DIY Plumbing Videos
How-to guides for plumbing jobs around the home. If it’s more than you want to take on, find a local pro.
PlumbingHow to Fix a Leaking Tap
A dripping tap wastes thousands of litres a year, and on most older taps the fix is a worn washer that costs a couple of dollars. You'll need: a shifter or spanner, a flat screwdriver, a new tap washer (take the old one to the hardware store to match it) and a cloth. Key steps: 1. Turn off the water at the isolation valve or the mains, then open the tap to drain it. 2. Remove the handle and unscrew the tap body (the jumper valve assembly). 3. Swap the old washer for the new one and check the seat for damage. 4. Reassemble, turn the water back on and test. When to call a pro: if the tap still drips after a new washer, the seat is worn or the tap is a ceramic-disc or mixer type that needs a cartridge. A plumber can reseat or replace it quickly.
Video by Curran Plumbing
PlumbingHow to Unclog a Sink Without Chemicals
Most slow or blocked sinks are caused by hair, grease or food trapped in the trap under the sink, and you can usually clear them without harsh drain cleaners. You'll need: a plunger, a bucket, gloves, an old towel and, if needed, a cheap plastic drain snake. Key steps: 1. Remove the plug or stopper and clear any visible gunk. 2. Plunge firmly with a little water in the sink, covering the overflow hole. 3. If that doesn't work, put a bucket under the trap, unscrew it and clean it out. 4. Reassemble hand-tight and run hot water to check for leaks. When to call a pro: if several drains are slow at once, water backs up into other fixtures, or there's a bad smell outside, the blockage is further down the line and needs a plumber with a drain camera or jetter.
Video by How To Home
PlumbingHow to Fix a Running Toilet
A toilet that keeps running or refilling is usually down to one of two parts inside the cistern: the flush valve seal or the fill (inlet) valve. You'll need: replacement parts for your cistern model (many hardware stores sell universal kits), a sponge and a towel. Key steps: 1. Take the lid off and watch a flush to see where water is escaping. 2. If water trickles into the bowl, the flush valve washer is leaking: replace the seal. 3. If the water level rises into the overflow, adjust or replace the fill valve. 4. Turn the water back on, flush a few times and check it stops cleanly. When to call a pro: concealed (in-wall) cisterns, cracked cisterns, or leaks at the base of the toilet are jobs for a licensed plumber.
Video by JENSEN DIY