Do you take on DIY Plumbing tasks around the house?

 

Have you ever had a go at DIY plumbing tasks around the house? Well, it turns out that 32% of people in the country admit to having to call a professional plumber to fix a mess they've made whilst attempting to correct plumbing issues themselves! The statistics published by the Water Regulation Advisory Scheme or simply WRAS show that 50% of people that take on plumbing tasks themselves use YouTube as their source of information, although watching videos can help and even get the job done, at the end of the day you aren't gaining any insight and instead simply following steps. The research also suggests that people are willing to learn and take a crack as small jobs themselves, things like bleeding a radiator, fixing a leaky tap or installing a washing machine. Today, let's take a look at some more statistics on this topic, some tips on household plumbing tasks and how you can learn these basics the right way...

 

Plumbing courses

Do you take on DIY Plumbing tasks around the house?

 

Although it seems there are many people that would try their hand at plumbing tasks there are obviously people that would not. The statistics show that 29% of UK adults say that they would never attempt to take on plumbing tasks in fear that they would do more damage than good and or don't feel confident enough to try their hand. Obviously it is very much dependent on the task at hand whether or not you should you should attempt to fix an issue, even though DIY is a great way to save money and gain some personal satisfaction, some jobs are best left to the professionals, pluming can be challenging and without any training you could be left feeling lost trying to follow along with online guides. If you are out of your depth it is always best to call a professional, qualified plumber such as one approved by Watersafe.

 

What are some basics tasks I can try?

 

Shower pressure issues:

 

Grime and limescale build up is extremely common within showers. Maybe you have noticed that your shower head is much weaker than it used to be after years without maintenance. This is a relatively easy task, all you will need is some de-scaling solution just like what you would use in your kettle or even a mix of vinegar and water.  You'll need to unscrew the shower head and then remove the spray plate, then place the head in the de-scaling solution to remove the build-up and reassemble, this should improve the pressure and get things working as it used to.

 

Replacing the shower head:

 

Replacing a shower head is barley a plumbing job as it is really simple to do and can be done without any plumbing knowledge at all. You simply unscrew the old shower head counter-clockwise, clean and remove and gunk from the fixture and screw on the newly purchased shower head. Although this a relatively basic task it actually can reduce your water consumption by up to 30% each time someone showers. This is a really easy task that will make a huge difference.

 

The leaky tap:

 

This is relatively straightforward to resolve, depending on the type of faucet you have.  It usually requires you to replace the washer within the tap itself, which is a small ring often made out of stainless steel. They are inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store.  You then need to unscrew the tap and change the washer.  It is a good idea to take out the old washer first and take this with you to the shop, to make sure you get the right size for your sink. This should fix the issue, if you are still having problems then you may want to contact a professional. 

 

Blocked drain:

 

Conventional drain cleaners are all well and good but never seem to get the job done. To remove items that have become stuck, use a plunger in the first instance to create suction power to draw the blockage downwards.  If this doesn’t work, you can use cable auger, which you can buy from a hardware store works. You just work this through the pipes and even into the drain itself. If the drain doesn’t flow more smoothly after pulling out debris you can use natural items such as baking soda and vinegar to break down anything else and should unclog your drain. 

 

Slow flowing kitchen tap:

 

Sometimes the kitchen faucet can begin to flow slowly. The aerator can become dirty and be the cause of the issue. The aerator is the mesh piece located in the faucet top. By cleaning this area, you will increase the pressure of your kitchen sink. You may have to replace the entire faucet if this continues, which again is relatively simple to do and will be much cheaper than calling in a plumber. Just make sure that you turn off your water at the mains before removing the old one.

 

Interested in training?

 

Interested in learning the basics of the trade? Here at our training centre in Dartford, Kent we offer a complete range of Plumbing courses that are comprehensive and taught to a high standard. We help our students learn and develop new skills through a mix of both practical hands-on experience and underpinning theory knowledge. Whether you are thinking about getting a new career in motion or you simply want to improve your DIY skills, we have got you covered! We teach a 5-day long Introduction to Plumbing course perfect for mastering the absolute basics of plumbing.

 

The course is short yet intensive and will cover all of the obvious issues that can arise within a domestic property in an attempt to teach you how to deal with certain things but more importantly, will provide guidance on when/if you really do need to call out a Plumber. The course has been recognised as a great introductory course and therefore you will receive a certificate upon completion assured by City & Guilds. Take a look below at some of our current students learning the basics in a mock bathroom here at our centre...

 

 


Contact us:

 

If you would like to gain more insight into our range of Plumbing courses feel free to contact us over the phone on 01322 280 202 - We are happy to answer any questions, provide guidance on the best route to achieve your personal career goals and of course process your booking. You are also completely welcome to visit our training centre in person, whilst here we can discuss how plumbing courses or any other training options work in more detail and even take you on a guided tour around our facilities so that you can see for yourself the great work that we do here. Our office is open 7-days-a-week to anybody interested in training, come and speak to a member of staff at a social distance between 8:30 - 16:30!

 

Find us at:

 

Plumbing courses

Plumbing courses with us result in industry-recognised qualifications.