Evidence-led guidance
Where can you find evidence-led UK home repair guidance?
Home repair and improvement guides | Homecode
Evidence-led UK guidance to help you understand a home problem, choose a safe next step and avoid spending on an unproven fix. [official safety evidence]
Safety boundaries are checked against official evidence, including HSE domestic gas safety guidance.
Problems and symptoms · 47
Work out what a home problem may mean
Start with what you can see or measure, keep uncertain causes uncertain and find the safest next step.
- Bathroom mould: condensation or another moisture source?Bathroom mould: condensation or another moisture source? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Black mould in wall cornersBlack mould in wall corners. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Boiler appears to switch on and off repeatedlyBoiler appears to switch on and off repeatedly. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Breaker or RCD trips: what to doBreaker or RCD trips: what to do. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Wallpaper bubbling on a damp wallWallpaper bubbling on a damp wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Burning smell near a socketBurning smell near a socket. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Mould in a cold room cornerMould in a cold room corner. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation and mould behind furnitureCondensation and mould behind furniture. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation on the outside of a windowCondensation on the outside of a window. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation on the room side of a windowCondensation on the room side of a window. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation or a leak? A diagnosis-first decisionCondensation or a leak? A diagnosis-first decision. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Concern about a consumer unit or fuse boxConcern about a consumer unit or fuse box. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Damp at the bottom of a wallDamp at the bottom of a wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Damp patch that appears after heavy rainDamp patch that appears after heavy rain. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Damp patch below an upstairs bathroomDamp patch below an upstairs bathroom. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Door sticking seasonallyDoor sticking seasonally. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- EICR result: C1, C2, C3 and FI explainedEICR result: C1, C2, C3 and FI explained. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Electric shock or tingling from a socket or connected itemElectric shock or tingling from a socket or connected item. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is heat loss or the heating system the main problem?Is heat loss or the heating system the main problem? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Signs of a failed double-glazing sealSigns of a failed double-glazing seal. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Flickering lights: when to call an electricianFlickering lights: when to call an electrician. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Gas use has suddenly increasedGas use has suddenly increased. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Heating is on but the home is still coldHeating is on but the home is still cold. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Heating seems to run all dayHeating seems to run all day. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Gas use seems high in mild weatherGas use seems high in mild weather. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Hot-water gas use is higher than expectedHot-water gas use is higher than expected. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation on the inside of windowsCondensation on the inside of windows. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Damp patches on an internal wallDamp patches on an internal wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Kitchen condensation that keeps returningKitchen condensation that keeps returning. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Loft condensation warning signsLoft condensation warning signs. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Mist between double-glazed panesMist between double-glazed panes. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Mould behind a wardrobe on an external wallMould behind a wardrobe on an external wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Mould keeps coming back after cleaningMould keeps coming back after cleaning. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Musty smell with no visible dampMusty smell with no visible damp. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Gas bill is still high after a new boilerGas bill is still high after a new boiler. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Overnight bedroom condensation and a mould smellOvernight bedroom condensation and a mould smell. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Paint blistering or peeling on a damp wallPaint blistering or peeling on a damp wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Radiators are hot but rooms stay coldRadiators are hot but rooms stay cold. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Condensation that returns every winterCondensation that returns every winter. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Scorch mark on a socket or plug connectionScorch mark on a socket or plug connection. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Trip repeats after an appliance is unpluggedTrip repeats after an appliance is unplugged. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Mould inside a wardrobeMould inside a wardrobe. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Water at a window sillWater at a window sill. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- White salts and crumbling plaster on a damp wallWhite salts and crumbling plaster on a damp wall. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Signs of high humidity across the whole homeSigns of high humidity across the whole home. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Window will not closeWindow will not close. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Worn window weather sealWorn window weather seal. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
Home improvements · 18
Check whether an improvement fits the property
Assess suitability, dependencies and professional boundaries before asking for quotes.
- Cavity-wall insulation: suitability before fillingCavity-wall insulation: suitability before filling. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is this home ready for an EV smart chargepoint?Is this home ready for an EV smart chargepoint? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- External solid-wall insulation: whole-system suitabilityExternal solid-wall insulation: whole-system suitability. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Flat-roof insulation: coordinate it with roof conditionFlat-roof insulation: coordinate it with roof condition. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Should this home have a new heating programmer?Should this home have a new heating programmer? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is a home battery suitable for this property?Is a home battery suitable for this property? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Which hot-water controls fit this home?Which hot-water controls fit this home? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Insulated external doors: replace only when repair is not enoughInsulated external doors: replace only when repair is not enough. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Internal solid-wall insulation: a moisture-led decisionInternal solid-wall insulation: a moisture-led decision. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Loft insulation: when it fits and when it does notLoft insulation: when it fits and when it does not. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Pitched-roof rafter insulation: only with a roof designPitched-roof rafter insulation: only with a roof design. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Room-in-roof insulation: treat the complete envelopeRoom-in-roof insulation: treat the complete envelope. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is a smart thermostat a good fit for this heating system?Is a smart thermostat a good fit for this heating system? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is solar PV suitable for this property?Is solar PV suitable for this property? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Is solar thermal suitable for this home's hot water?Is solar thermal suitable for this home's hot water? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Suspended timber-floor insulation: protect the void firstSuspended timber-floor insulation: protect the void first. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Are thermostatic radiator valves suitable for this home?Are thermostatic radiator valves suitable for this home? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Are weather compensation controls suitable here?Are weather compensation controls suitable here? UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
Energy grants · 3
Check dated home-energy support guidance
Understand scheme status and initial routes without treating a screen as approval or guaranteed funding.
- ECO4 Flex referral routeECO4 Flex referral route. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- ECO4 eligibility and current scheme statusECO4 eligibility and current scheme status. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
- Great British Insulation Scheme closure and legacy casesGreat British Insulation Scheme closure and legacy cases. UK guidance on the evidence, safety limits and safest next step before you spend.
Buying a home · 1
Use evidence before you commit
Make bounded, non-invasive observations and know when a survey or specialist assessment is needed.
How decisions are made · 1
See the evidence and safety method
Understand how uncertainty, source quality and safety boundaries affect the guidance.