2813

Working hours

Always try to do plumbing work in the morning.

If you need anything - the shops will be open!

alpha
2913

Frozen pipes

If your pipes are frozen don't use a blow-torch!

Just a hair-dryer can often do the trick or try putting a hot water bottle against the pipe.

Eric
3013

Longer Lasting O-Rings

To make new O-rings last much longer just lubricate them with petroleum jelly (vaseline).

bob the
3413

Slow Loo

If the cistern is filling very slowly, check it has the right inlet valve.

Sometimes a high pressure valve is fitted to a low pressure system. If there's another one still attached to the ball valve and it has a bigger hole, just swap them.

Jonathan
5214

Your Electric Device Stops Working

Don't immediately assume your device is broken.

First try plugging another device ( a lamp is ideal ) into the same socket. If that doesn't work check the circuit breaker where the mains comes into your home. If the lamp does come on try changing the fuse in the plug of your appliance or it may have an in-built one.

jonah
5312

Brass Screw in Hard Wood

If your screw is made of a soft metal like brass it can easily shear off when screwing into hard wood or MDF.

You should drill a pilot hole first but also it's a good idea to grease the screw with soap or candlewax first to help it on its way.

jonah
5411

Finger Nails?

How to stop hitting your fingers when hammering nails.

Get a bit of strong card and poke the nail thru it. Use this to hold the nail in place whilst you wack it in. Tear of the card before hitting the nail home.

Eric
8211

Drilling

Use a bradawl to mark the hole before you drill through wood. This will stop the wood from splitting and the drill bit from slipping

When you drill a deep hole, pull out the drill bit a few times and remove waste. When you drill through metal, prevent overheating by drilling slowly and using some putty and a few drops of white spirit around the hole as lubricate. To drill through tiles, put some thick masking tape over the spot and use the smallest drill bit possible first, then drill again with the correct sized bit. If you don’t have small drill bit, use a nail instead (remove the head) in the drill.

diyme
10213

Blocked sink

If the water drains slowly in your sink it means a blockage has formed somewhere in the pipes. Pour some caustic soda down the plughole following the instructions

If this doesn’t work, you should use a plunger. Block the sink overflow with a piece of cloth or waterproof tape. Have at least two inches of water in the sink then push the plunger up and down over the plughole until it clears.rnIf this doesn’t work, you’ll have to take off the trap (the bendy thing underneath) and clean it together with the waste pipe.rnTo prevent blockages pour diluted caustic soda down the plughole once a month.

Anthony
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