What causes most blocked drains?
Kitchen drains block from fat and grease cooling and solidifying. Bathroom drains block from hair and soap. Outside drains block from leaves, silt and sometimes root ingress. Wet wipes are a frequent culprit in toilets regardless of what the packet claims.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Once a year is the standard recommendation, and most manufacturers require it to keep the warranty valid. For Erskine landlords the annual gas safety check is a legal requirement regardless. Booking in late summer usually gets you a better choice of slots than waiting for the first cold snap.
Are chemical drain cleaners a good idea?
Used sparingly on a minor blockage, they can help. Used repeatedly they damage older pipework and simply mask a recurring problem. If you're reaching for them regularly, something structural needs investigating.
What should I do if I smell gas at my Erskine property?
Treat it as an emergency. Leave the property, don't touch light switches or anything that could spark, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away — before calling us. They attend free, around the clock, and will isolate the supply if needed. Once it's safe, we'll come out to repair the pipework or appliance, and about 25 minutes from our base.
How quickly can you clear a blockage?
Most blockages are cleared within the visit. We also look at why it happened — a recurring pattern, a collapsed section or root ingress — so you're not calling us back for the same thing every few months.
Do I need to be home for the engineer?
Someone over 18 needs to provide access and be there while gas work is carried out at your Erskine property. If you're arranging it for a tenant or an elderly relative, that's fine — just give us their contact details when you book so we can coordinate directly.
Who is responsible for the drain outside my property?
Broadly, private pipework within your boundary is yours, while shared sewers are typically Scottish Water's responsibility. The boundary isn't always obvious, so it's worth establishing before work starts. We'll tell you if we think it falls to them.
Why is my boiler losing pressure?
Most often a small leak somewhere in the system, a worn pressure relief valve, or a failing expansion vessel. Topping up occasionally is normal; needing to do it every few days is not. Given the age of the heating in many Erskine properties, a pressure test is usually the quickest way to find the cause.
Why does my drain smell even when it's flowing?
Usually a dried-out or damaged trap letting sewer gas back into the property, or a build-up coating the inside of the pipe. Both are fixable and neither needs you to live with the smell.
Can you fit radiators or move one in Erskine?
Yes — new radiator installs, replacements and relocations, sized properly for the room rather than guessed. We'll balance the system afterwards so every room in your Erskine home heats evenly instead of one being roasting and another cold.
