Simple DIY Plumbing Jobs
Even experienced DIYers tend to tread carefully around water and electrics — and rightly so. If your home springs a major leak, it’s time to call an emergency plumber. But what about the small stuff? Many everyday plumbing problems are simple enough to fix yourself with a few basic tools, a bit of patience, and a watchful eye for leaks.
Here’s a breakdown of common DIY plumbing jobs you can safely tackle in 2025, and when to leave it to the professionals.
Fixing a Dripping Tap
Few sounds are as irritating as a tap that won’t stop dripping. Beyond the noise, it’s also wasteful: even a slow drip can waste over 5,000 litres of water per year (Water UK, 2025).
How to fix it
- Turn off the water supply at the isolation valve or mains.
- Open the tap to release any water pressure.
- Remove the tap handle and unscrew the top to expose the washer or ceramic cartridge.
- Replace the rubber washer (older taps) or ceramic disc cartridge (modern mixer taps) - both are widely available at DIY stores.
- Reassemble and test for leaks.
2025 tip: Many modern taps use ceramic cartridges rather than washers. Bring the old part to the shop to ensure a perfect match.
Dealing with Slow or Blocked Drains
If your sink or bath drains slowly, don’t panic as it’s one of the easiest fixes in home plumbing.
How to clear it
- Start with boiling water, pouring down the drain in stages.
- Follow with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar — an eco-friendly, chemical-free solution that helps break down grime and soap scum.
- Use a sink plunger to free the blockage if needed.
- Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
If water still doesn’t drain, you can try:
- Removing and cleaning the u-bend (trap) under the sink (place a bowl underneath first).
- Using a flexible drain snake to reach further blockages.
Call a professional if:
- Multiple fixtures are blocked (a sign of a main drain issue).
- The blockage smells foul or causes water to back up elsewhere.
Preventative tip: Use drain strainers in sinks and showers, and run hot water regularly to flush grease and soap residues.
Replacing a Shower Head
This job takes less than 10 minutes and can instantly improve water flow — especially if you live in a hard-water area.
How to replace it
- Unscrew the existing shower head from the hose or arm.
- Clean away the limescale on the fitting using white vinegar or a descaler spray.
- Wrap PTFE tape (plumber’s tape) around the thread to prevent leaks.
- Screw on the new head and hand-tighten.
Modern option: Consider a water-saving shower head — many models cut water use by up to 50% while maintaining strong pressure (Waterwise, 2025).
Maintenance tip: Soak the shower head in vinegar once a month to prevent limescale build-up.
Preventing Frozen or Burst Pipes
Each winter, thousands of UK homes face burst pipes — most often in unheated lofts, garages, or external walls.
Burst pipes can cause significant water damage, but prevention is straightforward.
How to protect your plumbing
- Insulate exposed pipes using foam lagging sleeves (widely available in DIY stores).
- Focus on pipes in lofts, garages, and under floors.
- Keep your heating on low (around 12°C–15°C) during cold snaps, even if you’re away.
- Leave internal doors open to help warm air circulate.
- Find your stopcock (main water shut-off valve) and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
If a pipe does freeze:
- Turn off the mains water immediately.
- Thaw the frozen section slowly using a hairdryer or warm towels — never use a naked flame.
- Once thawed, check for leaks and turn the water back on slowly.
Other Easy Plumbing Wins
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Eco tip: The average UK home can save up to £80/year on water bills (Ofwat, 2025) by fitting aerators, fixing leaks, and upgrading to efficient shower heads.
When to Call a Professional
DIY plumbing is fine for small fixes, but call a qualified plumber if:
- You’re dealing with gas or boiler connections.
- The problem involves hidden pipework or ceilings/walls.
- There’s persistent water pressure loss or backflow from drains.
- You suspect mains pipe damage or a leak under flooring.
Always choose a WaterSafe or CIPHE-registered plumber, and for boiler-related jobs, only a Gas Safe engineer.
Summary
Small plumbing jobs like fixing a drip, clearing a drain, or swapping a shower head can save money and water, and are completely safe for confident DIYers.
For complex or risky work involving boilers, electrics, or internal pipe systems, always get a professional.
2025 rule of thumb:
- If it’s visible and accessible — you can probably fix it.
- If it’s behind a wall or connects to gas — call an expert.
