4 ways to prevent an embarrassing plumbing problem
Ask people to recall their most embarrassing home disasters and they’ll usually squeal about the time they had to get a plumber round to fix that problem with the toilet, which just so happened to be when they were hosting a house full of guests for Christmas, a birthday, or basically any other occasion when a clogged or leaking toilet would make you want to be flushed down one.
If you’ve invited friends or family over for the bank holiday, don’t be caught short – use our top tips for preventing an embarrassing plumbing disaster:
- Check your water pressure
You can do this via the water pressure gauge or regulator to get an exact reading, or you may simply carry out a hand test by placing your hand under each running tap.
If you notice any pressure changes, or water leaks, rust or damage around fittings, call a professional plumber straightaway as this may indicate serious pipe damage hidden within the walls or beneath the floors, which can lead to damp, corrosion and floods.
- Test your toilet for leaks
Put a couple of drops of food colouring in the toilet tank and leave it overnight. If the colour appears in the toilet bowl the next morning, your toilet’s flapper may need replacing.
The flapper is the rubber cover at the bottom of the tank that releases water during a flush, but over time, flappers can warp out of shape and cause water to leak. This is problematic because it will eventually push the water level in your toilet bowl to capacity and leave none left in the tank to flush with.
- Caulk your toilet
If your toilet is located near the sink, bath or shower, you may wish to use a sealant to prevent overspills of water getting underneath the toilet and rotting the floors below.
If your toilet has been caulked for many years and the sealant has begun to discolour, you can remove the old caulk and apply a new coat for an instant upgrade. It’s worth doing this even if your caulk has not discoloured to check that your toilet is not leaking, as caulk can sometimes hide a leaky bowl by sealing the excess water in.
- Carry out a deep clean
It’s natural for scale, metal stains, bacteria, mould and mildew to build up in your toilet tank and bowl. When you flush, the water travels from the tank to refill the bowl, and if it’s dirty or if there are obstructions preventing the flow, blocks, leaks and corrosion can occur.
A severe build up of these substances can be difficult to remove thus regular cleaning is advised inside the tank, the bowl and the siphon jets.
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