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Simple Plumbing Jobs You Can Do (Level 1)

This lesson covers a few beginner-friendly jobs that many homeowners can do carefully.

Take your time, read through the steps first, and remember: if anything feels too difficult or unsafe, it’s always okay to stop and call a professional.

Job 1: Find and Test Your Stopcock

This is the most important job in the whole course. If you only do one thing, do this.

  1. Find the main stopcock for your home.
    • Common places are under the kitchen sink or in a front hallway cupboard.
    • Sometimes it’s in a utility room or where the pipe first comes into the house.
  2. Turn it slowly clockwise to close.
    • Do not force it if it feels stuck – you don’t want to snap it.
  3. Open a cold tap in the kitchen or bathroom.
    • The water should slow down or stop after a short time.
  4. Turn the stopcock slowly anticlockwise to open again.
    • Check that the tap now runs normally.

If the valve is very stiff or won’t move, get a professional to check it.

Knowing how to turn your water off quickly is the first step in safe DIY plumbing.

Job 2: Change a Tap Washer (Older Style Taps)

This is for traditional taps that drip, usually separate hot and cold taps.

  1. Turn off the water.
    • Either use the isolation valve for that tap, or turn off the main stopcock.
  2. Open the tap to let out any remaining water.
  3. Remove the tap handle and top.
    • There is usually a small screw holding the handle on.
  4. Take out the old rubber washer and fit a new one of the same size.
  5. Rebuild the tap carefully.
  6. Turn the water back on slowly and check for leaks.

If the tap still drips or is a modern mixer tap with a cartridge, it may be easier to replace the whole tap rather than trying to repair it.

Job 3: Clear a Blocked Basin or Sink Trap

This job is simple, visual, and a great confidence booster.

  1. Put a bowl or bucket under the trap.
    • This catches the water and muck when you open it.
  2. Unscrew the trap carefully.
    • It will contain water, hair, soap scum, or food bits.
  3. Empty the trap into the bucket and clean it out.
  4. Check the rubber seals are in good condition and in the right place.
  5. Screw the trap back on – hand-tight is usually enough.
  6. Run the water and check all around the trap for leaks.

If there are no drips, you’ve just completed a classic Level 1 plumbing task.

Job 4: Basic Running Toilet Check (Overview)

If your toilet keeps filling or you see water slowly trickling into the pan, it can often be sorted with a simple part change.

Inside the cistern (the tank behind or above the toilet) you’ll see:

  • A fill valve – lets water in and stops it when the tank is full
  • A flush mechanism – releases water when you press the handle or button

Common simple fixes:

  • Replacing the fill valve with a new like-for-like unit
  • Replacing the flush unit or its seal if it’s worn

Always:

  1. Turn off the water to the toilet using the isolation valve or main stopcock.
  2. Flush the toilet to lower the water level in the cistern.
  3. Follow the instructions that come with the new part step by step.
  4. Turn the water back on slowly and check carefully for leaks and correct operation.

If you’re unsure at any step, it’s sensible to stop and get professional help.

Next lesson: Plumbing Safety & When to Call a Pro.