Advice and information
Advice
First steps when you have a leak
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
- Turn off the main water valve of the home. It is often near the meter, under the sink or in a utility cupboard.
- If water is near a socket or an electrical appliance, do not touch it. Only switch off the main circuit breaker if you can reach it with dry feet.
- Mop up, put a bucket in place, and photograph the leak and the damage: these photos are useful for your insurer.
- Warn the neighbour below or the caretaker.
What needs a professional
- Dismantling a concealed fitting, opening a wall or ceiling.
- Working on wet electrics.
- Finding a leak you cannot see.
What to do about a blocked toilet
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
- Stop flushing: the water could overflow.
- Try a toilet plunger (flanged type), with steady movements.
- If the water goes down slowly, give it some time before trying again.
What needs a professional
- Water comes up elsewhere (shower, sink): the blockage is probably further down the pipe.
- It is a macerator toilet.
- Several attempts have failed, or a strong smell persists.
Do not
Never mix drain cleaners with each other or with bleach: they can release toxic gases and splash.
Looking after your electric water heater
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
- Follow the manufacturer’s manual: it lists the checks to make and how often.
- Keep an eye on the safety valve (under the water heater): a few drops while heating can be normal, a continuous flow is not.
- Note the brand, model and year of installation: they will help whoever comes out.
What needs a professional
- Servicing the appliance itself, and descaling if needed.
- Any work on the electrical parts.
- Replacing the safety valve or the water heater.
How often servicing is needed depends on the appliance, water hardness and the manufacturer’s recommendations: it is not the same for everyone.
What never goes into a macerator toilet
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
A macerator toilet is designed for toilet paper and waste water. Do not flush:
- wipes, even “biodegradable” ones;
- sanitary products, cotton buds, hair;
- food waste, fats or harsh chemicals.
What needs a professional
A macerator that runs non-stop, makes an unusual noise, no longer empties or smells. Switch off its power supply before touching anything, and do not open the unit yourself.
Blackened bathroom grout: what to do
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
- Air the bathroom after each shower to limit humidity.
- Clean the grout regularly with a suitable product, following its instructions.
What needs a professional
Cracked, porous or loose grout lets water behind the tiles. It may need redoing. See Bathroom tile grout.
Do not
Do not mix household products, especially bleach with an acidic or ammonia-based product.
Accessible shower: what grants may exist?
Updated on 8 November 2026
Depending on your situation, French public grants may cover part of the cost of adapting a home, for example replacing a bathtub with a level-access shower.
- MaPrimeAdapt’ (Anah) is aimed in particular at households on modest or very modest incomes who are aged 70 or over, aged 60 to 69 with loss of autonomy, or living with a disability. Conditions and amounts are set by Anah.
- Other help may exist depending on where you live: pension funds, the département, local authorities.
Eligibility and amounts are not guaranteed: they depend on income, age or autonomy conditions. Check the official France Rénov’ website before signing a quote and before any work starts. Plombierama does not handle the paperwork.
What to check before installing a washing machine
Updated on 8 November 2026
What you can do
- Find the water supply (with a valve) and the drain (trap or standpipe).
- Check there is a suitable socket nearby, out of reach of splashes.
- Measure the space and note the appliance’s brand and model.
What needs a professional
Creating or changing a water supply or drain. Installation means connecting the appliance, not repairing it. See Washing machine and dishwasher installation.
Frequently asked questions
Who comes to my home?
A plumbing professional we put you in touch with. They work under their own responsibility, write the quote and invoice you directly. Plombierama takes your request and handles the hand-over.
What does the €120 excl. VAT package include?
For package services, it covers the call-out and the basic work for the service concerned. If there are complications or extra parts and supplies, the professional writes a quote, to be accepted before any work. The price is confirmed with you before any work. Some services, such as hidden leak detection, are quoted from the start.
Do you cover my town?
We cover all of Île-de-France. You can look up your town or arrondissement on the home page. Timing is confirmed when you contact us.
Can I send a photo?
Yes, on WhatsApp or with the call-back form (optional). A photo helps prepare the visit; a quote can be drawn up based on the information available. Your photos are never published.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Bank transfer, cash or card. Cheques are not accepted. You pay the professional who invoices you.
Do you speak English?
Yes: contact and call-outs can be in English or French.
Useful links
Your rights in France: quotes, prices, cancellation, pitfalls to avoid.
Official advice before calling out a repair service.
Official conditions of the home adaptation grant.
The French public service for home renovation: grants and advisers.
How the referral service works
Plombierama is a referral service: we take your plumbing request and pass it to an independent professional, in Paris and across Île-de-France.
Available by phone 24/7. If you send a message or request a callback, we reply or call you back in under 15 minutes.
1 · Your request
You call or write to us. We note the need, the urgency and the town.
2 · The hand-over
We contact a plumber from our network. With your agreement, they get back to you to discuss your request.
3 · The call-out
The professional works under their own responsibility, writes the quote and invoices you directly.
The price is confirmed with you before any work; extra work is only carried out once you accept a quote.
How we are paid
Plombierama is paid a share of the service price. You pay no referral fee on top of the price shown. TO BE COMPLETED
Plombierama does not carry out the work itself and does not employ the professionals it refers.
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