually where the water pipe
enters the house or near the kitchen sink. For a bath or basin tap you can turn the water off
at the gatevalve on the cold water tank.

To turn off the hot water, shut off the gatevalve from the tank leading to the hot water
cylinder. Make sure that the water heating system is turned off.

Open the taps and drain all water out of the system.

When the water stops flowing you can begin work. Put an old towel in the basin to protect
it and to catch any parts. Then follow the correct procedure for your type of tap.

Remove the tap head by undoing the retaining screw and unscrewing the protective hood.
On shrouded heads prise off the central cover disc to expose the screw.

If it Is difficult to unscrew a tap, pour very hot water over it. As a last resort cover it with a
cloth to prevent scratching and unscrew using a wrench.

If water is seeping from around the spindle, tighten the gland nut a little (not too tight).

If water is dripping from the spout, undo the main nut lift out the tap assembly, loosen the
fixing nut and replace the washer.

Reassemble the tap and make sure all nuts and screws are tightened.

Turn on the water and check the tap is working properly.

20
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Resetting a trip switch
An example of a typical consumer unit

Recognising the problem

Modern electric circuits are fitted with circuit breakers called trip switches. If a fault
develops, a switch is tripped and the circuit is broken. This may lead to localised failure of
the electricity supply in the home, e.g. TV/video, kitchen appliances

Trip switches usually operate because:

 A circuit has been overloaded

 An appliance is faulty or misused
 Leads to appliances such as TVs, hairdryers, or hi-fi equipment have faulty
connections
 Water has leaked into a circuit
 Light bulbs have blown
 Immersion heaters are faulty.

You need

Torch
Screwdriver
Stepladder
Example of a typical consumer unit
What to do

Make sure your hands are dry whenever you work with
electrical equipment and fittings.

All the trip switches are located in the consumer unit. The
consumer unit may be next to the electricity meter (unless the
meter is in an outside cupboard)

To reset a trip switch:

 Open the cover on the consumer unit to expose the trip switches
 Check which switches have tripped to the OFF position put these switches back to
the ON position.
 If the trip goes again, it is probably being caused by a faulty appliance. You need to
identify which circuit is being affected and which appliance on that circuit is causing
the problem. Each trip switch should be labelled.

To identify the problem appliance:

 Check all the rooms in the house and note which set of lights or sockets is not
working
 Unplug all appliances on the problem circuit and switch off the immersion heater
 Switch the ‘tripped’ switch to the ON position
 Plug in appliances one at a time
 Do not use double adaptors when testing appliances. Test one appliance per socket,
until the trip goes.

21
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 If an appliance is faulty, leave it unplugged and get a qualified electrician or service
engineer to check it.
Bottle
Clearing a blocked wastepipe or toilet Trap
Typical examples of waste water traps are:

 ‘U’ Trap
 Bottle trap ‘U’ Trap

Recognising the problem

Blockages in sinks and basins are usually caused by the build-up of fat, tea leaves, hair
etc. It is advisable to clean wastes with hot water, or a proprietary cleaner, at least once a
month. A fat build-up is usually most easily cleared using caustic soda crystals.

Blockages in toilets are usually caused by unusual objects such as nappies, toys and air
fresheners. Air fresheners that attach to the rim of the toilet should be securely fastened to
ensure that they do not fall into the toilet pan.

If more than one fitting is blocked, the problem may be in the soilstack or main drain. This
will need to be cleared using rods.

You need

For a blocked wastepipe:

 A bowl
 Jug or cup to be used as a scoop
 Rag or dishcloth
 Plunger
 Rubber gloves

For a blocked toilet:

 a bucket
 jug or bowl to be used as a scoop
 toilet brush or plunger
 rubber gloves

What to do

Unblocking the wastepipe of a bath, basin or sink. It may be worth trying hot water, caustic
soda crystals or a proprietary cleaner utility, but if this fails:

 bale out most of the water

 hold a rag tightly over the overflow opening
 place the plunger over the plug hole and work forcefully up and down until the
blockage clears.

22
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
After clearing the blockage, it is advisable to clean out the trap. If the blockage will not clear
you will need to contact a plumber or other specialist.

To clean the trap:

 place a bowl under the trap

 unscrew the joints and remove the trap
 clean thoroughly and replace the trap, check that the seals are in place and that all
joints are screwed up tightly

Unblocking a toilet

 If the pan is already full, remove some of the water into a bucket using some form of
scoop, e.g. a jug or bowl
 Push the brush or plunger to the bottom of the pan
 Pump it up and down vigorously about 10 times
 Pour some water into the pan to see whether the blockage has cleared.

You may need to repeat this process several times before the toilet flushes normally. If
there is no improvement after a couple of attempts you should call a plumber.

Drains and gutters

Typical arrangement of drains and gutters

Recognising the problem

Drains are designed to be self-cleansing and usually require little maintenance. Should the
drains get blocked, the signs are:

 Overflow from drains and seepage from the manhole cover

 Toilet failing to flush properly or overflowing
 Sinks or bath not draining water properly or overflowing
 An unpleasant smell

Gutter should be cleaned annually but particularly after the first year a new roof has been
fitted. The grit from the new tiles can accumulate and cause blockages. Evidence of a
problem is found in:

 Staining and dampness on the walls

 Gutters overflowing

You need

Drains:

 Brush or broom
 Correct rodding tool (ensure that rigid cane rods are not used for plastic drains)

23
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
  Metal lever for lifting the manhole cover screwdriver (manhole may be screwed
down)
 Rubber gloves

Gutters:

 Stepladder (in preference use a ladder with an extension bracket)

 Light brush
 Bucket
 Rubber gloves

What to do

If you are at all unsure of your skills or the problem persists, call on a specialist contractor.

Drains:

Clear open drains of any leaves or debris. Lift manhole cover and apply rodding tool
vigorously.

Gutters:

Make sure that you are confident of working at a height on the stepladder. If at all doubtful,
call in a specialist contractor.

Initially, check the gutter at the apparent problem area. Clear debris and check for loose
joints. Take the opportunity to clear and check all the guttering.

24
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Freeing a seized thermostatic radiator vale

Recognising the problem

If a radiator is full of water but is completely cold when others are hot, it usually means
that the thermostatic radiator valve has stuck in one position as a result of the system not
being used over the summer.

If the top part of a radiator is cold, this is because air is trapped in the system. It may
need bleeding. See ‘bleeding-a-radiator’ below.

You need
Screwdriver
Pliers
Penetrating lubricant
Small hammer
Undo the knurled nut if plunger is not released, you may need to spray
gently work out with pliers with lubricant

What to do
Some systems have very small (microbore) pipes. You should work with great care with
these systems as the pipes are easily damaged.

Remove the thermostat by undoing the knurled nut.

The vale has a small steel pin which is pushed down by the thermostatic sensor and
activates a plunger which regulates the flow of hot water into the radiator.

Gently tap the side of the valve body with a light hammer to see if this will release the
plunger.

25
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
If this doesn’t release the plunger, grip the end of the pin with a pair of pliers and gently
work it in and out of the valve body. Spraying with a penetrating lubricant can help.

Check the plunger is free by pushing down the pin when the heating is on and look to see
whether the pin comes out again. If it does the valve is fine.

If after a few attempts, the radiator is still cold, call a plumber to replace the valve.

Replace the thermostat and tighten the knurled nut.

Bleeding a radiator
Radiators should be bled at least once a year. It is usually best to do this just prior to reusing
the central heating system.

Recognising the problem

If the top part of a radiator is cold, air has got trapped in the system. Bleeding the radiator
(not applicable to combination boilers or sealed systems) releases this air and allows hot
water to fill the whole system.

If the whole radiator is cold, make sure it is turned on. Do this by checking that the radiator
valve is open. If it is turned on, it will need to be checked by a plumber or specialist
contractor.

If more than one radiator is cold the whole heating system will need to be checked by a
plumber or specialist contractor.

If the pipe leading to the radiator is warm, and the radiator is cold, the valve may have
seized. See ‘freeing a seized thermostatic radiator vale’ above.

You need
 Radiator key (you should have had one provided
by the heating system installer, but radiator keys
are available at most DIY and hardware stores).
 Rag or cloth
 Bucket or jug to catch overflow

What to do
Check what type of boiler you have. If it is a combination boiler or a sealed system (heat-
leased), do not bleed the radiator. A combination boiler will have either a pressure gauge (on
the front or underside of the boiler) or a low pressure light.

Always turn off the heating system before bleeding a radiator; otherwise the pump will
draw more air into the system.

The bleed valve is the small square nut at the top end of the radiator.

26
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
Place the key over the valve and hold the cloth around it to catch any water.

Gently turn the key anti-clockwise a couple of turns until you hear a hiss. This is the air
being released.

Do no unscrew the valve completely or the plug will come out.

Wait until all the air has been released. When the water starts to come through, turn the
key back clockwise to shut the valve off.

27
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.
 Contact details
If you have any questions or queries in relation to your policy, wish to notify a claim or make
a complaint, you can contact us at:

Global Home Warranties Ltd

Unit 3c
Fingal Bay Business Park
Harry Reynolds Road
Balbriggan
Co Dublin

Tel: 01 690 4413

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.globalhomewarranties.com

Useful Numbers

24-Hour Bord Gáis Emergency Helpline

Ireland: 1850 20 50 50

Electrical Emergency Service Fault line

ESB: 1850 372 999

Ireland: 1850 372 372

28
Global Home Warranties Ltd are an Appointed Representative of Peacock Insurance Services Limited.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland for conduct of business rules.
Peacock Insurance Services Limited is entered on the Financial Services Register (http://www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 603863.