DIY Plumbing Projects - Browse through the following list of projects.

All domestic water is supplied by a service pipe, also known as a rising main. This is connected to the local water authority's main which runs under the highway. There will be a stop cock where the rising main tee's off the water authority's main, this provides a means of isolating the supply to your property, should an emergency or any repairs be required. The homeowners responsibility begins where the rising main leaves the public highway and enters their land.

The rising main in modern properties is made from plastic, although in some older properties this could be lead or copper. There is another stop cock where the rising main enters your building, this could be in a number of places. Common locations are:

• Under the kitchen sink.
• In the hallway behind a section of removable skirting board.
• In a service cupboard at the front of the property.

If you don't know where the stop cock is in your property then find out as soon as possible, when water is dripping through the ceiling is not the time to start looking.

Most homeowners rarely have to carry out major plumbing jobs and in most cases it is usually safer and better to employ qualified tradesmen, but being able to tackle small installations or repairs can save a lot of time and money.

If you choose to modify existing or install new plumbing then you must adhere to local water authority regulations. These regulations are designed to safeguard public health and reduce risk of contamination or wastage. Contact your local water authority for the relevant information.

You must also adhere to any relevant electrical regulations, these are also designed to safeguard anyone against injury. Certain sections of plumbing must be earth bonded, if any sections are replaced with plastic then an earth bonding link needs to be fitted. If you are in any doubt consult a qualified electrician.

Airlocks	How to remove and prevent airlocks in pipes.
Central heating corrosion	Methods for checking the corrosion in your system and how to treat it.
Combi system	Information about combination boilers and how they work.
Central heating controls	Information on central heating controls, programmers, thermostats, valves, etc.
Central heating de-scaling	How to de-scale your central heating system.
Drain a sealed system	How to drain a sealed central heating system.
Drain a vented system	How to drain a vented central heating system.
Filling a sealed system	How to fill a sealed central heating system.
Filling a vented system	How to fill a vented central heating system.
Open vented system	Learn about the different types of open vented central heating systems.
Sealed system	Learn about the different types of sealed central heating systems.
Central heating faults	Use our guide to cure your own central heating faults.
Central heating systems	Different types of central heating systems.
Direct cold water system	Identify your system using our pictures and information.
In-direct cold water system	Identify your system using our pictures and information.
Drain cold water storage tank	How to drain the cold water storage tank ( head tank )
Cold water systems	Learn about the different cold water systems in the home.
Drain cold water taps & pipes	Method for draining cold water taps and pipes.
Repair compression fitting	How to repair a leaking compression joint, how to remove, replace the olive.
Compression joints	How to assemble a compression joint and help prevent leaks.
Copper pipe	Working with copper tubing including cutting and deburring ready for soldering.
Combination boiler	Description of hot water system using a combination boiler.
Hot water cylinder	Information on types of direct and in-direct hot water cylinders.
Drain hot water cylinder	How to drain a hot water cylinder including the syphoning method.
Unvented hot water cylinder	Information about unvented hot water cylinders.
Vented hot water cylinder	Information about vented hot water cylinders.
Drain hot water taps & pipes	Method for draining hot water taps and pipes.
Maintain central heating	Know how to keep your central heating system in good condition.
Plastic pipe	Learn about plastic pipe.
Cutting plastic pipe	Method for cutting plastic pipe.
Plastic collet fittings	How to assemble push fit collet joints on plastic pipe.
Plastic grab ring fittings	How to assemble push fit grab ring joints on plastic pipe.
Repair plastic joint	How to repair a leak on plastic pipe joints.
Radiators	Information on radiators and their parts.
Bleeding radiators	How to bleed radiators.
Draining radiators	How to drain radiators for maintenance or repair.
Radiator valves	How to assemble and fit radiator valves.
Fitting a radiator	Method for setting out and fitting a radiator.
Remove radiator valve	Method for removing a radiator valve and olive.
Soldered end feed joint	Method for assembling a soldered end feed joint.
Soldered yorkshire joint	Method for assembling a soldered integral ring joint, known as yorkshire fitting
Repair soldered joint	How to repair a leaking soldered joint.
Pillar taps	Exploded view of a pillar tap showing how it works.
Repair tap gland	Method for repairing a leaking gland.
Replace tap washer	Method for replacing a tap washer.
Supatap	How to strip down and rebuild supataps, replace the jumper and washer
Remove or replace toilet	How to remove and replace a Toilet.
Drain toilet cistern	How to drain a toilet cistern.