Avoid rogue traders and tackle some common household plumbing tasks. Plumbing problems are one of the top reasons that professional help is sought in the home.

This is quite unnecessary in some cases as some of the most common reasons for phoning a plumber could quite easily be solved by you. We take a look at five scenarios and show how you could save yourself a bob or two on costly call-out and repair charges.

PROBLEM 1
Replacing a washer in your leaky tap
How to do it

Firstly, turn off the water supply to the dripping tap, then turn on the tap to release any water that may be feeding the system.

Remove the tap’s cover by either unscrewing the metal cover by hand or by using a wrench.

Alternatively, if you have a tap with a ‘shroud’ knob, there should be a small insert in the centre of the top of the knob which can be levered off using a screwdriver to reveal a small screw. Once the screw is out, the tap cover should come off. Then, unscrew the headgear nut using a spanner, making sure you are firmly holding the tap spout to prevent it from moving. The jumper and washer normally lift out with the headgear, but if they don’t, simply take them out. Remove the old washer and replace. Reassemble, using the instructions above in reverse.

PROBLEM 2
Repairing a radiator due to corrosion
How to do it

The leak can be repaired temporarily using a plastic resin filler, but a new radiator will need to be fitted. This is quite easily done. Obviously, if you do not want to fit new wall brackets, try to replace with the same model as before. Firstly, turn off the valves at each end. If you intend to keep the old valves, remove the valve tailpieces from the radiator using an Allen key or adjustable spanner and turning anti-clockwise.

Use wire wool to clean the corrosion from the threads of both adapters and blanking plugs and either smear with silicone sealant or wrap polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) tape around the thread of the valve tailpieces before screwing them in place.

Next, fit a new air vent on the same end as the previous radiator, using PTFE tape. The radiator is now ready to fix to the wall brackets, but check that the brackets are secure. Reconnect the union nuts and open the valves to fill the radiator with water.

Keep the air vent open to allow the air to escape. To prevent further problems with corrosion, flush out the system with clean water and add a rust inhibitor.

PROBLEM 3
Unblocking a kitchen sink
How to do it

It’s wise to first try a chemical as this could dissolve some of the blockage for you, although quite often, you will have to wait overnight. But before you do this, make sure the chemical won’t damage the enamel or steel surface of your sink or plughole.

If the problem is not resolved, try a plunger. This works by creating pressure that can help to dislodge anything that may be blocking your sink. Simply place the plunger over the waste hole and pump it up and down.

If you’re still not having any luck, you will have to remove the S-bend pipe under the sink. Position a bucket or basin under the pipe to catch the water, then partly unscrew the nuts on either side of the bend.

Carefully remove the bend, and clean out the blockage using a pipe cleaner. Screw tightly back in place. While most plastic fittings are self-sealing, some metal ones may need to be caulked with vaseline or thread tape. Run some water and check the joints for leaks.

PROBLEM 4
Installing a new washing machine
How to do it

Installing a new washing machine is fairly straightforward, providing that the initial plumbing has been done correctly.

Firstly, follow the instructions on the manual of your new machine and remove any bolts that you may need to after you have unpacked the appliance.

Attach the plastic drain hose as per manufacturer’s instructions. It will need to rise above the height of the appliance and then turn downwards, to create an inverted U-bend, between 6 to 12in above the floor. Hook up the water supply line and attach the water supply hoses to the appliance’s water supply outlets. Put washers into the washer end of the hose bibb valves at the hot and cold water supply lines.

Connect hot to hot and cold to cold. When installing the hot and cold hose bibb valves and drain hose pipe, bear in mind that they may need to be reached when the machine is in place, so try to keep them as accessible as possible.

Set the drain hose into the standpipe. Secure the hose to the pipe with duct tape to prevent it from coming out. Finally, level the washing machine by adjusting the legs under the machine.

PROBLEM 5
Mending a burst water pipe
How to do it

First and foremost, turn the water off from the mains stopcock. Locate the burst pipe and if it is just a single nail hole or split that is less than 2in, buy some slip-on couplers, which are lengths of copper pipe, threaded at either end. Using a pipe cutter, hacksaw or pipe slice, cut away the section of pipe containing the split or hole.

Make sure you have cut far enough back to a section of the pipe that is still completely round and not distorted by the burst or force from the nail. Apply pipe-jointing compound, then slide the olives into the slip-on coupling. You may need to file down the ends of the pipe first if the olives do not slip on.

Tighten the nuts with your fingers, then a spanner, to give a seal as in any other compression fitting. If the hole, burst or pipe distortion is longer than 2in, insert a section of pipe. This can be achieved by using two small compression couplers either side of the new section. ■

Nick says
‘Unless you’re a savvy DIYer, my advice is to leave all the plumbing work in your home to a proper professional!’