Plumbing Problems: DIY vs. Local Plumbers

We all need a local plumber from time to time but, if you’re strapped for cash, you might find yourself wondering: “How hard can it be?” Professional plumbers are there for when you have a job that you can’t do yourself. After all, while some plumbing jobs are pretty mundane, others definitely need a professional […]

Posted on April 24, 2017 at 12:53 AM


a woman having plumbing problems with her sink

We all need a local plumber from time to time but, if you’re strapped for cash, you might find yourself wondering: “How hard can it be?”

Professional plumbers are there for when you have a job that you can’t do yourself. After all, while some plumbing jobs are pretty mundane, others definitely need a professional hand. Using our handy guide for reference, you’ll know what jobs you can do yourself and what jobs you should book a local plumber for…

No Hot Water

A cold shower on a winter’s morning would put even the cheeriest of people in a bad mood.

DIY or Local Plumber?

In this case, it’s neither. While water issues are usually a plumber’s domain, a lack of heated water is a boiler issue. Fortunately, you can also book heating engineers through Fixington. Our heating engineers are all certified and offer a variety of boiler services.

Install a Dishwasher

The dishwasher was invented in 1886 by Josephine Cochrane after she was tired of seeing her plates broken by her servants. Over 100 years later, we still use the same basic design. If it’s so old, surely anyone can install one, right?

DIY or Local Plumber?

That depends. It’s entirely possible to install a dishwasher yourself, providing you have the right parts and a bit of experience. It can be a difficult job and you’ll want to leave yourself a full day to do it, but it can be done. Still, if you don’t have the time, the materials, or the know-how, then our team will happily help you.

Install a Washing Machine

The humble washing machine is actually a much more complicated machine than we realise. Like the dishwasher, it’s an electrical appliance which also uses water. As a result, it’s something you want to fit correctly — because no-one wants their water supply and their electric supply to mix!

DIY or Local Plumber?

This one also depends. It’s just as difficult — if not more so — to install a washing machine than a dishwasher. It’s perfectly doable, but you’ll need the right equipment and the right knowledge. Of course, if you don’t have the time or the patience, that’s what our plumbers are for.

Install a Toilet

If your toilet’s seen better days, it’s worth considering replacement or repair.

DIY or Local Plumber?

DIY… But we can do it faster! If you’ve got the right bits and bobs and you know what you’re doing, you can install a toilet in a matter of hours. However, if time is money to you, then our plumbers can do it quicker.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that removing and replacing a toilet is a much simpler job than installing a toilet where there hasn’t been a toilet before. The latter is something you should probably use a tradesman for.

Install a Sink or Basin

We use them for wildly different things, but the basics behind a sink and a toilet are actually pretty similar. As a result, the advice is much the same.

DIY or Local Plumber?

DIY… But we can do it faster! Sinks come in different shapes and sizes. Installing a drop-in sink in a place where a sink has already been is straightforward enough, though our plumbers are always there if you need it done fast. As for installing a sink in a brand new location, this is somewhat trickier.

Unblock a Drain or Plughole

Blocked drains can be a nightmare. They can leave your sinks and toilets dirty, unusable and — above all — smelly.

DIY or Local Plumber?

If you’re not squeamish, this is a DIY job. First of all, it’s worth trying out some basic home remedies. A plunger can go a long way, so give that a go first. If that doesn’t work, there are some sink unblocking kits which you can buy from the shops. You’ll need to make sure the room is well-ventilated and follow the instructions.

If neither of those options works, then it’s time to start taking things apart. This is when things can get very ugly. You’ll want some rubber gloves and a strong stomach for this job.

If none of that works, you can’t find the source of the blockage, or you just plain don’t want to, then our local plumbers can help.

Toilet Flush Problems

Almost as bad as blocked toilets are toilet flush problems. These come in many forms.

DIY or Local Plumber?

It depends. If you’ve identified what the problem is and you have the right parts to fix it, then this is a DIY problem. You flush might be too weak, it might be too strong, it might be flooding, or it might be that the cistern isn’t filling up properly. After you’ve figured out the issue, you then need the right part to fix it.

If you don’t know what the issue is, if you can’t find the part, or if you can’t find the time, our plumbers can fix problems like these in about an hour.

Shower Problems

Showers have a longer history than you might expect and, as time has passed, they’ve become more and more advanced. As a result, a ‘shower problem’ could be a whole host of things.

DIY or Local Plumber?

It could be a DIY job, a professional plumber job, a heating engineer job, or an electrician job! Showers are complicated. As a result, any number of things could be wrong with it. Before you try and fix the problem, or before you book someone to fix the problem, you should try and figure out what kind of shower problem you have.

Fix a Leak

Leaks might seem harmless enough, but they can be an absolute blighter if left unchecked.

DIY or Local Plumber?

It should be obvious. Leaks are a straightforward problem, though that doesn’t necessarily make them an easy one to fix. Step one is to find the source of the leak and step two is to fix it. If you can’t complete step one, call a plumber. If you can’t complete step two, call a plumber. If you can complete steps one and two then, well, you don’t have a problem anymore, do you?

The steps are simple, but completing the steps can be fiendishly difficult. Sometimes, finding the exact source of the leak can be a real pain. Sometimes you’re able to find it, but you can’t reach it, while sometimes you can find it, reach it, but you’re unable to fix it. That’s what local plumbers are there for.

…And Finally! Repair and Replace Taps

Though the two are used together, the plumbing for taps is separate to sinks, so repairing them or replacing them is a separate job.

DIY or Local Plumber?

With the parts and the knowledge, this is a DIY job. Firstly, do you want to repair or replace your taps? Secondly, what kind of taps do you have? Thirdly, do you know what kind of taps you should have for your water system? Fourthly, do you have the right parts? Finally, do you know what you’re doing?

Repairing and replacing taps is a DIY job for those with the answers to those important questions. Figuring out the answers to those questions is simple enough if you have the time. If you don’t, Fixington is always just a few clicks away!

No matter what your plumbing needs, Fixington are here to help. If there’s a DIY job you’d rather not DIY, contact Fixington now to book a local plumber FAST.

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