Emergency Services

 The essential plumbing checks every homeowner needs to know Being prepared is the key to success, especially when it comes to plumbing. Repairs can be costly, which underlines the importance of informing yourself and your family members about the basics of plumbing. Even toddlers as young as five years old can understand some essential plumbing tips!  Familiarise yourself with emergency water shut-offs In critical plumbing situations, alertness and quick reaction are crucial. It is essential that all members of the household know the exact location of the main water switch. This knowledge can prove invaluable in avoiding potential disasters. Learning to read the water meter Knowing the water meter is a valuable skill. At times when the house is unoccupied and water is not being used, take a moment to inspect the meter. If the meter dials show movement, it is likely an indication of an unnoticed water leak. Such leaks, which often come from taps and toilets, can contribute sig...

 The water is discoloured or smells bad When water starts to smell and does not taste or look right, it is time to re-pipe your home. Unpleasant tasting and smelling water means that the pipes may be deteriorating. Even if the smell or taste is not terrible, deteriorating pipes can lead to worse problems and compromise the integrity of the plumbing system and health. Brown, yellow or sediment-filled water is a sign that pipes are rusty and/or corroded. Pipes make unusual noises A good way to tell if pipes need to be replaced is to listen to the noises they make. Noises and creaks are common when pipes age and need to be replaced . Loud or unusual noises can be a sign that something is wrong with the pipes. Corrosion and changes in water pressure can produce a series of creaks, thuds and pops when the system is in operation. The noises may indicate pipe damage, air access, loose brackets and connections, or leaks. When pipes start to produce constant noises, it is best to redo the s...

  There are several reasons why a toilet water supply line can leak. It could be a hole in the line or worn treads in the fitting. Finding the problem is the first step to solving it. It involves trying one thing and, if it does not work, moving on to something else. The easiest way to repair a leaking toilet water supply pipe is to replace the entire system. This method is the quickest, but may mean spending money when it is not necessary. Here are some steps to repair a leaking line rather than buying a whole new line. Locate the leak First, it is necessary to determine where the leak is coming from. This will be the deciding factor in whether you need to buy a new toilet water supply line. A new line must be purchased if it has a hole anywhere between the fittings. If the leak comes from the area around the fittings, you can usually easily fix the leak with the next step. Tighten the fitting If the leak on the toilet water supply line comes from a fitting, it can usually be sol...

  The overflow part of a bathtub drain can be a homeowner's undoing if the overflow pipe has developed a leak or a loose connection. The overflow pipe of a bathtub is specifically designed to prevent water from flooding the bathtub, eventually leaking through the floorboards and ceiling of the room below, but if this essential pipe has its own defect, it is possible for water to leak from the pipe and flood the ceiling anyway. This can cause damage to plaster, flooding of the room below and even destruction of carpets and electrical items in the room below. Repairing the pipe is not a difficult job, and you do not need a professional if you have some basic housework skills. Just follow a few simple steps to get the job done quickly and easily. Turn off the water The first step is to make sure that all the water in the house is completely shut off. To do this, you need to open the main water valve of the house, which should be located outside the house or in the garage. Turn it off...

  Water heaters, especially older ones, can stop producing enough hot water for your home. Newer water heaters are not only more economical due to energy savings, but have larger tanks to meet the needs of your home and have been upgraded with numerous safety features. Replace your old water heater and you will immediately notice the difference. Turn off and drain the old water heater Switch off the power to the water heater, depending on whether it is gas or electric. This prevents injury when removing the old appliance. Turn off the gas valve going to the water heater if it is gas, or turn off the switch in the switch box if it is electric. Also shut off the water supply to the water heater so that the tank does not try to fill itself when you empty it. Draining the water Drain all the water from the water heater using a tap inside the house. Turn on the hot water and run it until the water becomes cold or lukewarm. You can also drain the tank by connecting a hose to the water ...

  Starting the day with a weak shower is unsatisfying. Although you sometimes have to learn to live with low water pressure, it is good to give your guests or family members the pleasure of using high water pressure. Low water pressure can easily ruin your reputation as a landlord! Therefore, you must solve low water pressure problems and obtain a healthy water flow for you and your future guests. Contact the neighbours first Contacting your neighbours will help you understand if they also have the same problem. If so, the problem could be with the municipal water system. Like the plumbing in your home, the municipal water system is also prone to clogging, leaks, corrosion and build-up . Test the water pressure If the problem only occurs inside the house, then action should be taken. However, before calling a plumber, you should test the water pressure yourself, using a working pressure gauge with a connecting pipe. Simply screw the pressure gauge onto a hose and then open the tap....

  As a DIY enthusiast, you may feel confident that you can tackle various home improvement projects on your own. However, certain problems require a more comprehensive approach and professional expertise. One such problem is when you hear running water even though there are no visible leaks and nothing is switched on. This problem can indicate serious plumbing issues in your home , including hidden leaks or faulty pipes. Rule out water leaks The first step to solving this problem is to rule out water leaks. Start by checking all visible pipes and fittings for signs of leaks. Look for wet spots on the walls, ceilings or floors. Check connections and fittings for signs of corrosion or damage. If you find signs of a leak, turn off the water supply to that area and call a plumber to fix the problem.  A moisture meter is a device that measures the moisture in a material such as drywall or flooring. Use the moisture meter to check areas around pipes and fixtures for signs of water. ...

  Plumbing is one of those skills that if you know it, you can do it... and if you don't, you're basically lost. But anyone can learn a few secret brilliant plumbing hacks that can solve small problems that plumbers would charge big money to fix. Use secret, brilliant plumbing hacks to solve common, everyday plumbing problems like leaky taps, clogged drains, running toilets and the little things that plumbers would charge a lot of money to fix. With these tricks, you can avoid high plumbing costs, save money on your water bills and solve problems because that's what DIY is all about. Plumbing hacks With little tricks and repairs that plumbers know, you can fix common home problems that drive up your water bill and potentially cause bigger problems later on. With common household products and a little insider knowledge, you can fix a variety of plumbing problems you'll frequently encounter. As long as you have a few common hand tools and some fairly common items, you ca...

  Before you start Regardless of whether the bathtub faucet is a double or single lever faucet, certain parts can be replaced instead of installing a new assembly. Remove the old parts and take them to the hardware store to find a suitable replacement, as there are many possible shapes and sizes. Two-handle bath tap There is a rubber seal on the back of the tap that touches the metal seat of the tap when closed. If a leak occurs , the rubber seal is most likely torn, corroded or severely compressed. In any of these cases, the sealing ring can no longer hold back the water. Replacing the rubber seal fixes most leaks. Single lever bath mixer tap Behind the single-lever bath mixer tap is a valve cartridge: a single unit made of plastic, metal and rubber that controls the flow of water. If a bath mixer is leaking, the entire valve cartridge or its rubber O-rings may be worn or corroded. Valve cartridges generally cannot be repaired. Instead, they are replaced with a new valve cartridg...

  The gurgling sound you hear from the sink when you flush the toilet may sound harmless, but it can lead to problems if you don't stop it. It means that the pipes are not properly vented, which can lead to slow water flow and eventually clogs. The gurgling occurs when air flows through the sink's trap. When there is enough air to drain the siphon, there is no longer a barrier between you and the foul, methane-laden fumes. Cleaning the vents can be as simple as plunging the toilet, but if the problem persists, you may need to repair some pipes. Close the sink drain, cover the overflow pipes with tape, and submerge the toilet. A partial blockage in the toilet drain pipe can force air through the sink drain, and submerging the toilet can clear the blockage. If you cover the sink drain, the force of the plunger will stay in the pipes. Listen for the gurgling sound. If it is still there, try again. Keep doing the plunge until you are sure it has no effect. Get up on the roo...

  A leaking or malfunctioning tub drainage system will result in severe water damage if not repaired. This is a situation that needs to be fixed before a property is shown or sold. Drainage pipes consist of the fixture and drain pipes that lead to the main drain. However, the actual drain from the tub pipe and the overflow pipe can also be considered part of the drainage system. The replacement of these pipes and the tools used will depend on what type of drain pipes are present to begin with. Step 1 The overflow cover is removed by unscrewing the mounting screws on the cover plate. Remove the drain basket by placing a screwdriver on each side of the basket and turning it counterclockwise. Remove the faucet from behind the tub. If it is plastic, use tongue and groove pliers to loosen the connecting nuts. If it is metal, use two pipe wrenches. Attach one pipe wrench to the pipe that is not to be rotated and the other pipe wrench to the pipe that is to be removed. Rotate the p...

  A tapered toilet tank gasket provides a watertight seal between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, allowing water to flow quickly when the toilet is flushed. When the toilet tank seal breaks, leaks occur at the bottom around the bowl and the tank bolts. You can take care of this job yourself with the following tips and tools. Close the water supply to the toilet and drain the tank Turn off the toilet's water shut-off valve , which is installed in the wall near the floor behind the toilet. Flush the toilet to empty it. Adjust the adjustable crescent wrench to fit the water supply line and remove it from the toilet tank. Place large towels on the floor behind the toilet bowl to catch water splashes. Remove the tank cap and dry the tank Carefully lift off the tank lid and place it on a quilt or blanket far away from your work area. Use sponges and more towels to completely dry the bottom and walls of the tank. Loosen and remove the tank bolts Using the large flathead ...