A home plumbing emergency is never welcome. Due to the damage water can cause, it's important to fix plumbing problems quickly - especially if water is leaking into other parts of your home.
Here are six of the most common plumbing issues in Singapore homes - and steps you can take to fix them.
The sound of continual dripping from a tap can be very annoying - and then there's the wasted water to think of. If you have the right tools and an understanding of plumbing/faucets, you might be able to resolve the issue yourself.
Old washers often cause taps to leak. First, find the main water shut-off valve and stop the water to the tap. Drain the remaining water from the faucet, then remove the tap head. Undo the head gear nut with an adjustable spanner, then remove the head gear assembly. Replace the old washer with a new one, then reassemble the tap. In some cases you might need a replacement tap.
However, unless you have the tools and the time to replace the washer or fit a replacement tap, you are better off calling a plumber.
Pipes underneath sinks in kitchens and bathrooms are most likely to spring a leak or burst. It's important to fix any burst pipe quickly since the water could rot any nearby wood structures and cause other damage to your home. You should act quickly to prevent the problem becoming even more expensive to fix. Unless you have experience in fitting and repairing pipes, your best option is to call in a plumbing service.
A running toilet can waste a lot of water, and make a noise - so it's important to get it fixed quickly. Commonly the culprit is a faulty or broken flapper at the bottom of the cistern, or a faulty flush valve. While it is possible to buy and install a replacement flapper or flush valve, it's much quicker and easier to enlist a good plumber to do the flush toilet repair. However, if the toilet bowl itself is damaged, it could be time for a toilet replacement.
An air-con water leak is a common problem since air conditioning units are found in almost every Singapore home. Leaks might be caused by a clogged condensate drain line, a frozen evaporator coil, or poor installation - among other issues. Identifying and fixing a leak requires deep knowledge of how to fix aircon systems, so you'll want to enlist a plumbing or AC professional.
A clogged sink is also a common problem in Singapore - and one you might be able to resolve yourself. Try pouring boiling water down the drain; use a plunger; or try breaking up the blockage with baking soda and vinegar. If these don’t work, it’s time to call in a plumber, who might use the "plumber's snake" - a coiled spiral - to clean the blockage. They might also clean out the P-trap. However, if the sink itself is damaged, it could be time for a sink replacement.
Blocked drains can often be resolved by using a drain cleaning product - available from hardware stores. However, this might only be a temporary solution. A trained plumber will be able to provide a permanent solution, and explain how to prevent a blockage from happening again.
Other common plumbing problems:
● Low water pressure
● Noisy pipes
● Water heater problems
● Excessive water bills
However, it’s not always easy to find a reputable emergency plumbing service with no surprise repair costs.
