Plumbing guides
Written by the plumbers who do the work: what went wrong, what it costs and what to do next — no jargon.
Plumbing 13
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What Is an Esquentador? The Portuguese Water Heater Explained
An esquentador is the gas water heater found in most Portuguese homes. What it is called in English, how it works, the types, the gas it uses and how to look after it.
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Esquentador vs Termoacumulador: Which Is Better for Your Flat?
Gas esquentador or electric termoacumulador? How each works, running costs, space, safety and which makes sense for a Lisbon flat — explained without jargon.
Read the article No Hot Water in Your Apartment in Portugal? Check These 6 Things First
No hot water in your flat in Portugal? Check the gas, the batteries, the water flow and the circuit breaker before calling a plumber — plus the warning signs you should never ignore.
Read the article What Size Termoacumulador Do You Need? 50, 80, 100 or 150 Litres
Choosing an electric water heater in Portugal: how to pick between 50, 80, 100 and 150 litres, horizontal or vertical, and how to stop running out of hot water.
Read the article Atmosférico, Ventilado or Estanque: Which Esquentador Should You Buy?
Replacing your esquentador? The difference between atmosférico, ventilado and estanque models, which one your flat can take, capacity in litres and what affects the price.
Read the article Esquentador and Carbon Monoxide: Warning Signs and What to Do
A gas water heater that burns badly can produce carbon monoxide. The warning signs — yellow flame, soot, headaches — what to do immediately, and how to prevent it.
Read the article Gas Bottles and Your Water Heater in Portugal: How They Work
Butane or propane, how to change a gas bottle safely, why the heater will not light after a swap, how long a bottle lasts and when to call a professional.
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Toilet Keeps Running After Flush: Causes and How to Fix It
A toilet that keeps running wastes water all day. Find the cause — fill valve, flush valve or seal — fix it step by step, and what to do with concealed cisterns.
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Dripping Tap: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Why taps drip, how to fix a dripping mixer tap or old two-handle tap, how limescale in Lisbon speeds it up, and when replacing the tap makes more sense.
Read the article Low Water Pressure in the Shower: Causes and Fixes
Weak shower in your Lisbon flat? How to tell if it is the shower head, the mixer, the water heater, the pipes or the building supply — and what fixes each one.
Read the article How Much Does a Plumber Cost in Lisbon? 2026 Prices
What plumbing jobs cost in Lisbon in 2026 — call-outs, unblocking, leak detection and water heater repairs, with our prices from from 60 € and what makes a job cost more.
Read the article Hard Water in Lisbon: Limescale, Your Plumbing and What to Do
Is Lisbon water hard? What limescale does to taps, shower heads, water heaters and pipes, how to remove it, and whether a softener is worth it in a flat.
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Buying an Old Flat in Lisbon: Plumbing Checks Before You Sign
Buying or renting an older flat in Lisbon? The plumbing checks to do before signing — pipes, lead, water heater, drains, damp and the building — and what they can cost you later.
Read the articleLeak Detection 9
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Average Water Bill in Portugal — and How to Tell If You Have a Leak
What a normal water bill looks like in Portugal, what it includes, why it can suddenly jump, and a 20-minute meter test to check for a hidden leak.
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Water Leak From the Flat Upstairs: Who Pays in Portugal?
Water coming through your ceiling from the flat above? Who is usually responsible in Portugal, how home insurance fits in, and what to do in the first hours.
Read the article How to Read Your Water Meter in Portugal (and Use It to Find Leaks)
Where the water meter is in a Lisbon flat, how to read the numbers, what the small dial means, how to send readings and how to use the meter to detect a leak.
Read the article 9 Signs of a Hidden Water Leak in Your Flat
Damp patches, bubbling paint, loose tiles, musty smells, a meter that never stops — the signs of a hidden water leak and how to find it before it gets expensive.
Read the article Damp and Mould in Your Lisbon Apartment: Leak or Condensation?
Mould on walls in your Lisbon flat? How to tell condensation from a plumbing leak or rain getting in, simple tests, what helps, and when to call a professional.
Read the article Leaking Shower Tray: How Water Escapes and How to Fix It
Stain on the ceiling below your bathroom? How shower trays, silicone and grout leak, simple tests to find the cause, and how it is repaired without redoing the bathroom.
Read the article Burst Pipe at Home: What to Do Right Now (and What It Costs)
Water pouring from a pipe? The steps in the first five minutes, how to stop the water, protect your home and the flat below, and what a burst pipe repair costs in Lisbon.
Read the article Where Is the Main Water Valve in a Lisbon Flat? How to Find It
How to find the main water shut-off valve (stopcock) in a Portuguese flat, the different valve types, how to close it safely, and what to do if it is stuck.
Read the article Water Damage Insurance Claim in Portugal: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to claim for water damage on home insurance in Portugal: what multi-risk policies usually cover, the documents you need, the role of the plumber's report and common reasons claims stall.
Read the articleBlocked Drains 8
See the service → Blocked Toilet and No Plunger: What to Do
Toilet blocked and no plunger at home? Safe ways to clear it with what you have, what never to do, and the signs the blockage is further down the pipe.
Read the article Kitchen Sink Blocked: How to Clear It (and When to Stop)
Kitchen sink full of water? Clear it step by step — plunger, trap, hot water — learn why grease blocks old Lisbon pipes, and when it is time to call a plumber.
Read the article Bathroom Smells Like Sewer: Causes and How to Fix It
Sewer smell in the bathroom but no blockage? Dry traps, failed seals, venting and hidden leaks are the usual causes. How to find yours and fix it for good.
Read the article Shower Drain Clogged or Smelly: How to Clean It Properly
Shower draining slowly or smelling? How to open and clean the different shower traps found in Portuguese bathrooms, remove hair and soap, and stop it happening again.
Read the article Gurgling Drains and Water Backing Up When the Washing Machine Drains
Sink gurgling, water coming up in the shower or sink when the washing machine empties? What it means, how serious it is, and whether the problem is in your flat or the building.
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Chemical Drain Cleaners: Why Plumbers Tell You Not to Use Them
Do chemical drain unblockers work? Why they rarely clear real blockages, how they damage old pipes and seals, the safety risks, and what to use instead.
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Are "Flushable" Wipes Really Flushable? Why They Block Drains
Wet wipes are the most common cause of blocked toilets. Why "flushable" wipes do not break down like paper, what else should never be flushed, and what it costs when they block.
Read the article Blocked Building Drain in Portugal: Who Pays — You or the Condominium?
Water coming up on the ground floor, several flats blocked at once? How to tell a private blockage from a shared one, who usually pays in a Portuguese condominium, and what to do.
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