by Plumbaround | Nov 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
Christmas Plumbing Issues: What to Watch For
As the holiday season approaches, our homes and businesses fill with the warmth of family gatherings, festive celebrations, and all the activities that make this time of year so special. Yet with all the extra foot traffic, cooking, and entertaining, plumbing systems in both residential and commercial settings are pushed to their limits. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues you might encounter, so you’ll know exactly what to expect—and how to handle it if things go wrong.
Home Plumbing Issues
Holiday gatherings mean more guests, resulting in more strain on bathrooms, kitchens, and water systems. A common holiday plumbing issue is clogged drains. During holiday meals, it’s easy to toss food remnants down the sink, not realising that holiday classics like potato peels, fat trimmings, or even bits of bread can cause substantial blockages. Grease from roasting and frying is also a serious problem; when washed down the drain, grease solidifies in pipes, and creates stubborn clogs that can quickly disrupt your kitchen.
With increased overnight guests, showers see heavy usage often resulting in slow-draining showers as hair, soap, and other residues build up. Increased numbers of guests using bathrooms can also put pressure on toilets, sometimes leading to blockages and, in worst cases, overflowing. Not to mention, hot water systems can struggle to keep up, leaving guests with cold showers—a quick way to dampen the holiday cheer.
Business Plumbing Issues
For businesses, especially restaurants, hotels and retail spaces, the holiday rush can be a double-edged sword. Commercial restrooms experience higher usage from customers and employees, which can lead to overflow problems in toilets and sinks. Increased usage puts a lot of pressure on these plumbing fixtures, and clogged toilets or sinks can quickly ruin the customer experience.
In restaurant kitchens, drains and grease traps face intense pressure, as holiday specials and increased cooking volumes lead to more oils, fats, and food waste being flushed through the system. When not properly maintained, grease traps can clog, overflow, or emit unpleasant odours that affect both staff and customer experiences.
Plumbaround, Your Holiday Rescue Team
Firstly, we suggest you look at the challenges from now and book us in. We find every year that clients leave it to the last minute and then we are fully booked.
Should an issue arise, our emergency response team is ready to resolve any plumbing crisis promptly and efficiently. With our experienced team, we ensure that plumbing issues don’t interrupt your holiday operations or celebrations.
Contact us today at (07) 3038 1038 or fill out a form here. When it comes to holiday plumbing needs, preparation and professional support make all the difference.
For more information about our Christmas plumbing services, click here.
by Plumbaround | Oct 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
Queensland is known for its charming, older homes, especially around Brisbane. While these homes have unique character and history, they often come with their own set of plumbing challenges. If you’re a homeowner or potential buyer of an older Queenslander, here are some of the most common plumbing problems you may encounter:
1. Low Water Pressure
Older Queensland homes frequently suffer from low water pressure, which can make simple tasks like showering or washing dishes, inefficient and frustrating. The causes could be aged and corroded pipes, mineral build-up, or systems that aren’t equipped to handle modern water usage. Replacing outdated piping or installing pressure-boosting devices can improve your water pressure.
2. Outdated Hot Water Systems
Hot water systems in older homes are often outdated, resulting in unexpected breakdowns and surprising cold showers. Whether it’s struggling to meet your household’s needs or spiking your energy bill, an old hot water system may need upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.
3. Slow Drainage
Slow drainage is a common issue in older homes, typically due to years of build-up in the pipes or outdated designs that weren’t made for modern waste loads. At Plumbaround, we use advanced drain cameras to inspect your plumbing system thoroughly, identifying blockages and problem areas with precision. This ensures we can offer targeted solutions, whether it’s a deep clean or a full pipe replacement, to get your drainage system running smoothly again.
4. Outdated Piping
Older Queensland homes often have galvanised steel or copper piping, which corrodes over time. This can lead to discoloured water, leaks, or even pipe bursts. If your home has these outdated pipes, replacing them with modern materials like PVC or PEX can prevent more severe issues and protect your home in the long run.
5. Leaking Taps
Leaking taps might seem like a minor issue, but they can often be an early sign of more significant problems. Worn-out washers, corroded valve seals, or high water pressure, can all contribute to drips and leaks. Left ignored, these small leaks can lead to wasted water and higher bills.
6. Tree Root Invasion
In Queensland, tree roots can pose a serious threat to older homes’ plumbing systems. As roots grow, they search for water, often finding their way into tiny cracks in underground pipes. Over time, they can cause blockages or even break the pipes completely, leading to significant damage and costly repairs. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent tree root intrusion in your pipes.
How Plumbaround Can Help
At Plumbaround, we specialise in identifying and solving plumbing issues common in older Queensland homes. Whether you’re dealing with low water pressure, outdated hot water systems, or tree roots, our team of experienced plumbers is here to help. We can assess your home’s plumbing and recommend effective solutions. Contact us today at 07 3038 1038 or fill out a form here.
by Plumbaround | Sep 5, 2024 | Uncategorized
by Plumbaround | Aug 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Spring is most people’s favourite time of year – temperatures start warming up, there are more hours in the day, baby animals are everywhere, plants become greener and flowers start blooming. Psychologically, Spring can make us feel happier, more energised and motivated to do some spring cleaning or get outside and do some work in the garden.
Your new-found burst of energy to spring-clean your home can be invigorating but we want to ensure that while you’re at it, you don’t overlook your home’s plumbing. Routine Spring plumbing maintenance can help highlight any minor issues before they turn into major ones.
Now that we are heading into Spring, we thought we’d help you with 10 plumbing tips:
#1 Check all your indoor and outdoor taps. It’s possible some of your pipes might have been affected during the colder months so it’s a good idea to check all your taps.
#2 Replace broken or missing strainers. Strainers help to stop drains from clogging up with hair, soap, food and other debris. To save money on drain cleaning, replace any broken or missing strainers.
#3 Check for toilet leaks. A few drops of food colouring in the cistern will soon reveal whether the toilet is leaking. If the water in the bowl changes colour (give it 30 minutes), there’s a good chance you have a leak.
#4 Exercise your water valves. Open and shut all the water valves that supply sinks and toilets to prevent them from getting stuck (a buildup of lime is a classic offender for this). Replace any that don’t function properly.
#5 Test your toilets. The replacement of worn tank parts is simple and inexpensive. To ensure your water bill stays low, test your toilets flush correctly.
#6 Clean your shower heads. Using dishwashing liquid and water, with an old toothbrush, clean out your shower heads and dry them completely. This not only prevents rusting but also gets rid of mineral deposits and any bad bacteria.
#7 Perform a water heater check-up. If your hot water is really “hot”, turn down your water heater temperature to under 50 degrees and check for signs of corrosion and leaks. Puddles of water, rust, lime or soot can be tell-tale signs of wear and tear. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it’s probably the right time to get a plumber to inspect it thoroughly.
#8 Clean gutters and downpipes. Debris, especially from trees close to your property, can quickly end up in gutters and block downpipes, causing leaks and water damage to your home. Clean out your gutters and downpipes using a high-pressure hose or auger, or alternatively call a plumber to do a professional job for you.
#9 Inspect exposed pipes under sinks and vanities. If you notice staining of your cupboard shelves underneath the pipes, you probably have a leak caused by ageing, stress or link wear and tear. Take note and call a plumber.
#10 Check for worn appliance hoses. Make sure you check your water supply hoses to your washing machine and dishwasher as these can be prone to wear and strain. In fact old, worn or kinked hoses have been known to be the cause of many in-house flooding catastrophes. Don’t let that happen to you. If your hoses are more than ten years old, call a plumber to replace them.
The plumbing at your residential or commercial property is important to us at Plumbaround. Our team of Qualified Master Plumbers can perform routine inspections, report on findings, and complete any work that needs to be done, providing you with peace of mind that all your plumbing systems are well maintained and ready for Spring.
We are the plumbers you can rely on!
Contact Us for a chat and an obligation-free quote. We service Brisbane and surrounding suburbs.
by Plumbaround | Apr 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
When discovering what the best hot water system is for your household, many factors need to be considered:
1. How many people will be using the hot water?
This is considering visitors or people living in the household. Generally, the more people in a household, or if one water heater is servicing numerous bathrooms, the larger a hot water system should be. However, if it is only supplying hot water to one bathroom or a small amount of people, a smaller water heater is suitable.
2. The water usage of the household.
For instance, depending on how long or short individuals take showers in the household can determine how much accessible hot water is needed.
3. Do you use a dishwasher or hot water in the washing machine cycle?
Depending on the use of these appliances, it could increase your hot water consumption.
4. The type of shower head used in the bathroom.
This has a big impact on water consumption, as some shower heads output water at a faster rate.
5. Are gas or electric water heaters being used?
Gas hot water systems can be heated at a faster rate compared to electric ones. This means that electric systems need to have greater reserves, which in turn leads to bigger systems. On the other hand, gas hot water systems can get away with smaller hot water reserves.
6. What time of day does your household use it?
If hot water is being used at the same time, a larger system is preferable. For instance, if all household members are having showers in the evening and the dishwasher and washing machine are put on around this time, it will run out of hot water faster than when the hot water consumption is spaced out.
If you’re noticing or experiencing a reduction in hot water or intermittent hot water, that a valve at the hot water system is constantly leaking, or if you notice a sudden increase in your energy bills without an explanation, it’s crucial to have your hot water system checked promptly to ensure it’s operating at its best, before any serious issues arise.
Click HERE to learn more about hot water systems, and take advantage of our current offer: only $88 for a Hot Water System Assessment by Brisbane’s Premier Plumbing Experts!
by Plumbaround | Oct 24, 2023 | Uncategorized
If you’ve ever battled stubborn clogs in your plumbing, you know the frustration of trying endless “home remedies” to no avail. Clogs, whether from hard water deposits, stubborn grease buildup, or invasive tree roots, can be more than just a nuisance– they can disrupt your life and incur substantial costs. Traditional methods of drain and sewer cleaning might provide temporary relief, but for a more efficient and long-lasting solution, consider Hydro Jetting.
What Is Hydro Jetting?
Hydro Jetting is a powerful plumbing technique that involves using high-pressure water jets to clear clogs and debris buildup from the walls of your pipes. This thorough cleaning process not only eliminates current blockages but also serves as a preventive measure against future clogs and backups. It effectively removes various culprits, such as grease, food particles, mineral scale, debris, and, in some cases, even tree roots.
How Does Hydro Jetting Work?
The plumber performs a drain camera inspection to identify major blockages and areas with heavy buildup. They will also assess the condition of your pipes to determine if they can withstand the intense pressure. If not, alternatives like jet rodding or snaking may be suggested, or you might need to consider upgrading your piping.
Once the access points are established, the plumber deploys a hose into your pipes and activates the Hydro Jetting machine. As the water flows, the hose moves through the plumbing system, effectively cleaning the pipes and dislodging debris, which is then safely flushed out of your plumbing system.
What Are the Advantages of Hydro Jetting:
- Environmentally Friendly: Hydro Jetting is an eco-conscious solution that relies solely on the power of high-pressure water to clear blockages. Unlike some chemical alternatives, Hydro Jetting is gentle on the environment, making it a safe choice for homes or businesses located near sensitive ecosystems.
- Non-Invasive: Traditional plumbing methods involve digging trenches to access and repair pipes. In contrast, Hydro Jetting is a non-invasive method that doesn’t require any digging.
- Highly Effective: While conventional plumbing methods can clear immediate blockages, they often leave behind residue. Over time, these remnants can contribute to the formation of new clogs. Hydro Jetting, not only clears the blockage but also thoroughly cleans the entire pipe.
- Versatility: Commercial plumbing systems vary widely in complexity and scale. Hydro Jetting is versatile and can handle a wide range of tasks, from unclogging pipes in office buildings and restaurants to addressing severe blockages in sewerage systems. Even the most stubborn of clogs can be swiftly removed with a powerful blast of water.
Hydro Jetting is a powerful solution to stubborn plumbing issues that can save you from costly repairs in the long run. It can restore your plumbing system’s health and ensure smooth, trouble-free operation. So, if you’re facing relentless clogs or suspect that your pipes need a thorough cleaning, consider calling Plumbaround for eco-friendly, non-invasive, and highly effective solution to clear your pipes. Call 07 3038 1038 or visit www.plumbaround.com.au.au.
