by Plumbaround | Jul 12, 2023 | Residential & Commercial
As living costs soar, it’s vital for Australians to find ways to save money. With many resources becoming increasingly expensive, homeowners must seek innovative solutions to reduce consumption and lower bills. In this blog post, we’ll unveil the top 5 smart devices to help you save water in your home.
Low-Flow Taps And Showerheads
Upgrade your taps and shower heads to low-flow models and instantly save water and money. These cost-effective fixtures can reduce water usage by 30-50%, saving you $50-90 per water bill. Smart-enabled low-flow taps use sensors and touch-sensitive flow control to minimise water waste during cleaning or drinking activities.
Leak Detectors
Smart leak detectors simplify leak prevention even if you’re not a plumbing expert. These devices monitor moisture around pipes and fittings, sending notifications to your smart phone at the first sign of condensation, drips, leaks, or flooding. Perfect for rooms like basements or attics that are rarely used.
Smart Water Heater Controller
Optimise energy and water usage by remotely monitoring and controlling your water heater with a smart controller. Adjust temperature, create schedules, and activate vacation mode to minimise wastage and reduce the time it takes for hot water to reach your taps and showers, saving both water and energy.
Water Purifier
Ensure access to clean drinking water while reducing bottled water consumption with a smart water purifier. Advanced filtration technologies and connectivity features monitor water quality and filter life. Real-time data on water usage and filter status via smart phone apps allow for efficient tracking and optimisation of the purification process.
Smart Irrigation Valve
Efficiently water your garden with a smart irrigation valve that enables remote control and scheduling for specific zones. Program optimal watering times and durations to minimise water waste. Some valves even integrate with weather data, adjusting schedules based on rainfall and temperature conditions to ensure effective water usage and conservation.
By utilising these 5 smart devices, you can lower water bills and promote sustainability. These choices not only save you money but also contribute to water conservation. Make your home more environmentally conscious and enjoy the financial benefits of reduced water bills. Start saving water and money today with these smart devices!
Installing these devices at home by yourself might be a tedious job, reach out to us 07 3038 1038 for smooth installation of these smart home devices.
by Plumbaround | Apr 14, 2023 | Flooded House, Health and Safety, Licensed, Licensed Plumber, Plumbaround, Plumber, Plumbing Equipment, Plumbing Services, Residential & Commercial, Safety, Standards
WHY HIRE A LICENSED PLUMBER?
Trying to save money with DIY plumbing repairs can lead to expensive and dangerous problems in the long run. Avoid these risks by hiring a licensed and experienced plumber.
When it comes to plumbing repairs, DIY might seem like a cost-effective option, but it can often cause more harm than good. Here are five reasons why you should avoid DIY plumbing and call the experts at Plumbaround instead:
Causing irreparable damage
Even a small mistake during a DIY repair can cause significant damage to your home. Water damage and mould growth can weaken the structure of your home and compromise its safety, while a gas leak can be hazardous to your health and safety.
Safety concerns
Plumbing work can be dangerous, especially when dealing with gas lines, sewage, or hot water. Without proper training and equipment, you could put yourself and your family at risk of injury or illness.
Code violations
DIY plumbing work that doesn’t meet local building codes and regulations can result in fines, penalties, or legal issues. Hiring a licensed plumber ensures that your plumbing work meets all local codes and regulations, preventing any potential issues down the line.
Costly mistakes
Attempting to do plumbing work yourself can result in costly mistakes that end up costing you more money in the long run. A professional plumber will have the skills and expertise to do the job right the first time, saving you time and money.
Lack of proper tools
Plumbing work requires specialized tools and equipment that most homeowners don’t have access to. A professional plumber will have access to the necessary tools and equipment, ensuring that any plumbing issues are diagnosed and resolved correctly.
Don’t risk damage to your home or your safety – contact Plumbaround! Our licensed and experienced plumbers will ensure that your plumbing system is functioning properly and that any issues or repairs are addressed quickly and efficiently.
Call Plumbaround today at 07 3038 1038.
by Plumbaround | Dec 12, 2022 | FAQs, Residential & Commercial
At plumbaround we have an after hour plumbing service for all emergency plumbing requirements that you may have at your residential or commercial property. This is a great service if you are a restaurant and on a weekend you need a gas and plumbing fitter to come look at your gas stoves or you have a leak in your pipe work.
This after hour service works 24/7 over the weekends and after hours during the week. Here ready to help you. Call 07-3038-1038 for assistance.
Here are some examples of situations people may call for assistance:
- Blocked toilets
- Blocked drains
- Leaking taps
- Burst or leaking hot water systems
- No hot water
- Roof leaks
- Leaking water heater
- Running toilet
- leaking or burst water mains
- Leaking drains
- Clogged sinks
- Clogged garbage disposal unit
- Blocked bathroom drains
- Serious water leaks
- Broken toilet
- Leaking shower
More resources
Click here!
by Plumbaround | Dec 12, 2022 | FAQs, Stormwater
Storm water is water that happens when a storm occurs. This is the surface water that happens in a downpour. This can be a major problem when a large body of water has to be gotten rid off. Storm water can accumulate in yards and make the ground soggy. Its best to get a licensed plumber to install stormwater drains to take the surplus water away.
What is a storm water drain?
A stormwater drain a a system of drainage that is installed to take away the excess water that falls during a downpour.
What is the purpose of storm water drains
The purpose of storm water drains is to take away the rain water that is on the surface of car parks, concrete yards and backyards of industrial and residential sites away from the property so that no water damage occurs with water accumulating and entering the property.
Where do storm water drains lead to
Stormwater drains drain into a point-of-discharge. These are found alongside kerb, under concrete slabs which has water channels underneath to take the water away in large underground stormwater pipes. These stormwater pipes connect to council drainage systems.
Is storm water drains same as drainage
Most storm water ends up in small bodies of water such as ponds, lakes or creeks. They may also end up in the closest water source nearby as well. Eventually the stormwater ends up in rivers, and oceans.
Who is responsible for storm water drains
In Queensland stormwater drains on properties are the responsibility of the property owners to the point where it connects with the council drains. The council will maintain the drains outside your property.
Please note you cannot connect your stormwater drain to the sewage drainage system or re-direct it to the neighbor’s yard.
What is the difference between storm water drains and sewer drainage
Stormwater is different from sewage. Sewage is the water waste waste from households and is treated at water treatment facilities. However, storm water is not treated and is discharged into large bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.
Types of storm water drainage systems
The different types of stormwater drains are:
- Slot drains
- Open stormwater drains
- Closed stormwater drains
- French drains
- Permeable pavement
How to divert stormwater runoff
To divert stormwater you will need to install an aggi pipe, gravel pit, water proofing and a pump out system that will alleviate any excess surface water that is not dealt with by the main storm water
How to solve stormwater drainage problems?
Here are 5 ways to prevent a storm water problem occurring:
- Keep drainage points clear of debris
- Check downpipes and gutters for any leaves that may block the stormwater pipes
- Flush out pipes before storm season
- Use a water jet to clear debris
- Install gutter guards, leaf diverters over drainage
How to unclog a stormwater drain
Here are some tips on how to unclog a stormwater drain:
- Use a classic plunger by forcing air down the pipe to flush the debris out
- Drain Auger method: Hire a drain auger to remove roots or anything blocking the drain
- The sue of chemical
Other Resources!
Click Here!
by Plumbaround | Dec 11, 2022 | FAQs, Residential & Commercial
When To Call A Plumber
Just like anything these days plumbing too gets tired with use and decay. Knowing when to call a plumber in time to fix your plumbing is crucial if you want to save in expensive repair bills.
It is advisable not to try doing a repair job yourself unless you are a licensed and insured plumber. Any damage to the property may not be covered by insurance. So its best to call a licensed plumber to check the cause of the problem and fix it immediately.
Here is a list of tell tale signs that the plumbing in your home, office or commercial premises may need a good look over by an experienced plumber.
- BACK UP IN PIPE WORK: Backup in the pipe and drainage systems on your property. If you are experiencing back-up in your drains or sewage systems regularly then it may be advisable to get a plumber around with his camera to take a look at what is happening inside those pipes. Possibly the pipework may be clogged with debris or tree roots.
- POOR WATER QUALITY: This normally comes when pipework is old and rusty. This maybe from old pipes on the property or old and rusting hot water system. Calling a plumber is the best advise we can give you as he will give you a full report of what is happening with the plumbing and a quotation to repair old pipework.
- NOISY PIPEWORK: Noisy pipes indicate that the pipework is getting weak and may need to be replaced. Best to call a plumbing contractor in the neighborhood to do a routine check.
- BLOCKAGE OR CLOGGING: Your toilet, bathroom basin, tub or kitchen sink may time to time get blocked. It may be simple to use a plunger to get right of the problem and flush everything down the drain. However, if the problem persists please call a plumbing company near you to come over and check the issue with the clogged pipes or basin. Quite often this will help locate the problem sooner and help prevent expensive cleanup bill so repair jobs to carpet, walls due to water overflowing and flooding the home or business.
- WATER BUBBLING: Bubbling water sounds after the toilet is flushed normally is a sign that a pipe maybe cracked or faulty. Best to call a plumber to look at this before the damage escalates.
- INCREASE IN WATER BILL: This is a clear sign that either the residents of the premises are using too much water or that water maybe leaking from a tap or from a hidden cracked pipe underground. Get a plumber to come in and check this emergency as it will lead to further water bills being too high.
- NO OR VERY LOW WATER PRESSURE: When water pressure is almost zero or not present then this may indicate that somewhere in the pipework there is a leaking pipe. Another thing to remember is that if the pressure in the pipework fluctuate daily this too will indicate water pressure is being lost due to a leaking pipe.
- WET OR SOGGY LAWN PATCHES: Are you seen your lawn damp and soggy when it hasn’t rained for a while? This may indicate that there is possibly a leaking pipe under the grass and water is leaking out. This will cause your water bill to increase as well as contaminate the water supply entering the home or business pipework systems. Best to call Plumbaround to come by to check what the plumbing problem is. It is important to know that is the water leak in inside your property then its your responsibility. The council will take care of leaks outside your property boundary. You may need to discuss this with your plumber when they come to inspect.
- BAD SMELLS: Bad smells coming from drains is a early signal that the sewage system may be clogging up and will need looking at. Call your local licensed plumber with a snake to come and fix this smelly problem.
- NO HOT WATER: When the hot water system if not giving you enough hot water supply then its possible you may need the system to be replaced. Get a professional licensed plumber such as Plumbaround to come by and give you a quote to replace the HWS.
- DRIPPING TAPS, LEAKING SHOWER HEADS: We all have had leaking taps, dripping shower heads. Most often we ignore this until the water bill arrives and it far exceeds the norm. There are many causes that may lead to the leaks. Some are: poorly installed washer. Damaged or corroded washers, Damaged or loose o-rings, Wear and tear of cartridge, Value seat damage or mineral build-up,Excessive high water pressure, A leaking pipe that has not been diagnosed.
- TOILET WON’T STOP RUNNING: This is a silent problem. You probably won’t even hear it. The leaking cistern will cause your water bill to increase each quarter. The issue maybe that the flapper is faulty in the cistern. The flapper is designed to help seal the toilet cistern from the bowl. A faulty or cracked flapper will not seal the cistern, causing water to leak through. Most often this is the water leaking sound you may hear when you pass the toilet each day. You must stop the leak by calling a plumber immediately.
- BACKFLOW EMERGENCY: What is a backflow… Backflow is when water backs up in the pipe system and comes back up and overflows into the sink, toilet bowl or bathroom. This potentially can destroy furnishing in kitchen, living spaces, damaging carpet, cupboards, floors and even your furniture. The worse thing is the backflow water brings with it foul smells and germs that can contaminate your drinking water system and be hazardous to your health. This is an emergency that you just need to call your local plumbing contractor called Plumbaround.
- WATER ACCUMULATING NEAR BASE OF DISHWASHER OR WASHING MACHINE: Call a plumber to come and check the intake and outtake lines to the equipment.
- WATER STAINS UNDER KITCHEN OR BATHROOM CABINETS: This indicates that possible water leaks are happening.
- SLOW DRAINING SINKS EVEN AFTER PLUNGING: This normally indicates that there is grim from food waste that maybe stuck along the inside lining of the pipes and not allowing water to flow easily. Its best to call a plumber as he will need to locate where this maybe coming from. Sometimes it could be near the sink itself or possibly hidden in the walls or under the house. The plumber will use a camera to locate the problem and then come up with the solution to fix the blocked pipe. Having a regular maintenance of your property done by a plumber each year maybe the best answer.
Other Resources!
Click here to read up on more frequently asked questions around plumbing issues.
by Plumbaround | Nov 11, 2022 | Backflow Prevention, Residential & Commercial
Here in Australia, strict regulations around water backflow prevention allow us to enjoy some of the cleanest, safest and most reliable water in the world, straight from our taps.
Typically, your plumbing flows in one direction, from your potable water supply through the taps and other outlets in your building, down the drain and into the sewer system. Good water pressure maintains this flow so you can turn on your tap and enjoy fresh, safe drinking water.
If the Mains water pressure goes below the adequate pressure in your plumbing supply, the flow can change direction, hence the name ‘backflow’. This backflow can cause serious problems of waste, pollutants and other hazardous materials entering and contaminating your (or your neighbour’s) drinking water, posing hazardous health risks.
Changes in pressure can occur if the water main bursts or if there’s a high demand, for example during fire fighting operations. Flooding, as seen during extreme weather events, can also cause issues with backflow. Risks of backflow contamination can come from water used in domestic and commercial developments, manufacturing, farming and irrigation systems, and medical and sanitation equipment.
Backflow prevention is a term used to prevent the reverse flow of this potentially polluted or contaminated water entering your potable water supply.
Having contaminated water enter your water supply can be prevented by the installation and proper maintenance of a backflow prevention device. This device, and its reliable maintenance, will ensure that water flows in one direction, as typically intended. The regular testing and maintenance of these devices is essential for preserving the high standards of water quality that we all expect.
You should have a backflow prevention device on your property if you have any of the following:
- an irrigation system
- fire hose reels or hydrants
- industrial equipment
- water outlets in proximity to pollutants, grease traps or chemicals
- an alternate water supply
- chemical cleaning areas
- an area where you perform any other commercial activities involving water.
Backflow prevention devices differ depending on the level of potential risk of water contamination. This risk is thoroughly and expertly assessed prior to installation.
Most devices installed for commercial operations are complex and Australian law requires them to be tested annually by a qualified and accredited plumber.
The steps involved in backflow prevention device maintenance include:
Investigate: your Master Plumber will thoroughly check your backflow prevention device for any signs of deterioration or wear and tear.
Test: your Master Plumber will test your device to ensure it is functioning correctly, effectively and efficiently. The requirements on the Test Tag will be completed and certified.
Lodge: your Master Plumber will record and lodge the results of the test with Council within 10 working days.
Repair: your Master Plumber will complete any maintenance or repairs on the device, if required. The device will then be re-tested, and the results will be recorded and re-lodged to the Council.
Each back flow prevention device owner, or tenant, is responsible for the Council registration of the device, the annual testing of the device by a qualified and accredited plumber, and the cost of annual testing and any maintenance.
Are you looking for a Master Plumber experienced in Backflow maintenance? The Plumbaround team can help. Our plumbers are Licensed and Qualified to test, install and certify your Backflow Prevention devices. Backflow devices are required to be tested annually by law. We can take care of testing, certifying and lodging the required Council forms for you. To schedule a job, call our team on 07 3038 1038 or book online.
