Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Toilets do block from time to time, but in most cases they can be unblocked very simply. Chemical cleaners are available, but if you choose this option make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines precisely. Never use a chemical cleaner with a plunger. Regular blockages can often be caused by an inadequate ‘fall’ (slope downwards) in the pipes in parts of the drainage system. You may need a plumber to advise you here. read more »

Changing bath taps is straightforward as long as you have good access to the underside of the bath and the isolation valves for the water supply. Make sure that any replacements you buy are compatible with the number of tap holes on your bath and the distance that they are apart. In this example a bath filler unit is being replaced with one that has a shower spray attachment. read more »

Bathrooms are often the smallest room in the house, and therefore space-saving designs like under-basin towel rails are an excellent idea. They can be fitted below pedestal supported basins or wall hung ones, as shown below. read more »

Changing a toilet seat is a straightforward job, whilst also being a cheap way of giving your bathroom a bit of a revamp. Most seats are adjustable in that the hinges can be adjusted to fit different toilet bowl sizes, however it is always worth taking a few measurements before you buy a new one, just to check. read more »

The sequence below shows a typical order of work for fitting a bath and taps. Changing over an old bath for a new one is a straightforward job if you are easily able to isolate the water supply, and both waste and supply pipes do not need major alterations in positioning. When ordering a new bath, make sure that the taps you choose are compatible with the number of holes in the bath. read more »