Home & Living
Leaks, mould, blocked drains, things that stopped working. Most household problems have a cheap fix — the hard part is knowing which one you actually have.
Popular problems
Start with the symptom. Each page helps you identify the cause before recommending anything.
Toilet Leaking? Here's What to Check First
Most toilet leaks come from one of five places, and four of them are cheap to fix yourself. This page helps you identify which one you have before you spend anything.
Drain Draining Slowly? Here's What's Actually Blocking It
Bathroom and kitchen blockages have different causes and need different fixes. Using the wrong one wastes money and can damage your pipes.
Black Mould in the Bathroom? Here's What Actually Works
Removing the stain is the easy half. This page covers both: getting the black spots off, and working out why they keep coming back.
Recommended products
Everything we currently recommend in this category, with the reasoning shown.
PTFE Thread Seal Tape
Thread seal tape
The white tape you wrap around pipe threads before screwing a connection back together. It fills the tiny gaps in the thread so water can't weep out. One roll lasts through many small jobs.
Best for: Slow drips at a threaded pipe connection
See the full breakdownToilet Flush Valve Seal Kit
Toilet repair part
A replacement rubber seal (and usually a flapper) for the valve at the bottom of the cistern. This is the part that hardens over time and lets water trickle into the bowl continuously.
Best for: A toilet that keeps refilling on its own
See the full breakdownAdjustable Wrench
Hand tool
A single wrench that fits a range of nut sizes. For household plumbing it saves buying a full spanner set you'll use twice a year.
Best for: Tightening pipe and tap connections
See the full breakdownHand Drain Auger
Drain tool
A coiled steel cable on a hand crank that you feed down a drain to break up or pull out a blockage. Reaches much further than any liquid cleaner.
Best for: Bathroom drains blocked with hair
See the full breakdownEnzyme Drain Maintainer
Drain treatment
A bacteria- or enzyme-based liquid that slowly digests grease and organic build-up. It works over hours, not minutes, and is meant for upkeep rather than emergencies.
Best for: Kitchen drains that keep slowing down
See the full breakdownMould Remover Gel
Cleaning chemical
A thickened bleach-based gel that clings to vertical surfaces instead of running off. Designed for the black spotting that forms in silicone joints and grout lines.
Best for: Black spots on bathroom silicone
See the full breakdownBathroom Silicone Sealant
Sealant
Mould-resistant silicone for resealing the joint between bath, basin or shower tray and the wall. Used when the old seal is too far gone to clean.
Best for: Silicone that stays black after cleaning
See the full breakdownMicrofibre Cloth Pack
Cleaning cloth
A multipack of microfibre cloths. Cheap, washable, and the default applicator and buffing cloth for most cleaning and car care jobs.
Best for: Buffing, polishing, general cleaning
See the full breakdown