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While most of us take a functioning plumbing system for granted, we’re likely to experience problems with our waterworks every now and then. If you can't get your hands on an emergency plumber immediately, a little DIY is the way to go.
As long as you have a little DIY knowledge, some of the most common plumbing problems are fairly easy to fix.
Here are 4 of the most common plumbing problems and how to fix them:
If you’ve ever tried to ignore a dripping tap, you’ll know what a nuisance it can be. However, a leaking tap will be constantly using water and increasing your water bill. Over time, the washer in your tap can become stiff, torn or dislodged to create a tiny but continuous trickle of water.
It is possible to change the washer yourself, although you may need specialised tools. However, you should also be aware that not all taps have washers. Some taps have ceramic discs, which are best left to the professionals to fix.
We’ve probably all turned on the tap and experienced low water pressure at some time. To fix low water pressure, you need to find out whether it’s affecting both the hot and cold water.
If it’s affecting both, then it’s likely to be caused by calcium deposits slowly building up on the aerator. This is really easy to fix. Simply remove the aerator, clean out any debris and put it back to see if that solves your problem.
How many times have you had a sink full of water that doesn’t want to drain? If you’re like most of us, the answer is countless! This is usually caused by debris such as food particles or, in the case of your bath or shower, a build-up of hair and soap.
To get your sink to drain properly again, you’ll need to clean out this debris. To do this, use a straightened wire coat hanger to clear away the debris, or remove the pop-up to clean it out. You’ll find that the pop-up is usually attached to the drain with a nut and can be easily removed.
Once you’ve cleaned out the pop-up, simply put it back together again. You could also try clearing a blockage caused by fats with hot water and detergent, or try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
If water is constantly running in your toilet, it could be down to several things, so you first need to work out what’s causing it. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can either replace or repair the defective part. For toilets that won’t flush, check to see if anything is obstructing the valve, or whether the flush buttons are misaligned.
While it’s fine to try DIY solutions to fix common plumbing problems, if you find that the problem is bigger than you thought, it’s best to call in the help of a professional plumber.
