The UK’s Top 10 Plumbing Issues

A recent survey carried out by WRAS (Water Regulation Advisory Scheme) has revealed the top 10 plumbing issues in the UK, with a dripping tap coming in as the number one problem. More than one in 10 homeowners have experienced this rather annoying issue in the past five years, and even a small trickle from a dripping tap can waste both water and money. According to WaterSafe, by fixing a dripping tap, homeowners could save at least £18 a year if they are on a water meter, as well as 5,500 litres of water. The study of 2,000 homeowners also revealed that leaking pipes, clogged drains and a running toilet topped the list of complaints.

Dripping tap 14%

Leaking pipe 11%

Slow or clogged drains 10%

Running toilet 9%

Burst pipe 6%

Water temperature issue 5%

Noisy pipes 5%

Frozen pipes 4%

Flooding 3%

Water storage tank failure 2%

Fixing a dripping tap – to help you fix the UK’s number one plumbing issue, check out our expert guide on how to fix a dripping tap. This guide includes a handy video and easy to follow step-by-step instructions to help you get the job done with a minimum of fuss.

Clogged sink drain – for a slow or clogged drain, make sure to check out our guide on how to unblock a sink in 10 steps. The main culprit of a blocked sink is usually hair and soap scum. You can either use a plunger, a specialist drain unblocker gel or a combination of baking soda, white vinegar and soda crystals to clear the blockage. Hopefully one of these methods will do the trick.

Running toilet – there are several reasons why the toilet keeps running, one of the most common causes is that the flapper sticks open and does not completely cover the valve. So, to resolve this, you will need to reach into the tank and simply close the flapper. Other fixes include lowering the float to prevent the water level rising too high and also checking the water valve is fully on to ensure the water stays at the correct level. See our guide on how to fix a running toilet for more tips and advice on how to solve this common plumbing issue.

At BigBathroomShop, you’ll find a great selection of expert how-to bathroom guides ranging from how to fit a vanity unit to sealing a shower tray and top tips for cleaning shower glass to a sparkle, plus many more, so you can complete your bathroom renovation project or just keep your bathroom looking in tip top condition.