Üsküdar Tesisat is an independent, 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If you spot a mistake, an outdated instruction or something that simply isn't clear, please tell us.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 are not
We are not a plumbing or heating company. We don't sell products, carry out work, book visits or pass enquiries on to tradespeople, and we don't accept payment for recommendations or mentions. When we discuss equipment, we describe types of product rather than brands.
This site has no connection with any business that may have used the uskudartesisat.com domain name in the past. If you were looking for a plumber in Üsküdar, we are not them and can't put you in touch.
Questions, corrections and topic suggestions are welcome through our contact page.
Who writes here
Selin Aydemir
Selin writes about central heating – combi boilers, radiators, underfloor loops and the small habits that keep a sealed system running quietly. She likes explaining why a fault happens before saying what to do about it.
Kerem Yalçın
Kerem covers leaks, damp and the detective work in between: meter tests, moisture readings and the non-destructive methods used to find a leak without opening every wall.
Owen Pritchard
Owen handles everyday repairs – dripping taps, weak showers, blocked loos – and has firm views on coat hangers, caustic soda and anything sold as "flushable".
Hannah Leclerc
Hannah writes about bathrooms and kitchens: planning a refit, keeping wastes flowing and asking installers the right questions before the tiles go on.
Daniel Okafor
Daniel looks after the seasonal side of a home – winter-proofing pipes, hard water, maintenance calendars – and the practical business of hiring a tradesperson you can trust.