by Plumbaround | Mar 3, 2026 | hot water system, Licensed Plumber, Plumbaround, Plumbing Services
Prevent Minor Faults Becoming Major Bills
As businesses finalise their early‑year maintenance budgets, it’s the perfect time to review the status of your plumbing situation. A slow drain or an unstable hot water system can quickly turn into costly disruptions. In commercial buildings, small plumbing issues barely stay small, and the longer they’re ignored, the more expensive they become.
Operational Downtime Adds Up Fast
Minor plumbing faults can bring entire operations to a standstill. A blocked line in a café kitchen can halt service during peak hours. A leaking valve in a commercial bathroom can cause inconvenience to tenants. Even short interruptions can cost more than the price of a routine repair. Early identification and earlier, rather than later, servicing helps identify problems before they interrupt your business and keep your operations running smoothly.
Small Leaks Lead to Major Property Damage
Water has a way of travelling far beyond what your imagination can fathom. A tiny leak hidden in a ceiling can cause mould growth and long‑term structural damage. Timber, plaster and steel can deteriorate quietly for weeks before the issue becomes visible, and by then, the repair bill is far higher than it needed to be. Early detection and regular inspections protect your building, reduce avoidable capital works and extend the life of your assets.
Compliance and Safety Risks
Commercial buildings must meet strict safety and compliance standards. Plumbing issues, including poor sanitation or persistent leaks, can put you at risk of non‑compliance. This can lead to fines, insurance complications or even temporary closure orders. Staying proactive with plumbing maintenance ensures your facility remains compliant.
Preventative Servicing ROI
Preventative plumbing servicing isn’t just a maintenance task; it’s a cost‑saving strategy. Scheduled checks reduce emergency call‑outs as well as extend the lifespan of equipment. Facilities that prioritise routine maintenance consistently report fewer breakdowns and lower long‑term repair costs. It’s a simple investment that pays for itself many times over.
Summary
Small plumbing issues can quickly become major headaches if neglected. Now is the moment to act. For inspections, preventative servicing or any commercial plumbing support, contact our team to keep your building running efficiently and cost‑effectively!
Plumbaround provides concise, professional 10‑year maintenance plan reviews to help Body Corporates keep their sinking funds accurate and compliant, assessing the condition and lifespan of plumbing assets, forecasting future maintenance and replacement costs, and identifying risks so buildings can budget confidently and avoid costly surprises.
by Plumbaround | Feb 12, 2026 | Hot Water, Licensed Plumber, Plumbaround, Plumber
Gas hot water systems are reliable, efficient, and common in Queensland homes. But when something goes wrong, it’s rarely minor. As qualified licensed gas fitters, these are the issues we see most often and why they matter more than people realise.
Poor or unlicensed gas fitting
Gas is not forgiving. Incorrect installation, DIY work, installing the incorrect gas type or unlicensed repairs can lead to gas leaks, pressure issues, and unsafe combustion.
We still see systems installed or modified without the correct certification. Sometimes it’s a small change that seems harmless. Other times it’s a full install done incorrectly. Either way, it puts people and property at risk and can void insurance.
If it involves gas, it must be done by a licensed gas fitter. No shortcuts.
Carbon monoxide risks from faulty systems
One of the most serious risks with gas hot water systems is carbon monoxide. It’s colourless, odourless, and extremely dangerous.
Poor ventilation, blocked flues, ageing units, or incorrect installation can all cause carbon monoxide to build up. In the worst cases, people don’t realise there’s an issue until symptoms appear.
Regular servicing and proper installation aren’t just maintenance. They’re safety essentials. Book in your annual service to ensure your gas hot water system is working efficiently.
Ageing hot water systems pushed past their limits
Hot water systems don’t last forever. Over time, internal components wear out, corrosion builds up, and efficiency drops.
We often get called after a system has already failed, leaked, or stopped heating properly. In many cases, the warning signs were there long before the breakdown.
If your system is over 8 to 10 years old, or you’re noticing temperature fluctuations, strange noises, or inconsistent hot water, it’s time for a professional check, again booking in your annual service.
Emergency failures that could have been prevented
Burst pipes, gas shut-offs, water damage, and sudden loss of hot water usually happen at the worst possible time.
Many emergency call-outs we attend could have been avoided with routine checks or early repairs. Gas and hot water systems work hard every day. Ignoring small issues often leads to bigger, more expensive problems later.
Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than emergency repairs.
The bottom line
Gas hot water systems are safe and reliable when installed and maintained correctly. The risks come from poor workmanship, lack of servicing, and systems that are pushed beyond their safe lifespan.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your gas hot water system, or you’ve noticed anything that doesn’t feel right, it’s worth getting it checked properly.
Plumbaround’s licensed and qualified gas fitters are available 24/7 across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. We will identify what’s safe, what’s not, and what needs attention now versus later.
Contact our team to book an inspection, annual service or chat about your hot water system!
Better to ask the question early than deal with an emergency later. Your plumbing, Our privlege.
by Plumbaround | Dec 16, 2025 | Bathroom, Kitchen, Plumbaround, property maintenance, Residential & Commercial, Uncategorized
With the holiday season comes long festive lunches, gift giving, family gatherings and a whole lot of holiday joy. To support this holiday joy, you need a plumbing system that can withstand the test of the festive season activities. Dive into our last blog for the year as we unpack the common plumbing issues we see arise over Christmas and what you can do now to prevent plumbing emergencies.
Plumbing working overtime in the Kitchen:
When friends and family descend for holiday meals and overnight stays, your home’s plumbing begins working overtime. The kitchen is usually the first place to feel it. It’s easy to underestimate how quickly food scraps can accumulate in drains—especially festive favourites like potato skins, fat trimmings, seafood shells, and grease from roasting pans. These materials cling to the inside of pipes, creating blockages that don’t just slow things down but can completely shut the kitchen sink off at the worst possible moment.
*Tip: excess oil or fat belongs in the bin, not the sink!*
Plumbing working overtime in the Bathroom:
Bathrooms also feel the pressure. Extra showers, more frequent toilet use, and the constant flow of guests can lead to:
- slow-draining showers,
- toilet blockages (from one flush after another), and
- hot water shortages.
A tired or ageing hot water system is particularly vulnerable at this time of year. A quick system check before the holiday rush can save you from unexpected cold showers and unhappy visitors.
For The Business Owners:
The festive period is often the busiest time for businesses—especially restaurants, cafés, hotels, and retail spaces. With higher foot traffic and increased operational hours, even minor plumbing issues can quickly escalate.
Commercial restrooms can experience heavy strain, leading to slow drainage, blocked toilets, or overflowing basins. These issues not only create inconvenience but can disrupt customer flow and compromise hygiene standards.
Don’t wait till it’s too late! Often clients wait until something goes wrong, and by that time, schedules across the industry are booking up. To avoid this stress, we recommend organising inspections and maintenance before the festive peak hits.
Whether you need a pre-holiday check, help preparing your hot water system for increased demand, or kitchen and bathroom maintenance, our team is ready to support you. And if a problem does arise unexpectedly, our emergency plumbers are on standby to get things back on track quickly and professionally.
Let Plumbaround help safeguard your celebrations (or your business operations) so you can enjoy the holidays without the worry of plumbing mishaps.
by Plumbaround | Oct 15, 2025 | Plumbaround, Plumber, Plumbing Services
Spring is the easiest time to get ahead of plumbing work. Days are warmer, sites are calmer, and there is still time to fix small Summer is rolling in and so are those storm clouds! Storms are known for causing significant havoc for homeowners regarding their property and plumbing system. But with a little bit of proactivity, you can keep your home ready for what’s to come. In this article we’ll unpack some of the main dangers of storm season to your plumbing system and a few tips and tricks to stay prepared.
The Dangers
Storms come with excess levels of water which your home may not be fit to accommodate. Here’s what we often see happen throughout storm season:
- Blocked or overloaded outdoor drains: debris, leaves and runoff can contribute to blocking outdoor drainage systems.
- Sewer back-ups; heavy rain can overwhelm systems and force sewage back through drains, toilets and sinks.
- Burst or cracked pipes: sudden fluctuation in pressure from water levels can put strain on pipes causing leaks or bursts.
- Foundation / structural damage: unaccounted for water via poor drainage or leaking systems can oversaturate soil and compromise a home’s foundation over time.
What to Look Out For
Stay alert these next few months and look for any signs of the following:
- Pooling of water outside the house (in dry weather this means one thing – plumbing problems!)
- Suspicious mold or mildew indoors (this often means there’s a leak somewhere).
- Slow drainage (points to a potential blockage).
- Foul odours from drains indoors and outdoors (also points to blockage or the backup of sewage).
- Toilets that drain slowly.
- A drop in water level (disrupted pressure means there could be a leak somewhere).
What To Do
The first step to proactively protecting your home and yourselves is staying alert for signs and signals that point to a misfunctioning plumbing system. If you feel something’s not right first rule of thumb is to call a professional! You’ve done the right thing by keeping an eye out – now we’re here to help with a choice of solutions tailored to different plumbing issues. What we can do:
Camera and Drain Monitoring – our drain cameras allow us to find sources of blockage and decide on an accurate solution.
Drain Clearance – clear blockages or prevent future build up with our hydrojetting service.
Backflow Prevention – let us test and approve your backflow water system before problems arise. We are qualified to do this.
Scheduled Maintenance – our team swiftly perform routine inspections, works and reporting. Giving you a helpful overview of the needs of your facilities.
We can attend site, clear the blockage, diagnose the issue, inform you of your choices and ensure things are taken care of. We will work with you to find a solution that suits your home and budget.
And we know sometimes things don’t go to plan so… in the event of an emergency call
3038-1038 to be in direct contact with an emergency plumber after hours. Burst water pipes, sewer blockages & Make Safe situations are high priorities and our team can deliver the service you need.
If you have issues, questions, or concerns about the integrity of your plumbing system, ensure your property is storm ready and talk to our team today. Head to our website to learn even more or to book a job: https://plumbaround.com.au/get-storm-ready/
by Plumbaround | Sep 8, 2025 | Plumbaround, Plumber, Plumbing Services
Spring is the easiest time to get ahead of plumbing work. Days are warmer, sites are calmer, and there is still time to fix small issues before summer’s heat. If you manage a strata complex, a tenanted building, or any commercial site in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, use this checklist to keep operations smooth, tenants happy, and budgets steady.
- Stormwater & Drain Lines
Clear gutters and grates, then test after a light shower. If you see ponding or slow run-off, book a drain camera to pinpoint cracks, sags or roots, and follow with hydro jetting so lines run freely.
Signs it’s time to call Plumbaround: repeated blockages, flooded pits after light rain, smells from floor wastes, or a section of lawn that’s always damp.
- Leaks & Water Efficiency
Read the meter after hours to spot silent leaks. Fix dripping mixers and cisterns, refresh washers and cartridges, and upgrade to efficient fixtures where it makes sense to steady the water bill.
How we help: site-wide leak checks, fixture repairs, efficiency upgrades and a short list of quick wins with estimated savings so approvals are easy.
- Backflow Prevention
Backflow devices protect the drinking supply by stopping contaminated water from moving into the mains. In Queensland, many commercial premises and strata complexes must complete annual testing. Spring is a sensible time to lock this in so certificates are current before year-end. If a device fails, repairing it early avoids compliance headaches and insurance delays.
What Plumbaround does: licensed testing, repairs, certification and council lodgement, plus reminders so next year doesn’t slip.
- Drain Camera Survey
Before a lease handover or renovation, get a camera survey to confirm pipe condition. The footage shows defects and records depth and exact locations, which means builders are not guessing and quotes are clearer. You’ll cut down on RFIs, avoid digging in the wrong spot and keep the program moving with less disruption to daily operations. Camera surveys are also invaluable before resurfacing car parks or courtyards.
Call Plumbaround when: blockages keep coming back, you’re taking over a tenancy, or you want a clear baseline for maintenance planning.
- Hot Water Checkup
Check temperature and pressure relief valves, tempering valves, strainers and anodes were fitted. Verify outlet temperature and pressure at fixtures furthest from the unit and time how long hot water takes to arrive. If winter brought slow heat-up or mixed temperatures, the system may be undersized, or circulation may need attention. Sorting this now keeps complaints down and bills predictable when usage climbs in summer.
How we help: servicing and replacements across major gas and electric brands, recovery testing, capacity advice and simple upgrade paths where required.
- Gas Safety
If your site uses gas, book a safety check in spring. We test connections and pressures, commission appliances correctly and issue gas certificates where required. If anyone notices a smell or yellow flames, stop using the appliance and get it checked immediately.
Plumbaround can: test, repair, commission and certify with minimal disruption to your site.
Book Your Commercial Spring Check-Up Today
Get ahead of summer. We can bundle stormwater checks, CCTV and hydro jetting if needed, hot water servicing, backflow testing and gas safety in one visit, with clear reports and minimal disruption. Stay compliant and avoid end-of-year scrambles.
Contact us today to line up your spring check-up.
by Plumbaround | Dec 4, 2023 | Plumbaround, Plumber, Residential & Commercial
Are you preparing to embark on the exciting journey of opening your doors for business in the New Year? Whether you’re venturing into a large commercial enterprise or starting a cozy cafe, hairdresser or local gym, considering the plumbing requirements is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth start. Collaborating with licensed plumbers during planning and construction can make all the difference in the functionality and compliance of your plumbing systems.
While the allure of design and decor captures attention, the often-overlooked backbone of your establishment is the network of pipes and fixtures beneath the surface. Robust plumbing forms the foundation of a well-functioning business, influencing everything from customer satisfaction to regulatory adherence.
Benefits of Partnering with Licensed Plumbers
- Expertise and Compliance: Licensed plumbers bring a wealth of expertise to the table, navigating the intricacies of plumbing codes and regulations to ensure your establishment complies with local laws. This not only safeguards against legal issues but also prioritises the safety of your clients and staff.
- Tailored Solutions: Recognising that every business has unique plumbing needs, licensed plumbers assess your specific requirements and deliver tailored solutions. Whether it’s a medical facility requiring specialised medical gas systems or a restaurant with a commercial kitchen, professional plumbers design systems that align with the demands of your business.
- Long-Term Reliability: Investing in quality plumbing during the construction phase pays off in the long run. Licensed plumbers utilise durable materials and best practices, guaranteeing the longevity and reliability of your plumbing systems, resulting in fewer disruptions and maintenance issues down the road.
Steps Toward Plumbing Success
- Early Collaboration: Incorporate plumbers into the initial stages of your business planning to gain insights that inform decisions about the layout and design of your space, optimising plumbing efficiency.
- Budgeting Wisely: Although it may seem like an additional expense, investing in professional plumbing services is a prudent financial decision. Cutting corners in this area can lead to costly repairs and renovations in the future, making a well-designed plumbing system an investment in the success and sustainability of your business.
- Futureproofing: Business needs evolve, and technology advances. Working with licensed plumbers enables you to future-proof your plumbing systems, accommodating changes with minimal hassle, be it new equipment or facility expansions.
Considerations for Varied Businesses
- Restaurants and Cafes: Efficient kitchen plumbing is crucial. Collaborate with plumbers to optimise the placement of sinks, dishwashers, and cooking equipment. Install proper grease traps to prevent plumbing issues and address environmental concerns.
- Offices and Workspaces: Prioritise adequate restroom facilities for employee comfort and ensure proper plumbing for toilets, sinks, and other amenities. Consider installing water-efficient fixtures to promote sustainability and reduce utility costs.
- Retail Spaces: For businesses welcoming customers, maintain clean and well-equipped restroom facilities. Plumbing issues can impact the overall customer experience.
-
- Manufacturing and Industrial Spaces: Industries with specialised machinery may require unique plumbing solutions. Collaborate with plumbers familiar with the specific needs of your equipment.
As you prepare for the opening of your business in the New Year, recognise that plumbing is more than a necessity—it’s an investment in the longevity, functionality, and compliance of your establishment. By investing in a robust foundation in plumbing, you set the stage for a prosperous and thriving business.
