lesson4_basic_plumbing

Lesson 4: Basic Plumbing Repairs

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to: - Identify common household plumbing fixtures and their components - Fix leaky taps and running toilets without calling a professional - Clear clogged drains using multiple methods - Replace basic plumbing fixtures like taps and showerheads - Know when a plumbing issue requires professional help

Beyond the Plunger: Understanding Your Home’s Plumbing

Plumbing problems can be among the most intimidating home maintenance challenges. They often involve water (potentially causing damage), specialized tools, and systems hidden behind walls. Yet many common plumbing issues can be resolved with basic knowledge, a few simple tools, and a bit of confidence.

In this lesson, we’ll focus on the plumbing repairs that deliver the biggest bang for your buck—fixes that are relatively simple but can save you significant money in emergency plumber call-out fees.

Plumbing Basics: Know Your System

Before diving into specific repairs, let’s understand the basic components you’ll be working with:

Supply System vs. Drainage System

Your home has two distinct plumbing systems:

  1. Supply System: Delivers clean water under pressure
    • Typically smaller pipes (15mm-22mm)
    • Made of copper, plastic (PEX, CPVC), or sometimes galvanized steel in older homes
    • Always has shut-off valves to control flow
  2. Drainage System: Removes waste water using gravity
    • Larger pipes (40mm-110mm)
    • Usually PVC, ABS plastic, or cast iron in older homes
    • Includes traps (U-shaped pipes) to prevent sewer gases from entering home

Essential Plumbing Tools

For most basic repairs, you’ll need: - Adjustable spanner: For nuts and bolts of various sizes - Pipe wrench: For gripping round pipes - Plunger: Cup style for sinks, flange style for toilets - Plumber’s tape (PTFE tape): For sealing threaded connections - Basin wrench: For reaching nuts behind sinks - Drain snake: For clearing stubborn clogs - Bucket and towels: For containing water and spills

Fixing Leaky Taps: Drip No More

A dripping tap wastes water and money while creating that maddening sound that keeps you up at night. Here’s how to fix the most common types:

Identifying Your Tap Type

Most UK homes have one of these tap types: - Compression taps: Traditional taps with separate hot and cold handles - Mixer taps: Single lever controlling both temperature and flow - Ceramic disc taps: Modern design with quarter-turn operation - Ball-type taps: Single handle that moves in multiple directions

Fixing a Compression Tap

These traditional taps leak when the washer wears out. Here’s how to replace it:

  1. Turn off water: Close the isolation valves under the sink or the main water supply
  2. Remove handle: Unscrew the decorative cap, remove the screw, and lift off the handle
  3. Remove headgear: Unscrew the valve body using an adjustable spanner
  4. Replace washer: Remove the old washer at the bottom of the valve and replace with identical size
  5. Reassemble: Put everything back together in reverse order
  6. Turn on water: Open the isolation valves and test

Fixing a Ceramic Disc Tap

These modern taps rarely leak from the spout but may leak from the base:

  1. Turn off water: Close isolation valves
  2. Remove handle: Usually requires an Allen key to loosen a set screw
  3. Remove cartridge: Unscrew the retaining nut and lift out the ceramic cartridge
  4. Inspect O-rings: Replace any damaged O-rings
  5. Clean cartridge: Remove mineral deposits with white vinegar
  6. Reassemble: Put everything back together in reverse order
  7. Turn on water: Open isolation valves and test

Fixing a Dripping Mixer Tap

For single-lever mixer taps:

  1. Turn off water: Close isolation valves
  2. Remove handle: Usually by removing a cap and unscrewing
  3. Remove cartridge: Unscrew the retaining nut and lift out
  4. Replace cartridge: Install new cartridge of same make/model
  5. Reassemble: Put everything back together in reverse order
  6. Turn on water: Open isolation valves and test

Toilet Troubles: Fixing a Running Toilet

A running toilet can waste thousands of litres of water. Most toilet problems involve the components inside the cistern:

Understanding Toilet Anatomy

Modern toilets consist of: - Cistern: The tank holding water - Flush valve: Allows water to exit the cistern when flushed - Fill valve: Controls water refilling the cistern - Overflow tube: Prevents cistern from overfilling - Flush handle/button: Activates the flush

Diagnosing the Problem

To identify the issue: 1. Remove the cistern lid 2. Flush the toilet and watch the operation 3. Listen for hissing (indicates water leaking) 4. Look for water running into the overflow tube

Fixing a Faulty Flush Valve

If water continuously leaks into the bowl:

  1. Turn off water: Close the isolation valve near the toilet
  2. Flush to empty: Hold down flush to drain cistern
  3. Check flapper/flush valve: Look for deterioration, warping, or mineral buildup
  4. Clean or replace: Either clean mineral deposits or replace the entire flush valve
  5. Turn on water: Open isolation valve and test

Fixing a Faulty Fill Valve

If the toilet runs intermittently or the fill valve hisses:

  1. Turn off water: Close the isolation valve
  2. Check float adjustment: The float may be set too high
  3. Inspect fill valve: Look for leaks or continuous running
  4. Replace if necessary: Modern fill valves are inexpensive and easy to install
  5. Turn on water: Open isolation valve and test

Drain Clearing: From Sluggish to Smooth

Clogged drains are among the most common plumbing problems. Here’s how to clear them without harsh chemicals:

Prevention First

  • Use drain strainers to catch hair and food particles
  • Never pour grease down drains
  • Flush drains weekly with hot water
  • Use biological drain cleaners monthly for maintenance

Clearing a Sink Drain

For a clogged bathroom or kitchen sink:

  1. Try the plunger:
    • Fill sink with enough water to cover plunger cup
    • Place plunger over drain and pump vigorously 5-6 times
    • Pull up sharply to create suction
  2. Use a drain snake:
    • Insert snake into drain
    • Turn handle clockwise while pushing down
    • When you feel resistance, you’ve reached the clog
    • Continue turning to break up the clog
    • Pull out snake and flush with hot water
  3. Clean the P-trap:
    • Place bucket under trap
    • Loosen slip nuts at both ends of P-trap
    • Remove trap and clean out debris
    • Reinstall trap, tightening nuts by hand plus quarter turn with spanner

Clearing a Toilet Clog

For a clogged toilet:

  1. Use a flange plunger:
    • Ensure there’s enough water to cover the plunger cup
    • Place plunger over the hole, creating a seal
    • Push down and pull up vigorously several times
    • Flush to test
  2. Try a toilet auger:
    • Insert curved end into toilet bowl
    • Turn handle clockwise while pushing down
    • When you feel resistance, you’ve reached the clog
    • Continue turning to break up or retrieve the clog
    • Flush to test

Clearing a Shower Drain

For a clogged shower drain:

  1. Remove visible hair:
    • Remove drain cover (usually requires screwdriver)
    • Use needle-nose pliers to remove hair and debris
  2. Use a zip-it tool:
    • Insert plastic cleaning tool into drain
    • Pull up to retrieve hair and debris
    • Repeat until clear
  3. Try baking soda and vinegar:
    • Pour 120g baking soda down drain
    • Follow with 120ml white vinegar
    • Cover drain for 15 minutes
    • Flush with hot water

Replacing Fixtures: Out with the Old

Replacing basic fixtures like taps and showerheads can update your bathroom’s look and improve functionality.

Replacing a Basin Tap

To replace a bathroom or kitchen tap:

  1. Turn off water: Close isolation valves under sink
  2. Disconnect supply lines: Use adjustable spanner to loosen nuts
  3. Remove old tap: Use basin wrench to reach mounting nuts under basin
  4. Clean mounting surface: Remove old sealant or debris
  5. Install new tap: Follow manufacturer’s instructions
  6. Connect supply lines: Hand-tighten, then quarter turn with spanner
  7. Turn on water: Open isolation valves and check for leaks

Replacing a Showerhead

One of the easiest upgrades:

  1. Unscrew old showerhead: Turn counterclockwise by hand
  2. Clean shower arm threads: Remove old plumber’s tape and debris
  3. Apply new plumber’s tape: Wrap 3-4 turns clockwise around threads
  4. Install new showerhead: Screw on by hand, then tighten gently with spanner
  5. Test for leaks: Turn on water and check connections

Replacing a Toilet

A more advanced project, but still DIY-able:

  1. Turn off water: Close isolation valve
  2. Drain cistern: Flush and sponge out remaining water
  3. Disconnect supply line: From cistern
  4. Remove old toilet: Unscrew floor bolts, rock gently to break wax seal
  5. Install new wax ring: On drain flange
  6. Set new toilet: Align with floor bolts
  7. Secure and connect: Tighten floor bolts, connect water supply
  8. Test: Turn on water, check for leaks, test flush

When to Call a Professional

While many plumbing tasks are DIY-friendly, some situations require professional help:

Call a Plumber When:

  • You have persistent leaks despite repairs
  • There’s sewage backing up into drains
  • You have no water pressure throughout the house
  • Your water heater is leaking or not working
  • You need to modify supply lines or drainage pipes
  • You smell gas near water heater or appliances
  • You have frozen pipes that may have burst
  • You’re unsure about any repair involving gas lines

Real-Life Application

Meet Emma, who noticed her water bill increasing despite no change in usage. After taking this course, she:

  1. Conducted a water audit: Checked all taps and toilets for leaks
  2. Discovered the culprit: A running toilet that had been wasting water for months
  3. Diagnosed the problem: Worn flush valve allowing water to seep into the bowl
  4. Purchased supplies: New flush valve assembly (£12)
  5. Completed the repair: Following the steps in this lesson

The result? Her next water bill decreased by £35, meaning the repair paid for itself in the first month. More importantly, Emma gained confidence in handling basic plumbing issues, reducing her reliance on emergency plumber calls.

The lesson? Simple plumbing repairs offer some of the best returns on investment in home maintenance.

Quick Quiz: Test Your Understanding

  1. What is the purpose of plumber’s tape (PTFE tape)?
    1. To glue pipes together
    2. To seal threaded connections
    3. To mark pipes for cutting
    4. To clean pipe surfaces
  2. Which tool is best for reaching the mounting nuts when replacing a basin tap?
    1. Pipe wrench
    2. Adjustable spanner
    3. Basin wrench
    4. Pliers
  3. What is the most likely cause of a toilet that runs intermittently?
    1. Cracked bowl
    2. Faulty fill valve
    3. Loose supply line
    4. Blocked drain
  4. When clearing a clogged sink, what should you do first?
    1. Use a chemical drain cleaner
    2. Disassemble the P-trap
    3. Try a plunger
    4. Call a plumber
  5. Which of these plumbing issues would most likely require professional help?
    1. Dripping tap
    2. Clogged shower drain
    3. Sewage backing up into multiple drains
    4. Running toilet

(Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-b, 4-c, 5-c)

Wrapping Up

Basic plumbing repairs are among the most valuable DIY skills you can develop. They save money, prevent water damage, and reduce water waste. While some plumbing tasks require professional expertise, many common issues can be resolved with basic tools and the knowledge you’ve gained in this lesson.

Remember that successful plumbing repairs begin with preparation: knowing where your shut-off valves are, having the right tools on hand, and understanding the components you’re working with. Take your time, keep a towel and bucket handy, and don’t be afraid to take photos before disassembling anything.

In our next lesson, we’ll explore simple electrical fixes—how to safely handle common electrical issues like replacing outlets, switches, and light fixtures. Until then, check your home for dripping taps or running toilets and try applying what you’ve learned.

Suggested Graphics for This Lesson

  1. Plumbing Tool Identification Chart: Visual guide to essential plumbing tools
  2. Tap Anatomy Diagrams: Exploded views of different tap types showing components
  3. Toilet Cistern Components: Labeled illustration of toilet cistern parts
  4. Drain Clearing Methods: Visual comparison of different techniques
  5. Decision Flowchart: Guide to determining when to DIY vs. call a professional