Plug replacement in Exeter
Professional plug replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bath or sink plug replaced with proper fitting one that actually seals. Right size, good quality seal, holds water without slowly draining.
Baths Shouldn't Drain While You're In Them
You run a lovely hot bath. Get in. Ten minutes later the water level's noticeably lower and you're lying in a lukewarm puddle.
The plug's either too small, perished, or just rubbish. You've tried pressing it down harder. You've tried the universal rubber one from the supermarket. Nothing seals properly.
So you've either given up on baths or you top up with hot water every five minutes like it's the 1950s.
💡 Pro tip: A proper fitting plug with a fresh rubber seal should hold water for hours. If yours doesn't, the rubber's probably perished or it's the wrong size.
Why Your Plug Won't Seal
| ✅ Proper Plug | ❌ What's Not Working |
|---|---|
| Exact right size for plughole | Too small, sits loose |
| Fresh rubber seal | Perished, hard, cracked |
| Flat seating surface | Warped or damaged rim |
| Slight weight to press down | Too light, floats up |
What I'll Do
🔧 The Replacement
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Measure | Check exact size of your plughole |
| Clean | Remove old plug, clean rim properly |
| Fit | Install new plug with fresh seal |
📦 You're Left With
- Plug that actually fits
- Water stays in the bath
- Decent seal that'll last years
- No more topping up constantly
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| One plug replacement | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Multiple (bath + basin) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Standard rubber plug about £3-8 if I supply it.
Common Problems Fixed
✅ Water drains slowly - perished seal
✅ Plug too small - wrong size, floats around
✅ Plug won't stay down - no weight or suction
✅ Universal plug doesn't fit - need proper size
✅ Old plug cracked - rubber gone hard
Why Choose Us for Plug replacement in Exeter?
Right size plug for your bath/sink
Proper rubber seal fitted
Holds water without draining
Chain or pop-up mechanism working
What to Expect
Step 1: Measure Properly
Check the exact size of your plughole. Bath, basin, and sink often need different sizes even in the same house.
Step 2: Clean The Rim
Remove old plug, clean any gunk or limescale off the plughole rim. Needs to be smooth for a good seal.
Step 3: Fit New Plug
Install new plug with fresh rubber seal. Test it holds water. Adjust or try different one if needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to replace your own plug? Here's what to know:
🔧 What you'll need
- Tape measure or ruler
- New plug (right size!)
- Maybe: wire wool to clean plughole rim
📏 Measuring for the right size
Standard sizes:
- Bath: 1.5 inches (38mm or 40mm)
- Basin: 1.25 inches (32mm)
- Kitchen sink: Usually 1.5 inches but varies
- Shower tray: Often 90mm but measure it
How to measure:
- Measure the diameter of the plughole opening
- Top to bottom across the middle
- Some plugs list the size, others say "standard bath" etc.
🛁 Types of plug
Basic rubber plug (£3-5):
- Simple, works fine
- Rubber perishes after few years
- Easy to replace
Chrome/metal with chain (£8-15):
- Looks smarter
- Usually has better seal
- Chain means you won't lose it
Pop-up waste plug:
- Part of the whole waste assembly
- Operated by twist knob or lever
- More complex to replace
Universal fit (£5-8):
- Adjustable rubber
- Supposedly fits any size
- Often doesn't seal as well as exact size
🔧 Fitting a new plug
- Remove old plug
- Clean the plughole rim thoroughly (wire wool if limescale)
- Check rubber seal on new plug is in good condition
- Drop plug into hole - should sit snug
- Run water to test seal
- If drains slowly, try pressing plug or check rim is clean
⚠️ Common issues
- Still drains: Either wrong size or plughole rim damaged
- Won't stay down: Need one with more weight or slightly bigger
- Floats up: Too small - need next size up
- Universal plug doesn't work: They rarely do - get proper size
💡 Pro trick: Before spending money on new plug, try cleaning the rim of your plughole really well with wire wool and vinegar. Sometimes it's just limescale stopping the seal. If that doesn't work, it's definitely the plug that needs replacing.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🛁 Multiple to do? Bath, en-suite basin, downstairs loo - do them all while I'm there. Takes barely any extra time.
Pop-up plug stuck? I can try to free it up, but if the mechanism's broken you might need the whole waste replaced - that's more of a plumbing job.
Old house with weird sizes? Some Victorian/Edwardian properties have non-standard plughole sizes. I'll measure and source the right one even if it's unusual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what size plug I need?
Bath plugs are usually 1.5 inches (38-40mm), basin plugs 1.25 inches (32mm). But I'll measure yours to be sure. Some older properties have non-standard sizes.
Can you supply the plug or do I need to buy one?
I can bring a standard one, or you can buy the exact style you want. Basic rubber plug is about £3-5, chrome one with chain maybe £8-15. Your choice.
What if the plug keeps popping out?
Either it's slightly too small for the hole, or the rubber seal's perished and lost its grip. We need the right size with a decent fresh rubber seal - that'll solve it.
My bath has a pop-up plug - can you fix that?
Depends what's wrong with it. If the plug mechanism's seized or broken, I might be able to free it up. If it's completely knackered, you might need a plumber to replace the whole waste assembly.
The water drains slowly even when plugged - why?
The rubber seal's probably perished or the plug's warped. Fresh plug with good seal should fix it. Also worth checking the plughole rim isn't damaged - that can stop a seal too.
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