Key takeaways
- ✓ Small leaks become big problems: dripping taps, rocking toilets and damp cabinets are early warning signs that need immediate attention.
- ✓ Know where your home's main water shut-off valve is before an emergency — and how to shut off individual toilets, sinks and appliances too.
- ✓ Persistent moisture from even minor leaks encourages mould and mildew, so fix drips sooner rather than later.
- ✓ Older galvanised iron pipes can rust and corrode, causing low pressure and brown-tinted water — a sign it's time for a plumber.
- ✓ Keep a plunger, drain snake and pipe wrench on hand so you can deal with minor clogs before they become overflows.
Why small plumbing problems deserve fast attention
The most common plumbing problems — leaks, drips and clogs — have a knack for sneaking up at the most inconvenient time. But most of them give warning signs long before they turn into a flooded kitchen or a saturated ceiling. With some basic preventive habits and routine maintenance, you can protect your home from major plumbing damage. Here are six tips that make the biggest difference.
1. Watch out for water leaks
Small leaks lead to major problems when they're ignored. Learn the early warning signs that trouble is on its way: a dripping fridge connection, a leaking tap, a toilet that rocks on its base, damp or swollen cabinetry under a sink. Each of these symptoms calls for action now, not later.
2. Fix problems sooner rather than later
A leaking tap is more than an annoyance. Over time, that constant moisture attacks your fixtures and cabinetry — and persistently damp materials are an open invitation for mould and mildew. Water-damaged areas that stay wet for more than a day or two can start growing mould, so the cheapest repair is almost always the early one.
3. Learn how to respond to overflows
When water is gushing from a toilet, sink or pipe, seconds count. Find out now where your home's main water shut-off valve is, so you can kill the supply fast in an emergency. If the valve sits in a dark or awkward spot, store the tools you'd need for a quick shut-off right next to it. Not sure where your main valve is? Ask your plumber to walk you through it — and every other important valve in the house — at your next service.
4. Know how to shut off individual appliances
Beyond the main valve, learn how to isolate the water supply to individual toilets, sinks, washing machines and other water-using appliances. When a single fixture fails, shutting off just that line stops the damage spreading without cutting water to the whole house — and makes the clean-up far easier.
5. Know your pipe material
It pays to know what your home's pipes are made of. Older homes plumbed with galvanised iron are prone to internal rusting and corrosion, which shows up as falling water pressure and a brown tint in the water. If you're seeing those signs, have a licensed plumber assess the pipes — replacement is a professional job.
6. Learn to tackle minor problems yourself
With basic tools and a little knowledge, you can handle simple plumbing hiccups on your own before they escalate. Keep a plunger, a drain snake and a pipe wrench somewhere handy, and you'll be able to clear most everyday clogs in drains and pipes quickly — long before they cause an overflow.
Need a hand in Sydney or Regional NSW?
If a plumbing failure has already left you with soaked carpets, wet walls or a musty smell, don't tackle the clean-up alone. One Prime Solutions provides expert water damage restoration and mould removal, responding 24/7 across Greater Sydney & Regional NSW. Call 1300 774 631 to get your home dry, clean and safe again.
Frequently asked questions
What are the early warning signs of a plumbing leak?
Look for dripping taps and fridge connections, toilets that rock on their base, damp or swollen cabinets under sinks, unexplained musty smells and falling water pressure. Any of these signs means moisture is going somewhere it shouldn't, and it's worth investigating straight away.
Where is my home's main water shut-off valve?
It's usually near your water meter at the front boundary, or where the supply pipe enters the house. Find it before you need it, keep any tools required for a quick shut-off nearby, and ask your plumber to show you all the important valves if you're unsure.
Why is my water pressure low and my water slightly brown?
In older homes this often points to galvanised iron pipes that have rusted and corroded internally. Corroded pipes restrict flow and tint the water, and they generally need to be assessed and replaced by a licensed plumber.
What should I do if a leak has already caused water damage?
Shut off the water supply, then act fast on drying — damp materials can start growing mould within a day or two. For anything beyond a small spill, call a professional restoration company to extract the water, dry the structure properly and treat any mould.
Sources & further reading
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Last reviewed 28 December 2018 by the One Prime Solutions team.