Did you know that getting repairs dealt with is more expensive in the winter months? Not to mention that those dreaded waiting lists feel so much longer when you’re putting up with a persistent draft or a faulty radiator. 

It’s better to stay ahead of the game and be prepared - just to be on the safe side. For this reason, Monsterplumb has come up with a nifty checklist of autumn home improvements, so that you can be sure that you’ve covered all bases before the chill kicks in.

☑ Bleed Radiators

Here at MonsterPlumb, we stock an array of radiators. From round top radiators like the Myson radiator featured above to our seam top radiators or popular 400mm towel radiators - we’re proud to show them all off. 

That being said, they’re no good if they don’t work. We would be an irresponsible company if we didn’t also advocate for regular radiator maintenance to get the best and most long-lasting use out of your radiators.

To ensure that radiators are on top form for the upcoming colder

Brightening up your home with a bout of lushious, leafy green houseplants has been all the rage over recent years. From succulents to giant Monsteras’ and impressive hanging plants - their vast variations can be used to inject life into even the dullest of rooms. 

Here at MonsterPlumb we’re committed to bringing you the best tools, equipment and products for home efficiency - but that doesn’t mean we’re opposed to nature's natural solutions!

Perhaps you will give your plants that extra bit more TLC, once you discover how they can bring additional benefits to your home aside from simply looking good. Read on to find out more.

Why does my bathroom hold moisture?

Bathrooms are prone to withholding a large amount of moisture as warm, humid air colliding with a cold surface creates small water droplets upon the surface.

Typically this will occur after taking a hot bath or shower. The warm air comes into contact with colder tiles,windows,ceilings and mirrors - causing foggy condensation

It’s an easy mistake to make; with so many thermostats flooding the market, it’s difficult to distinguish the differences between each model and which is the most compatible with your home’s heating system.

Some want a no-fuss approach, and others want all the gadgets and unique features they can get! You may even be floating somewhere in between, open to a more advanced thermostat but not knowing where to start. 

Monsterplumb has laid out the most significant features of programmable thermostats and smart thermostats so that you can invest in the appliance that is best suited to you. 

Are programmable room thermostats and smart thermostats the same?

To put it simply, no. That being said, they do share a few similar qualities and they can even look the same at first glance.

Programmable thermostats, included amongst our range of room thermostats and timers, allow you to control the temperature via a predetermined schedule. 

Smart thermostats take this a step further by

In order to transport water around your interior, there has to be a network of plumbing and pipes installed to make this work.

This pipework has been treated as an eyesore to be ushered away behind walls or tucked into cupboards, yet in recent years, there’s been a sweeping trend that focuses on stripping elements back and exposing them for a more favourable, industrious aesthetic. 

So as we’re witnessing the rise of exposed plumbing in bathrooms and kitchens across the nation, Monsterplumb has thrown together a nifty guide for those weighing up whether to hop on board or not. 

What are exposed water pipes?

Exposed water pipes aren’t a new plumbing or interior design phenomenon, they are simply regular plumbing pipes that you would find supplying water to your bathroom or kitchen. The only difference is that they’re overtly on display, giving a warehouse feel.

This may include but is not limited to: 

PVC pipes

Copper Pipes

Brass Pipes

Chrome Pipes like our Chrome Plated Copper

If you’re contending with a small new build, an ensuite or trying to mould an older, tightly packed bathroom and are struggling to transform it into a more dynamic space you’re not alone. 

At Monsterplumb we’re all too familiar with the logistical trappings of pipes, drains and fixtures galore which can interfere with rearranging a bathroom. 

Let us provide you with some simple and budget-friendly small bathroom inspiration that don’t have to involve large scale plumbing operations or home renovations. 

How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

A great place to start is with a general game plan.

• Dial it back to the essentials, which bathroom elements are your priorities?
• What can you live without? Is having the extra space worth more to you?
• Which bathroom elements can be combined?
• Do you have a limit on how much work you want to carry out?
• Would you consider switching up the colour scheme or bathroom accessories?

Our consensus is that things should be made compact before

Staying hydrated and refreshed is essential for getting through the humid summer months, however, a heavy reliance on water can send water bills soaring - and can even lead to nationwide shortages! 

So, how can you be frugal with your water supply in a way that isn’t too restrictive or impeding on your daily lifestyle? Being careful with your water use doesn’t mean stopping completely, it just means opting for wiser choices that will mount up in the long run.

To prevent any hefty bills, damage to the environment or the likes of hosepipe bans over the warmer months, consult MonsterPlumb’s guide on ways to save water this summer. 

Water Saving Tips for Showers 

The average bath uses around 80 litres of water, which quickly mounts up to an unfathomable amount if regularly used. This can result in some high bills, particularly if they’re steaming hot. Cut down on baths and take a shower instead!

• Taking a shower cuts down almost half the water usage 
• Conserve water by taking

The UK isn’t particularly known for glorious weather, so it’s no wonder that the majority of homes don’t have air conditioning installed. However, now and again the sun does make a surprise appearance and with it comes a clammy heat that can make things like getting to sleep especially difficult. 

Fortunately, we’ve comprised several tips on how to cool down a room without air conditioning. 

How to keep your house cool in summer  

Whilst we’re proud of our range of round top, compact and seam top radiators, turning them down or completely off in the summer is a pretty easy way to keep the heat down in your home. 

To cleverly manage the heating in your home with minimal effort on your part, there’s a range of room thermostats and timers available.

Models like this Honeywell CM707 7 Day Programmable Room Thermostat are kitted out with useful tools to change the temperature in an instant or can be programmed to automatically adjust to your heating preferences. 

If you’re keeping

After a year of being almost practically entirely cooped up in our homes, it’s easy to fall out of the routine of checks and daily habits that would keep our homes safe and secure in our absence.

At Monster Plumb, we believe that efficiently securing your home doesn’t have to be an expensive, complicated procedure. Instead, we’ve composed a simple crime prevention strategy.

Ensure that your home isn’t deemed as an easy target by reading on for our suggestions on how to prevent your house from break-ins. 

Door Security

Make any possible intruders think twice about trying to enter your home by ensuring that your front door appears visibly secure. 

Update locks and reinforce your doors

Burglars can become familiar with the workings of common locks so having up to date, professionally fitted locks and doors is a way to stay ahead of the game. Plus, a sturdy, well-kept looking door will appear more challenging than a flimsy or weaker appearing door.

Keep keys out of reach 

Leaving

Warmth is a human necessity and something that a large majority of us take for granted. It’s safe to say that we’ve come a long way since the days of rubbing sticks together for heat. Of course, none of this happened overnight. This timeline aims to map out a few of the major advances in the history of heating systems that paved the way for our current technologies. Also whilst we’re on the topic of old heating systems, we’ll be detailing why updating older heating systems is important and the impact this can have on your lifestyle.

Controlled Fire

Our Neanderthal ancestors would have not only had to master the art of generating a flame but develop a way to keep it alive for warmth and cooking. It is assumed that our forefathers would construct fires in caves to shelter the flame, which could be interpreted as an early predecessor of the hearth or fireplace. While this seems very basic in comparison to our advanced heating systems, we should give our ancestors credit where it’s due for

In every home there comes a time to revive the walls with a fresh lick of paint or unravel a new roll of wallpaper. It’s easy to get swept away in the excitement of swatches and colour charts, before eventually arriving at the afterthought of - ‘wait, how do we tackle behind the radiator?’

We’ve composed a guide of nifty hacks, tips and tricks so that there’s no need to contort yourself into strange positions and awkward manoeuvres to work around it. In around 30 minutes you can have your radiator removed from the wall so you can get cracking on with the fun stuff!

Tool Kit Checklist

Picture this - you’ve got the weight of your radiator resting on your shoulder and you can't put your hand on the tool you need. Save the scrambling about and extra stress by giving this checklist a quick look over and keeping your tools laid out or in reaching distance. 

• Radiator Key
• Adjustable Spanner
• Towels and a Sponge
• Shallow Tray (a paint roller tray or old plastic carton are ideal for sliding under