Save money on your home plumbing now and in the long term with our DIY solutions, plus advice for when you need to call in the professionals.
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Money-saving DIY plumbing tips
We all rely on the plumbing in our homes to keep our lives running smoothly. Unfortunately, when plumbing problems occur they can cause a great deal of disruption, and cost a lot of money. But, you might not always need to call a plumber. There are some money-saving solutions you can try yourself to prevent plumbing problems from getting out of hand in the first place and put things right if they do.
Here are our tried and tested tips on how you can save money on your home plumbing now and in the long term through DIY solutions, as well as some advice on when you need to call in the professionals.
Take care of your drains
Blocked drains can cause huge problems and be very costly to repair if left untreated. One of the easiest ways to save money on your plumbing is to take precautions. This will reduce the likelihood of your drains becoming blocked in the first place. Some tips include:
1. Use sink strainers
Sink strainers are small, extremely affordable devices that fit over your plug hole. They can be used in the kitchen to trap food, hair, & other debris. This will prevent them from entering your plumbing system and blocking your drains. You simply empty the contents into the bin, potentially saving you time and money.
Anything bulky or absorbent should never be flushed down the toilet. Some wipes might be marketed as “flushable”, but that’s not always the case. They can actually block your drains, so they should always be binned instead. Likewise, sanitary products should only ever be put in the bin, never down the toilet. If you take these precautions and your toilet still becomes blocked, you can try clearing it with a plunger or pouring warm water down it. You might be able to solve the problem yourself without needing to call in the experts.
3. Clean your drains with vinegar and baking soda
Sometimes the old-fashioned remedies are the best. Pouring equal parts of vinegar and baking soda down the drain will create a chemical reaction that can help clear blockages. Wait a few minutes for the reaction to finish, then flush the system out thoroughly with boiling water. Doing this once a month will help to keep your drains clear of debris and blockages.
And while many chemical products on the market claim to do the same job, we do not recommend these. They pollute the environment and can cause damage to your pipes.
Some tree roots are powerful enough to penetrate pipes and once inside they can continue to grow until they block the drain completely. This can end up quite costly if left untreated. The best prevention is to plan your garden appropriately by planting trees at least 2-3 metres away from underground pipes. It also helps to choose species that don’t have extensive root systems.
If you have an established garden, take a look at your property’s sewer diagram and compare it with where you have trees planted. If necessary, consider relocating or removing them.
When boiling water and all the other methods just aren’t cutting the mustard, then it’s probably time to call in professional plumbing services. For more information on blocked drains; signs, prevention, more DIY tips & what your local Wagga Plumber can do to help – you may also like to check out this article: How to clear a blocked drain & when you need to call an expert.
Learn how to identify leaks
Leaks can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated. They also lead to a lot of water being wasted each year. There are several steps you can take to minimise leaks in your home without needing to call out a plumber:
5. Don’t ignore a dripping tap
If a tap is dripping, this is an indication of a small leak. It’s important to deal with it before the problem gets worse, and you can do this by learning about the different types of tap leaks:
A leak from the bottom of the tap, known as the “collar”, means the O-ring in the tap needs changing. This is the washer located at the top of the spindle.
A leak from the spout of the tap means that you need to change the rubbery washer connected to the valve seat.
You can easily do these jobs yourself – check out the DIY video below. However, if the leak is worse and the tap will not turn on or off, the entire tap mechanism will likely need changing.
6. Find out how to shut off your water
If you have a major leak or pipe rupture, you need to shut off your water as quickly as possible to prevent serious damage to your home. However, in an emergency, it might not be easy to find the right valve, so you need to know where the main shut-off valve for the entire house is. This way, you can always turn off the water completely if anything goes wrong.
Due to the warmer climate, most water main valves in the Riverina are commonly found at the front of the house. It may be covered by a council cover plate. However, if you live in an apartment, there will be an individual shut-off valve, which is usually located underneath the kitchen sink.
Once you locate the valve, all you need to do is turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply to your home. It generally looks something like this:
7. Invest in water-saving appliances
One of the quickest and simplest ways to save money on your plumbing bills is to use less water. This is now easier than ever before as modern plumbing fixtures and appliances are designed to be more water-efficient. By simply changing your showerhead or investing in a new toilet for example, you can enjoy significant savings on your water bills.
Look for the WELS rating (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) on the products you’re looking at purchasing. The more stars a product achieves, the more water-efficient that particular product is.
Some problems are not safe or easy to deal with yourself. In these cases, you should always call out a professional, licensed plumber to diagnose and fix the problem as quickly as possible. For example, if you have tried all the measures we have suggested but your drains are still blocked, you need professional expertise to resolve this problem.
A plumber has the right tools and experience to identify the cause of the blockage. It could be something more complicated than hair or food, such as tree roots growing into your drains.
A professional plumber can also help to keep your plumbing running smoothly by providing regular checks and maintenance on your pipes, hot water systems, and water meter. This will make sure they perform at their best and reduce the likelihood of anything going wrong.
Although a DIY approach can resolve simple plumbing challenges, regular maintenance and prompt repairs by a professional will extend the functional lifespan of your home plumbing system.
With over two decades of experience in the plumbing industry, Pete is the driving force behind Pete’s Plumbing Solutions. His passion for plumbing and commitment to customer satisfaction has made him a trusted name in the Wagga Wagga community.
