Common Bathroom Plumbing Problems in Edinburgh (And How to Fix Them)

🚿 Common Bathroom Plumbing Problems in Edinburgh (And How to Fix Them)

Bathrooms are one of the most used spaces in any home — and unsurprisingly, one of the most common sources of plumbing problems. From slow drains to weak showers, even small issues can quickly escalate if ignored.

At Able Girl Plumbing, we handle bathroom-related callouts every week across Edinburgh. Whether you live in a tenement flat in Haymarket, a townhouse in Liberton, or a new build in Gilmerton, we’ve seen (and fixed) it all.

Below, we break down the most common bathroom plumbing issues, what causes them, and how to fix them — either yourself or with help from a trusted local plumber.

🚰 1. Slow or Clogged Drains

The problem:
Your sink, bath, or shower is draining slowly — or not at all. This is one of the most common complaints we hear from Edinburgh homeowners.

Typical causes include:

• Hair buildup in plugholes
• Soap scum congealing with other debris
• Limescale, especially in Edinburgh’s hard water areas

DIY Tip:
You can often clear minor clogs using a drain snake (manual or handheld) or a baking soda and vinegar solution, followed by boiling water. Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they can damage pipes and rarely solve the root problem.

When to call a plumber:
If clogs keep returning or if water backs up from other drains (e.g. water rising in the bath when you drain the sink), you may have a deeper blockage in the main waste pipe. We can perform a professional cleanout and inspect your system with a drain camera if needed.

💧 2. Dripping Taps or Showerheads

A dripping tap may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can waste over 5,000 litres of water a year — not to mention increase your water bills and leave unsightly stains on your fixtures.

Common causes:

• Worn washers or O-rings
• Faulty cartridges in mixer taps
• Loose fittings from general wear and tear

The fix:
Most dripping taps can be repaired by replacing the internal components or the cartridge. In some cases, it’s more efficient to install a modern tap that meets current water efficiency standards.

At Able Girl Plumbing, we carry a range of parts and can usually repair or replace a tap in under an hour — with minimal disruption to your day.

🔻 3. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is frustrating — whether you're trying to enjoy a shower or fill the bath. It’s a common issue in Edinburgh’s older buildings, especially those with outdated plumbing or poor water mains access on upper floors.

Possible causes include:

• Sediment buildup in pipes or shower heads
• Corroded pipework or fixtures reducing flow
• Hidden leaks in your plumbing system
• Low boiler pressure (particularly in combi boiler setups)

DIY Tip:
Check if the issue is isolated (e.g., just one tap) or widespread. Try cleaning your shower head or checking your boiler pressure gauge. If the issue is persistent, call us to assess the system.

Professional solution:
We can inspect your pipework, flush your system, or recommend booster pumps, pressure regulators, or upgraded tapware depending on what’s needed.

🚽 4. Constantly Running Toilet

A toilet that never stops refilling is more than just annoying — it can waste hundreds of litres of water per day.

What’s usually to blame:

• A worn-out flapper valve (the rubber seal inside the tank)
• A faulty fill valve or overflow tube
• A misaligned float that prevents the tank from shutting off properly

Good news:
This is a quick and inexpensive fix. We carry common toilet repair parts in our vans and can usually fix a running toilet on the first visit.

🛠️ When to Call a Local Bathroom Plumber

While a few of these problems have DIY solutions, it’s best to call a professional if:

• You’ve already tried DIY fixes and the problem keeps returning
• You suspect hidden leaks, low pressure due to pipe damage, or multiple issues at once
• You want long-term solutions instead of short-term patches
• You’re updating your bathroom and want to upgrade fixtures properly

At Able Girl Plumbing, we’ve been repairing and renovating bathrooms across Edinburgh for over 15 years. Our female-led team of qualified plumbers offers:

• Fast response times
• Affordable, transparent pricing
• Lasting repairs, not just quick fixes
• Respectful service in all types of homes, including historic flats, rental properties, and modern builds

We’re experienced with both modern fittings and heritage plumbing systems — and we always clean up after ourselves.

🔍 Quick Tips to Keep Your Bathroom Plumbing in Good Shape

Preventing problems is always cheaper than fixing them. Here are our top maintenance tips:

• Clean plugholes weekly to prevent buildup
• Check behind the toilet and under sinks for slow drips
• Know where your stopcock is in case of an emergency
• Don’t overtighten taps — it can damage washers
• Book an annual plumbing checkup if your home is over 30 years old

🛁 Edinburgh Bathrooms: Why They Need Special Attention

Many homes in Edinburgh — especially in areas like Leith, Haymarket, Morningside, and Marchmont — have older plumbing that wasn’t designed with today’s water usage in mind.

We regularly work in:

• Victorian and Edwardian flats, with high ceilings and ageing pipe runs
• Converted townhouses, where bathrooms have been added to upper floors
• New builds, where pressure issues or factory-fitted parts can still cause trouble

Whether you're dealing with a single dripping tap or thinking of a full bathroom upgrade, it pays to work with a plumber who knows the local quirks.