If you fancy yourself a DIY whizz or a weekend plumber, then you’re going to love these top tips and tricks directly from professional Manly plumbers. Whether you need to fix a dripping tap, free a clogged drain, or attach a new water supply line, you’ll learn about these and more. If you’re going to do something yourself, it’s best that you do it right.
Dripping taps
A leaking tap is both annoying and also wastes a lot of valuable water, so you’ll want to fix it right away. Dripping taps are usually the result of a worn out tap washer or O-ring. These are easy to replace. The first thing to do is turn off the water supply or water will fountain out of the tap. Remove the faulty washer or O-ring, replace it with a new one and reassemble the faucet.
Clogged pipes
Slow draining or clogged pipes are another very common plumbing issue found in Aussie homes. The first thing to try is plunging the drain with a quality plunger. Most times this will free up the clog and get the water flowing. If something is stuck in the pipe, such as a child’s toy or other foreign object, sometimes you can remove it by sucking it out with a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. Another option is to pour drain cleaner down the drain to dissolve the blockage.
Water supply lines
Changing out water supply lines for toilets and basins is pretty simple. However, make sure you don’t over tighten the fittings or you’ll damage them and water leakage will result. Always replace water supply lines with brand new ones made from braided stainless steel. They’re far less likely to burst than plastic lines.
Blocked toilets
Having a clogged up toilet is not a pleasant experience and it’s something you’ll want to sort out ASAP. You can try using the plunger method first to see if this clears the blockage. If this doesn’t work, buy a plumber’s toilet (or drain) snake and send it through the S-bend to find and free the clog. Blocked toilets are the result of flushing things down the toilet that don’t belong there. This includes wet wipes and paper towels. Even excess hair can result in a drain clog over time.
Loosen stuck pipes
If your home’s plumbing hasn’t been touched in a while, you might find it extremely difficult to undo old pipes. One handy trick that plumbers use is to heat up the stuck pipe first with a blowtorch. It can take a few minutes for the pipe to get hot enough. Once heated, try again to loosen the pipe. It should be a lot easier now.
Don’t forget plumber’s tape
Plumber’s tape is that white, thin and very flexible tape that’s used to wrap around the thread of pipes and fittings before attaching them. The tape creates an added layer of protection, ensuring no water leaks from the joint. Don’t confuse it with the yellow tape that’s used for gas line connections. Plumbing tape is always white.
Regularly check for leaks
Periodically go around the home searching for any signs of water leaks. This includes dripping taps, leaks in the cabinet under sinks, showers that drip, toilets that run, hot water system leaks and more. If a hidden pipe has sprung a leak, you’ll see telltale signs, such as staining on the walls or ceiling. Don’t neglect to check outside as well. Check your outdoor taps, your water meter and search for dark or overly lush areas of the yard that could indicate an underground water leak.
Mind what you put down the drain
Clogged drains are the result of what goes down them. While it’s impossible for no foreign objects to find their way into a drain, you can be mindful of what you deliberately send down the drain, especially the kitchen sink. Oil is one of the biggest culprits. Every time you pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink it sticks to the pipes and acts as a magnet to catch food particles and other debris, causing a build up that leads to a slow or clogged drain. You should never put vegetable peelings, food scraps, leftover rice and coffee grounds down the kitchen sink either.
Replace metal pipes with plastic
Old metal pipes beneath the kitchen, bathroom and laundry sinks may look sturdy enough, but plastic pipes are better in just about every way. They are far cheaper to buy, very easy to install and much easier to fix if a leak develops. Plastic also doesn’t rust. If you have some dodgy metal pipes, replace them with plastic ones.
Worn or clogged shower heads
Your bathroom’s shower head will likely wear out or become clocked by hard water over time. They’re very easy to replace, so buy a new one, unscrew the old one, apply plumbing tape to the thread of the new one and reattach the hose.
Running toilets
Running toilets are just as annoying and wasteful as a dripping tap. The most common culprit for why a toilet cistern continually sends water down into the bowl is a worn flapper. This rubber flapper is what seals the outlet pipe once flushing is complete. It’s it’s worn out or coated in grime, it simply won’t seal properly. The best bet is to buy a new one and replace it.
Call a professional plumber in Manly
Remember that there are many plumbing tasks that must be done by a licensed plumber to meet safety and regulation compliance.
If you find yourself facing plumbing problems that you’re not confident to fix or if you’d like to check to see if they should be done by a licensed plumber, give us a call at Chris Lobb Plumbing. We’re always here to help with water leaks, new installations, clogged pipes, blocked toilets, roof plumbing, general plumbing inspections and more. Contact us today on 0418 239 413 for fast, friendly service from our team of highly experienced professionals.