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Fulham, or in its earliest form “Fulanhamme”, is uncertainly stated to signify “the place” either “of fowls” or “of mud” (which probably had to do with the fact that the River Thames would flood it periodically), or alternatively, “land in the crook of a river bend belonging to an Anglo Saxon chief named Fulla”. The manor is said to have been given to Bishop Erkenwald about the year 691 for himself and his successors in the see of London, and Holinshed relates that the Bishop of London was lodging in his manor place in 1141 when Geoffrey de Mandeville, riding out from the Tower of London, took him prisoner. During the Commonwealth the manor was temporarily out of the bishops’ hands, being sold to Colonel Edmund Harvey.

During recent years there has been a great revival of interest in Fulham’s earliest history, due almost entirely to the efforts of the Fulham Archaeological Rescue Group. This has carried out a number of interesting digs, particularly in the vicinity of Fulham Palace, which show that approximately 5,000 years ago Neolithic people were living by the riverside and in other parts of the area. Excavations have also revealed Roman settlements during the third and fourth centuries AD.

There is no record of the first erection of a parish church, but the first known rector was appointed in 1242, and a church probably existed a century before this. The earliest part of the church demolished in 1881, however, did not date farther back than the 15th century.

In 879 Danish invaders, sailing up the Thames, wintered at Fulham and Hammersmith. Near the former wooden Fulham Bridge, built in 1729 and replaced in 1886 with Putney Bridge, the Earl of Essex threw a bridge of boats across the river in 1642 in order to march his army in pursuit of Charles I, who thereupon fell back on Oxford. Margravine Road recalls the existence of Brandenburg House, a riverside mansion built by Sir Nicholas Crispe in the time of Charles I, used as the headquarters of General Fairfax in 1647 during the civil wars, and occupied in 1792 by the margrave of Brandenburg-Anspach and Bayreuth and his wife, and in 1820 by Caroline, consort of George IV.

Fulham during the 18th century had a reputation of debauchery, becoming a sort of “Las Vegas retreat” for the wealthy of London, where there was much gambling and prostitution.

Fulham remained a working class area for the first half of the twentieth century, but was subject to extensive restoration between the Second World War and the 1980s. Today, Fulham is one of the most expensive parts of London, and therefore the UK; average actual sale price of all property (both houses and flats) sold in the SW6 area in 2014 was £1,023,440.

And if you are in need of a plumber or heating engineer in Fulham, click here.


1 History of Fulham Wiki Accessed online 29 January 2016 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulham

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When stepping into the world of DIY plumbing, you should be prepared for anything that might happen. So we put together a list of a few dos and don’ts of DIY plumbing.

DO: Begin your solo DIY plumbing career with a relatively small, easy fix, such as installing a new showerhead or replacing a kitchen or bathroom tap.

DO: Make sure that you have the necessary equipment on hand before you get started. Essential plumbing tools include an adjustable wrench, basin wrench, closet auger, fire-resistant cloth, hacksaw, metal file, pipe wrench, plumber’s snake (hand auger), plunger, propane torch, tongue-and-groove pliers and a tubing cutter. You should also have these supplies available: silicone sealant, mastic, Teflon tape, a hands-free flashlight, rubber gloves and a sturdy stepstool.

DO: Turn off all the water in your home before attempting any plumbing repair. If you are stubborn … er … self-confident enough to want to shut off only the valve for the fixture you are working on, make sure you know exactly where the water main is, and how long it will take you to make a mad dash to it, if need be.

DO: Take photos or video of the plumbing setup, which you plan to work on, from several angles. In fact, this is great newbie advice for any home repair project.

DO: Know when to admit defeat. Call in a pro for serious problems such as sewer trouble, leaks inside the wall and any combination of plumbing and electrical work such as installing a washing machine or dishwasher; an amateur installation may void your warranty and more important, it’s dangerous.

DON’T: Neglect your homework. Be sure to check online for how to videos and be sure to check manufacture’s guidelines. Your way may not be the right way, so do a bit of research to avoid causing more harm than good.

DON’T: Attempt a plumbing fix on a Sunday or holiday. If something goes terribly wrong and you do need to call in a professional, it will end up costing you even more money to get it fixed.

DON’T: Use drain cleaners as a quick fix. These are composed of harsh chemicals that wreak havoc on the environment—and on your plumbing pipes. Instead, to clear a clogged drain, start by plunging. If that doesn’t solve the problem, use a plumber’s snake to clear the pipe.

For other plumbing and heating hints and tips be sure to follow us on Twitter and/or like us on Facebook. And if you have a DIY plumbing project that has gone pear shaped and need professional help, call 020 7350 2511.

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We have all encountered a clogged loo. So many things can cause this unfortunate event, but luckily there are many options to solving this problem. Here are 5 DIY methods for unclogging a clogged loo.

Dishwashing liquid & hot water:
1. Add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid into the bowl.
2. From waist-level up, pour a full kettle of hot water (no hotter than a cup of tea) into the bowl.
3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting to flush.

Wire coat hanger method:
1. Unravel coat hanger and pad the end with a rag.
2. With your hands covered with rubber gloves, stick the covered end into the drain and twist/push in a circular motion until drain is cleared.

Baking soda & vinegar:
1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the bowl.
2. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl.
3. Wait 5 minutes and at waist-level pour a kettle of hot water into the bowl.

Hoover:
(Make sure it is a wet/dry hoover)
1. Use the hoover to empty out all water and debris.
2. Stick the hose a few cm into the drain and use a rag to create a seal around the drain.
3. Turn the hoover on and try to suck out the clog.

Plunger method:
(Make sure you are using the correct plunger made specifically for unclogging toilets)
1. Lay out old towels or newspaper around the loo to catch any water splashed out.
2. Create a seal between the drain and the plunger.
3. Using an up and down motion, attempt to loosen the clog.

If you find your loo being clogged more often than it flushes, calling in a professional can be your best option. If you are in Southwest London, call 020 7350 2511 to schedule one of our friendly plumbers to come out and fix the problem for good.


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As the weather was cold this past week, you may have finally turned on your heat to warm up your chilly home or flat. Having not used your heating since last year you may be hearing some strange noises and there may be a new odour. What causes a smelly or loud radiator?

The smell

Do you hear any squeaking? There maybe a leak on the vent as radiators are sealed units, so any smell probably comes from dust, paint, or mold located near the radiator. When the radiator is cool, make sure to wipe it clean. If the smell doesn’t dissipate after a couple uses, consider cleaning the general area near the unit, including the floor and walls. Typically all unpleasant smells will fade as the residual particulate gets burned off.

The noise

There are normally 3 sounds that can be heard.

Whistling

This is caused by a water flow rate through the radiator that’s too high. Solve it by turning the radiator valve fully on by turning the taps anticlockwise.

Ticking

A ticking radiator is completely normal – it’s just the radiator warming up or cooling down. If the noise is coming from under the floor, it’s probably due to pipes expanding and rubbing on the flooring or joists – again, usually nothing to worry about.

Tapping

This can be caused by an incorrectly fitted thermostatic radiator valve. If you’ve recently had to move a radiator or had a new radiator installed, the problem may be that the valves may have been mistakenly swapped over.

If you are having issues with your radiators and live in Southwest London, call 020 7350 2511 and schedule one of our heating engineers to come diagnose the problem.


1 Here’s why your radiator is so smelly and loud in the winter Accessed online 22 January 2016 http://www.techinsider.io/why-your-radiator-is-smelly-and-loud-in-the-winter-2015-12

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Everyday, roughly 5 people in Wandsworth are told by their doctor that the have cancer. That’s enough to fill 29 London buses in a year. The Cancer pop-up shop is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday from the 18th of January until February 8th. Everyone is welcome to pop into the shop, find it on Mitcham Road, opposite Pearl Chemist.

The Wandsworth Council wants more residents to ‘get to know cancer’ – to know what choices they can make to reduce their chance of getting it, and to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms so as to catch it early.

This year the pop-up shop aims to tackle the 700 cancers in Wandsworth that could be prevented by lifestyle changes. Friendly nurses will be on hand to give advice and free health check-ups, including blood sugar, blood pressure and BMI monitoring, as well as to look at worrying lumps and moles.

People will also be encouraged to take advantage of the support offered by Wandsworth Council, such as getting support to achieve a health goal with our health trainer services, loosing weight and quitting smoking, in addition to exercise taster sessions such as healthy walking groups.

A special thanks to Pearl Chemist for their support in this campaign.

Get to Know Cancer Pop-up Shop

Where – Micham Road, Tooting (opposite Pearl Chemist)

When – January 18 – February 8, 9am to 7pm.


1 Cancer pop-up shop open from Monday Accessed online 20 January 2016 http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/article/13177/cancer_pop-up_shop_open_from_monday

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A noisy tap can drive a family crazy. The tense feeling you get when you turn the tap knowing there will be a whistle or screech is a common problem. Fortunately, noisy taps can be a relatively easy repair that you may be able handle without calling in a plumber. Here are a few tips on how to quieten your taps.

There are a few different reasons why you could have noises coming from your plumbing. Try the following steps to root out the problem and bring peace to your bathroom:

Check on the Aerator: The cause of your noisy tap could be mineral deposits in the aerator — the screen that screws into the tip of the tap. This is an easy plumbing repair, so it’s the first thing you should check. Simply unscrew the aerator and run the tap. If the noise is gone, purchase a new, clean aerator, screw it on the tap, and you should be good to go.

Install New Washers: Worn out or incorrectly sized washers are a common cause of tap noises. To replace the old washer, turn off the water supply and take your tap apart. When you have the handles off, swap out the old washers for new, intact models that are a perfect fit for the fixture. With luck, that may solve the problem.

Put a Brake on Water Pressure: High water pressure is another common cause of strange sounds in your plumbing. If you think this might be the culprit, you can test your plumbing with a pressure gauge. Anything over 3 bar can potentially cause a problem. If this is the case, you should install a pressure regulator on your main water line to protect your pipes and appliances while also putting a stop to the racket.

Replace Your Plumbing System: One cause of noisy taps in older homes is when the pipes themselves are too small or have been so blocked by scale and debris that water has trouble getting through. In these cases, you might need to have your pipes replaced outright, which is a complicated plumbing repair that may be beyond the skills of the average amateur plumber.

Not everyone is comfortable with a wrench, and your noisy taps may be more complicated to fix. In that case, there’s no shame in asking for help.

If you need help fixing a noisy tap, or for any other plumbing repairs call 020 7350 2511.


1 What to Do About a Noisy Faucet Accessed online 18 January 2016 http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/blog/what-to-do-about-a-noisy-faucet

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With the Met Office issuing a Yellow warning for severe weather across most of the country, these 5 tips can help you stay warm no matter how chilly the weather outside gets.

1. Warm yourself first.
It’s easier to change your body temperature than room temperature, not to mention more eco-friendly. Instead of turning up the heat, put on another layer of clothing.

2. Wear a hat.
Your mom may have said that you lose 80 percent of your body heat through your head, but that’s not actually true. If you’re otherwise clothed, you’ll lose heat from any surface that’s exposed. So put on your hat, even if you’re inside.

3. Switch between hot and cold water in the shower.
Hot showers immediately warm you up, but cold showers improve blood circulation between your skin and organs. Cold showers are also correlated with a stronger immune system.

4. Two words: Programmable thermostat.
Another two words: Obvious, right? Stay toasty on schedule, so you never go home to a living room that’s colder than outside. You can even do it with your smartphone.

5. Layer your covers with the thinnest, densest ones on top.
It’s intuitive, but fluffy blankets should be closer to your skin. Thin, dense blankets should be on top to prevent convective heat loss. Bonus tip: Don’t put your bed directly against an exterior wall. You’ll be warmer if you leave a little space.


1 12 Toasty Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather http://mentalfloss.com/article/60076/12-toasty-tips-staying-warm-cold-weather
accessed online 15 January 2016

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Saving homeowners money, time and hassle by reducing boiler breakdowns, protecting warranties, maintaining energy ratings, and improving heating efficiency are just a few of the reasons why WPJ Services and leading water treatment specialist, Sentinel, have been shortlisted for the Service and Maintenance Initiative Award at the H&V News Awards 2016.

WPJ Services works closely with Sentinel to deliver best practice water treatment installation services to customers across London. Water treatment involves cleaning, protecting and maintaining heating systems to ensure maximum energy efficiency and prevent breakdowns. Without it, boilers and heating system components suffer from corrosion and limescale accumulation, leading to problems such as radiator cold spots, excessive noise and unnecessary repairs. Industry statistics state that approximately 87% of boiler call outs are to systems without correct water treatment.

Unfortunately, many plumbing firms fail to ensure adequate water treatment (if any at all), despite it being a requirement of the UK Building Services Compliance Guide and a condition of most boiler warranties. This leaves homeowners vulnerable to boiler issues and higher bills. WPJ Services is bucking this trend by delivering best practice water treatment services, such as powerflushing and inhibitor dosing, using only high quality, boiler manufacturer endorsed products from Sentinel.

Homeowners that would like to find out more about WPJ Services award-nominated water treatments services can contact WPJ Services’ friendly team by calling 020 7350 2511 or emailing info@wpjheating.co.uk.

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Do you think you have seen all London has to offer? If not, be sure to check out the Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Winter Wanders Weekend Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 of January. These free guided walks in the capital can show you a few hidden gems of the city.

TFL ‘Winter Wanders’ is 43 free guided walks across London. Walks include a leafy and historic walk along the Thames path from Richmond, passing under Richmond Bridge and by Ham House to arrive at Kingston for lunch. The afternoon traverses the whole of Bushey Park on the London Loop. This is an original royal hunting ground and herds of deer may often be seen.

Or The Real West End walk that starts at Charing Cross station and takes you down some of the lesser-known streets and alleys of Covent Garden and Soho. These districts began to be developed in the late 17th century as aristocratic areas but soon went downhill as the rich moved further west. On this walk we will go down an alley where the buildings have hardly changed in 300 years and which is still lit with gas lights. You will pass through the area which was the centre of the coach and carriage making trade in the 18th and 19th century and walk along a street where the buildings proclaim their connection with one of the great historic livery companies of the City of London.

One of the new walks for 2016 includes a special design-focused walk to celebrate TfL’s Transported by Design programme. The walk will follow the Piccadilly line above ground from Green Park Tube station to Covent Garden Tube station taking in the design heritage of the stations and the surrounding areas.

Ben Plowden, Director of Surface Strategy and Planning at TfL, said: “From our new Walking Tube map to Legible London wayfinding signs and our pedestrian safety action plan, we’re committed to making London the most walkable city in the world.”

So if your New Year’s resolution was to get out and be more active, this is the perfect chance to do just that and learn a bit about the Capital at the same time.


1 Enjoy The Magic Of Winter On A Free Guided Walk In The Capital http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/conlondonwalks001.htm
2 WINTER WANDERS WEEKEND http://www.walklondon.org.uk/
Accessed online 13 January 2016

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This Sunday (10 January) is globally recognized as Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Here are few tips to help you cut your energy costs.

1. Get leaky taps fixed. A dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water per day, which is a lot, especially if you’re using a water meter.
2. Install solar panels. Your utility bills will be cheaper because you’ll be generating your own energy.
3. Make sure your central heating is up to scratch. If there are cold spots in your home, the radiators may need bleeding or a system upgrade may be necessary to increase efficiency and prevent you from having to incessantly ramp up the thermostat.
4. Fit draught excluders. By sealing up the gaps around your windows and doorframes, you’ll avoid the heat (that you’re paying your heating company for!) from flying out the window.
5. Buy an energy-efficient washing machine and dishwasher. Better for the environment and even better for your pocket.

If you have some tips of your own, share them with us via Facebook or Twitter.

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