What counts as a small plumbing job?
Small plumbing jobs are the ones that cause some inconvenience – but aren't causing any major issues or damage at the moment. Think things like:
- Leaking or dripping taps
- Radiators that need bleeding
- Seized-up taps
- Blocked toilets & plugs
- Noisy taps
These problems probably aren't emergencies and can be fixed pretty quickly by any experienced local plumber. They may require an extra part or two, but they'll probably have something suitable in their bag or van. Or they'll be able to sort you the part you need pronto.
Can small plumbing jobs become big problems?
They sure can. What might seem like a minor inconvenience today could set you back big-time tomorrow.
Here are just a few of the problems you could face if you don't tackle small plumbing jobs early:
Damp & mould
Even small leaks in your home can lead to damp spots and even mould if they've been left for long enough. So as soon as you notice any leaks, make sure it's fixed at source to prevent future more costly issues.
Higher water usage (and bills)
A dripping tap or a toilet that keep running can really add up. A drop here and a drop there don't seem like much to start with. But over weeks, months and years this adds up to a significant percentage of your water usage. This can be expensive & hugely wasteful.
Pests
Leaks lead to standing water. And with that comes bacteria & all sorts of nasties. As well as smelling pretty funky, this can attract rodents like rats & mice, and other pests. Dealing with a pest infestation will cost you much more than a small plumbing fix.
Serious leaks and even floods
Handling even small blockages in your toilets & sinks badly (or not at all) can lead to much more serious problems down the line. These can cause blockages in the mainline of your plumbing. Serious blockages can cause important pipes in your home to break and/or cause multiple drains to become blocked. In turn, you could end up with some pretty serious leaks – or even a flood.
Do I need to hire a plumber for small plumbing jobs?
Beyond very simple tasks like plunging your toilet or sink, we don't recommend tackling any plumbing jobs yourself – unless you really do have the know-how. Mistakes can cause further leaks and even flooding – which will cost far more to put right than the initial problem would have.
But this doesn't mean repairs have to be costly. Small plumbing jobs are quick to fix so you'll only need to pay a call-out or 1-hour charge for a plumber. If there are a few things you need a hand with, they'll fix them all at once.
Can a handyman help with small plumbing jobs?
A lot of small plumbing jobs might be simple enough for a handyman, like changing out a tap or bleeding radiators throughout your home.
If you're not sure whether you need a plumber or a handyman, you can contact a tradespeople service that offers both. Just ask them whether the plumbing task at hand is suitable for a handyman instead and they'll let you know.
If you are able to book a handyman instead of a plumber – think about any other quick jobs they could help with while they're over. They can help with fitting shelves, assembling furniture or wall mounting a TV. If you're paying an hourly rate you might be able to fit in a couple of jobs. Or you can ask if there's a discounted rate for multiple hours – or even a half or full-day. So you can get all of your odd jobs sorted at once.
Housekeep plumbers & handymen – for small jobs (and big ones too)
Housekeep has got trusted local plumbers & handymen on standby to help with small plumbing jobs. Whether it's a dripping tap or a blocked toilet, we'll match you with an experienced professional who can get the job done.
You can get a quote for the work & book instantly on the Housekeep website: Get a quote & book small plumbing jobs