DIY Plumbing & Home Advice

A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water and increase your bills. Often, the issue is with a faulty flapper valve or an incorrectly set fill valve float.

Quick Checks:

• Ensure the chain connected to the flapper isn't tangled or too tight/loose.
• Check if the flapper itself is sealing properly; it might be worn or misaligned.
• See if the water level in the tank is too high (overflowing into the overflow tube). Adjust the fill valve float if necessary.

Caution: If you're uncomfortable opening the toilet cistern or unsure about the parts, call a professional.

A slow drain is usually caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, grease, or food particles.

Simple Methods:

• Boiling Water: Carefully pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain (not suitable for PVC pipes if water is completely static, as it can soften them).
• Baking Soda & Vinegar: Pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 30 mins, then flush with hot water.
• Plunger: Use a cup plunger, ensuring a good seal over the drain.
• Clean the P-Trap: Place a bucket underneath, unscrew the P-trap, and clear any debris.

Caution: Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners. If these methods don't work, the blockage may be further down the line.

If your radiators are cold at the top and warm at the bottom, they likely have trapped air and need bleeding. This is a common task, especially after summer.

Steps:

• Turn off your central heating and wait for radiators to cool.
• Locate the bleed valve (a small square or screw valve, usually at the top corner).
• Place a cloth or small container under the valve to catch drips.
• Use a radiator key (or sometimes a flathead screwdriver) to slowly open the valve anti-clockwise. You should hear a hissing sound as air escapes.
• Once water starts to drip out steadily, close the valve. Do not overtighten.
• You may need to check your boiler pressure after bleeding radiators and top it up if necessary, following your boiler manufacturer's instructions.

Caution: Water can be hot. If unsure about boiler pressure, consult your manual or a professional.

A dripping tap is annoying and wasteful. Often, the cause is a worn-out washer (for traditional taps) or a ceramic disc issue (for modern mixer taps).

Simple Fix (Traditional Taps):

• Turn off the water supply to the tap (usually an isolation valve under the sink or the main stopcock).
• Remove the tap head/cover (may require unscrewing a small screw).
• Unscrew the tap valve mechanism.
• Replace the worn washer with an identical new one.
• Reassemble the tap.

Caution: Ceramic disc taps are more complex. If unsure, or if it's not a simple washer replacement, call a professional. Ensure water is off before starting.

Knowing where your main water stopcock (also known as a stop tap or shut-off valve) is located is crucial in an emergency, like a burst pipe.

Common Locations:

• Under the kitchen sink.
• In a utility room or downstairs cloakroom.
• Where the water pipe enters your property (often near the front of the house).
• In a garage, if attached to the house.

Once found, check if you can turn it. They can sometimes be stiff. If you can't operate it, it may need attention from a plumber.

Action: Find it *before* you have an emergency. Label it clearly.