10 Small Plumbing Fixes Every Homeowner in Wellington Should Know (Step‑by‑Step)

Living in Wellington and the surrounding suburbs (Karori, Newtown, Johnsonville, Miramar, Lower Hutt, Porirua and beyond) means dealing with the occasional dripping tap or slow drain. Many minor problems are simple to fix yourself with the right tools and safety precautions — and knowing when to call a licensed plumber keeps your home compliant with New Zealand regulations.

This post gives practical, step‑by‑step tutorials for 10 common plumbing fixes. These are intended for basic DIY. For restricted or complex plumbing work, or if you’re unsure, contact a licensed plumber — for local help visit Accrete Plumbing (source and local services).

Important NZ compliance & safety note

In New Zealand, some plumbing tasks are restricted and must be carried out by licensed tradespeople (Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers). If the repair affects sanitary drains, water supply fittings, gas, backflow prevention or structural building elements, you should engage a licensed plumber and check any council/building code requirements. When in doubt, call a professional in the Wellington region — see Accrete Plumbing for local services: https://www.accreteplumbing.co.nz/.

Tools & materials to keep on hand

• Adjustable wrench, basin wrench
• Screwdriver set (flat & Phillips)
• Plunger (sink and toilet) and hand auger / plumber’s snake
• Bucket, rags, rubber gloves
• PTFE (plumber’s) tape, pipe joint compound
• Replacement washers, O‑rings, aerators, flapper valves
• Silicone sealant, plumbers’ epoxy putty (for temporary fixes)
• Torch / headlamp

1. Stop a dripping tap (washer style)

Tools: adjustable wrench, screwdriver, replacement washer, cloth.

1. Turn off the water supply to the tap (isolate under the sink or the house supply if required).
2. Open the tap to relieve pressure and drain remaining water.
3. Remove the tap handle — usually a screw under a cap or on the top.
4. Use a wrench to remove the packing nut and take out the valve stem.
5. Inspect the rubber washer at the end of the stem; replace if worn or flattened.
6. Reassemble in reverse order, turn water back on and test for leaks.
7. If dripping persists, the valve seat or cartridge may need replacing — consider calling a plumber.

When to call a pro: If the tap is cartridge type, or you can’t stop the leak with a new washer.

2. Fix a running toilet (flapper/valve)

Tools: none required, optional pliers, replacement flapper kit.

1. Remove the cistern lid and ensure the water level is stable.
2. Check the flapper at the base of the cistern. If it’s warped, cracked or not sealing, turn off the water and replace it.
3. Try gently cleaning the seat and flapper area to remove debris.
4. Adjust the chain so there’s a little slack but not too much — the flapper must fully seat.
5. Turn the water back on and observe; adjust float/overflow as needed to maintain correct fill height.
6. If internal components are old or the valve assembly leaks, fit a replacement valve kit or call a Wellington plumber if you’re unsure.

3. Unblock a slow sink or shower drain

Tools: plunger, bucket, old toothbrush, plumber’s snake/hand auger.

1. Remove the plug or stopper. For basin pop‑ups, follow manufacturer instructions to remove the linkage.
2. Use a plunger to try to dislodge the blockage — seal any overflow openings with a wet rag for better suction.
3. If the plunger fails, use a plumber’s snake: feed it down the drain, rotate and pull back to remove hair/debris.
4. Clean the trap (U‑bend) under the sink — place a bucket below, loosen the slip nuts and remove the trap to clear gunk.
5. Reassemble, run hot water and a little dish soap to flush remaining residue.
6. A persistent or recurring blockage may be deeper in the waste pipe — book drain unblocking with a licensed contractor serving Wellington and suburbs.

4. Replace a faucet cartridge

Tools: adjustable wrench, screwdriver, replacement cartridge.

1. Turn off water supply to the tap and open it to relieve pressure.
2. Remove the handle and any decorative covers to access the cartridge retaining nut.
3. Use a wrench to loosen and remove the nut, then pull out the cartridge (note its orientation).
4. Fit the new cartridge exactly as the old one sat, reinstall the retaining nut and handle.
5. Turn on the water and test for correct operation and leaks.

Tip: Take the old cartridge to a local hardware store or plumber to match exactly.

5. Replace an aerator to improve tap flow

Tools: adjustable pliers or aerator key, cloth.

1. Wrap cloth around the aerator to avoid scratching the finish.
2. Unscrew the aerator from the spout (turn counterclockwise).
3. Inspect for debris or mineral build‑up; clean with vinegar or replace if damaged.
4. Screw the cleaned or new aerator back on and test flow.

6. Clear a blocked shower waste trap

Tools: screwdriver, plunger, drain snake, gloves.

1. Remove the shower grate or plug (some designs have screws).
2. Use a drain snake or a bent wire to pull out hair and debris from the immediate trap area.
3. Follow with hot water and a small amount of washing soda (not chemical drain cleaners) to help break down soap scum.
4. If the waste remains blocked, a plumber with powered drain‑cleaning gear may be required.

7. Tighten small leaks under the sink (pipe joints)

Tools: adjustable wrench, PTFE tape, bucket.

1. Place a bucket under the leak and dry the area.
2. Identify the leaking connection (slip nut, compression fitting, or joint).
3. Tighten the slip nuts gently — over-tightening can deform fittings.
4. If the leak persists, loosen the joint, clean the threads, apply fresh PTFE tape (on threaded fittings) and reassemble.
5. Replace worn washers or compression rings if needed.

When to call: If you can’t stop the leak or if the leak is from the water supply (risk of major water damage), call a licensed plumber immediately.

8. Replace a showerhead

Tools: adjustable pliers, cloth, PTFE tape.

1. Remove the old showerhead by turning it counterclockwise (protect finish with a cloth).
2. Clean the thread on the arm and wrap with PTFE tape to ensure a watertight seal.
3. Screw the new showerhead on and hand‑tighten, then give a small additional turn with pliers (protected by cloth).
4. Run the shower and check for leaks; tighten slightly if needed.

9. Isolate and shut off water to your house (emergency procedure)

Tools: adjustable wrench (if the valve is stiff), torch for valve label night.

1. Locate your main isolation valve — usually near the water meter, under the house, or on the exterior boundary in the Wellington region.
2. Turn the valve clockwise to close (some valves are quarter‑turn ball valves; turn 90° to close).
3. Open a tap at the highest point and a lower tap to drain the system and relieve pressure.
4. If you can’t close the valve, or water continues to flow, contact your local plumber or council water provider immediately.

Note: Know the valve location in advance (basement, meter box, or under sink) — this saves minutes in an emergency.

10. Temporary minor leak repair with plumbers’ epoxy

Tools: plumbers’ epoxy putty or repair tape, cloth, gloves, bucket.

1. Turn off the water supply to the affected pipe.
2. Dry the area thoroughly and clean off corrosion or scale.
3. Follow the product instructions: mix the epoxy putty and apply tightly over the leak, shaping to cover the area.
4. Allow the recommended cure time before turning the system back on.
5. Use this as a temporary measure and arrange a permanent repair by a licensed plumber in Wellington.

Warning: Epoxy is a short‑term fix. Permanent repairs to water supply pipes should be completed by a licensed tradesperson.

When to call Accrete Plumbing in Wellington

DIY can solve many small issues, but for emergencies, gas work, hot‑water system repairs, drain blockages deep in the waste network, or any job that affects sanitary systems or compliance, call a licensed Wellington plumber. Accrete Plumbing provides local service across Wellington and suburbs — for service details and emergency contact information, see Accrete Plumbing.

Quick checklist before attempting DIY plumbing

• Turn off water and isolate the affected area.
• Have the right tools and safety gear ready.
• Know your limits — don’t attempt restricted plumbing work under NZ law.
• Keep contact details for a local licensed plumber handy for fast response.

For Wellington homeowners in suburbs from Karori to Miramar, Newtown to Johnsonville, professional, compliant plumbing help is available. If you need licensed workmanship, fast emergency response or specialist drain or hot‑water repairs, learn more about services at https://www.accreteplumbing.co.nz/.