About Üsküdar Tesisat

Üsküdar Tesisat is an English-language collection of practical plumbing and heating guides. We write for people who live in homes, owners and renters alike, who would rather understand what is going wrong before they pay someone to put it right.

That might mean working out whether a damp patch is a leak or condensation, knowing which valve to close when water comes through the ceiling, or being able to tell an engineer that the radiators are cold at the bottom rather than "the heating's not right". A little understanding avoids unnecessary work and makes conversations with tradespeople shorter and clearer.

The name

Üsküdar is a district on the Asian shore of Istanbul, looking across the Bosphorus towards the old city. "Tesisat" is the Turkish word for an installation or a building's services, and in everyday speech it usually means plumbing. The name is a nod to both, and to the fact that the pipes behind the walls work in much the same way in Istanbul, Leeds or Lisbon, even if the regulations and the names of the parts change.

What we cover

Our guides are built around three subjects:

• water leak detection and repair, from reading the meter to how hidden leaks are traced;
• radiator cleaning and combi boiler care, including pressure, bleeding, flushing and running costs;
• blocked drains in toilets, basins, kitchens and outside.

Alongside those we publish everyday repairs, bathroom and kitchen planning, seasonal maintenance and advice on hiring tradespeople. Everything is listed on the articles page.

How articles are written and updated

Each guide is written by one of our regular writers in plain British English and checked for accuracy and clarity before it is published. We try to explain why something happens as well as what to do, to be honest about which jobs a reader can sensibly take on, and to say plainly when a job needs a qualified professional. Gas, electrical and structural work always does.

Regulations, products and accepted practice vary between countries and change over time. Where that matters, we say so rather than presenting one country's rules as universal. We review articles regularly and revise them when practice changes or a reader points out something we missed; the date on each page shows when it was last updated.

Corrections

If you spot a mistake, an outdated instruction or something that simply isn't clear, please tell us. We check every correction we receive, fix confirmed errors promptly and update the page date when a change is significant.

What we don't do

We write guides; we don't fix leaks or fit boilers for a living. We don't sell products, carry out work, book visits or pass enquiries on to tradespeople, and nobody pays to be mentioned. When we discuss equipment, we describe types of product rather than favourite brands.

How the site is funded

Some guides link to tools and products on Amazon.com, and a few link to partner companies through an affiliate network. If you buy through one of those links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions never decide what a guide recommends: we pick from specifications and published reviews, and we say so next to every list of products. Partner banners are labelled as advertisements.

Need someone to come out today? We can't send anyone, but our guide on how to choose a plumber explains how to find a good one near you.

Questions, corrections and topic suggestions are welcome through our contact page.