DIY Academy category

Plumbing DIY guides.

Homeowner-safe plumbing guidance for leaks, isolation valves, blocked toilets, traps, taps and when to call a qualified plumber.

Beginner · 8 min read What to do when you have a leak before the plumber arrives

Turn off the water if you can do so safely, move valuables, contain the water, avoid electrics and send clear photos or video to the plumber before they attend. Cost: £0-£20 for temporary damage control; pro: Emergency plumber call-out commonly starts from £120, depending on time, access and severity. Timeline: 10-30 minutes to reduce immediate damage before professional help. Finding and permanently repairing the leak may take a separate plumber visit depending on access, parts and hidden pipework.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Intermediate · 12 min read How kitchen tap replacement works

Kitchen tap replacement starts with isolating the water and checking the pipe connections under the sink Cost: £40-£180; pro: from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 9 min read How to unblock a sink safely

Most sink blockages are caused by grease, food waste, hair, soap or debris trapped in the waste pipe or trap Cost: £5-£25; pro: from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

A leaking tap can come from the cartridge, washer, O-ring, spout seal, flexible tail or pipe connection Cost: £10-£60; pro: from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 8 min read How to bleed a radiator properly

Bleeding a radiator releases trapped air so hot water can circulate properly Cost: £3-£15; pro: from £85 call-out. Timeline: 10-30 minutes to bleed one radiator, plus time to check boiler pressure and heat-up. Repeated air, leaks or cold spots need plumbing investigation.

A dishwasher needs a suitable cold water feed, waste connection, power supply, level installation and leak test Cost: £10-£80 if connections already exist; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 1-3 hours for a straightforward replacement where services already exist; half a day or more if plumbing, waste, electrics, cabinets or levelling need work.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Dishwasher not draining: checks before calling a plumber

A dishwasher that will not drain may have a blocked filter, kinked hose, blocked sink trap, waste spigot issue or pump fault Cost: £0-£15; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 1-3 hours for a straightforward replacement where services already exist; half a day or more if plumbing, waste, electrics, cabinets or levelling need work.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 11 min read How to connect a washing machine

A washing machine needs water feed, waste hose, level position and safe power Cost: £10-£50 if connections exist; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Washing machine not draining: what to check

A washing machine may not drain because of a blocked filter, kinked hose, blocked waste or pump fault Cost: £0-£15; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Blocked toilet: what to do before calling a plumber

Stop flushing a blocked toilet Cost: £5-£20; pro: emergency plumber from £120 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 12 min read Low water pressure in the house: causes and checks

Low water pressure can be local to one tap, whole-house, hot water only or cold water only Cost: £0-£20; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Radiator cold at bottom: what it means

A radiator cold at the bottom often suggests sludge or poor circulation, while cold at the top usually suggests trapped air Cost: £0-£15; pro: plumber from £85 call-out. Timeline: 10-30 minutes to bleed one radiator, plus time to check boiler pressure and heat-up. Repeated air, leaks or cold spots need plumbing investigation.

Best for: Safe first checks before deciding whether a plumber, emergency visit or inspection is needed. Call a professional if: Call a plumber if water is escaping, pipework is hidden, isolation fails, drainage backs up or the property cannot be left out of service. Read guide Beginner · 10 min read Boiler pressure low: what to do safely

Low boiler pressure can stop heating or hot water Cost: £0; pro: plumber or heating engineer quoted by issue. Timeline: 30 minutes to 3 hours for diagnosis or a simple repair where parts and access are straightforward. Hidden leaks, seized fittings, waste issues or replacement parts can turn it into a longer visit.