It is possible to save costs by doing some minor DIY around your home, such as leaky taps or an overflowing toilet. By following the tips below, you could prevent a minor issue from turning into a major issue. Here are six plumbing tips, which would only require some basic skills and the right tools.

Don’t be shy to replace interior elements 

Whilst there are some parts of plumbing which should be left to the professionals, there are some small repairs which you can do yourself. Such as interior tap or toilet repairs by following these plumbing tips. 

The most common reason for toilets leaking is due to a worn-out flapper. Flappers are relatively cheap, and typically come with instructions on how to remove the old one and install the new one. There are also plenty of videos online which you can watch whilst simultaneously fitting the flapper.

If leaky taps are an issue, most taps can be fixed by replacing the rubber washers or the internal cartridge component. You’ll only need to remove a few screws to do either of these, and again there will be plenty of videos to follow along to.

Try not to use too many chemicals 

If you notice that your drain is clogged, try not to use expensive chemicals to clean it. You can unblock the drain by using a plumber’s snake, which you could purchase at most DIY shops or online. 

You’ll need to insert the snake into the drain and follow the instructions to get rid of the clog. If you don’t own a plumbers snake or don’t want to purchase one, another plumbing tip is to use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner instead to remove the blockage. 

Buy some thread tape

Thread sealant compounds may drip down with time and smear. Thread tape works great with most plumbing DIY projects that involve pipe threads.

You can invest in multi-purpose white thread tape in case of any issues, such as a leaky shower head. The tape should always be wrapped counterclockwise and wrapped at least three times for the best results. If you struggle to fit it to small spaces, you can use a small blunt object. For example a pen should do the trick to help push it on.

Loosen fittings using heat

If you’re struggling to loosen pipe joints, even when using a pipe wrench, don’t give up straight away.  Some fittings can be extremely hard to loosen. Even when applying maximum strength!

You can loosen solidified components by using heat on the connection. You may need to apply the heat for a few minutes before you make any progress. Just remember to protect the surrounding area such as the walls and surrounding pipes. 

You should only apply heat to metallic water pipes and fitting. Never attempt to heat gas supply lines or plastic pipes. 

In most instances a plumbing issue is something you can fix yourself, however if you don’t feel confident doing so always contact professional local plumbers. Whilst you may cut down costs doing it yourself, if you do something wrong you may actually end up spending far more fixing the damages caused by DIY.