Ant Langston

The August heatwave pushed UK temperatures to 38.1°C at Kew Gardens on 13 August. This brutal spike marked the fifth official heatwave of a relentless summer. After England recorded its driest July since 1836, official figures confirmed 71.3% of the country fell into drought status. Today, 45 million people reside in drought zones, while over 27 million must follow strict hosepipe bans and water restrictions. This national climate shift puts severe pressure on residential water systems. British families now face a difficult choice: stay cool or conserve water.

A common reason buyers hesitate over steel baths is the fear that the water will go cold quickly, or that the surface will chip if something is dropped on it. In practice, modern enamelled steel behaves differently from acrylic and has some useful advantages, particularly where rigidity and durability matter.

Wall hung vanity units can be installed securely in almost any UK bathroom, provided the underlying wall structure, chosen fixing method and total load are properly assessed. Success relies entirely on understanding what is holding the furniture up, rather than hoping a standard set of wall plugs will hold the weight.

Mouldy or peeling sealant around a bath or shower tray is a common problem that can lead to hidden water damage if ignored. Replacing bathroom silicone is a manageable job, provided the old material is removed entirely and the surfaces are prepared correctly before applying a fresh bead.

If your toilet will not flush properly, the cause is usually either inside the cistern, around the flush mechanism or further along the waste pipe. The key is to work out whether the flush is weak, not working at all, or backing up into the pan.

Find out whether designer radiators are less efficient, how BTU output affects performance, and what to check before choosing one for your room.

Find out whether a heated towel rail can heat a bathroom, how BTU output affects performance, and what to check before choosing one.

Column radiators are popular because they combine traditional styling with good heat output, but the right model depends on the room, wall space, BTU requirement and existing pipework. This guide explains the practical differences between column counts, orientation and heat output so you can choose a model that suits your room and existing setup.

Learn how to measure for a bath screen, including width, height, swing space, bath shape, tap position and the key checks before buying.