Home User Guide

A Guide To Your Taylor Wimpey Home

At Taylor Wimpey we understand that buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you are ever likely to make. We aim to provide you with a quality new home as well as making the buying process as simple as possible for you - all backed up by a good customer service.

  • RCDs usually have a test button and you should carry out the test regularly or as instructed by the manufacturer
  • Check the operation of smoke alarms using the test button as instructed by the manufacturer
  • Familiarise yourself with the typical service layouts shown in the NHBC ‘Guide to your New Home’

Exercise care when:

  • Entering the roof space - do not disturb the insulation because it will create dust. Wear a suitable mask over your mouth and nose if you are there for any length of time. Always walk on boarding or joists
  • Cleaning windows - check if the windows can be cleaned from the inside. If not, external ladders or other means of access such as a scaffold tower maybe necessary. Ladders should be angled at 1m for a4m height. Prevent sliding by securing the top of the ladder or have someone stand on the bottom rung
  • Gaining access for painting or decorating externally or gutter clearing
  • Drilling (or nailing to) walls - there may be buried services. A cable detector may help locate services. If in doubt seek professional advice
  • Fixing into any wall - ensure that the method and number of fixings used will support the load
  • Doing anything which creates heat - e.g. using hot air paint strippers. Do not use blowlamps near combustible materials
  • All gas and heating appliances
  • All electrical appliances, including repair
  • Security alarm (where fitted)

Do not:

  • Make any structural alterations to your home until you are sure that it is safe to do so; otherwise obtain professional help
  • Undertake any of the items above unless you are confident that you are able to carry them out safely and competently. If not, obtain professional help
  • Make any alterations to the gas installation. By law this must be done by a suitably qualified person
  • Restrict the air supply to any gas appliance by closing or blocking ventilators
  • Alter the electrical installation. This should be done by a qualified electrician

Gas

Your gas meter, monitoring the amount of gas used, can be located on your service diagram. Also, within the cabinet, is the cut off valve. If for any reason you require to isolate your gas supply, then you will need access to this cabinet.

If you suspect a gas leak:

  • Extinguish all flames
  • Turn off the gas at the meter box
  • Open the doors and windows
  • Contact the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999
  • Do not operate electrical appliances or switches
  • Where practical, leave the property
  • Notify the Customer Service team at the earliest opportunity

Electricity

Your electricity meter, monitoring the amount of power used, can be located on your service diagram. The electrical consumer unit can also b e located on your service diagram. All switches (circuit breakers) on this unit will be clearly marked to identify the circuit that is operated. If you require access to the meter cabinet you will require a key.

It should be noted that these circuit breakers are very sensitive and should, for example, a bulb blow, then it may be enough to trip the circuit breaker.

If such a fault should occur then, in the situation with the failed bulb, the bulb should be replaced and the circuit breaker switched back to the on position. If however, it is an appliance that is repeatedly causing the circuit to trip, it is highly likely that the appliance (or its plug) may be faulty. This can easily be checked using alternative appliances in the same power socket.

If repeated disruption of this nature continues with no obvious explanation, you should notify us as soon as possible.

Water

Plumbing problems account for the largest number of service calls for new homeowners, many of which can be prevented through good practice.

You should check for the following regularly:

  • Leaks
  • Loose waste connections under sinks and appliances
  • Shrinkage and settlement to bath and shower sealants

Further measures that should be observed are:

  • Avoid blocking drains with fatty substances that solidify in pipes or flushing bulky items down the toilet

The cut-off mains’ cold water stopcock is situated in the position shown on the services diagram. It is designed to isolate the water supply after it enters your house – however, if you need to isolate this supply before it enters your house, then this is done at the stop tap located outside your property (each individual resident should make themselves aware of the position). The water meter is also normally located next to the stop tap.

Small valves are also provided on the supply line adjacent to each toilet cistern and would only be used if the supply to the cistern required isolation.

Condensation occurs on cold surfaces such as windows, floors and walls and can cause you problems. It can damage decorations, floor coverings, clothes and bedding. It can also cause mould to grow on walls and ceilings this is not unusual if not ventilated correctly, as up to 5000 litres of water is used in each property:

  • Keep all rooms warm and ventilated
  • Keep the kitchen door closed when cooking, washing or drying clothes. Open a window or use an extractor fan where possible
  • Keep the bathroom door closed when using the bath and open a window or use an extractor fan where possible
  • Avoid the use of paraffin heaters and flueless gas heaters in unventilated rooms. Paraffin produces a volume of water equal to the volume of fuel used

If condensation has already occurred there are a number of things you can do to help:

  • Mop up as much as possible
  • Heat the room
  • Open the windows a little
  • Keep the door shut
  • Keep furniture away from the walls to allow circulation

Downloads

Please view the Home User Guide either as a PDF or as an interactive document

We offer two levels of support - one for emergency situations and one for all other situations covered by our warranty.

When should you call?
Is your query in relation to:

Loss of power supply

Have you tried resetting the master switch in the consumer unit?

Have you checked that your electricity supplier has not turned off the mains to carry out repair work in the area and that there is no local power failure?

Is there a total loss of power supply throughout the property?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please contact your electricity supplier.

Please try resetting the master switch in the consumer unit.

Blocked drains

Is there flooding or overflowing inside or outside?

Have you checked that nothing is blocking the toilet flushing function?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please go and check nothing is blocking the flushing function on your toilet.

Please call us during office hours.

Doors and windows

Is a faulty lock to a window or door affecting security?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please call us during office hours.

Walls and fences

Is there a potential danger to people or property?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please call us during office hours.

Roof tiles and leaks

Are missing roof and/or ridge tiles due to storm damage?

Please contact your buildings insurance company directly as this is not covered by Taylor Wimpey.

Please call us during office hours.

Central heating failure

Have you checked this isn't due to local electricity or gas supply problems?

Have you checked your timer settings are correct?

Have you checked your thermostats are set at the right temperature?

Have you checked the shut off device and followed the correct resetting procedure?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please check the resetting procedure and the shut off device.

Check the temperature setting for your thermostats.

Please check your timer settings are correct.

Please check with your local gas/electricity supplier for any problems with your supply.

Water supply

Have you checked that your mains stopcock is turned on?

Have you checked that your water supplier has not turned off your mains to carry out work in the area?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please contact your local Water Supplier.

Please call us during office hours.

Water leak

Is the leak uncontainable, or causing damage, or penetrating an electrical fitting?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please call us during office hours.

Gas leak

Have you opened all windows and turned off all gas appliances?

Please contact your gas supplier immediately on 0800 111 999.
They will send someone to isolate the meter and make your home safe.

Do this now and then contact your gas supplier immediately on 0800 111 999.
They will send someone to isolate the meter and make your home safe.

Total loss of gas

Have you checked your gas supplier has not turned off the mains to carry out repair work in the area?

Please contact us immediately by telephone.

Please check with your gas supplier.

Out of Hours Emergency

To Contact us by telephone or in an emergency please enter your development name, town or postcode in the search box to locate your nearest Taylor Wimpey office.

Loading
Watch Phil Spencer's Buyer Guides

Thinking of buying a new Taylor Wimpey home?

Watch Phil Spencer's buyer guides for answers to all your questions...