How to Deal with 4 Common Plumbing Problems
From the inconvenient niggles to full on emergencies, most people will find themselves having to deal with a plumbing problem now and then. As experts in saving the day, here’s our take on what to do if you’re faced with these common plumbing problems.
- Dripping taps
Most of us have had a leaky tap in the house at some point. It may seem more of an annoyance than anything else, but it does need addressing sooner rather than later. In fact, the European Environment Agency estimates that a dripping tap can waste as much as a litre of water per hour. That’s a bath full every week, so you need to get it sorted if you don’t want your water bill to go up. While the issue is often something simple like a worn washer, if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s worth getting the professionals in to fix the problem. Taking the DIY route might not turn out to be the cheaper option if things go wrong.
- Toilet trouble
Whether they’re completely blocked, won’t stop running or there’s a fountain of water spurting from the cistern, toilets obviously need fixing on the double. It may be possible to remedy simpler issues yourself. A basic blockage (while not a pleasant job to rectify) could be sorted out with a plunger, a bit of elbow grease and a peg on your nose. Or you may be able to replace a faulty valve with a kit from the local DIY store. However, if you’re a toilet repair novice, get a local plumber in to fix things rather than attempting it yourself. After all, no one wants to end up knee deep in water (or worse) trying to placate an angry queue for the bathroom.
- Clogged sink and bathroom drains
This is another very common problem. If you find yourself having to wait half an hour for the sink to drain or the bathwater to disappear, something’s obviously not right. The most common culprits are build-ups of grease and food or soap and hair. Your first port of call is to grab a plunger and try a natural solution like bicarbonate of soda or chemical drain cleaning solutions to see if they do the job. If not, a plumber’s snake might be needed to get into the pipes and clear the blockage. If your initial efforts don’t work, ask a local plumber to come in and fix the problem properly.
- Leaky or burst pipes
This is a particularly common issue in the colder weather when pipes freeze and expand. A leaky or burst pipe can cause enormous damage to your property, so you need to take action right away. There are tapes and fillers that can be used to control the leak initially, but this should only be a temporary fix. You need to get a plumber in as soon as possible to take a good look at the problem and repair it thoroughly. Good pipe maintenance and keeping your heating on an even temperature to help stop pipes freezing can help you avoid plumbing emergencies like this.
Commercial plumbing services
In the 30 years we’ve been in the commercial property maintenance business, we’re pretty sure we’ve seen every plumbing emergency there is. We understand how damaging they can be to your property and the inconvenience they can cause for tenants, staff or your business, not to mention your maintenance budget.
If you have a plumbing problem or plumbing emergency that needs fixing, we can help. Our plumbing engineers are on hand 24/7 and cover the M4 corridor from West and South Wales through to London and the South East. Just contact us online or call 01269 841416.
