Dripping taps, running toilets, slow drains, low water flow and leaking pipes need different responses. Start by identifying what is affected and whether water is escaping. Simple checks can help narrow the problem, but a lasting repair depends on finding its cause. Uncontrolled leaks, sewage backing up and water near electrics need prompt professional attention.
Which problem needs attention first?
Before taking anything apart, note when the problem happens, which fixtures are affected and whether it is getting worse. The same symptom can have more than one cause.
Swipe across to read the table.
How do you deal with a dripping tap?
A worn washer, seal or cartridge can cause a tap to drip, but the correct part depends on the fitting. Water around the base or underneath the basin may indicate a different leak from one at the spout.
Close the tap normally without overtightening it. Note the make or model, take a photograph and check whether an accessible isolation valve serves the fitting. Do not force a stiff valve or dismantle the tap until its water supply is positively isolated.
A repair may involve replacing a compatible internal part rather than the whole tap. If the fitting is seized, damaged or unfamiliar, use a qualified plumber. For an identified routine fault, our plumbing repairs service covers assessment and repair.
Why does a toilet keep running or refilling?
A continuous trickle into the pan can be easy to miss. WaterSafe identifies this as a sign of a leaking toilet, even when the bathroom floor remains dry.
After a normal flush, wait for the cistern to finish filling and look for continued movement in the bowl. Note whether the toilet also refills without being used. These observations help the plumber investigate the filling and flushing components.
Do not force a concealed cistern panel or repeatedly adjust unfamiliar mechanisms. If water is escaping externally, stop using the toilet and isolate its supply if you can do so safely.
Replacing the entire toilet is not always necessary. See when a toilet needs repair or replacement for that decision.
What can you do about slow or blocked drains?
Start with visible debris at the plughole. Wearing gloves, remove material from an accessible strainer or a hair catcher designed to lift out. Do not push tools deep into unfamiliar pipework.
If water continues to rise, stop running the tap. Do not repeatedly flush a blocked toilet. Avoid mixing cleaning products; government chemical-safety advice warns that household chemicals can react dangerously.
If chemical cleaner has already been used, do not plunge or dismantle the waste fitting where it could splash. Tell the attending plumber which product was added.
For further safe checks, read our clogged-drain guide. If several outlets back up or sewage appears, stop using affected fixtures and seek drainage help.
A smell without a blockage is a different starting point. Our guide to drain smells and their possible causes explains what to check.
Why is water flow weak at the taps?
Compare one outlet with others, and hot water with cold water. A problem at a single tap points towards a different investigation from a sudden change throughout the home.
Ofwat advises checking for internal plumbing problems, including a partially closed stop tap or a leak, when pressure is low. Check your supplier's incident information too. Do not force valves or assume a booster pump is the answer before the cause is assessed.
Record whether the change happens at particular times or when another appliance runs. For a problem concentrated on upper floors, see low water pressure upstairs.
What should you do about leaks or frozen pipes?
For a visible leak, turn off the relevant supply if safely accessible and contain escaping water without putting yourself at risk. A bowl or towel limits damage temporarily; it does not repair the pipe.
Do not tighten every joint indiscriminately or conceal a leak with sealant. Read our leaking-pipe guide for the immediate steps and repair boundaries. Damp patches with no visible source need investigation before finishes are opened.
If freezing is suspected, avoid naked flames and boiling water. The Met Office advises gentle thawing methods and professional help where needed. Hidden or inaccessible frozen pipework should be assessed rather than heated blindly.
Our winter pipe-burst prevention guide covers preparation and insulation in more detail.
What should you tell the plumber?
Describe the affected fixture, when the fault started, whether water is escaping and what you have already tried. Provide photographs from a safe position, mention any chemicals used and explain access restrictions.
Ask what the visit includes, how repairs will be authorised and whether parts or return visits are additional. If you rent, report the issue promptly to the landlord or managing agent.
For help identifying the appropriate next step, explore our plumbing service. If the urgency is unclear, our guide to what counts as a plumbing emergency helps distinguish immediate risks from routine repairs.