1. Call
01253 477875 – Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
2. Email
repairs@myblackpoolhome.co.uk
3. Out Of Hours
Call 01253 477678/ 0800 073 0184
4. Gas, Electric & Water emergencies please contact:
- Gas: Transco – 0800 111 999 (If you smell gas)
- Electric: Electricity North West – 0800 195 4141 (If you have a power cut)
- Water: United Utilities – 0345 6723723 (If you have a total loss of water)
Emergency Repairs
An emergency repair is one that might result in harm to people or property if it is not fixed quickly. We will attend within 24 hours. You will be charged if you call us out to a non-emergency repair out of hours.
When you call, our staff will advise you on what an emergency repair is.
Here are some examples:
- Burst or uncontrollable leak on heating system or pipework
- Total loss of heating (gas or electric)
- Fully blocked toilet (where only one is available)
- Total or partial loss of power i.e. no sockets and/or no lighting
- Gas leak
- Dangerous electrical faults
- Security issues i.e. a need to gain entry where no other access is available
Some of the repairs to your home are your responsibility. We may fix these for you but you will then be recharged for the work.
If you contact us about a repair or damage to your property, we will ask you how it happened and if you report it as a crime, we will ask for the crime reference number. We will then advise you if it is your responsibility to fix and if so, what recharge might be applied.
Repairs may be recharged to you if the damage was caused due to an accident or if it has been abused. Any damages caused to a communal area by you, a friend or a member of your family may also be rechargeable.
If you are charged for a repair, an invoice will be sent out to your home address. This will advise you of the recharge amount. Payment plans can be put in place to pay for repair recharges.
Condensation and Mould growth – What is it and how to I cure it?
Condensation can cause dampness and mould growth in your home. This looks unpleasant and can increase the risk of respiratory illness. It can also cause wooden window frames to rot.
What is condensation?
Condensation starts as moisture in the air, usually produced by cooking, washing, or drying clothes indoors on radiators. When it hits cool surfaces such as walls, mirrors, wall tiles and windows it condenses and forms water droplets. The moist air rises when it is warm and often ends up on ceilings and in upstairs rooms and then it forms mould.
How to reduce condensation in your home
Control excess moisture
- Close kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent steam going into colder rooms.
- When cooking or washing, let the steam escape by opening a window or using an extractor fan if you have one fitted. Leave the window open or the extractor fan on for up to 20 minutes after you have finished cooking or washing.
- Open some windows in other rooms for a while each day and open any trickle vents in your window frames. This allows a change of air.
- Wipe down surfaces when moisture settles to prevent mould forming.
- Do not block air vents and allow air to circulate around furniture and cupboards.
How much moisture can be produced in your home in a day?
- Two people active for one day – 3 pints
- Cooking and boiling a kettle – 6 pints
- Having a bath or shower – 2 pints
- Washing clothes – 1 pint
- Drying clothes – 9 pints
- Using a paraffin or bottled gas heater – 3 pints
- Total amount of moisture produced in your home in one day – 24 pints
Treating mould
- If you notice mould growing in your home, you should treat it straight away to stop it from spreading and causing more damage to your home.
- Sterilise the affected area with a suitable fungicidal wash (available from most DIY stores), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep checking the affected area for at least a week. If the mould reappears, wash it down again with the fungicidal wash to make sure the area is thoroughly sterilised.
- If the treatment appears to have been successful, you can carry out any necessary redecoration. If painting, use a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould, but remember that this will not be effective if it is later covered by ordinary paint or wallpaper. If wallpapering, use a paste containing a fungicide to prevent further mould growth.
- If mould or mildew is growing on clothing or carpets, you should dry clean them. Don’t disturb mould by brushing or vacuum cleaning, as you can increase the risk of respiratory problems.
- To prevent mould returning, make sure that you control condensation in your home.
Produce less moisture
- Dry clothes outdoors whenever possible or use small ventilated rooms
- Cover fish tanks and remember that house pets and plants produce moisture as well
- Cover pans when cooking
- If you have a tumble drier or washing machine ensure that it is vented in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
