Top 10 DIY Plumbing Tips:

• 1.When you move into a new house or property try to locate the main stopcock which shuts off the water supply to the house-do not wait until you have a major problem, then it will be too late
• 2.Fit service valves to all your pipes ,this will allow you to work on the bathroom sink for instance without it affecting the water supply in the bath, shower or toilet for instance, this gives every service its own identity and allows you to change taps or solve water leak problems without shutting off the water supply in the entire house.
• 3.If you find water leaking from pipes or joints -turn off water supply and remove the compression joint. Apply joint compound or PT FE tape to the threads of the compression joints and then redo them tightly. This should stop the "weeping" joints.
• 4.Leak's from the kitchen sink can be cured by: removing the sink drainer, applying putty or clear sealant to the bottom of the sink drainer ,replacing it in the hole and tightening the screw in the middle.
• 5. A blocked sink can be unblocked using various methods,but the most effective is to remove the trap from the bottom of the sink and using an old wire coat hanger or a drain auger to remove the blockage-after unblocking ,redo the compression joints on the traps.
• 6. Where space is tight and the use of compression joints would cause a leak because they cannot be fully tightened then the best option is to use flexible connectors
• 7.In cold seasons or winter your pipes must be "lagged" to stop them from freezing. This is just a method of putting a foam covering over the pipes -a bit like an "overcoat" to protect them from freezing up.
• 8. There has been some sort of controversy about copper pipes leaving a taste from drinking water, if you are worried about any health issue regarding copper pipes then you can fit plastic pipes instead. Bear in mind that plastic pipes under floorboards can be chewed by squirrels and other rodents ,so beware.
• 9.When connecting items like washing machines ,make sure that they are connected properly to the back and that the pipes are not "kinked"-because if the pipes are leaking you will not even know it until it is too late ,especially if you have wooden floors.
• 10.When working on any plumbing joint make sure that everything is fully tightened and that there are no leaks before you leave the job because there is nothing worse than a slow leaking pipe for 24 hrs of the day that you are not aware of, it can destroy your ceilings and floors