🧰 Top 10 Plumbing Tips for Homeowners
- GladPro Plumbing Services
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Expert Advice from GladPro Plumbing Services | Gravesend, Kent, Essex & South East London
Owning a home means maintaining its plumbing system to avoid unnecessary stress and costly repairs. At GladPro Plumbing Services, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Gravesend, Kent, Essex, and South East London manage, maintain, and protect their plumbing systems.
Here are our top 10 essential plumbing tips, designed to keep your home’s waterworks flowing smoothly year-round. 🏡🚿
1. 🔎 Know Where Your Stopcock Is
If a pipe bursts, time is critical. Your stopcock (also called a stop valve) lets you shut off the water supply quickly.
Where to find it:
Under your kitchen sink
Near your front door or water meter
In downstairs cupboards or utility rooms
👉 Tip from GladPro: Turn it off and on once every few months to prevent seizing. If it’s stuck, we can replace it.
2. 🚿 Prevent Blocked Drains with Smart Habits
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems we see across Gravesend, Kent, Essex and South East London. Preventing them is easier than fixing them.
Prevention tips:
Use hair catchers in showers and baths
Never pour fats, oils, or grease down your kitchen sink
Flush drains monthly with hot water and baking soda
Avoid flushing wet wipes—even if labelled “flushable”
👉 Blocked already? GladPro can clear stubborn blockages quickly and safely without damaging your pipes.
3. 💧 Fix Dripping Taps Quickly
A single dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water per year—enough to fill a small swimming pool!
Common causes:
Worn-out washers
Faulty cartridges in mixer taps
Loose connections or corrosion
👉 In Gravesend, Kent, Essex or South East London? Our plumbers can repair or replace taps quickly and efficiently!
4. 🛁 Check for Hidden Leaks
Some leaks hide behind walls, under flooring, or inside vanity units—and they don’t reveal themselves until serious damage is done.
Signs to look for:
Musty or damp smells
Peeling paint or wallpaper
Cracked grout or loose tiles
A sudden increase in your water bill
👉 Early detection saves you money, call GladPro Plumbing Services if you suspect you have a leak!
5. 🌡 Protect Pipes from Freezing in Winter
Frozen pipes are a major issue in colder months, especially in lofts, garages, or poorly insulated homes.
How to prevent freezing:
Use pipe lagging (foam insulation)
Keep heating on low during holidays
Disconnect outside hoses in winter
👉 Burst pipe? Shut off the stopcock immediately and call GladPro for emergency assistance.
6. 🚽 Don’t Ignore a Running Toilet
That continuous trickle isn’t just annoying—it can waste up to 200 litres of water per day!
Common causes include:
Faulty flush valve
Misaligned float
Worn fill valve
Sediment in the cistern
👉 Our team can diagnose and repair running toilets quickly, restoring both water efficiency and peace of mind.
7. 🧼 Know What Not to Flush
Even if it says flushable—it might not be! The UK’s drainage systems often can't handle non-toilet paper materials.
Never flush:
Wet wipes
Nappies or sanitary items
Cotton buds or pads
Dental floss
These items cause major blockages in home plumbing and even public sewers.
👉 For toilet blockages in Gravesend, Kent, Essex and South East London, call GladPro for clean, no-fuss clearance.
8. 🔧 Avoid DIY on Major Plumbing Jobs
DIY can be rewarding—but not when it comes to gas pipes, pressurised systems, or central heating components.
Jobs you should leave to the pros:
Installing or relocating pipework
Boiler maintenance
Fixing leaks in walls or floors
Fitting unvented hot water cylinders
👉 At GladPro Plumbing Services we’re fully qualified and insured to carry out complex work safely and legally.
9. 💦 Recognise Low Water Pressure Issues
Low water pressure affects showers, taps, and appliances — and can signal a deeper problem.
Common causes:
Leaking pipes
Limescale in taps or showerheads
Valve blockages
Issues with the mains supply
👉 If you live in a hard water area, consider installing a water softener to reduce scale build-up.
10. 🔥 Service Your Unvented Water Heater Annually
Unvented hot water cylinders (like Megaflo systems) need annual servicing to ensure safe, efficient operation and compliance with regulations/manufacturers guarantees.
A professional service includes:
Checking pressure relief valves and expansion vessel
Inspecting the thermostat and immersion heater
Flushing sediment and scale
Confirming safety components are working correctly
👉 Book your annual cylinder service with GladPro Plumbing Services — serving Gravesend, Kent, Essex, and South East London.
🔧 Why Homeowners Choose GladPro Plumbing Services
✅ Fully qualified & insured engineers
✅ Transparent pricing and honest advice
✅ Local service with fast response times
✅ Emergency plumbing available
✅ Trusted across Gravesend, Kent, Essex, and South East London
📞 Need Help with Your Plumbing?
Whether it's a leak, a blockage, or a water heater that's seen better days, GladPro Plumbing Services is here to help—quickly, cleanly, and professionally.
📍 Local Experts in: Gravesend, Kent, Essex, and South East London
📞 Call: 07375702735
🌐 Visit: www.gladproplumbingservices.com
📧 Email: Gladproplumbingservices@outlook.com
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