You only have to bring up the subject of water with someone in outback Queensland to quickly learn how scarce this precious resource is. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on the planet, and let’s face it, without fresh water, life on land wouldn’t exist.
Australians are among the highest consumers of water per capita in the world, using on average an astonishing 340 litres of water per person, per day. That’s roughly 1,400 cups of coffee! Nearly 35% is used to water our gardens and 19% is flushed down the toilet. It’s a fact that every time you flush, you’re using up to 12 litres of water.
With the coming summer and Christmas season you might have more people in the house. This starts you thinking about how your home (and your pocket) will cope with the extra usage of water. With the price of water increasing exponentially, despite record rainfalls, it’s a good time to set some strategies in place in your home so you won’t get caught with a bill you’re struggling to pay.
Whilst we would never suggest you stop watering your prize roses or flushing the loo (not a pleasant thought), there are some simple ways to save money on your water bills. Here’s our top 5 tips:
Tip #1 – Sing a Song in the Shower
The length of a good song is about 4 minutes. This is the perfect amount of time for a shower, and it’s all you really need. Try blasting out your favourite ditty next time you jump in the shower, be mindful of doing what you need to do… and don’t spend any more time in there than you need to. By the end of the song, you should be well and truly done.
Got a teenager in the house who loves taking 30 minute showers? (seriously, what do they do in there?!). You could try passing them the next water bill, though probably a more effective way to save any angst, is to install a water-saving shower head and aerators to your taps. This is a great and cheap way to save water and money.
Tip #2 – Flush the 3 P’s Only
Toilets are really only designed to take the 3 P’s – Pee, Poo and Paper (toilet paper). Everything else should be binned, even those wipes that claim to be ‘flushable’. Sanitary products, newspaper, paper towels and other bulky or absorbent materials can actually block your drains which can cause leaks. This means a house call from your plumber to fix the problem and a possible rectification cost for any damage the leak might cause.
Tip #3 – Become a Leak Detective
Leaks are a nuisance and can cause significant damage to your home. Sometimes you can hear them, sometimes you can see them, but some are not detectable at all until it’s too late and your water bill reveals a problem. Make it a habit to regularly check taps, including the bases, drains and all the pipework underneath the sinks. Don’t just look though, run your hand, perhaps with a cloth, around each joint and along the pipes to feel if there is any evidence of moisture. Being scrupulous in determining whether you have any leaks in your home could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Over-watering your lawn can cause the roots to sit close to the soil surface. Watering your lawn less will encourage the roots to grow deeper, making it a more hardy lawn and saving water in the process. Also, in summer, set your mower higher and let your lawn grow longer. This will not only save on water, but the longer grass will shade the soil surface, reducing evaporation loss.
Tip #5 – Install Water-Saving Gadgets
Using less water will always save you money and there are many nifty, innovative plumbing gadgets and fixtures designed to do just that. Simply investing in a modern toilet, changing your shower head, installing mixer taps and adding timers to your hoses can go a long way in preventing water over-use.
Look for showers, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets, urinals, taps and flow controllers that display the WELS star rating for water efficiency. The National Water Efficiency Label and Standards (WELS) is a scheme that ensures consumers like you are able to make informed and climate-conscious decisions about the products available for efficient water use. It is a requirement of Australian Law that these products display a WELS label.
Any time is a good time to action water saving tips, especially in this volatile economic climate. If you could take on one or all five of our tips, you could literally save bucket loads (pardon the pun!), of water and money.
Water conservation and lowering your water bills is really important to us at Plumbaround. For professional advice or to schedule a job, talk to our friendly team at Plumbaround today.
Whilst all plumbers deal with leaks, burst pipes, blocked toilets and broken gutters, commercial plumbers are specialists in maintaining, repairing and installing plumbing systems in commercial establishments such as offices, schools, restaurants, body corporate buildings and shopping centres.
A commercial plumber needs to be able to read and navigate building plans and designs, including those of multi-storey and high-rise constructions. They may also design commercial plumbing infrastructures, including pipework and sewerage systems, so they need to be well educated in plumbing regulations and comply with relevant building codes.
Let’s take a closer look at why it’s important to ensure you engage a commercial plumber for your business.
More flexible work schedules
A plumbing issue can disrupt business operations, no less maintenance and repair work. In many cases, commercial plumbers can avail themselves to work during times when customers and employees are not present so as to minimise distractions and disruptions.
In addition to this, many businesses, like restaurants, operate at night and plumbing disasters don’t generally seem to happen during the day. To avoid the risk of lost revenue, it’s important to be able to contact a qualified commercial plumbing specialist 24 hours a day.
Specialist tools and equipment
All plumbers rely on specialist tools such as pipe wrenches, toilet augers, sink snakes and plungers. Commercial properties usually have heavy-duty piping and the jobs are larger in scale, so commercial plumbers require a more advanced set of tools which can include hydrojetters, inspection cameras, large industrial drain cleaners, tile saws, generators and industrial wet and dry vacuum cleaners.
Bigger means better
Commercial plumbers work on larger, more complex projects, often in various industrial settings and multiple storey constructions. They can encounter many different plumbing systems, more than that of a residential plumber. This also means they have to work with and navigate heavy-duty equipment, and be experienced in dealing with the dangers of these machines. A commercial plumber understands the safety hazards in industrial settings, and is more able to complete the bigger jobs accurately and efficiently.
Preventative maintenance
Commercial operations can’t afford to have ‘down-time’ so preventative maintenance is essential. Scheduled maintenance tasks on a commercial property allows for asset protection and extends the longevity of the facilities, especially if they’re in high use. A reputable commercial plumber who’s licensed, insured and confident in their work will be able to ensure that all your plumbing systems are working at their best.
Our team at Plumbaround can perform routine inspections, complete any works required and provide a report on their findings, giving you a good overview of the needs of your facilities.
At Plumbaround, we ensure we deliver reliable and cost effective plumbing solutions for your commercial business. We are the plumbers you can rely on. To schedule a light commercial job, call us today on 07 3038 1038 or book online here.
Plumbing isn’t always on top of our list when we think of maintaining our home, until something happens like a water leak or blocked drain.
According to the Queensland Department of Environment, Land and Water, leaking pipes and dripping taps are responsible for the wastage of around 9,000 litres of water a year, while a leaking toilet can waste more than 60,000 litres. Reflecting on what that could look like on your water bill, you could save thousands of dollars just by having them fixed.
Water leaks can cause dangerous mould and mildew problems impacting occupants’ health. Severe leaks can affect the structural integrity of your home and even damage the foundations, requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.
As a landowner, it is your responsibility to install and maintain any plumbing, and then identify and fix any leaks on your property.
To avoid an unwanted costly mess, we’ve put together our top five benefits to you if you were to engage a qualified plumber to perform regular maintenance on your home.
#1 Drastic reduction in water bills
This is obvious. If a leak has appeared anywhere in or around your home, your water bills will reflect that. Routine maintenance by a qualified plumber is extremely valuable as it ensures your water bills are kept as low as possible, saving you thousands of dollars in the long-term. It can also help to prevent the risk of a major fault in your plumbing system causing an emergency.
#2 Prolong the life of your pipes
Strong chemicals and caustic drain cleaners regularly poured down drains and pipes to remove blockages can corrode pipes, shortening their lifespan. Regular plumbing maintenance can prevent small problems becoming larger just by a plumber checking your pipes for any damage, and clearing them of any goop build-up using safe and effective methods.
It can be very frustrating when you take a shower under low water pressure. Water leaks in other taps around the house or lime build-up in the shower attachments can result in reduced water pressure. A plumber contracted to perform regular maintenance will test your water pressure, and search for and rectify any issues.
#4 Better health for you and your family
Ruptured and/or leaking water pipes, taps, roofs, hot water systems, ground water damage and even sewer backup are the main causes of mould growth in the home. Mould can lead to a number of health issues including allergies, asthma and a compromised immune system. Regular inspections by a qualified plumber can identify where mould is coming from, and take actionable steps to solve it and prevent it from happening again.
#5 Boost your home’s value
Plumbing systems account for around 10% of the total value of your house. Lower water bills, a reduction in the risk of burst pipes causing severe damage, a mould and mildew-free house, good water pressure and the fact that you engage a plumber to conduct regular maintenance, will go a long way in improving the value of your home and attracting a favourable offer if you decide to sell.
Regular plumbing maintenance results in ensuring that your plumbing systems remain functional throughout the whole year. This is the perfect time of the year to call Plumbaround about a regular maintenance program for your home so that you don’t have to encounter plumbing issues like a blocked drain (or worse) in the long run.
To book a plumbing maintenance job with us at Plumbaround, call today on 07 3038 1038 or book online here.
If you’re struggling to get these things done around your home or need advice, contact the experienced team at Plumbaround. We can visit your home and help you tick off items from your list. Call us on (07) 30381038.
11 Tips To Help You Prepare For The Storm Season
Check your gutters to see if they are leaks or structural damage
Check gutters to see if there are leaves and rubbish that may have been blown in since the last storm season
Get tree branches trimmed that are too close to the home. This prevents leaves falling into the gutters. Also prevents rodents enter the roof space via the gutters
Get a licensed commercial/ residential plumber to call over to your property or home and down a thorough checkup on the gutters, downpipes and drains around the home.
Check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for storm damage
Write down emergency numbers (fire, police and ambulance) and keep it in a place easy to find
Learn where the power, gas and water mains are so that you can turn these services off in emergencies.
Get an emergency kit ready and place it in an easily accessible place
Get to know the neighbors so each can take care of the other when emergencies occur.
If you’re struggling to get these things done around your home or need advice, contact the experienced team at Plumbaround. We can visit your home and help you tick off items from your list. Call us on (07) 30381038.
There are many types of plumbing materials installed in commercial buildings.
The main 7 are:
👨🔧 Stainless steel pipes – neat but high price tag, good around coastal areas and strength is vital for building owners.
👨🔧 PEX pipes – flexible plastic piping. Popular in residential and small businesses. Some advantages over copper piping.
👨🔧 Copper pipes – most expensive option with excellent durability and reliability. Can handle high pressure, preferred choice for refrigerant lines and underground.
👨🔧 PVC pipes – are used for cold and hot potable water as well as sewerage. Not as suitable in indoor and drainage applications.
👨🔧 Galvanized pipes – can be used to transport grey water and non-potable water. Less frequently used in domestic settings due to rust in smaller pipes.
👨🔧 Brass pipes – highly resistant to rust and corrosion and most durable option for commercial plumbing applications with a long lifespan. Brass also threads better than stainless steel pipes and is safe for both hot and cold-water delivery.
👨🔧 CPVC pipes – low priced option that can withstand exposure to heat and often approved for water delivery applications such as drinking water.
When you need to choose pipe materials for commercial properties such as apartment buildings, working with a professional plumber will ensure you get the best guidance regarding the most reliable and cost-effective options.
The best plumbers will be reliable, have good customer service and be available for you in emergency situations, in addition to planned maintenance. By choosing the best commercial plumbers, you are ensuring that they will make all repairs correctly the first time and deliver results you can rely on.
Licensed and Insured – Firstly, confirm that your plumber is licensed and insured (especially within your state). This protects your properties from potential damage and legal consequences.
Experience – Ensure that the commercial plumber has experience which ideally should include working on the type of building(s) that you manage. Plus, working with facilities managers, real estate agents or body corporate managers (or others in similar roles). Experience allows for more efficient and better-quality work.
Old or new plumbing systems? – Has the plumber experience with both old and new plumbing systems? This is particularly important for buildings with older systems. Have they got the tools and skills needed to work on it?
Qualifications – Experience and qualifications don’t always go hand-in-hand, however, sometimes you can find one without the other. Confirm that your chosen plumber is qualified to work on all of the systems they will maintain. Ensure they have passed any necessary tests and training to receive the relevant certification.
Warranty – Pay attention to whether your chosen plumbing company offers a warranty of some sort. Many will offer guarantees on their services for a set amount of time.
Services Offered – Ideally, it’s best to use a single commercial plumbing provider that offers all of the services you need. You do not want to have to work with several companies, and by working with just a single company, you save yourself time and hassle. You may also get financial savings this way.
Communication and Customer Service – The best commercial plumbers will be available 24/7 for emergencies and be at least professional, if not friendly, on the phone.
Recommendations and References – It’s important to pay attention to reviews from others especially for those who’ve used the plumber for similar services to your business.
Reputation – Pay attention to the plumber’s overall reputation. Look for online reviews even if you already have a glowing recommendation. You want to find consistency in the reviews. An occasional issue is not a concern, as long as the plumber quickly resolves it.
Need assistance with Commercial plumbing issues & maintenance? We are experienced in this area and happy to help! Call us on 07 3038 1038 or visit our website.
