How to Stop Any Plumbing Leak

Plumbing is one of the most vital elements of any home. It needs to function correctly at all times. If you have an issue with your plumbing at any time, it really does become a plumbing problem.

One of the most common plumbing problems our customers in East Auckland and South Auckland face are leaks. Whether it’s a leaking tap, leaking toilet, leaking shower head, leaking water pipe, or a gas leak, it needs repairing. On the lower end of the scale, a leaking tap, toilet, or showerhead will waste a lot of water and increase your water consumption, hiking up your water bill. On the hider and of the sale, a gas leak can be deadly.

As qualified plumbers and gas fitters, the iSpecialise team are licenced and equipped to fix all types of leaks, including gas leaks. However, not all leaks need a professional to fix them. You can fix some leak yourself with a few cheap parts from Bunnings and with a few expert instructions and advice.

Today, we’ll take a look at the most common types of plumbing leaks and provide advice on how to fix them yourself or whether you need to call the iSpecialise team.

How to stop a leaking tap

Stopping a leaking tap in East Auckland or South Auckland is relatively straight forward, providing you don’t have to replace the entire faucet. In most cases, a tap will leak due to a worn washer or o-ring.

1. First, turn off your water supply at the mains.
2. Turn on your taps, shower etc., to drain the water pipes free of water.
3. Remove any cover plates and unscrew the screw that fixes the faucet cover in place.
4. Remove the faucet to reveal the body and spindle.
5. Loosen the body of the faucet with a spanner to reveal the washer.
6. Remove the washer and jumper valve and look at the washer for any signs of wear – splitting or perishing.
7. Replace the washer with a new like-for-like washer if required.
8. Look at the body and spindle and look at the o-ring (small black plastic ring at the spindle base) for any signs of wear.
9. Replace the o-ring with a new like-for-like o-ring if required.
10. Wind the spindle back into the body.
11. Place the jumper valve in the body and place the new washer on the base
12. Grab tap body place over the spindle to reassemble the tap
13. Tighten with a spanner.
14. Reinstall the faucet cover and test the tap.

For tips, please read ‘How to Prevent Your Taps From Leaking’.

How to stop a leaking toilet

Stopping a leaking toilet in East Auckland or South Auckland is also relatively straight forward. There are two main reasons for a leaking toilet, either the tank is overflowing, or water is dripping through a damaged flapper into the bowl. To identify what issue is causing your toilet to leak or trickle, following these instructions:

1. Remove the tank cover and observe the water level – it should be below the level of the overflow tube. If it’s over the overflow tube, you need to reset the level.
   1. Turn off the water valve under the toilet tank and flush the toilet to drain the tank
   2. Move the stop guide below the overflow tube if your float is attached to the tube.
   3. Turn on the water after making adjustments and check the water level
2. Check the flapper if water is draining into the bowl.
3. Flush the toilet and check that the chain holding the flapper is long enough to allow it to seats into the valve when it falls. If not, unhook the chain and lengthen it.
4. Replace the flapper if it seats fully but still leaks.
   1. Turn off the water valve under the toilet tank and flush the toilet to drain the tank
   2. Unhook the chain connecting the flapper to the flush handle and remove the flapper by pulling the rubber ears away from the posts on the overflow tube. Hook the new flapper onto the posts and connect it to the chain.

If you need help fixing your leaking toilet, then give iSpecialise a call on 09-2322 895. This is a simple fix we can usually complete in under an hour.

How to stop a leaking shower head

Stopping a leaking toilet in East Auckland or South Auckland is pretty straight forward, and you should have no trouble fixing a leak yourself, providing you have the right tools and parts for the job.

1. First, turn off your water supply at the mains
2. Remove the shower head and look for a small plastic washer or rubber o-ring inside the shower head at the threads.
3. Look at the o-ring (small black plastic ring at the spindle base) for any signs of wear.
4. Replace the o-ring with a new like-for-like o-ring if required.
5. Wrap the threads on the pipe stem with pipe thread tape.
6. Reattach the shower head.
7. Tighten with a spanner.

If you need help fixing your leaking shower head, then give iSpecialise a call on 09-2322 895. It’s a straightforward process that we can usually complete in under an hour.

How to stop a leaking pipe

Stopping a leaking pipe in East Auckland or South Auckland is a lot more tricky than stopping a leaking tap, leaking toilet, or leaking shower because you first have to find the leak site. If the pipe is concealed in a wall cavity inside your home or is underground outside your home, then you’re best to contact a professional plumber.

How to stop a concealed leaking pipe

Trying to locate and fix a hidden leak caused by a damaged pipe, especially a damaged copper pipe, can turn disastrous if you don’t have any experience. For these types of leaking pipes, you’re best to call iSpecailise on 09-2322 895 and have one of our experienced plumbers take a look.

We have the very best equipment, allowing us to locate any water or gas leak without tearing down walls or digging up yards. We have the right equipment to perform permanent fixes and can solder any copper pipes that may need repair.

How to stop Irrigation & Garden Watering System leaks

If you have a leaking black plastic water supply line, you may be able to repair it yourself by following the directions below.

1. Identify the size of the pipe
2. Get two clamps to suit the size pipe
3. Get a coupler/joiner to suit the size pipe

Once you have what you need to repair the pipe, the repair can commence.

1. First, turn off your water supply at the mains
2. Turn on your taps, shower etc. to drain the water pipes free of water
3. Cut the pipe at the site of the leak
4. Thread a clamp on either side of the cut pipe
5. Fit the joiner to the cut pipe
6. Tighten each clamp at either side of the joiner

How to stop a gas leak

If you have a gas leak, you are able to stop it, but you are not legally allowed to fix it. You must call upon a licenced gas worker to conduct any gas works and repairs. iSpecialise are fully licenced gas workers and can locate the source of a gas leak and repair it safely and affordably. Find out more here.

To stop a gas leak in East Auckland or South Auckland, follow the instructions below

1. Turn off the gas as your meter if you have Natural Gas or at the bottle if you have LPG Gas
2. Switch off all appliances that operate with gas
3. Evacuate the premise until the smell of gas has dissipated
4. Call iSpecialise on 09-2322 895.

For more information, please read ‘What To Do If You Have A Gas Leak‘.

Conclusion

In most cases, anyone who’s handy around the house can fix simple plumbing leaks such as a leaking tap, leaking toilet, or a leaking shower head. However, some leaks, such as concealed leaking pipes – either underground or within wall cavities are best left to professionals. If you suspect a gas leak, it should be assessed and repaired only by a professional licensed to work with gas.

If you’re having trouble fixing your leaking tap, leaking toilet, or leaking shower head, or would prefer to leave all your plumbing woes to professional leak experts to fix, give iSpecialise a call on 09-2322 895.

iSpecialise excel in all areas of plumbing but specialise in leaks. We have state-of-the-art equipment to locate concealed water leaks and invisible gas leaks with precision and efficiency. Of course, we’re always happy to repair the more simple internal water leaks as well.

We service the entire East Auckland and South Auckland regions and look forward to helping your stop your next plumbing leak.