General Plumbing in Coate

Look in the loft for a cold water tank, and check whether the bathroom taps have noticeably lower pressure than the kitchen cold tap. If there's a tank and the pressures differ, at least part of your system is tank-fed. If you're still unsure, ask and I'll talk it through.

White or greenish crusting around a joint is usually dried mineral deposits from a slow weep. Hard water leaves these behind as it evaporates. It means water has been escaping, even if you never see a drip. Remaking or replacing the joint is the usual fix, so send a photo and I'll say what I can help with.

If a new washer hasn't helped, the valve seat inside the tap body may be worn or scaled, so the washer can't seal against it. It can sometimes be reground, but replacing the tap or fitting a cartridge conversion is often more reliable. Send a photo of the tap and I'll talk through the options.

Yes. Coate sits just south-east of the town centre and is part of my area, as are Old Town, Chiseldon and Swindon itself. I'm about 7 miles away in Highworth. Your postcode and a short description is all I need to start.

Common causes are a leaking tap connection, a loose fitting underneath or a failed seal where the bath meets the wall. The panel is usually the first thing to come off, so the tap connections and pipework can be seen. If the seal is the problem, it is the seal that needs redoing rather than the pipework.

If nothing is running and the meter is still turning, water is escaping somewhere, often from a hidden leak, a running toilet or the supply pipe outside. Check the toilets first. If they're fine, get in touch and I'll help trace where it's going.

If the leak is near the boiler or from heating pipes, turning it off is sensible. If it's a cold supply pipe or tap, the stop tap is what matters. With a combi, closing the stop tap stops the hot water too. Tell me which you've done when you call.

Yes. Painted pipes can hide corrosion and weeping joints, so any fittings near a suspected leak are worth a close look. Paint can also make old valves harder to turn. If a valve is stuck under layers of paint, don't force it; mention it and I'll say what I can help with.

If it's a slow drip from a tap, you can, and mentioning it in advance helps me plan the visit. If it's a leaking pipe or a joint near electrics, don't wait. Catch the water, isolate it if you can and get in touch sooner.

Mainly care with existing pipework and finishes. Older homes can have pipes running through original floors, under stairs or behind built-in cupboards. Mention any features you want protected when you get in touch, so access can be agreed before boards are lifted or panels removed.