Pop up plug repair in Exeter
Professional pop up plug repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Pop-up basin plug mechanism repaired - freed up if seized, linkage adjusted if loose, plug sealing properly. Or converted to standard plug if you prefer.
That Lever Doesn't Do Anything Anymore
You pull the lever behind the tap. Nothing happens. The plug's stuck down (or up) and won't move no matter how hard you yank the control.
Or it sort-of works but doesn't seal properly anymore, so the basin drains even when the plug's supposedly down.
Or worst of all - the mechanism broke internally and now the lever just waves about uselessly with no connection to anything.
💡 Pro tip: Most pop-up plug failures are caused by limescale buildup in the linkage mechanism. If you've got hard water, these things seize up eventually.
Common Pop-Up Problems
| ✅ Fixable | ❌ Needs Replacing |
|---|---|
| Seized up with limescale | Broken linkage rod |
| Loose connection at plug | Corroded beyond repair |
| Needs adjustment to seal | Stripped thread on mechanism |
| Lever come off mounting | Whole waste assembly cracked |
What I'll Do
🔧 The Repair
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Diagnose | Work out what's wrong - seized, loose, broken |
| Attempt Fix | Free up mechanism, adjust linkage, replace parts if possible |
| Test | Check plug goes up/down smoothly and seals properly |
📦 You're Left With
- Working pop-up mechanism
- Smooth operation up and down
- Proper seal when closed
- Or simple plug alternative if beyond repair
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple adjustment/freeing | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Linkage replacement if needed | 45 mins - 1 hr | £60 |
| Convert to standard plug | 30-45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Replacement parts (if available) charged at cost.
What Usually Works
✅ Seized mechanism - can often be freed with penetrating oil
✅ Loose linkage - tighten or reattach connections
✅ Poor seal - adjust height or replace rubber seal
✅ Lever come loose - reattach to mechanism
✅ Simple conversion - fit standard plug instead
Why Choose Us for Pop up plug repair in Exeter?
Mechanism freed and working smoothly
Linkage adjusted or replaced
Plug seals properly again
No more stuck or jammed operation
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess The Problem
I'll check what's wrong - is it seized, is something broken, is it just poorly adjusted? Look underneath basin if accessible.
Step 2: Attempt Repair
Try to free seized parts, adjust linkage, tighten connections. If parts are broken, I'll tell you honestly if it's repairable.
Step 3: Test Or Convert
If fixed, test it works smoothly. If beyond repair, we can fit a simple plug instead - works just as well, less to go wrong.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to try fixing your pop-up plug yourself? Here's what to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanner or pliers
- Penetrating oil (WD-40 or similar)
- Possibly: replacement linkage parts from plumbers merchant
🔍 How pop-up mechanisms work
The parts:
- Pop-up plug: The bit in the plughole
- Lift rod: The lever behind the tap
- Horizontal rod: Connects under basin
- Pivot rod: Connects to plug
When you pull the lever up:
- Lift rod pushes horizontal rod backward
- Horizontal rod pulls pivot rod
- Pivot rod pushes plug down to seal
🛠️ Common fixes
Seized mechanism:
- Spray penetrating oil on all moving parts
- Work lever back and forth gently
- Leave for 30 mins, repeat
- Might take several attempts
Loose connection:
- Access under basin
- Check connection between horizontal rod and pivot rod
- Tighten the securing clip/nut
- Test operation
Plug won't seal:
- Check rubber seal on plug isn't perished
- Adjust length of pivot rod (usually a screw adjustment)
- Plug should sit firmly in hole when down
Lever won't stay put:
- Check if mounting clip is loose
- Tighten mounting nut behind tap
- Might need new clip if broken
⚠️ Common issues
- Can't access under basin: Built-in vanity units make it hard
- Corroded fittings won't budge: Might break trying to adjust them
- Non-standard parts: Older mechanisms use proprietary parts
- Limescale too severe: Sometimes beyond saving
💡 Pro trick: If you can't fix it and don't want to pay for a whole new waste assembly, just disconnect the mechanism and use a standard rubber plug. Takes 10 minutes, costs about £3, works perfectly well.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚿 Multiple basins? If you've got several pop-up plugs that are dodgy, I'll check them all. Often they all seize up around the same time if you've got hard water.
Can't access underneath? Some vanity units make it impossible to reach the mechanism without dismantling the whole unit. I'll assess and advise.
Prefer a simple plug? Honestly, standard plugs are more reliable. If your pop-up's given up and you're happy with a basic plug on a chain, that's often the sensible solution. Cheaper too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a pop-up plug?
It's the basin plug that's controlled by the lever or knob behind the tap. Push the lever down, plug pops up. Pull lever up, plug goes down to seal. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it's annoying.
My pop-up plug won't stay down - can you fix that?
Usually yes - either the linkage has come loose, or the mechanism's seized up. I can adjust or free it up. If parts are broken or worn out completely, might need replacing.
What if the whole mechanism is corroded?
Then it might need replacing properly - that's more of a plumber job as you need to disconnect the waste underneath. I'll have a look and advise honestly if it's beyond repair.
Can you convert it to a normal plug instead?
Yes - if the mechanism's knackered and you don't want to replace it, I can remove it and fit a standard plug. Simpler, cheaper, works just as well.
How long do pop-up plug mechanisms last?
Depends on water quality and use. Hard water areas like Exeter, the limescale builds up and seizes them. Could last 5 years, could last 20. When they fail, they usually fail completely.
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