There are some plumbing jobs home owners can do, but in Australia regulations are very strict when it comes to plumbing. A licensed plumber and gasfitter must carry out all installations and major repairs. Check with the water-supply authority in your area to find out what do-it-yourself plumbing jobs you can safely undertake at home.
Spot the leak
All pipe connections – between pipes, to a tap, to drainage, etc. – are potential sources of leakage. Any soggy areas of ground or unexplained rises in your water bill may indicate broken or cracked pipes. • Be attentive and trace leaks. A little seepage of water can cause major problems further down the track, especially when it comes to fine cracks, as they’re difficult to see at first. • Locate the origin of the leak, turn off the water at the mains and call a licensed plumber to fix the problem. • Dripping taps and a running cistern may simply need a new washer.
Stop the drips
When a tap drips, turning it off even tighter only makes the problem worse – it probably needs a new washer put in. • Shut the water off at the mains. If you live in a house, the water meter will probably be near your front boundary. If you live in a unit, apartment or townhouse complex, the mains tap may be inside. Turn on a tap to check that the water has stopped running. If the water hasn’t stopped running, call a plumber. • Once the mains water has been shut off, undo the main nut on the leaking tap using a shifter. • There are three washers to replace. These are: the large-body washer (usually red or orange), the O-ring on the spindle (use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove it), and the tap washer, which should simply drop out of the spindle. • Lubricate the spindle with vaseline, then reassemble the unit. • Once the tap is reassembled, partially open it and turn the mains back on. If your tap is still leaking it means the seat is probably pitted and it will have to be reground. (Seat-grinding kits are available from most hardware shops, or pay a plumber to do it for you.)
Fix faulty flush systems
Toilet cisterns overflow because the inlet valve doesn’t shut off when the water reaches its correct level. In this case, check the first four points listed below, but if water runs continuously from the cistern into the pan, the outlet valve is the problem, so check the last three points. • If the water level is too high, bend the brass float arm down a little to lower the water level in the cistern. • The inlet valve washer may be faulty, so replace it. • The inlet valve may be clogged, so dismantle and clean it. • The float may be fouling the inside of the cistern, so bend the float arm so the ball is clear of all obstacles. • Dirt or water-borne minerals may clog the valve, which you can fix quickly by simply cleaning it out. • In old cisterns there is a tiny groove in the brass plate under the suction washer, which may need cleaning out. Check if this is the case. • A reduced flush can result from either the water level setting being too low, so adjust the brass float arm upwards, or the outlet valve suction washer may be faulty, so replace it. If the latter is the case, you’ll hear the valve fall back into place just after flushing starts.
Clearing blockages
There are various ways to unblock sinks or basins. • U-bends are generally made out of plastic and have an access cap that you can unscrew to remove whatever is causing the blockage, but remember to put a bucket underneath as there’ll be water in the bend that you’ll have to clean up if it doesn’t land in the bucket. • If the blockage is further along, run a length of wire (coathangers are perfect for this) to clean out the pipe. • If that doesn’t work, use a plunger. Place a plunger over the clogged drain. Add enough water to cover the plunger lip and form a seal. Plunge straight up and down several times and ‘pop’ the plunger away. Repeat this method a few times to free the blockage. Remove it by hand and discard. • You can also use one of the many chemical products available on the market. These cleaners are made primarily from caustic soda. Read the label on the drain cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. After using a chemical cleaner, flush the cleaner from the pipes using hot water. | 
