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How to insulate your pipes
When pipes freeze in cold weather the thawing can cause them to crack. To help avoid this, wrap your pipes in a quarter-inch thick set of newspapers – adding a layer of foil will help to keep them even warmer. If your water pipes do freeze, keep the spout of your faucet open and your home warm. Then blow dry small sections of pipe that are exposed to the weather. Find out more about preventing burst and frozen pipes in your home.
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How to keep your shower drain smelling fresh
Stagnant water and clogged shower drains are two of the main reasons why shower drains can start to smell. Firstly check for any build up. After removing any hairs or gunk, pour two litres of boiling water slowly down the drain to loosen any bacterial growth that may be contributing to the smell. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda into the drain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes – this should absorb any smells. Add three cups of white vinegar slowly to the drain and listen for a fizzing sound, which indicates that it's interacting with the baking soda. Leave the mixture in the drain overnight to clear away the sludge, bacteria and germs which are creating the offensive smells.
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Clean chrome taps
If your chrome taps are looking far from their shiny best, try using this simple trick to get them sparkling again. Mix one teaspoon of cider vinegar with two tablespoons of sea salt. Apply this to a soft cloth, rub onto the tap and then polish off.
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We try to make the advice on our website (www.HomeServe.com) as useful and reliable as possible. However, the purpose of this advice section of the website is to provide homeowners and private landlords with general guidance and useful tips only. It doesn't necessarily deal with every important topic or cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals and might not be relevant or appropriate in all circumstances. It is not designed to provide professional advice or financial advice and should not be relied on as such. Click here to read the disclaimer in full.