With a long weekend ahead, some may under taking a bit of DIY projects. If you plan on doing any copper pipe work, be sure to check out our step-by-step guide to soldering.

Step 1: Cut copper with a pipe slice
Copper is a soft metal that’s easiest to cut with a tube cutter. Buy one that cuts up to 1-in. tubing, the largest size you’re likely to need for most household water supply lines. Cut larger tubing with a hacksaw, but make sure to file off all the burrs left from the saw teeth. Otherwise your joint will leak. Grip the copper tubing firmly in one hand and tuck one end under your knee to keep it from slipping while you tighten and rotate the cutter. Don’t tighten it too fast; you’ll dent the pipe and have to start over.

Step 2: Remove the burrs
The cut may look clean, but remember to remove the small inside burr, a ridge of copper that’s forced inward by the cutting wheel. Otherwise, it’ll impede the flow of water through the pipe.

Step 3: Clean with emery cloth
Then clean the mating areas of the tubing and fittings, even if they look brand-shiny new. Thorough cleaning is the A-1 key to copper soldering success. It ensures a solid, leak proof joint.

Step 4: Clean with a fitting brush
Cleaning is a two-step process—first, clean all corrosion off the mating surfaces and second, coat the surfaces with flux, an acidic paste that chemically etches the copper.
Professional plumbers clean copper with strips of 120-grit emery cloth, which is usually sold alongside the solder and flux on hardware and home center shelves. But fine steel wool or regular 120-grit sandpaper will do in a pinch. Clean the inside of fittings with the emery cloth too, simply roll a short piece around a finger and reach inside. But you’ll soon get sore fingers!

Step 5: Flux the joint
Brush an even layer of flux over the surfaces to be joined—the pipe ends and the insides of the fittings. Then push the joint together until the copper tube seats full depth. Wipe off excess flux.

Step 6: Heat the joint
Heat the joint with your propane torch, moving the cone back and forth to heat it evenly. Hold the solder against the joint on the side opposite the flame until it melts and flows into the joint. The joint should appear full on all sides. Move to the next joint. The solder hardens as it cools.

Safety Tips

Temporarily hang a flame protector cloth (opening photo) or a steel plate over wood and other flammable materials when soldering nearby. In any event, keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water handy in case you start a fire.
Shut off your torch when you set it down. The propane tank is tippy. Eventually a lit torch will fall over and burn something.

Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher and a bucket of water or spray bottle handy just in case your torch starts a fire. Remember, your household water supply is often turned off while you work!

¹ How to Sweat Copper Pipe accessed online 27 May 2016 http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/how-to-solder-copper-pipe/view-all

With a nice long weekend approaching, don’t sit at home and binge watch a serial on Netflix, get out and enjoy the city. We have searched the interwebs and come up with 8 fun things to do this Bank Holiday weekend.

1: Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
The garden first opened in 1991 as a gift from Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between Japan and Great Britain. The design reflects key traits of Japanese gardens including stone lanterns, tiered waterfalls and plenty of Koi fish. The sound of water flowing over the tranquil waterfalls is often combined with squawks of nearby peacocks that wander through the park and all makes for a relaxing, interesting day out. Find out more information by clicking here.

2: Putt in the Park
If you find yourself in Wandsworth, Battersea or Acton this weekend, why not play a nice game of mini-golf? Whether you want to get the family out at the weekend and enjoy some wonderful coffee, delicious cakes and a hearty lunch or head down with friends and make the most of their fully licensed clubhouse – just turn up and play! Find out more info by clicking here.

3: Take a trip on the Thames
It may not be a fancy yacht out in the Mediterranean, but seeing the city from the Thames can be relaxing and exhilarating. If you are looking for a morning, afternoon or evening trip, there are cruises to fit your timetable and desires. Click here for more information.

4: Portobello Road Market
If shopping for unique gifts and eating exotic foods is more your speed, why not head to Portobello Road, the world’s largest antiques market with over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible. For more information click here.

5: Changing the Guard
Few things scream British louder than the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Now if haven’t seen it, why not do it this weekend? The show starts at 11:30am, and lasts 45 minutes, but be sure to get there early as crowds tend to gather. For more details click here.

6: The Science Museum
Immerse yourself into a world of imagination. The museum is designed for you to touch, interact and learn. This is perfect for children and adults alike to lose yourself in the fun and interesting environment. For more details click here.

7: Speaker’s Corner
Celebrate eccentricity from around the world at Speaker’s Corner, the last corner of the world where truly free speech is aired. Sure, you’ll hear some outrageous rubbish being spouted, but you might just catch something quietly revelatory, too. Either way, the beauty of Speaker’s Corner is the absence of the kind of hysterical self-righteous rage which plagues Twitter. Learn more about Speakers Corner and its history click here.

8: Hackney City Farm
There are few places in London where you can interact with pigs, donkeys, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, geese and more. So if getting dirty and hanging out with animals are more your thing, click here to get more details.

With the long Bank Holiday weekend nearly upon us, hopefully one of the above tickles your fancy. But if you do plan on just being lazy all weekend, we wouldn’t blame you.

There are certain tools everyone should have in their home for small DIY projects or for quick fixes. Now as a new DIY’er there is no expectation that you will have a van full of tools for each and every job, but having these 6 tools around the house for DIY projects is essential.

1: Grips

Sometime called slip joint pliers, they are pliers whose pivot point or fulcrum can be moved to increase the size range of their jaws. Most slip joint pliers use a mechanism that allows sliding the pivot point into one of several positions when the pliers are fully opened. With not every nut or bolt in your home being the same size, having one tool that can tackle all jobs is crucial.

2: Screwdrivers

With so many things around the home screwed in, having a flat head and crosshead screwdriver is a must. Now you can go out and buy a two in one, but in reality you should just grab a screwdriver set so you have multiple sizes for various jobs.

3: Cordless drill

From hanging pictures, shelves and putting together furniture. A cordless drill is a necessity to have around the house. With most drills fairly inexpensive, there is no reason to not have one at the ready when a DIY job arises.

4: Spirit Level

Have you ever gone to a friend’s home and seen a shelf or hanging mirror not straight? Don’t be that friend. Luckily if you have a smart phone, there is an app for that. With multiple free Spirit Level apps in the app store, you are sure to find one that fit your needs.

5: Tape measure

There is a saying, ‘measure twice and cut once’. But if you don’t have a tape measure, this can be difficult. A tape measure has so many uses that you don’t even realize how valuable they are until you need one. Buying a new carpet for the hall? You need to measure. Looking to hang something on your wall but want it centered on that wall. You need a tape measure. So save yourself the guesswork and make sure you have a tape measure in the house.

6: Saw

When you need to make a clean cut in wood, plastic or metal pipe, a saw is your go to tool. I have honestly seen someone try and saw a piece of wood with a butter knife… The right tool for the job should always be used, for safety and sanity purposes.

Now this list could go on and on, but for most basic DIY jobs, the above 6 tools will get you through your tasks. In your DIY adventures a plumbing or heating job comes along that you can’t handle, be sure to gives us a call at 020 7350 2511.

The annual Ritherdon Road Street Party, sponsored by Jacksons, explodes in size on Sunday 22nd May with the introduction of a full music stage, tons of local entertainment and 50 stalls packing the road, which will be closed to traffic for the first time in the event’s history.

Running from 11am and 5pm, local residents and visitors from across London will once again enjoy a lovely Sunday afternoon family fun-filled event on Ritherdon Road, the parade of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and businesses located between Balham and Tooting Bec.

The free event will feature over 50 food stalls, boutique traders and exhibitors: from Vietnamese Street Food, ice cream, crêpes, halloumi and chilli dogs to jewellery, gourmet deli, luxury pet treats, quirky fashion and handmade toys. Visitors can also spend time in the Sambrook’s craft beer tent, taste a Whirly wine, gorge on a Lamberts’ hog roast or mix it up with the road’s regulars: Quirky Dovetail, Bodean’s, Spectrum, The French Café, Dee Light Bakery, Robbie’s Photographics and Gallery Midnight.

This year the introduction of a full music stage will add a dynamic focus to the day, with The Thumping Tommys, Tony Bowen (The Human Jukebox) and Tony Moore from The Bedford pub sharing the bill with The Balham Ukelele Society and The Haywood Sisters; while displays from professional street dance, salsa and ballet troupes will leave us all wishing we had the legs for it.

There’ll be games and giggles aplenty for the kids too, with laughter evangelists The Ministry of Giggles, a kiddies funfair ride, giant games, and bubbles and balloons courtesy of ‘back by popular demand’ Sassy Steve.

The Ritherdon Road Street Party on Sunday 22nd May is sponsored by Jacksons Estate Agents – raising funds and awareness for Beyond Autism and Wandsworth’s Rainbow School – with additional support from Places for People Leisure, the team behind Balham Leisure Centre and Tooting Bec Lido – who will be giving out free passes to their facilities on the day – and local dog walking and daycare experts Pawesome.

For further information check out the Ritherdon Road Facebook page.

¹ Ritherdon Road Street Party Facebook event page accessed online 20 May 2016 https://www.facebook.com/events/225886191135182/

When you are in need of a plumber, it is always best to hire a professional. Even the smallest DIY mistake can lead to leaks, floods and damage to other parts of the home. But you need to do your research. You shouldn’t trust your home to some ‘cowboy’. It is important to do your research before hiring plumbers to make sure they are reliable, skillful and do the job right the first time. Here are five things to consider when seeking a professional plumber for your home plumbing needs.

• Certification – A few things to think of, if you hire someone to service or replace your boiler, make sure they are Gas Safe. This can be done by checking them out on the Gas Safe register website. Other certifications to look for are the CIPHE. If you are unsure if your plumber has the correct certifications to ensure your safety, ask them for proof.

• Reviews – If a company is just starting; you may not find many reviews of their service online. But don’t just trust reviews only found on their website, look to outside sources like Which? Trusted Traders, Checkatrade and mybuilder to see what their past customers are saying about their workmanship.

• The Estimate – Anyone can say they can do a job over the phone, but for a reliable company to be able to ensure they do the best job possible they will need to come out and survey the site. Not only to give you the best quote possible, but also to make sure the workers have all details of the property prior to showing up to the job.

• Communication – One of the biggest issues in the industry is lack of communication. As a customer you want peace of mind of when and how a job will be done. If emails or phone calls are not returned, be wary of the company being able to complete the job correctly and in a timely manner.

• Troubleshooting – Like every snowflake, every plumbing job is different. Each home has its own quirks and complications, a good plumber will take this into account and will work to make sure every job is completed so that you can be secure in knowing the problem has been solved.

By considering these five simple factors before hiring a plumber, you may ensure that you are getting the highest quality and efficiency from your plumbing expert.

If you are in need of a qualified plumber in Fulham, call 020 7350 2511 or click here.

We are well aware the current weather does not reflect it, but spring is here and now is a great time to take care of those household tasks you put off during the winter months. Your boiler may have been running perfectly during the cold months, but if you haven’t scheduled an annual boiler servicing, now is the perfect time.

Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to any gas appliance in your home. The only way to ensure your boiler or appliance is functioning smoothly and safely is through proper maintenance and professional servicing every year. Our meticulous boiler servicing will also give you peace of mind, as our team carefully checks each of the boiler’s basic functions, so you can be confident that you won’t be faced with a boiler breakdown in the middle of winter.

According to Gas Safe Register:
If you notice any of the following warning signs, you’ll want to get your appliance serviced right away:

• The gas appliance is not working properly.
• The appliance is burning with a lazy yellow flame rather than a crisp blue one.
• Black marks/stains are evident around the gas appliance.
• The pilot light keeps going out.
• There is increased condensation in the room.

Our qualified engineers complete each of the following steps on all annual boiler services:

• Filters are thoroughly cleaned.
• Localised boiler sludge and debris are removed.
• The burner chamber is brushed and vacuumed out.
• The flue and terminal are checked for obstructions.
• A full flue analysis is carried out.
• System pressure is topped up and the expansion vessel is set to the correct pressure.
• The circulating pump is checked to ensure that it is running freely.

If you are in Fulham and are due for an annual boiler service call 020 7350 2511 or click here.

Taking care of plumbing and heating is very serious work, but that doesn’t mean there are not fun and interesting facts about the industry. We have compiled a list of 6 crazy plumbing facts to entertain and enlighten.

1: It should come as no surprise that after appearing in over 200 video games Mario and Luigi are the world’s most famous plumbers. Now we are not sure if they are gas safe, but at a pinch they may be able to unblock a sink or loo.

2: When it comes to famous plumbers, an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters union is known around the world. But his expertise is not for replacing taps but as a theoretical physicist. Albert Einstein was given the symbolic membership after saying if he could live his life over he would be a plumber.

3: Anyone who has ever had a child knows that when it comes to the loo, they will try and flush anything down there. Which makes sense that the most popular items flushed are children toys. But with people now going everywhere with their phones, falling out of pockets and by accidently dropping in, your mobile is quickly becoming the new top flushed item. It may be smart to get a protection plan the next time you upgrade.

4: During the Vietnam War, intelligence leaks were common. President Richard Nixon created a White House Special Investigations Unit to plug these leaks. The group, which was covert in nature, were nicknamed the “plumbers.”

5: You may not be wasting away your whole life in the bathroom, but, according to studies, at least 3 years of your life is spent in this room.

6: If you were to test the water in sewer systems, you would most likely discover a large amount of drugs in the system. This is because 90% of all medicines including pain relievers are excreted through urine.

¹ 10 Crazy Plumbing Facts You Didn’t Know! Accessed online 9 May 2016 https://rooterhero.com/residential/10-crazy-plumbing-facts/

With temperatures looking to hit the mid 20’s this weekend, your first instinct may be to get out and soak up the sun. But there are a few things you should take into consideration to deal with the heat this weekend. So we put together a list of 5 ways to stay cool this weekend.

1: Stay hydrated
This may seem obvious, but it is most overlooked when the weather turns warmer. Water keeps your body cool and should be drunk even if you don’t feel thirsty. Now, the ‘experts’ will say ‘stay away from sugary drinks such as sodas and do not drink alcoholic drinks’, we are never ones to go against what experts say, so use your best judgement.

2: Dress simply
This is your chance to take off the jumpers, throw on a pair of shorts and relax a bit. So leave the bulky heavy clothes for next week when the weather is back to normal. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing will help to keep you cooler, even better if it is light in color as this will reflect the heat and sunlight better. Shorts and short-sleeved shirts are good choices.

3: Eat to stay cool
Food can keep you cool provided you make the right choices. Prefer salads, fresh raw food, vegetables and fruit. Avoid eating meat and protein-heavy foods during the heat of the day because these can increase metabolic heat production, which can add to loss of water.

4: Go shopping or to the cinema
Shopping centers and cinemas always seem to keep the air nice and cool, so if the heat is too much for you or you would rather avoid the sun altogether, take advantage of the air conditioning provided by places like Westfield and Vue.

5: Keeping your animals cool
Pets are smarter than we give them credit for, and prefer staying at home and laying on cool surfaces (like your tiled kitchen floor) in the heat of the day, Dr. Aspros said. Save your outdoor time with your pet for early in the morning or in the evening once the sun has set. By taking your daily walk, run or visit to the park either before or after the sun is at its hottest, the air will be easier for your pet to breathe and the ground will be cooler on the pads of their paws.

We hope these 5 tips make this weekend’s warm weather a bit more enjoyable.

¹ How to Stay Cool in Warm Weather Accessed online 6 May 2016 http://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Cool-in-Warm-Weather
² 7 Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool this Summer Accessed online 6 May 2016 http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/7-tips-keep-your-pet-cool-summer

With temperatures this weekend looking to be higher in London than Ibiza, get out and enjoy the sun in one of the many fantastic parks and gardens London has to offer.

Chelsea Physic Garden

Founded in 1673, Chelsea Physic Garden contains the world’s oldest rock garden, made from fused bricks and flint, stones from the Tower of London, and Icelandic lava brought up the Thames by ship in 1772. Today the garden is also home to Britain’s first garden of ethnobotany (the study of the botany of different ethnic groups and indigenous peoples), and a Garden of Medicinal Plants, tracing the chronology of plant remedies over almost an acre, from ancient Greek herbs to plants that are likely to be used in future medicine. Illustrated information panels explain what you’re seeing, but there are also guided tours and walks, talks and workshops throughout the growing season. There’s also a shop where visitors can buy unusual plants, and a café serving very good homemade cakes.

Clapham Common

Clapham Common provides an oasis of peace amid the busy traffic of south west London, with Holy Trinity Church, which dates from 1776, at its perimeter. A number of cafés, sporting facilities, two playgrounds and a skate park make the common a lively recreational facility for locals. Originally built in 1890, Clapham Common’s bandstand is the largest in London. After falling into disrepair in the 1960s, the bandstand was restored and reopened and now hosts a variety of open-air concerts during the summer months.

Battersea Park

Conceived to offer both pleasure and the regulation thereof in one of the capital’s dodgier districts, Battersea Park was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858. It now has so much going for it that it’s almost unfair. What other green space in the capital can boast Thames views, an art gallery (The Pump House) and a zoo. It’s so full of variety it’s impossible not to stumble upon something new each time you visit. Kids love Battersea Park: the pedalos on the charming, landscaped boating lake, the sights and smells of the walled gardens. Battersea Park’s adventure playground is superb, with plenty of original and imaginatively-built features. The climbing structures, slides and high climbing nets present unusual challenges for children aged 5+, and there’s a separate area for younger kids too. But really, it’s all about the animals. An enclosure apparently containing deer (they’re elusive) is fun, but Battersea Park’s ace is its family-run zoo, complete with lemurs, meerkats and pygmy goats. There’s the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home too.

So no matter your plans this weekend, be sure to enjoy a bit of sun while we have it.

¹ Chelsea Physic Garden Accessed online 4 May 2016 http://www.timeout.com/london/attractions/chelsea-physic-garden
² Clapham Common Accessed online 4 May 2016 http://www.timeout.com/london/attractions/clapham-common
³ Battersea Park Accessed online 4 May 2016 http://www.timeout.com/london/attractions/battersea-park