Blog

Always hire a plumber from your locality simply Google the words 'Plumber & Location' for example 'Plumber Lucan'

How it works

Tips on reducing heating bills this winter by the professionals at KK Plumbers Lucan

A guide on how to save water in Ireland as the water charges are being introduced by Irish Water.

So you’ve bought a new bath tub – lucky you! We bet that you just can’t wait to get it home, installed and filled with bubbles! If you’re DIY handy and fancy installing your new purchase all by yourself, you will find our guide to removing an old bath tub and installing a new one very useful.

If you have a creaky old boiler rattling away in some nook or cranny of your home it may be time to think about replacing it – and not just for aesthetic reasons.

Drip, drop, drip, drop, drip, drop – is this all you hear when you try to go to sleep at night? Do you go to the sink to wash your hands or face only to find that the floor or, even worse, yourself gets wet? If so, you’ll know that a leaking tap can be very annoying indeed. However trivial this issue might seem at first, a leaking tap should not be ignored as all those drops leaking from your tap can accumulate and cause major problems. Regardless of your plumbing abilities, fixing a leaking tap is a task that you would be well capable of managing yourself. Having said this, you’ll need a couple of items and tools to hand, including: · An adjustable wrench/spanner · A flat head or Phillips screwdriver · Some WD-40 · Replacement washers and rings Now that you’ve got your tools and equipment, let’s get started with a quick 5-step approach to fixing that pesky leaking tap once and for all. Step 1 Before you put your screwdriver or spanner to any part of the sink, ensure to turn off the water supply first. This may seem obvious, however, so keen are many people to get the job done that this step can often be overlooked. Either turn off the water at the stop cock or at the isolation valve. Turn on the tap to release any water still remaining in the pipe. Once you’re done, put the plug in the hole in the sink. Should any screws or others bits of the tap fall into the sink while you’re working, at least you can be reassured they won’t fall through the plughole. Step 2 Remove the decorative cap on the tap. You’ll likely be able to remove the decorative cap by hand but if not, use the adjustable spanner or flat head screwdriver to help you unscrew it. Underneath the cap, you’ll then see a screw that mounts the handle to the stem of the tap. Unscrew this and remove the handle using your flat head screwdriver. Use WD-40 to loosen it if necessary. Step 3 Take your spanner and loosen the packing nut/gland nut before removing the stem. The stem might just pop off for you but you may need to twist it. Check it for any damage in case it is contributing to the leak. Step 4 Does everything that you have removed so far look in tact? If you have yet to identify the issue, you should move on and inspect the O-ring (top washer) and the bottom washer. They are most likely to be the source of your leak. Step 5 Replace the washers if necessary. If you aren’t sure which replacement washers to get, bring the old ones to your hardware shop and ask the salesperson to find replacements to match. Once the washers are fitted, you’re good to reassemble the tap and turn your isolation valve back on.  If you have any inclination for DIY, you will be well able to fix a leaking tap. Follow this simple 5-step guide and the annoying sounds of water dripping from your sink will soon be a thing of the past.

Do you plan on undertaking the responsibility of tackling any plumbing tasks or issues around the house? If so, make this list of 10 plumbing tips your go to starter guide. 1. Know your valves If you’re planning to put an end to the plumbing issues in your home, first things first – you need to know your valves. Most importantly, know where the shut off valve is in your home. Before tending to plumbing tasks or emergencies, it is always best to shut down the water supply while you conduct inspections or repairs. 2. Prevent limescale build up Hard water can pose an issue in many homes as it can lead to a limescale build up that clogs up shower heads, taps, pipes, washing machines, dishwashers and boilers over time. This can lead to plumbing issues and cause long term damage. Regularly descale these items in the home using a limescale descaler. Vinegar can also be effective if you haven’t got a fit for purpose limescale descaler. 3. Deal with a clogged toilet ASAP If you flush the toilet and the water rises to the top of the bowl, even if just for a few seconds, before resting in the bottom of the bowl without fully flushing down the contents, the time to react is now. Don’t continue to flush and flush until the water rises and refuses to budge. Keep a plunger by your toilets so that you can deal with clogged toilets ASAP. 4. Monitor taps for signs of leaks Perform some spot checks every month or so on the taps in your home. When you allow them to run, does any water start to seep out anywhere it shouldn’t? The quicker you can identify and address a leaking tap, the lesser the potential water damage to your walls and flooring. 5. Protect against freezing weather Freezing cold weather can play havoc with your piping systems. Ensure any pipes are lagged effectively to prevent them from freezing, especially outdoor pipes, and pipes in the attic or basement. Disconnect any outdoor water hoses. 6. Keep sealant tape in the house Sealant can be your best friend when it comes to plumbing maintenance and repairs. In case of emergency, it can be used to seal a split pipe, even if only on a temporary basis. 7. Test your pressure release valve Your pressure release valve should be tested on a yearly basis and immediately before or after a period of cold weather. Simply lift up the lever and allow it to snap back. The valve should allow a burst of hot water into the drainpipe. If not, it’s time to have a new valve installed. 8. Check hoses for wear & tear Prevention is always better than cure. If you can spot signs of wear and tear in your washing machine, dishwasher or waste disposal hoses before a leak or split occurs, you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle. These hoses endure a lot of pressure and should be checked annually for any drips. 9. Use shower & bathtub strainers Hair, soap, dirt and grime from your shower and bathtub can very quickly clog your pipes and drain. Use strainers to prevent as little as possible from making its way to your drain and ensure to regularly clean your strainers to avoid clogs. 10. If in doubt, call an expert Feeling overwhelmed with a plumbing task or emergency? Not quite sure how to tackle the task or issue? Call an expert for help! If you don’t have the knowledge to tackle a task, you could end up doing more damage than good.

When you step into the shower, you most likely expect a hot blast of water to fall down on top of you, revitalising and reenergising your body. Anything less than this can serve to be a bitter disappointment. Nothing can be as irritating as stepping into a shower only to be met with a trickle of water not too dissimilar to soft rain fall and let’s face it; a disappointing shower is not the best way to start the day. There are a number of causes of lower water pressure, however, addressing them is a lot more straightforward than you might think. Learn how to diagnose water pressure issues and why a pressure tank and pump may be the answer to your problems. Diagnosing the issue Low water pressure is nowhere near as severe an issue as high water pressure, which can wreak havoc on your entire plumbing system. However, low water pressure can really get on your nerves. Having to endure endless low-pressure showers and listen to whistling sounds coming from your pipes can test anyone’s patience. A power shower should not have to be a luxury after all! To diagnose a low water pressure issue, first hire a plumber to check for leaks or debris build-up in your pipes as well as check for any issues in your shower head or shower system. Another key cause of water pressure problems can be the use of incorrect pipe sizes. In some instances, you may just need to adjust a pressure-reducing valve on the supply line. If these instances can be ruled out, you can be assured that the root cause of your low water pressure issue is in the weakness of your local water supply. If this is the case, you should consider investing in a pressure tank and pump. Use a pressure tank and pump to achieve greater water pressure Pressure tanks can effectively complement well systems in addition to benefiting homes connected to the municipal water supply. A pressure tank, once integrated into your plumbing system, keeps the volume of water in your system high. It serves to maintain water pressure at a constant level, which means no more rainfall like showers! To achieve even stronger water pressure, you’ll need to install a pressure pump as well as the pressure tank. The pump increases the PSI (water pressure levels) of the water coming from your mains supply before it moves on to the pressure tank. A pressure pump features a one-way valve that prevents any pressurised water from returning to the mains water supply. With most pressure pumps, you will have control over the water pressure settings, ensuring you can achieve a level of water pressure which best suits your needs. Installing a pressure tank and pump  Installing a pressure tank and pump is a pretty complicated job, so it’s best to hire an experienced plumber to install the system, unless you have extensive DIY experience. Don’t live any longer with low water pressure. Get on the phone to a plumbing expert today and enjoy the powerful morning shower you deserve!