How to Guides
Magenta Living’s ‘How to…’ video guides’ are a series of short and safe videos presented by our in-house expert and fully trained Property Care Technicians. The aim of the videos are to support customers in their home around small-scale maintenance that can be carried out by themselves.
The videos include a step by step, easy to follow guide which provides customers with help with basic repairs which can be carried out in their home, with common or with no tools needed.
The videos will not replace our Property Care Technicians, they are to support you with the smaller jobs you can do without needing a technician. It is important to remember that if you have a repair which is not covered in the ‘How to…’ video guides’, you must contact us to report your repair. You can contact us here.
How to... Turn off your stop tap
How to... Turn off your stop tap
If you have a leak in your property use a large bowl or a bucket to contain the leak while you turn off your water supply.
To do this you must locate the stop tap (every home will have one) which is also known as a stop valve or stopcock which allows you to shut off the water supply to your home.
To do this you must first locate your stop tap. This can be commonly found under the kitchen sink, downstairs toilet or in a utility cupboard. It could also be located under a hand wash basin, beside the toilet or under a bath. Alternatively, it could be in an outbuilding such as a garage.
If you live in a block of flats, each flat will have its own individual stop tap which will isolate the water for your home.
Once you have located the stop tap, close the stop tap but turn the tap clockwise until you are unable to turn it further.
If you have a cold-water storage tank, it may continue to leak. If it does, check if there is a stop tap on the water tank and close using the same method this should isolate the leak.
Once the leak is isolated and you have managed to turn off the water supply, please get in touch with us to raise a repair and report your leak.
How to... Reset your boiler
How to... Reset your boiler
If you’re heating or hot water isn’t working, and you have checked the power supply and pressure, you may need to reset the boiler.
Always refer to your boiler manual which is often placed on top of your boiler. If you don’t have the manual, try searching for them online on the boiler manufacturer’s website.
Our example is based on a Valliant boiler by pressing the power button for three seconds - the time will depend on the manufacturer’s guidance so please refer to your manual.
Wait for 2-3 minutes, you should then hear the boiler switching on.
If the first time it fails, repeat the above twice.
If the boiler fails on the third attempt, please call Magenta Living for support. Please do not try and reset your boiler more than three times.
If the reset button or your boiler is protected by casing, please do not attempt to remove the casing yourself. Please contact us to get advice or to arrange for an engineer to visit you can call our contact centre to get advice.
How to... Unblock your toilet
How to... Unblock a toilet
If your toilet is blocked, there is no need to contact us. This is a quick and easy solution to unblocking it.
All you will need is a household mop or a plunger.
Take your mop or plunger and push it vigorously five to seven times into the bottom of your toilet.
This should move the blockage allowing you to use the toilet again
If it is still blocked repeat these steps until the blockage is moved.
Please remember, only put toilet paper down the toilet. Never flush the following down the toilet:
- Paper towels/kitchen roll
- Cosmetic wipes/cotton wool
- Baby wipes/nappies
- Feminine products
- Dental floss
- Contact lenses
- Medication
- Chewing gum
How to... Manually flush a toilet
How to... Manually flush your a toilet
You may need to manually flush your toilet if the toilet is blocked, the water level in the tank is too low or the lift chain is broken.
There is an easy way to fix this until a repair is carried out.
The easiest way to do this is to use a bucket or a large bowl of cold water. Pour the water into the toilet bowl.
Start off slowly pouring then speed up until it has cleared the toilet.
If the water is poured in too slowly, it will not recreate the flushing motion needed.