It may come as a surprise, but not all plumbing work around your home requires an emergency call to the plumber. With some simple plumbing tricks, you can easily fix minor plumbing issues yourself. Sure, you can’t possibly perform slab leak repairs, but even unclogging your shower drain can prevent large-scale water damage in the long run. Besides, by acquiring some useful DIY skills, you could actually save some quid. That said, let’s make you a skilled DIY plumber! Unclog the shower drain How will you know your shower drain is clogged in the first place? You’ll notice the water pouring away very slowly or more noticeably – not draining away at all. If you’re lucky, the debris causing the clog will be visible on the drain cover. If not, this is what you should do: 1. Remove the drain cover and have a closer look down the drain. Be careful when removing the cover –in most cases, you’ll have to use the screwdriver; if you’re reckless, you could scratch the finish. 2. Once you remove the cover, use a coat-hanger hook to fish out the debris. 3. When you’re done, screw the cover back in its place. Fix chipped enamel on the basin If the enamel on the basin is chipped, it doesn’t mean it needs replacing. It looks unsightly, though, so you can’t simply leave it be either. Luckily, there is a simple way to fix it. Before you begin, you’ll need to buy some epoxy adhesive. Once you’ve got it, follow these steps: 1. Take a sponge and scrub the chipped area. 2. Afterwards, rub the 400 to 600-grit wet-and-dry sandpaper over the scrubbed area – it will become rough. 3. Mix epoxy ingredients according to the label, making sure that the colour of the epoxy putty matches that of the enamel. 4. Apply the putty by filling it into the chip with a small brush (an old toothbrush will do) and leave it to dry – the epoxy label should specify the required time. Silence rattling pipes If you hear a disquieting rattle at night, don’t be alarmed – it might be your pipes. If the water pressure is constantly high, it gradually loosens the pipe nails, which in turn causes the rattle. This is what you should do: 1. Remove the existing nails and...
If you have a bidet in your bathroom, it’s probably been there since the 1980s, and if it gets used at all, it’ll be for washing your feet or chilling the champagne. So, why are we so unenthusiastic about this very sensible and highly hygienic bathroom addition? Lloyd Wells, working with The Bathroom Discount Centre takes a closer look at the classic bathroom fixture… Many people blame are convinced that bidets are simply not part of British culture, and blame the French for introducing what they see as unnecessary sanitaryware to these shores. Bidets do indeed date back to 17th century France and became a staple bathroom fixture there in the last century. British home interiors finally adopted the ‘trend’ in the 1980s – hoping to add a touch of French chic and sophistication to our (probably avocado coloured) bathroom suites – but the love affair didn’t last. Now, there is hardly any demand for bidets. But let’s put prejudice aside and take a long hard look at the product itself. Is it possible that we are missing a trick? Are there any good arguments for bringing the bidet back to our British bathrooms? 1. It’s more hygienic than just using toilet paper Think about it: If your hands touch something dirty (think dog poo or similar), you don’t just wipe them on a tissue, you scrub them with soap and water to get rid of any germs. So, why then would you only use dry toilet tissue to clean your bottom? Surely, this most sensitive of areas should be treated with extra care and attention for maximum hygiene. 2. It benefits your health Using a bidet for its intended purpose gives you a proper hygiene regime that can not only prevent health problems from occurring, it can also help people with certain health conditions. Those suffering from constipation or haemorrhoids, for instance, will be pleased not to have to endure the rough feel of the toilet paper, preferring the soothing cleaning action of a jet of warm water to relieve any discomfort. Some high end bidets have specially adapted nozzles and even warm air dryers for a thorough cleaning job. 3. It saves you money According to market research company Mintel, Britons spend around £1.2 billion per year on what’s termed the soft hygienic tissue paper market. If...
A blocked toilet can be extremely frustrating and it usually happens at the most inconvenient times. What will you need? To unblock a toilet there are some essential tools that you will need to clear your problem: – Plunger – Rubber Gloves – Goggles – Bucket – Clearing Rods – Auger Before you begin Before you begin it is important that you locate whereabouts the blockage is and ensure that you have...