The Sandwich HandymanGardens, electrics, repairsMaintenance visits
Practical maintenance visits for people who need several smaller jobs handled in one straightforward appointment.
What this covers
Useful guide
A practical UK guide to protecting an outside tap from frost: finding the isolation valve, draining the tap before winter, and fitting an insulated cover to the fitting and exposed pipework.
Read the outside tap winterising guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning uPVC fascias and soffits: clearing gutters first, using the right products, working top to bottom, and tackling algae and black mould staining.
Read the fascia and soffit cleaning guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on wire brushing rust, resealing joints, replacing failed fixings, applying rust converter, and painting cast iron gutters to stop leaks and extend their life.
Read the cast iron gutter guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on building a timber garden playhouse: preparing a level base, framing and cladding the walls, fitting a simple roof, hanging a door and window, and treating all external timber so the structure stays sound for years.
Read the garden playhouse guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on tapping into the cold supply, drilling a worktop hole for the filter tap, and fitting an under-sink water filter in East Kent's hard water area.
Read the water filter installation guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on dealing with a boiler lockout in freezing weather: reading the fault code, finding and thawing the condensate pipe, resetting the boiler, and insulating the pipe to prevent a repeat.
Read the condensate pipe guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on measuring the chimney, ordering the right grade liner, dropping it from the roof, connecting to the stove end, fitting the top plate, and getting the installation signed off under Building Regulations.
Read the flue liner guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on choosing the right cowl type for your chimney, measuring the pot, and fitting it to stop rain, birds, and downdraught.
Read the chimney cowl guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on locating damage on a rubber flat roof, cleaning and priming the area, and applying an EPDM patch repair that holds.
Read the EPDM flat roof repair guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on raking out failing mortar, mixing NHL lime correctly, pressing the pointing home, and protecting the fresh mortar while it cures.
Read the stone wall repointing guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on laying a damp-proof membrane, fitting PIR insulation boards, taping the joints, topping with chipboard, and trimming doors to the new floor level.
Read the concrete floor insulation guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to repairing lead roof flashing: assessing the damage from ground level, re-dressing loose lead, re-pointing the chase, and sealing cracks before water gets through.
Read the lead flashing repair guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning algae and mould from exterior render: applying a biocide, allowing the right dwell time, rinsing at low pressure, and protecting the surface to slow regrowth.
Read the exterior render cleaning guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to replacing old mouldy silicone around a shower enclosure: removing the old sealant, degreasing the joints, applying mould-resistant silicone, and finishing neatly.
Read the shower re-sealing guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to unblocking a guttering downpipe: locating the blockage, clearing it with a hose or drain rods, and flushing the full run through from gutter to gulley.
Read the blocked downpipe guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to installing wet UFH on a solid floor: insulation, pipe layout, manifold connections, pressure testing, and screeding - plus where a Gas Safe engineer is required.
Read the underfloor heating guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to replacing an immersion heater element: isolating power and water, draining the cylinder, fitting the new element, and testing safely.
Read the immersion heater guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to tracing and fixing a leaking conservatory roof: resealing the wall flashing, replacing ridge bar gaskets, and sorting gutter problems that allow water in at the eaves.
Read the conservatory roof repair guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to re-felting a flat garage roof: stripping the old felt, fixing any rotten boarding, and laying new felt for a watertight finish.
Read the garage roof re-felting guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to diagnosing a waterlogged expansion vessel, draining down, fitting a correctly charged replacement, and represurising the boiler to restore stable system pressure.
Read the expansion vessel guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to soldering copper pipe joints: cleaning and fluxing the pipe end, heating the fitting correctly, feeding in solder, and checking for leaks before boxing in.
Read the pipe soldering guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to diagnosing a kettling or rumbling boiler: checking pressure, bleeding radiators, testing the inhibitor level, adding a system cleaner, and when to call a Gas Safe engineer.
Read the kettling boiler guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting a linear channel drain in a patio or driveway: planning the route, setting the gradient, bedding in concrete, and connecting to the drainage system.
Read the channel drain guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to checking home suitability, applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, sizing the unit correctly, and what a certified installation involves.
Read the air source heat pump guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to unvented cylinder regulations, choosing the right size and type, what a G3-certified plumber does, and what commissioning involves.
Read the unvented cylinder guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to sweeping a chimney yourself: preparing the room, sealing the fireplace, working a brush rod kit up from below, clearing soot, and checking for blockages.
Read the chimney sweeping guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to temporarily removing a radiator: closing the valves, draining the radiator, lifting it off the brackets, decorating behind, and refitting without losing system pressure.
Read the radiator removal guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to inspecting loose ridge tiles from ground level, setting up safe access, raking out failed mortar, and bedding ridge tiles with flexible pointing compound to prevent water ingress.
Read the ridge tile repointing guideUseful guide
A step-by-step guide to replacing a toilet syphon or flush valve in a UK close-coupled or low-level cistern, without calling a plumber.
Read the toilet syphon guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fixing a leaking 90mm shower waste: resealing the tray, replacing the trap, and stopping the drip without lifting the full shower enclosure.
Read the leaking shower waste guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to adding corrosion inhibitor to a central heating system: checking existing levels, dosing an open-vented or sealed system, and protecting your boiler and radiators from magnetite sludge.
Read the central heating inhibitor guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to installing a French drain: planning the route, digging the trench, laying geotextile membrane and perforated pipe, and backfilling with gravel.
Read the French drain guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to tanking the floor and walls, setting the drain, and tiling a level-access wet room that will not leak.
Read the wet room guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to diagnosing and fixing noisy radiators: banging, clicking, gurgling, and hissing sounds all have different causes and different fixes.
Read the noisy radiator guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to removing magnetite sludge from radiators: diagnosing cold spots, flushing individual radiators, and protecting the system going forward.
Read the radiator sludge guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to insulating solid walls: understanding your options for internal and external insulation, managing condensation risk, and what the work actually involves.
Read the solid wall insulation guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to installing a water softener: choosing the location, connecting to the rising main with a bypass valve, and commissioning for soft water throughout your home.
Read the water softener guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning exterior brickwork: removing dirt, algae, mortar splashes, and efflorescence with brick acid and a pressure washer, safely.
Read the exterior brickwork cleaning guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to what happens during an annual combi boiler service: what the Gas Safe engineer checks, how often to book one, and what to do between visits.
Read the combi boiler service guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to applying waterproofing tanking slurry to basement and below-ground walls: surface preparation, stopping active leaks, applying coats, and sealing pipe penetrations.
Read the damp tanking guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to draining down a pressurised central heating system: locating the drain-off valve, attaching a hose, bleeding radiators, and refilling safely.
Read the central heating drain guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning and maintaining a wood burning stove: removing ash, clearing the glass, checking the door seal, inspecting the baffle plate, and knowing when to call a sweep.
Read the log burner cleaning guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to sealing a tarmac driveway: cleaning the surface, filling cracks, applying a driveway sealant, and keeping the finish protected.
Read the tarmac driveway guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cutting and joining 110mm plastic soil pipe: marking a square cut, chamfering the end, choosing the right push-fit joint, and supporting the run.
Read the soil pipe guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to identifying active woodworm in furniture and structural timbers, choosing the right treatment fluid, and applying it safely.
Read the woodworm treatment guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to lifting, re-bedding, and re-pointing a loose, rocking, or sunken patio slab so it sits flat, drains properly, and stays put.
Read the patio slab repair guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to deep-cleaning a washing machine: running a hot maintenance wash, cleaning the seal and detergent drawer, clearing the pump filter, and preventing smells for good.
Read the washing machine cleaning guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to repairing wet rot in timber: identifying the rot, cutting out soft wood, applying hardener, filling, and finishing so the repair holds long term.
Read the wet rot repair guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to insulating a suspended timber floor: choosing mineral wool batts, fitting them between joists, and keeping underfloor ventilation intact.
Read the floor insulation guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to patching and sealing a tarmac driveway: cleaning the surface, applying cold lay repair compound, compacting it, and finishing with a sealer coat.
Read the tarmac repair guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning a polycarbonate or glass conservatory roof safely, including algae removal and treatments to keep it clear for longer.
Read the conservatory roof guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to checking for asbestos safely, softening the textured ceiling, scraping back to a smooth base, and getting a finish ready for paint or lining paper.
Read the Artex removal guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to cleaning uPVC frames, glass, rubber seals, and drainage channels with the right products to restore a bright, like-new finish.
Read the uPVC window guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on adjusting lockshield valves so every room warms up evenly, with step-by-step instructions for the 12°C flow-to-return method.
Read the radiator balancing guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on checking your system is gravity-fed, choosing a twin impeller pump, fitting a Surrey or Essex flange, positioning the pump, connecting hot and cold inlets, and wiring through a fused spur.
Read the shower pump guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on building regulations, hearth construction, chimney lining, flue connection, and carrying out the smoke test and first fire safely.
Read the log burner guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on assessing the stack safely, raking out failed mortar joints, mixing a lime pointing mix, repointing the brickwork, and repairing the haunching cap.
Read the chimney stack repair guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on identifying the tile type, setting up a roof ladder safely, lifting surrounding tiles, removing the damaged piece, and fitting the replacement.
Read the roof tile guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on removing old chimney flashings, cutting and dressing code 4 lead sheet, fitting step flashings and the front apron for a watertight, long-lasting finish.
Read the chimney flashing guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on locating the source of a leak, cleaning and drying the repair area, cutting back damaged felt, applying a bitumen compound patch, and checking the rest of the roof while you are up there.
Read the flat roof repair guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on measuring the run, setting the correct fall with a string line, fixing fascia brackets at the right spacing, fitting corners and stop ends, and connecting the downpipe.
Read the guttering installation guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on calculating quantities, understanding 1:2:3 mix ratios, loading the cement mixer in the right order, checking consistency with a squeeze test, and cleaning the drum straight after use.
Read the concrete mixing guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on preparing the masonry, applying PVA, mixing and laying a scratch coat, scoring for key, allowing to cure, and floating a smooth or textured finish coat.
Read the wall rendering guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on diagnosing magnetite sludge, connecting the hired machine, flushing the system and each radiator in turn, and dosing with corrosion inhibitor to finish.
Read the power flushing guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on levelling the shower tray, fixing wall profiles plumb, assembling the door frame, hanging the door, and sealing everything watertight before first use.
Read the shower enclosure guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on choosing valve positions, draining down the pipework, wall-fixing the rail, connecting compression fittings, and bleeding the rail after refilling.
Read the heated towel rail guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on planning the mat layout, laying the heating cable and floor sensor, tiling over the system, and wiring the thermostat for a warm tiled floor.
Read the underfloor heating guideUseful guide
Step-by-step guidance on locating the filling loop, topping up to the correct pressure, and knowing when a recurring pressure drop needs a heating engineer.
Read the boiler pressure guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on draining down, removing the old radiator, hanging the new one on existing brackets, reconnecting the valves, refilling the system, and bleeding.
Read the radiator replacement guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on checking existing insulation depth, laying the two-layer approach correctly, keeping eaves clear, and insulating the hatch and loft pipes.
Read the loft insulation guideUseful guide
Practical steps for choosing foam lagging, fitting straight runs neatly, handling bends and T-junctions, and insulating tanks to prevent burst pipes and heat loss.
Read the pipe lagging guideUseful guide
A practical guide to checking the valve pin, choosing a replacement thermostatic radiator valve head, and fitting it yourself without disturbing the pipe connections.
Read the TRV guideUseful guide
Practical steps for checking the wall, filling cracks, applying primer, and painting exterior render or brickwork for lasting weather protection.
Read the masonry paint guideUseful guide
Practical advice for cleaning patios, paths, decking, and driveways without damaging surfaces, joints, doors, vents, or electrics.
Read the pressure washing guideUseful guide
Simple checks for slow sinks, showers, baths, and outside drains, plus when it is better to stop and get help.
Read the drain guideUseful guide
Advice on measuring, checking for pipes and cables, and choosing fixings for plasterboard, masonry, dot-and-dab, studs, and tiles.
Read the picture and mirror guideUseful guide
A practical guide to replacing euro cylinders and setting up matching locks around the house where suitable.
Read the euro lock guideUseful guide
Practical steps for measuring, levelling brackets, and selecting secure fixings for different wall types above windows.
Read the curtain rail guideUseful guide
Practical steps for camera position, secure mounting, app setup, and getting useful alerts without constant false triggers.
Read the Eufy CCTV guideUseful guide
A practical guide to safe isolation checks and replacing a switch plate correctly, plus when to call a qualified electrician.
Read the light switch guideUseful guide
Safe, sensible checks before cleaning a heating filter, including cooling the system, isolating valves, cleaning sludge, and knowing when to stop.
Read the MagnaClean guideUseful guide
A safe, simple check using the Test button on the consumer unit, plus what to do if the RCD does not trip or reset.
Read the RCD guideUseful guide
Simple UK-focused guidance on when to prune, what to cut out first, and how to shape roses for healthier growth.
Read the rose pruning guide