Plumbing problems occurring over the Christmas period is one of the worst things that could happen, instantly putting a downer on a festive time as you struggle to contact a plumber. There are a number of fantastic and simple tools which you should keep on hand during these busy months, helping you to fix things quickly and easily should you experience any issues.
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Plunger
Everyone needs a good, trusty plunger! If your toilet, shower, sink or bath gets clogged, your plunger will work effectively to unblock it instantaneously. There are two types of plunger; a flare plunger which should be used for your toilets, and a cup plunger which is used for every other kind of blockage. Both are extremely useful to have, especially over Christmas when we have extra guests and problems might arise.
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Pipe Wrench
The freezing weather can play havoc with our pipes, so keeping a pipe wrench in an easy to reach place over Christmas can help with any pipes that are loose or leaking. Pipes can loosen up over time, but a wrench is able to be used to tighten the pipes and stop any premature leaks. Pipe wrenches can also be used to open up drains in the event of lost items. If you or a guest accidentally drops an earring or other precious item down the plug hole, a wrench will help you to retrieve it. If you don’t already own a pipe wrench, we’d advise going for an all-purpose one, to ensure you can use it no matter the problem.
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Caulking Gun
Caulking guns can come in useful throughout the entire house, all year round. We’d advise keeping a caulking gun nearby over Christmas in the event of any leaks appearing from your pipes. These can help to seal up any leaks within your pipes, helping you to save money rather than paying out to see a plumber over the busy Christmas period. Caulking guns can also come in handy if there are any cold, annoying drafts throughout your home, as they can seal these instantly too.
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Spanner
For those who aren’t particularly used to dealing with DIY tools, spanners and wrenches often appear very similar. However, spanners are used to turn nuts, bolts and fastenings without bending or damaging our pipes, whereas wrenches are helpful when retrieving lost items. It’s ideal to keep one of these nearby, just in case anything goes horrendously wrong and you have to wait a while for a plumber. We would recommend purchasing an all-purpose, or adjustable, spanner as you’ll probably find a number of different sizes nuts and bolts.
If you’d like more information regarding DIY plumbing, or you’d like further advice on how to maintain your pipes and drains this winter- we’d be happy to help you. Get in touch with a member of the friendly Drain Checker team by visiting our contact page or by giving us a call on 0800 849 8099.