Before you start, check the manual provided with your machine in case there are special instructions specific to the model you have bought. (Such as removing the transport bolts before use – these lock the internal workings in place to prevent damage in transit)

Attaching The Water Supply
You need to connect the water supply to your machine using the hoses supplied. There may be one for hot and one for cold, OR it’s quite likely your new machine only requires a cold hose (in which case it heats the water itself). It’s red for hot, blue for cold. Hoses may already be attached to your machine, but even if not they simply screw on at both ends. Make sure the threads are not crossed and you do them up tightly before continuing. Tightening by hand should be sufficient, using a wrench can break the connector!

Waste Water
This pipe is where the dirty water goes when your machine empies after each rinse/wash. A stand pipe and trap is the most common method. Your waste pipe simply sits loosely inside the upright stand pipe. There is no air tight connection – this is deliberate and prevents dirty water getting sucked back into your machine.

And there you go – installing plumbing for a washing machine is not nearly as hard as it seems!

You may have to call a plumber if the problem isn’t straightforward, but there some very simple reasons a toilet won’t flush, that you can check for and fix yourself.  Check these first, but call a plumber if you are not confident about replacing any parts that turn out to be broken.

Easy Things To Check Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush

1. Float valve/ball. Your toilet cistrern should be full of water with the large plastic float ball sat on tap of the water. If the ball has become snagged against the side of the cistern then it may not fill at all, or enough. Gently bending the rod may fix the problem. If the rod is broken or the ball ‘leaking’ and filling with water, they will need replacing.

2. Handle. Too loose? Too tight? Check the mounting nut, and chain connections. They may simply need clearing of limescale or adjusting.

There are many reasons a toilet won’t flush, but don’t be afraid to lift the cistern lid and look around. It could be a simple fix.

Here’s a quick video to show you what I mean:-

Recommended Tools For Hanging Wallpaper

1. Tape measure (measure twice, cut once right?)
2. Razor knife (snap off are great) / knife blades (to get into those edges when trimming off)
3. Spirit levels (to keep everything straight and make sure your edges meet)
4. Smoothing brush, or plastic smoothing tool (to get rid of all those air bubbles!)
5. Large synthetic sponge (to clear away the excess glue)
6. Paint brush or paint roller and pan (for applying your wallpaper paste or water/activator)
7. Big flat surface (clean papering table is ideal)

Remember to rinse your sponge regularly, and to change the water too. Glue left on the surface of your paper or your woodwork will spoil the quality of your finish.

Start with the right wallpaper hanging tools and you’re much more likely to end up with a bubble free, straight, crisp edged professional wallpaper job!

Use less hot water
Have less baths AND less showers. Your body really doesn’t need a full shower every day, and children don’t need a full bath daily. It’s actually not that good for your skin, or theirs.

Turn the thermostat on your water heater down
Water heaters frequently get installed with the manufacturers high temperature settings – turning it down to 49°C is hot enough for most people.

Insulate your water heater
If your old water heater storage tank has no insulation jacket, really do get one. And insulate the first few meters of the hot and cold water pipes from the water heater.

Buy a more efficient water heater
If your heater is 10 years old, research getting a new one. But don’t be cheap, spending a bit more up front can save you a lot over the life of the heater.