While Dyno plumbing repair may be a last resort for those willing to try to fix things themselves, for others, they’re the first port of call. Some people don’t feel confident enough fiddling with their home’s plumbing and when you have no idea what you’re doing, who can blame them?
Learning to handle the smaller issues, however, can help to save you money and inconvenience in the future. While one callout won’t cost much at all, if you rely on the professionals for every little leak or blockage, it could get a little pricey. By learning the basics, such as how to unblock a toilet and how to fix a leaking pipe, even if it is a temporary fix, it means you can rely on yourself a little more.
Leaking pipes can lead to big problems in some cases, especially if the leak is missed and turns out to be rather large. Trying to fix the leak as soon as possible is essential to avoid further damage and while bigger leaks may require you to bring in the experts; you could tackle the smaller jobs.
Before you attempt any DIY fixing, make sure you turn off the mains water supply. The stopcock is usually found underneath the kitchen sink; turn it clockwise to shut off the mains. The next step is to relieve the pressure in the system, so that any strain on the affected pipe is removed. To do this, turn all the taps that are connected to the leaking pipe on so that any circulating water in the system drains away. Alternatively, look for any bleed valves.
At this point, it’s up to you whether you call in the professionals or not. If you’re confident to tackle it on your own, you will need to replace the affected fittings with new fixtures and test the connections. If you’d prefer to let an expert look at it, now is the time to call in water meter leak detector or specialists.
Whether you choose to repair the leaking pipe or not, you need to be able to turn off the water mains. Make sure you know where the stopcock is, just in case you ever need it.