Pipes & Drains

When you are unblocking and outside drain, the very first step is to assess what is causing the blockage. You can open up the drain cover- use a gloved hand to check whether there is a blockage right under that area. If the blockage is a deeper, you would have to use an auger or drain snake. In case of a very severe obstruction deep inside the pipe, a water pressure jet would be needed. If this does not solve the problem and tree roots or other stubborn debris are causing the blockage, you would need to hire a licensed plumber for clearing the drain.

When you have a drain blockage, if your plumber tells you that the blockage exists on the street and not on your property, it would be the Water Corporation's responsibility to deal with it. Once the plumber has inspected the sewage system and determined that the blockage truly lies outside your lot's boundary, they will call the water corporation and tell them that the blockage exists. The latter will then pay the plumber a specific standard fee for identifying where the blockage is.

It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure that all the plumbing systems on the property are in good condition at all times; this includes the drainage system. So it is their responsibility to clear a blocked drain if the blockage has occurred due to an ongoing problem. However, if it is determined that the blockage is the tenant's fault, it would become the tenant's responsibility. In case of an emergency, the tenant would need to inform the landlord about the blockage. They can get the work done by a professional, and then ask the landlord to reimburse them.

The average cost to hire a plumber for unclogging a simple bathroom tub or kitchen sink is in the range of $80 – $120. However, if the work is more complex, this cost can increase to $300 – $500. Unclogging a laundry drain will cost anywhere between $150 and $270. There could be a price variation for unclogging drains, depending on the market and the severity of the clog. Some plumbers would charge a fixed rate while others would charge an hourly rate, and there may also be a call-out fee involved.

Home insurance generally covers the costs of any unexpected damages. It means that if there is any gradual damage to the plumbing fixtures such as the drain pipes, it would not be covered. It's because these problems are avoidable with regular maintenance. If damage has occurred due to a heavy impact or the drains are blocked due to collapse, the insurance company may assess this damage. They may cover it as part of your home insurance policy. However, this is something you would need to check with your insurance provider.

Stormwater pipes are under the ground; locating them visually is not possible. If you want to find a stormwater pipe, look for grates or pits in that space. Work out the overall natural fall of the areas. In most instances, stormwater pipes are installed to work naturally with the surrounding ground, and you will be able to detect where they are draining to. However, if you find it challenging to locate these pipes, you can always call in a licensed plumber. They will also help you with this detailed inspection and the information.

There are various ways in which a collapsed sewer line can be fixed. One of the most advanced methods of fixing this problem is to opt for relining in which an epoxy sleeve is inserted into it, and inflated to form a pipe within the pipe. The traditional method involves excavating the area and replacing the collapsed section of the pipe with a new one. Rerouting the collapsed sewer line is another solution, but it might not work in all settings. A professional plumber will be able to tell you which option would work best for your situation and type of pipe.

Sewer line repairs may not always be covered under home insurance. However, this would depend on what has caused the damage. For example, if the system has suffered some damage due to a lack of maintenance, it would not be covered. On the other hand, if the damage has occurred due to a massive impact or some natural calamity etc. the insurance company might cover it. Since every company has a different policy, you would have to check the details of your specific insurance coverage with your provider to understand whether swear line repairs are covered in it.

If you have a smelly drain, there are some simple ways to get rid of the odours. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar does wonders. First run some hot water into the drain, pour in a cup full of baking soda and follow it up with two cups of vinegar. Allow this to fizz for some time and leave it untouched for at least an hour. After that, you can flush your drain with some hot water from the tap. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways of clearing smelly and clogged drains. However, if this does not work, you would have to call in a licensed plumber to address the issue.

If you find a noxious odour emanating from the drains in your house, it could be sewer gas escaping from the system. While this smell can be truly unbearable, it also contains bacteria and methane, which can be dangerous to the health of you and your family. It can result in headaches and various other serious ailments and affects the hygiene levels on your property. A smelly drain indicates a problem in the drainage system, and you need to get it fixed without delay. Call in a licensed plumber to attend to the problem.

No, blocked drains are generally not covered by insurance.

In our experience a number of articles posted online claim that boiling hot water and bi carb soda can help clear blocked drains. This statement is completely false, in fact adding bi carb soda can make the issues worse. Refer to our DIY videos for more information on how to clear drains

Hot Water

When it comes to the running costs of a hot water system, the answer will depend on different situations. For example, it would depend on whether you have roof space necessary for a solar water heater, access to natural gas, and the energy tariff in your area. If natural gas is readily available, then a gas-boosted solar system, continuous flow water system, or 5-tar gas storage unit would work best. If you have low off-peak electricity tariffs that might have the lowest running costs.

When it comes to instantaneous hot water systems or tankless water heaters, are there is a wide range of options to choose from. Many different brands manufacture these systems, and you can select from Vulcan, Rheem, Rinnai, Dux, Zip, Paloma, Bosch, and more. All of these products come with excellent warranties, and you can trust their quality. However, when it comes to selecting the best instant hot water system, it is best to consult experts like us for detailed information about the pros and cons of these units before making your choice.

A hot water system of a good brand is built to last for at least 10 years or more. However, if it is not giving hot water, there could be various reasons for it. The heating element may not be working as it should. You would also have to check whether there is no hot water at all or the water that you get is inadequate or less hot than usual. Call in a plumber to inspect the unit and determine why it isn't functioning correctly.

Every hot water system has a Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve or TPR valve at the top. As its name suggests, it is built to release the excess pressure from the system. It may occasionally leak some water when this process is taking place, and that is normal. However, if you find a constant flow of water coming from this point or any other point in the hot water system, it is dangerous and something that you need to get fixed without delay from a licensed plumber.

If you find that there is a leakage in your hot water system, you need to determine where it is coming from. If you find that there is a little bit of leakage from the TPR valve, it is not something you need to worry about as at is standard. However, if you find that water is flowing profusely from the top or any other area of your hot water system, you would need to call a licensed plumber in Sydney to get it inspected and repaired.

Whenever you are buying a hot water system, you need to factor in the cost of the product, installation charges, and ongoing operating costs. The latter is crucial in calculating the overall cost of a water heater in your home. Electric system running costs are in the range of $700 – $925. Gas works out to $295 – $665, solar system running costs are $65 – $365, a heat pump will cost $160 – $385. The cost will vary based on the actual usage of your property.

Most hot water system manufacturers recommend that you need to flush the water heater at least once annually. This is a critical maintenance aspect. however, the frequency of flushing the system would depend on the area and water quality. If you have hard water in your home, it would likely need more frequent flushing. However, it is best to follow a manufacturer recommendation unless a licensed and experienced plumber suggests otherwise based on your specific location and water quality on your property.

Low water pressure and hot water unit is something that many people have to deal with. There are various reasons for this. Sometimes it could be because the hot water unit is functioning incorrectly. In other cases, sediment or rust built up at the bottom of the hot water tank or pipe leading to the showers and taps can also result in low hot water pressure. If the distance between your hot water tank and the taps and showers is lengthy, it can impact the pressure.

If you find that the water and your home is not sufficiently hot, there could be various reasons for this. A certain amount of assessment and inspection would be needed to determine what is causing the problem. However, one of the first things to do is check the thermostat on the system. See whether it is set at the right temperature. If it is, the next step would be to get the hot water unit inspected to determine whether it is functioning as it should.

Hot water systems life expectancy generally varies between 8-12 years. Regular maintenance and checks on a hot water system can prolong the life of a system if well maintained over its life span.

Rheem, Rinnai, Everhot and Therman would have to be the top brands for hot water systems.

A Rheem hot water system should last anywhere between 8-12 years as a general rule of thumb. Some hot water systems have lasted over 15 years if well maintained and checked throughout the course of its life. Rheem hot water systems are an extremely reliable hot water system and are one of the best in the market.

Gas

Gas leaking into a house is very dangerous. If you smell gas on your property, it might not be straightforward to detect where the exact leakage is. However, this is something you need to get checked without delay. Gas leaking into the house can result in a fire hazard, and you need to get it repaired immediately. However, you must also take some precautionary measures while you are waiting for the gas professionals to come into fix the issue. Turn off the valve on the gas metre on your property while you are waiting for them to arrive at your location.

When it comes to gas leakage in your home, you need to be very aware of the signs that indicate it. When there is a gas leak, you will detect a distinct smell of rotten eggs. Also, you may hear a hissing sound coming from the pipe where the leakage is. If you have heard this sound and feel there is a leak in a specific pipe, touch it to determine whether it is cold. The low pressure created results in a drop in the temperature within the pipe.

When it comes to gas leaks, there are some signs to keep in view. For example, if the leakage is from a pipe, you may hear a hissing sound; also, you will smell the gas. If you want to check whether there is a gas leak, these are the signs that you should be looking out for. However, gas leak inspection is best left to professional gas fitters. They have the necessary equipment to handle the job and will pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

If you are planning to get a natural gas connection to your house, you would have to check the gas provider's website for the right information related to the cost. However, on average, the price to get a metre connection is in the range of $125. But do keep in mind that this is the cost of the metre. After that, there would be charges involved for installation and commissioning. It is best to contact us for the accurate overall cost of the materials and installation services.

Not every street in Sydney has natural gas connectivity. To determine whether it is available at your property, you would have to go to the natural gas website. You can also check whether your neighbours have gas metres as this might indicate that your property does have it too. The next step is to install the gas metre on your property, and the utility company would handle this for you. You would have to hire a gas fitter to extend the pipes into your home to the required areas.

If you feel that your gas metre is in the wrong location or that you need better functionality from it in a specific place, you can get it relocated. You can request to this from your utility provider or a licensed gas fitter like us. We provide you with high-quality gas metre relocation services and will handle the job in line with the local rules and regulations and safety and industry standards. Gas metre location is a specialised job and requires the licensing training and knowledge that our professional plumbers have.

If you want a gas metre change, it is your responsibility to get the work done. However, you need to make sure that you go about it in the right manner. You would need to put in the request through an application form on your gas distributors website. They will process your request and send their representatives to your location to inspect the metre and understand your requirement before providing you with a detailed quote for the job. Once you have approved the quote, they will make the necessary changes to your metre.

The gas bayonet is a very crucial fitting in any gas appliance. It needs to be free of debris and dirt, and you need to keep it clean at all times before connecting the fitting. Any kind of debris or dirt in it can result in leakage in that connection. If you have inspected your gas bayonet fitting and noticed some damage, you mustn't try to connect it. Call in a licensed gas fitter to check the fixture. They will inspect it to determine whether there is leakage and will then fix it without delay.

A gas meter has a vent attached to the front of it. The do release small amounts of gas when in use. If unsure whether there is a leak present, it would always be recommended a plumber attends and checks the entire area as a matter of safety to eliminate any possible threats.

Yes, a gas leak is a very serious emergency which should be attended too immediately. Turn the gas supply off where possible and call a licensed gas plumber immediately.

Leaks

When it comes to plumbing leakages, many property owners have a challenging time trying to figure out the origin of the leak. This is because most plumbing installations are hidden behind features under the ground or behind walls. However, professional plumbers use leak detection equipment in their work. They are also highly experienced and can diagnose problems quickly and efficiently. So if you have leakage in your house, you need to hire the services of a licensed plumber in Sydney, and they will detect the water leak for you.

Plumbing leakages are quite a common occurrence, and sometimes, you do not have much control over it. For example, if the plumbing is old, it may start to show signs of wear and can spring leaks. While you might not be able to stop your pipes from leaking, you can catch problems early and fix them. You can do this by hiring the services of a licensed plumber for preventive plumbing maintenance. During these visits, the professionals will inspect all the systems, identify potential leaks and fix them before they get out of hand.

When you hire the services of a professional plumber for leak detection, they will use an electronic leak detector. This device has a transducer that is very sensitive to any sounds coming from pipe systems. If the machine detects a sound and registers it, the sound would be transmitted to an advanced system, set at a higher frequency. Since this leakage sound is amplified, it can be detected easily. It's a reliable way of detecting plumbing leaks after which the professionals can attend to it as required.

There are many different reasons why plumbing systems start to leak. Sometimes the leakages are caused due to aging systems while at others it is due to neglected maintenance. Excessive use, misuse and disuse are other reasons that can result in plumbing leakages. However, it is essential to understand that when there is a plumbing leakage if you get it fixed as soon as you notice it that will prevent escalation of the issue. Regular plumbing maintenance and inspections help identify potential leakages, which gives you the chance to address them before they get out of hand.

Since the taps on most properties see a significant amount of use, they also tend to leak frequently. In most cases, the leakage is caused by worn-out washers and spindles. These components are crucial to the functioning of the tap. If you find that your tap is leaking, you would have to turn the water off, open it up using a spanner and check whether there is any damage to the washer or spindle. Replacing these components with the right kind of spares will stop the leakage. If you are not confident about handling this task, you should hire the services of a professional plumber.

Toilet leaks are a common plumbing problem, and many property owners face this issue. This problem is generally caused by a bad fill valve, a leaky flapper, or an incorrect placement of the overflow pipe. If the flapper or fill valve isn't working, you would have to replace it. Check whether the overflow pipe is placed at the right location. You would have to adjust the water level using the ball cock to ensure that the water does not reach that point. If you find these things too difficult to handle, call in a professional plumber.

Since most plumbing installations are hidden behind walls or even under the ground, leakages are not evident. If you suspect that there is some leakage in the pipes, there are specific ways in which you can double-check that. Check for dampness or water seeping from the walls or from under the ground in that particular place. You can also place your ear against the wall. If the leakage is severe, you would be able to hear the water dripping from the pipes. Even moss growth in a particular spot can indicate that there is water leakage behind it.

If the toilet overflow pipe is leaking, it means that the water level is far above what it should be in the flush tank. This generally occurs because the washer has worn out and isn't doing its job. Replacing the washer on the float valve is the only solution to this problem. For this, first, turn off the water supply leading to the toilet so that it eliminates the chances of an overflow. You would then have to take the float apart and replace the washer. Sometimes, merely readjusting the ballcock can also solve the problem.

Water leakage on a property can be quite challenging to detect. This is because plumbing installations could be hidden behind various features and elements in your home or even placed under the ground. However, there are some tell-tale signs of leakages to look out for. If you have noticed water dripping from certain areas or even seeping out of walls, it could mean that you have a water leak. If you're hear hissing or dripping sounds behind a wall that is another indication of leakage. The growth of moss and mildew on wall surfaces in a house indicates that there could be water leaking behind it.

If you have determined that there is a water leak on your property, it is best not to try any DIY repairs. Plumbing systems are quite complex, and many of them are hidden from sight behind installations and walls. Repairing the pipe yourself would mean dismantling some of these features and fittings. If you do not have the training to handle it, you may cause more damage in the process. This is why it is far better to hire the services of a professional plumber who would use the latest leak detection equipment and then fix the problem accurately.

Pipe Relining

Pipe relining is a modern technology used for repairing damaged underground pipes. In this process, the pipe will first be cleaned out entirely from inside. After that and epoxy sleeve is inserted into it. This sleeve is then inflated and allowed to set for a few hours using a specialised technique. After this, the sleeve forms a seamless pipe within the pipe and significantly improves the usability of that feature. Pipe relining technology is an advanced process that a licensed plumbing operator can provide and cover with guarantees.

When there is any damage to underground pipes, it becomes very challenging to fix them. In the traditional method, large portions of the landscaping or hardscape would have to be dug out to reach the impacted pipe and replace the section. However, in pipe relining, an epoxy material is inserted into the damaged pipe after cleaning it out thoroughly. Once this epoxy or resin material has set and hardened within the pipe, it forms a very resilient layer inside, increasing the lifespan of the installation significantly.

Sewer relining is a modern technology that has changed the way damaged pipes are repaired. It is one of the most reliable and long-lasting methods of relining pipes. This epoxy lining can easily last for between 35 and 50 years. One of the best ways fix any kind of significant damage to sewage pipes is to get them relined. However, if you want this lining to last for a longer time, you should get regular maintenance done. During this maintenance, the licensed plumber will use CCTV cameras to inspect the pipe relining and determine its condition.

When people compare the cost of pipe relining to the traditional method of fixing damaged underground pipes, they feel that the upfront costs of the former are high. However, this is not the case. When you get drain pipes fixed by the standard method, it causes significant damage to the landscaping, which becomes extremely expensive to fix, adding to the drainpipe repair costs. When you opt for pipe relining, it does not because extensive damage to your landscaping and can be completed quickly. It provides a reliable solution covered with a 50-year warranty. So pipe relining is definitely worth it.

Fixing sewer pipe damage under your house using the traditional method can prove to be a massive task which will also be disruptive, damaging to various features in your home and expensive as well. Today, there is a better option called pipe relining. In this method, a small trench will be dug at one end of the pipe, and the professionals will check the damage using a CCTV drain camera. Once they have determined the location of the damage, they will use the pipe relining method to create a resilient pipe within a pipe.

Drain relining is a modern method of repairing underground pipes. This innovative technology has proved to be a boon in situations where underground pipes have to be fixed quickly and efficiently. In drain relining, a special resin or epoxy sleeve is inserted into the affected drain after cleaning it thoroughly. This sleeve will then be inflated using hot water or air and will be allowed to set for a few hours. It forms a resilient lining inside the pipe and can last for up to 50 years. This work is also covered by guarantees which indicates how reliable it is.

Lining a pipe using an epoxy material has now become one of the most efficient ways of fixing damaged pipes. In this process, there is no major digging for excavation involved. A small trench is dug at one end of the impacted pipe. This pipe will be cleaned thoroughly from the inside, and an epoxy sleeve will be set in place using a unique method of inflation. Once it is set, the lining becomes the easiest way of fixing a pipe without replacing it, and the process is cost-effective in comparison to the traditional method of repairing pipes.

Epoxy pipe lining is a reliable way to fix damaged underground pipes. This modern technology is highly reliable and resilient and has a life span of between 35 and 50 years. On average, these systems can protect the underground pipes from invasions such as shrub and tree roots. Also, they protect the internal surfaces of the pipes from damages, clogging and leaks. Regular inspections by expert and professional plumbers can help spot problems early incase any exist. Timely maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your pipe lining significantly.