A sudden drip, a gurgling sink, or a toilet that won’t stop running, these are the sounds that can send a shiver down any homeowner’s spine. Plumbing problems are a fact of life, but the uncertainty around repair costs often causes more stress than the issue itself.
This guide provides a transparent look at the most common domestic plumbing repairs and their typical costs across the UK. We’ll break down what you can expect to pay, what factors influence the final bill, and how to find a trustworthy professional to get the job done right.
Why Do Plumbing Problems Happen?
Plumbing systems work hard, day in and day out. Most issues stem from a few key causes:
- Wear and Tear: Seals, washers, and valves simply wear out over time.
- High Water Pressure: Excessive pressure puts a strain on your entire system, leading to leaks and component failure.
- Hard Water: Mineral deposits (limescale) build up inside pipes and appliances, causing blockages and restricting flow.
- Blockages: Hair, grease, food scraps, and non-flushable items are the usual culprits behind blocked drains and toilets.
- Ageing Infrastructure: Older pipework, especially lead or iron, can corrode and fail.
12 Common Plumbing Repairs and Their Costs
Here is a ranked list of frequent plumbing jobs, from simple fixes to more urgent emergencies. The prices are indicative for 2025 and include typical labour and parts. Remember, costs can vary based on your location (London and the South East are generally more expensive), the complexity of the job, and whether it’s an emergency call-out.
1. Dripping Tap
Symptoms: A constant drip… drip… drip from the spout, even when the tap is tightly closed.
Causes: Usually a worn-out washer or a failed ceramic disc cartridge inside the tap.
What a plumber does: Isolates the water supply, dismantles the tap, replaces the faulty washer or cartridge, and reassembles it.
- Time on Site: 30-60 minutes.
- Estimated Cost: £70 – £120.
2. Running Toilet / Flush Issues
Symptoms: Water constantly running from the cistern into the toilet bowl, a weak flush, or a handle/button that doesn’t work properly.
Causes: A faulty flush mechanism, a failed inlet valve (ball valve), or a broken flush handle.
What a plumber does: Drains the cistern, identifies the faulty component, and replaces it with a new fill valve, syphon, or flush valve.
- Time on Site: 45-90 minutes.
- Estimated Cost: £80 – £150.
3. Blocked Sink or Basin
Symptoms: Water drains very slowly or not at all from your kitchen sink, bathroom basin, or bathtub.
Causes: A build-up of grease, food waste, soap scum, and hair in the U-bend (trap) or connecting pipework.
What a plumber does: Attempts to clear the blockage using professional-grade tools like a drain auger (snake) or chemical agents. They may need to dismantle the trap to manually clear it.
- Time on Site: 30-60 minutes.
- Estimated Cost: £85 – £140.
4. Blocked Toilet
Symptoms: The toilet bowl fills up and won’t drain after flushing.
Causes: An obstruction caused by too much toilet paper, wet wipes (even “flushable” ones), sanitary products, or foreign objects.
What a plumber does: Uses a professional plunger or a toilet auger to dislodge the blockage. For severe blockages further down the soil pipe, more advanced equipment may be needed.
- Time on Site: 45-90 minutes.
- Estimated Cost: £90 – £160.
5. Leaking Pipes
Symptoms: Damp patches on walls or ceilings, puddles under sinks, or a visible drip from exposed pipework.
Causes: Corrosion, failed joints, or damage to the pipe itself.
What a plumber does: Identifies the source of the leak, isolates the water, and carries out a repair. This might involve tightening a compression fitting or cutting out a damaged section and replacing it.
- Time on Site: 1-2 hours (can be longer if access is difficult).
- Estimated Cost: £100 – £250.
6. Burst Pipe Emergency
Symptoms: A sudden, uncontrolled flow of water from a pipe. This is a major emergency.
Causes: Frozen water expanding and splitting a pipe is the most common cause in winter. Corrosion or physical damage can also be responsible.
What a plumber does: This is an emergency job. The first step is to turn off your main stopcock. The plumber will drain the system, cut out the burst section, and replace it.
- Time on Site: 1-3 hours.
- Estimated Cost: £200 – £400+ (expect higher emergency call-out fees, especially out of hours).
7. Low Water Pressure
Symptoms: Weak flow from taps and showers throughout the house.
Causes: Can be complex. Common culprits include a partially closed stopcock, a hidden leak, blocked pipes due to limescale, or an issue with the mains supply.
What a plumber does: This is a diagnostic job. They will check your stopcock, inspect for leaks, and assess the pipework. The fix depends on the cause, from simply opening a valve to recommending a descaling procedure or installing a pressure-boosting pump.
- Time on Site: 1-2 hours for diagnosis.
- Estimated Cost: £90 – £180 for initial investigation. The final cost will depend on the solution.
8. Noisy Pipes (Water Hammer)
Symptoms: A loud banging or juddering noise when you turn a tap or appliance off quickly.
Causes: This is “water hammer,” caused by shockwaves travelling through pipes when water flow is abruptly stopped. It can be due to high water pressure or inadequately secured pipework.
What a plumber does: They may secure loose pipes, reduce the overall water pressure, or install a water hammer arrestor, a small device that absorbs the shock.
- Time on Site: 1-2 hours.
- Estimated Cost: £100 – £200.
9. Radiator Not Heating Up
Symptoms: A radiator that is cold at the top and warm at the bottom, or one that is completely cold when the heating is on.
Causes: Cold tops are usually caused by trapped air (needs bleeding). A completely cold radiator could be a stuck thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) or a system balancing issue.
What a plumber does: For trapped air, they will bleed the radiator with a radiator key. If the valve is stuck, they may be able to free it or will need to replace it. Re-balancing the system is a more involved job.
- Time on Site: 30-60 minutes for bleeding/TRV fix.
- Estimated Cost: £70 – £120 for simple fixes.
10. Boiler-Related Plumbing (e.g., Diverter Valve)
Symptoms: You get hot water but no central heating, or vice versa.
Causes: In a combi boiler, this often points to a faulty diverter valve, which directs hot water to either the taps or the radiators.
What a plumber does:This is a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will diagnose the fault, drain the system, replace the faulty valve, and repressurise the boiler.
- Time on Site: 2-3 hours.
- Estimated Cost: £250 – £450.
11. Faulty Stopcock
Symptoms: The main stopcock is seized and won’t turn, or it’s leaking.
Causes: Lack of use causes them to seize up with limescale. Old washers can perish and cause leaks.
What a plumber does: For a seized stopcock, they may be able to free it. If it’s leaking or cannot be freed, it will need to be replaced. This can be complex and may require an external mains tap to be turned off by the water company.
- Time on Site: 1-3 hours.
- Estimated Cost: £120 – £250+.
12. Outside Tap Repair or Installation
Symptoms: An existing outside tap is leaking, or you want a new one installed.
Causes: Frost damage is a major cause of leaks. Internal washers can also fail.
What a plumber does: To repair, they’ll replace the faulty components. For a new installation, they will run a new pipe from the nearest cold water supply, drilling through the external wall and fitting an isolating valve inside.
- Time on Site: 1-2 hours.
- Estimated Cost: £80 – £140 for a repair; £120 – £200 for a new installation.
Factors That Affect Plumbing Repair Costs
- Urgency: Expect to pay a premium for emergency, evening, or weekend call-outs. The average plumber call-out fee just to attend can be £70-£150 before any work starts.
- Location: Rates in London and the South East are typically 20-30% higher than in other parts of the UK.
- Access: A leak under a tiled floor or behind a wall will cost significantly more to access and repair than one under a sink.
- Parts: The cost of replacement parts varies wildly, from a few pence for a washer to over £100 for a specialist boiler part.
- Plumber’s Rates: A sole trader may charge less than a large firm. Expect average hourly rates of £50-£90 per hour, or day rates of £350-£600.
How to Choose a Plumber
- Gas Safe vs. General Plumber: For any work on a boiler, gas hob, or gas pipe, you must use a Gas Safe registered engineer. For all other jobs (taps, toilets, leaks), a qualified general plumber like Royal Flush Plumbing is sufficient.
- Accreditations: Look for memberships of professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
- Get Multiple Quotes: For non-emergency jobs, get at least three written quotes that detail the work to be done and break down the costs.
- Check Reviews & Insurance: Look for recent, genuine reviews and ask for proof of public liability insurance.
DIY vs. Professional: What to Tackle Yourself
Safe for DIY:
- Bleeding a radiator.
- Changing a tap washer (if you feel confident).
- Unblocking a sink with a plunger or chemical cleaner (use with caution).
Leave to the Professionals:
- Any job involving your boiler or gas.
- Repairing or replacing pipes.
- Replacing toilet flush mechanisms.
- Dealing with burst pipes or major leaks.
- Anything you are not 100% confident with. A failed DIY fix often costs more to put right so it is always advised to use a skilled plumber such as Plumbing Norwich – https://plumbing-norwich.co.uk.
Quick Cost Summary Table
| Repair Job | Typical Price Range (£) |
| Dripping Tap | £70 – £120 |
| Running Toilet | £80 – £150 |
| Blocked Sink/Basin | £85 – £140 |
| Blocked Toilet | £90 – £160 |
| Leaking Pipe (minor) | £100 – £250 |
| Burst Pipe (emergency) | £200 – £400+ |
| Radiator Bleed/TRV Fix | £70 – £120 |
| Boiler Diverter Valve (Gas Safe) | £250 – £450 |
| Stopcock Repair/Replacement | £120 – £250+ |
| Outside Tap Installation | £120 – £200 |
Disclaimer: These prices are estimates for 2025 based on UK averages. Costs will vary depending on your location, the specifics of the job, and the plumber chosen.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
- Know Your Stopcock: Locate your main water stopcock and test it twice a year to ensure it isn’t seized.
- Be Kind to Your Drains: Avoid pouring grease down the sink and use a hair catcher in showers.
- Insulate Pipes: In winter, lag any pipes in your loft or unheated areas to prevent freezing.
- Address Drips Promptly: A small drip can waste thousands of litres of water a year and indicates a developing fault.
- Get Your Boiler Serviced: An annual boiler service by a Gas Safe engineer is essential for safety and efficiency.
Understanding common plumbing problems and their associated costs empowers you to act quickly and confidently when issues arise. For peace of mind and a professional result, always contact a local, accredited plumber who can provide a fixed-price quote for the work.
