It’s always at the worst possible time, isn’t it? You’re about to head out, or it’s the middle of the night, and something goes wrong with your plumbing.
A leaking tap that won’t stop dripping. A blocked drain that’s backing up. Water pressure that’s suddenly dropped. Or worse—a burst pipe.
If you live in Berkhamsted, you’re probably dealing with older properties, and older properties come with older plumbing. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it does mean certain issues come up more often.
Let me walk you through the most common plumbing problems we see in Berkhamsted homes, what causes them, and what you can actually do about them.
1. Leaking Taps
This is the most common call we get. A tap that drips, sometimes constantly, sometimes just when you turn it off.
What causes it? Usually, it’s a worn-out washer or seal inside the tap. Every time you use the tap, the washer gets a little bit more worn. Eventually, it doesn’t seal properly, and water leaks through.
Can you fix it yourself? Sometimes. If you’re confident with basic plumbing, you can replace a washer. Turn off the water, unscrew the tap, pop out the old washer, pop in a new one. But—and this is important—you need to know which washer to buy. Get it wrong, and you’ll make the problem worse.
When should you call a professional? If the tap’s old, or if replacing the washer doesn’t fix it, the problem might be deeper inside the tap. You might need a new tap entirely. That’s when you call us.
The cost? A new tap fitted? Usually £150-300 depending on the tap. Cheaper than replacing it yourself and getting it wrong.
2. Blocked Drains
Your sink’s draining slowly. Or not at all. Water’s backing up. It’s gross, and it needs sorting.
What causes it? Usually, it’s a buildup of hair, soap, food debris, or—in older properties—tree roots growing into the pipes. Sometimes it’s just years of gunk accumulating.
Can you fix it yourself? A plunger often works for minor blockages. Fill the sink with water, place the plunger over the drain, and pump vigorously. Sometimes that dislodges whatever’s stuck.
If that doesn’t work, you can try a drain snake—a long, flexible tool you feed down the drain to break up the blockage. You can buy these cheaply, and they sometimes work.
When should you call a professional? If the plunger and snake don’t work, or if the blockage keeps coming back, there’s a bigger problem. It might be tree roots, or a collapsed section of pipe, or something stuck deeper in the system. That’s when you need professional help.
We use CCTV cameras to see what’s actually happening in your pipes, and then we can fix it properly.
The cost? A simple drain clear? £100-200. If it’s something more serious, we’ll diagnose it and give you options.
3. Low Water Pressure
Your shower’s gone from a nice strong flow to a pathetic trickle. The tap’s barely running. It’s frustrating.
What causes it? In older Berkhamsted properties, it’s often mineral buildup inside the pipes, restricting flow. Sometimes it’s a problem with the water company’s supply, but usually it’s your pipes.
Can you fix it yourself? Not really. You can’t clear mineral buildup yourself without specialist equipment.
When should you call a professional? If low pressure is affecting multiple taps, call us. We can check if it’s a supply issue or a problem with your pipes. If it’s buildup, we can clean the pipes. If it’s something else, we’ll find it.
The cost? Depends on the cause. If it’s a simple fix, £150-300. If pipes need replacing, it’s more. We’ll diagnose it first and give you a quote.
4. Burst Pipes
This is the emergency. Water’s pouring out somewhere, or you’ve noticed a wet patch on your wall or ceiling.
What causes it? Freezing temperatures in winter, corrosion in old pipes, or physical damage. Sometimes it’s just age—old pipes eventually fail.
Can you fix it yourself? No. Not safely. A burst pipe needs professional repair. You can turn off the water at the stopcock to minimize damage, but that’s it.
When should you call a professional? Immediately. This is an emergency. Call us as soon as you notice it. We offer emergency plumbing in Berkhamsted, and we’ll get someone out quickly.
The cost? A burst pipe repair can range from £300-1,000+ depending on where the burst is and how much pipe needs replacing. But the cost of water damage if you don’t fix it quickly? That’s much higher.
5. Dripping Taps in the Night
You’re lying in bed, and you can hear a tap dripping. Drip. Drip. Drip. It’s maddening.
What causes it? Same as leaking taps—worn washers or seals.
Can you fix it yourself? Yes, usually. Same process as above—replace the washer.
When should you call a professional? If it keeps happening, or if it’s multiple taps, there might be a pressure issue in your system. That needs professional diagnosis.
6. Running Toilet
Your toilet keeps running, water’s constantly flowing into the bowl, and your water bill’s climbing.
What causes it? Usually, it’s a faulty fill valve or a worn flapper in the cistern. The cistern can’t hold water properly, so it keeps refilling.
Can you fix it yourself? Sometimes. You can buy a toilet repair kit from any DIY store. It’s usually just a case of replacing the fill valve or flapper. Instructions come with the kit.
When should you call a professional? If the repair kit doesn’t work, or if you’re not confident doing it, call us. It’s a quick job for a professional.
The cost? Usually £100-200 for a professional repair. Cheaper than the water you’ll waste if you leave it running.
7. Water Stains on Ceilings or Walls
You’ve noticed a damp patch, or a stain that’s getting bigger. This is a sign of a leak somewhere.
What causes it? Could be a burst pipe, could be a leak from the bathroom above, could be a roof leak. You need to find the source.
Can you fix it yourself? Not until you know what’s causing it. And finding the source of a leak isn’t always obvious.
When should you call a professional? Call us. We can help you locate the leak and fix it. If it’s plumbing-related, we’ll sort it. If it’s something else, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Prevention: The Best Medicine
Most plumbing problems can be prevented with basic maintenance:
- Check under sinks regularly for signs of leaks
- Don’t pour grease down drains (it solidifies and blocks pipes)
- Use drain covers to catch hair
- Have your boiler serviced annually (this catches problems early)
- Know where your stopcock is (so you can turn off water in an emergency)
When to Call a Professional
Here’s a simple rule: if you’re not 100% confident, call a professional. Plumbing mistakes are expensive. A £150 repair done properly is cheaper than a £3,000 water damage claim because you tried to DIY it.
Getting Help in Berkhamsted
If you’ve got a plumbing problem in Berkhamsted, or you’re not sure if something needs attention, give us a call. We’re happy to chat through what’s happening and advise whether it’s something you can handle or something we need to look at.
East & Gray: Professional plumbing in Berkhamsted since 1953.
