Common Plumbing Problems And How To Fix Them

There are a fair few common plumbing problems that you can attempt to fix yourself. 

However, unless you have plumbing experience, there’s probably a limit to what you can fix without professional help. Even so, learning to fix common plumbing issues can save money and may avert the need to call someone out. 

So, without further ado, here are some common plumbing problems and how to fix them. 

Leaky faucets

Leaky faucets/taps can be a nuisance. Not only do they make a constant, annoying dripping sound, but they can also waste water. Every drop adds up in the long term! 

First, in order to fix a leaky faucet, it is important to identify the cause of the leak. Turn off the water supply to the faucet, then disassemble the faucet and inspect the parts.

How to fix a leaky faucet

Firstly, check whether the leak is coming from the spout, in which case the cause is usually a worn-out valve seat or washer. If the leak comes from the faucet handle, it is likely due to a worn-out washer, o-ring, or gasket. 

In any case, replacing the worn-out part is usually all that is necessary to fix the leak. 

1. Shut off the water supply and drain the taps.
2. Remove the cover, which is usually a small cap on the end of the tap's controls. You should see a screw underneath.
3. Remove the screw and remove the valve.
4. Check for worn o-rings and washers and replace them if necessary. If the metal seating around the valve has eroded, you may need to call a plumber.
5. Reassemble the tap by replacing any worn washers and o-rings and, if necessary, replace the entire cartridge.

See our detailed article here on fixing leaky taps

Blocked drains

Blocked kitchen, shower or outside drains are common plumbing issues. 

Kitchen drains often become blocked from debris collecting in the U-bend or strainer. Avoid flushing harder food, oil, grease and other non-liquid material down the kitchen drain. In the case of shower drains, install a hair catcher to prevent hair from mixing with soap scum, which can easily form a blockage. 

How to fix a blocked drain

There are many ways of fixing blocked drains. The method depends on whether the drain is inside (e.g. a kitchen or shower drain) or outside drain. 

For inside drains

1. Some minor blockages can be solved by pouring boiling water down the sinkhole. 
2. Baking soda and vinegar is a cheap and easy way to dissolve some blockages. 
3. You can buy drain cleaning products which dissolve most blockages. 
4. Stubborn blockages can be tackled with a plumber’s snake, a flexible implement designed to be inserted into the drain and screwed into the blockage so you can dislodge it. 
5. You can also use a solid wire to extend into the drain and dislodge the blockage.
6. For kitchen sinks, you might need to disassemble the u-bend or strainer and clean it. 

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For outside drains

1. You can attack outside drains with all the above methods. 
2. You can also use drain rods, which you extend into the drain to forcibly remove the blockage. 
3. Outside drain cleaners are stronger than inside drain cleaners, so don’t mix them up. These are useful if the drain is blocked with leaves and mud. Which? has ranked the best drain unblockers here.
4. You can also spray a high-pressure hose or pressure washer down the drain. 

Also see more detail on unblocking drains

Running toilet

Running toilets are annoying and waste a considerable quantity of water over weeks or months. 

Most leaking toilet issues are caused by the flush mechanism, which will cause the toilet to run or leak into the bowl as if it doesn’t completely finish flushing. A crack could cause a leak from the toilet body or pipework. 

How to fix a running toilet

First, you should shut off the water supply to the toilet by turning the valve located behind the toilet. Flush the toilet until it runs dry. 

Then, remove the tank lid, and inspect the flapper valve. If the flapper valve is worn or cracked, it should be replaced with a new one. If the flapper valve is in good condition, it should be securely reattached to the flush handle chain. 

Next, the float arm should be adjusted. If the float arm is set too low, it can prevent the flapper valve from closing completely, resulting in a slow, steady leak. The float arm should be adjusted so that the flapper valve is just able to close completely. 

The fill valve may also need to be adjusted. If the fill valve is set too high, it can cause the tank to overfill, resulting in a leak. The fill valve should be adjusted so that the water level in the tank is just below the overflow pipe. 

Finally, if the toilet continues to leak, the toilet bowl should be checked for cracks. If a crack is found, the toilet will likely need to be replaced. 

Click on this link for more details fixing an overflowing toilet

Burst pipes

Burst pipes aren’t common, but they can be serious if they leak a lot of water. For example, water can penetrate floors and ceilings, ruining paintwork and wallpaper. A serious leak could even cause structural collapses or electrical issues as water leaks into wiring and plugs. 

Smaller leaks, such as pinhole leaks, are much easier to fix and can be patched. Here are some common fixes for burst pipes. 

How to fix burst pipes

1. Shut off the main water supply. This should be the first step when dealing with a burst pipe. Shutting off the water will help to prevent further damage and allow you to assess the situation.
2. Determine the cause of the burst. For example, if the pipe was frozen and then thawed, it may have caused a crack in the pipe that eventually caused it to burst. On the other hand, if the pipe is old and corroded, it may have simply failed.
3. Replace the damaged section of the pipe. If the cause of the burst is a crack or hole, you can repair it with a pipe patch. You can also buy epoxy-based sealants. 
4. After the repairs are made, it is important to check the new section for any signs of leaks or weak spots. 
5. Overall, burst pipes can be hard to fix if the damage amounts to more than a pinhole leak, so consider calling a plumber. 

No hot water

One of the most irritating plumbing issues is no hot water. The boiler generates hot water, so the issue more than likely stems from a problem with the boiler. 

In systems with separate immersion heaters or hot water tanks, there could be an issue with the hot water tank too. If you’ve been using lots of hot water, e.g. two or three people had a shower in quick succession, then you may have temporarily drained the hot water tank. 

How to fix no hot water

If there is no hot water coming from a tap, there may be a problem with the boiler. Some boilers allow you to switch the hot water on or off - check the settings first to ensure the boiler is supposed to be producing hot water. 

First, check the power supply to the boiler and ensure the circuit breaker has not been tripped. If it has, the boiler might’ve overheated, possibly due to an electrical fault. 

If the power supply is good, check the thermostat and ensure it’s set to the correct temperature. If it is not, adjust it accordingly and test the hot water.

If the above fails, try the following steps: 

1. Check the pressure relief valve on the boiler. If this valve is stuck, it can prevent the boiler from providing hot water.
2. Check the relief valve on the hot water tank. This valve should be open to allow hot water to flow into the tank.
3. Double-check whether your home is supplied with gas by operating a gas hob.
4. Inspect the boiler’s ignition system. If the ignition system is not working, the boiler will not be able to generate hot water. For example, the pilot light on the boiler might’ve blown out or failed. 
5. Check the boiler for an error code. 

If you suspect a boiler issue, it’s best to call our friendly customer service team for a Gas Safe heating engineer or plumber as soon as possible. Call us immediately if the pilot light has blown out or it’s burning with an orange glow rather than a blue glow. 

Never conduct maintenance work to your own boiler and gas pipework unless you’re qualified to do so. If you smell gas and suspect a gas leak, evacuate the immediate area and call the emergency gas number. 

When to call a plumber  

While the above issues are relatively to fix, even for those with limited experience, other issues will require the service of a plumber. Call us on 0208 722 7072 if you’ve attempted simple fixes but can’t seem to sort out the issue. 

Issues involving the boiler or larger burst pipes should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage and expense.