Fix It Right Plumbing

Plumbing Services in Australia

What to do if you have a burst water pipe

By

What To Do If You Have A Burst Water Pipe

First of all don’t panic – Finding out you have a burst water pipe can be scary and it can cause a lot of damage to your home if left untreated, however there are things you can do which will help the situation and one of those is not to panic

Turn the water off if you can – Find your water meter (Usually located outside in the front yard) and turn the water off. This will stop the flow of water into your home and therefore stop the water leak. It will mean that all of your taps will not work, so fill up the kettle before you do this

Clean up any water – after you notice you have a water leak, you usually find water on your floor or near walls. To prevent further damage to your home and to reduce the risk of people falling due to slipping on the water, clean up any water that is laying around with a mop and bucket. That way you’ll kep the floors dry and keep everyone in your home safe at the same time

Call your plumber – You will need a qualified professional to take care of the burst water pipe in your home. Organise your plumber as soon as you can. This way you’ll get your leak fixed and your home back up and running sooner rather than later

Move any furniture if needed – If you have furniture sitting around the effected area that could be damaged either from water on the floor or plumbing works taking place in the area, it will be best to move the furniture out of the way that way it wont get damaged. You can always move it back once the plumbing works have been completed

Once you have organised your plumber and gotten your house ready you can relax. Your plumbing professional will know exactly what to do when he arrives and will be explaining everything to you when he does. He’ll also be explaining prices up front before he starts so there’ll be no nasty surprises.

Our professional expert plumbers perform leak detection in Melbourne, leak detection in Geelong and Leak Detection In Canberra.

9 Signs You Have a Blocked Drain

By

9 Signs You Have a Blocked Drain

Your kitchen sink is slow to drain – You have been noticing for a while now that after doing the dishes or running the dishwasher, your sink is very slow to drain. Sinks can be one of the first places you will see signs of a blocked drain as they are frequently attached to the overflow

You have water sitting outside near your overflow grate – water in the overflow or near the grate is usually a sign the overflow has been working, and when it does its working because you have a blockage

Your toilet occasionally drains fully – that sipping sound that you’ve been seeing when you flush the toilet is not by chance. Toilets to this when the air flow through the pipes is disrupted by excess content inside your drain i.e. a blockage

You have sewage sitting in the back yard – sewerage in the back yard can come from the inspection shaft or boundary trap located in the yard. Most sewerage connections are in the rear yard of peoples properties. sewerage sitting around the area of connection (inspection shaft) is almost certainly caused by a blockage

You hear a gurgling sound when you have a shower – Because showers have the lowest drain point in the house, they can be susceptible to symptoms of a house blockage. Gurgling will usually occur here because the airflow has been interrupted inside the drain

Flushing the toilet makes a noise – you can also hear the gurgling sound inside the toilet. Toilets are usually the first places that signs of a blockage will occur simply because of the large amount of water used when flushing.

Your shower backs up when you use your basin – when you have multiple fixtures that are backing up, its usually a sign the connecting drain is blocked

Your toilet takes a while to drain – when a toilet backs up, the water will eventually go down, however this can take anywhere from a few minutes to well over a few hours depending on how bad your blockage is

You have a foul smell outside – unusually smelly drains especially outside is a sign that your drains are not functioning correctly.

If you have seen one or have a few of these things happening in your home an your hoping it will go away, chances are it won’t. Severe blockages rarely clear themselves and can be harder to clean if the drain is continued to be used.

Our expert professional plumbers clear blocked drains in Melbourne, blocked drains in Geelong and blocked drains in Canberra.

Are flushable wipes really flushable?

By

So you like a clean bum after using the toilet? and toilet paper just isn’t cutting it? you’ll be pleased to know you are not alone and that there are options for you to stay fresh throughout the day. However, ignore these simple tips and you’ll be calling the plumber sooner than you’d hoped.

So what are these wipes?

Basically a soft cloth similar to a baby wipe. They are sold in all of the supermarkets and the makes of these wipes would have you believe that you can in fact flush these down the toilet after your done. Well theres a catch. Some companies will tell you straight up that you can only use 2 per flush and others will just tell you to wipe till your hearts content with little regard to the drain your about block. Thats right, use too many of these and the drain will block.

But they say they are flushable?

They are, however unlike toilet paper, they take a long time to break down inside the drain. So whether you wish to discard toilet paper all together in favour of these soft glorious little wipes or whether its just a quick freshen up after you’ve used the traditional paper, be sure to limit the number of wipes per flush.

So how many can I use?

This does depend a little bit on the toilet and how much water be being flushed per flush. However assuming most toilets these days have between a 4.5-6 ltr main flush its safe to use 2 and no more.

So what if I want to use more?

Then do so at your own risk, or flush and keep wiping ensuring only 2 get flushed every time, the choice is yours. Of course it does depend on the type of toilet you are using and the condition of your drains. The best solution all together is to use a bit beside the toilet as the place to put these wipes and keep them out of the drainage system all together.

Happy flushing

What to do if you smell gas inside your home

By

Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room – The first thing you should do is open and window or door you can to get some fresh air inside. Find the nearest door to you and do it straight away. This will lessen the concentration of gas in the air and make it easier to breath

Remove people and pets from the area - Getting everyone inside the house to safety is key here. Helping family members to a sheltered place outside away from the gas leak is priority. Ensure all pets have been removed and everyone in the house has been accounted for

Turn off all ignition sources – IF you have any flames in your home make sure they are turned off (Cookers, Stoves) Ensure any smokers in the house do not light up cigarettes

Isolate the gas supply to your home – You can find the gas shut off valve to your home located on the gas meter. If you know where your gas meter is and can safely access the area, then shut off your gas supply. This will stop the gas leak from getting worse.

Call for help – Call a plumbing professional who specialises in gas leaks and tell them you have an emergency. They will fully understand your position and will arrange for a qualified plumber to attend and get your leak found and fixed.

Why we use water jets and not cable machines to clear drains

By

Why water jet machines are the best way to clear your drain

The plumbing industry has come a long way in the past 10 years and drain technology has been leading the pack in terms of new tools and devices to help clear drains and also keep them cleared once the drain is open. In the olden days, the only real tool for cleaning drains was a cable drain machine (electric drain eel). These would come in various sizes and brands but the main one most plumbers would use would be a K1500 made by Rigid. They were a robust, relatively inexpensive, and reliable go-to tool for clearing and removing blockages from domestic and commercial drains.

drain cleaning machine

Although lots of plumbers these days still use the K1500, Water jet machines are increasing in popularity due to the ease of use and versatility but there are other reason to use a jet machine that few plumbers know about.

  1. They are less likely to get jammed and stuck. Using any drain equipment comes with its risks and one of the biggest risk is getting the machine you are using stuck inside the drain. This can happen many ways but usually comes down to experience. We often see many DIY'ers hiring equipment from a hire shop then attempting the drain clear themselves. While this can be a cheaper way to go, if things go wrong it can mean big trouble in terms of retrieving the equipment and also drain repairs which can be expensive. Jet machines (When used by an experienced operator) have a much less likely chance of getting stuck in the drain.
  2. They can be used inside. Most plumbers these days will encounter a situation where they will need to bring their drain clearing equipment inside. Most modern new homes that are built on concrete foundations have limited access to the drain laid beneath them and in some cases they don't allow access at all. Bringing an electric eel cable machine inside is a drain cleaners worst nightmare for several reasons but the most is they are so destructive that the insides of a customers house can be very badly damaged. Damages and scratched skiting boards, damaged flooring, Holes in plaster are only a few of the troubles plumbers can encounter even if they prepare the area with drop sheets. Water jet machines however connect with flexible non damaging hoses that don't move around when in use plus they stay clean and are much easier and more hygienic to use. blocked drain water jet
  3. They can be used with CCTV camera systems. Now most plumbers who use cable machines would argue that you can use a camera with a cable machine, however what they won't tell you is that you cannot use them at the same time. So if you want to save money and don't want your drain job to take all day, water jet systems are the best way to go. You can use the CCTV camera system at the same time which means the plumber can inspect the drain as its being cleaned with saves time and it also gives you a much better job and a cleaner drain.

drain camera

As you can see High Pressure Water Jet systems are far superior to their mechanical counter parts. They do however require a substantial upfront investment, regular maintenance and the right training, but when used correctly, can ensure your drains are cleaned and cleared to the highest standard which will ensure they will stay clear for longer and save you money.

When looking for a plumber to clear your blocked drain, insist they use a high pressure water jet machine and that they are trained in the right drain clearing techniques. Clearing drains is an art as well as a science. Your plumber should have a thorough working knowledge of how drains have been run in the past on older homes as well as the newer techniques used so they can choose the right water jetting equipment to be used with your drain. Things your plumber should be aware of when they arrive at your home are

  • How old your home is
  • Where the connection point to the main is
  • Where any inspection openings are located on your property
  • What fixtures are blocked
  • Any past work you have had done on your drains - including any unblocking service you may have had
  • How long you have had the problem for
  • How often your drain blocks up or if this is the first time

Your plumber should do a very thorough analysis of your whole drain system and ask you lots of questions to get as much information from you as possible before they recommend what they will do. Check out any plumbing reviews first before you select a plumber and you should be in safe hands

 

About The Author

richie the plumber

Richard Foster

Founder, Operations Manager
Richie has been the owner and operator at Fix It Right Plumbing since 2007 and has been plumbing since he was 16. He has had vast experience in domestic, commercial and industrial plumbing. He is a firm believer in doing it once doing it right. Richie's passion for getting to the bottom of a problem created the culture that exists in all the plumbers at Fix It Right and also the slogan "Preventing Plumbing Disasters"

Contact Us

Melbourne Plumbing Headquarters
2 Insight Circuit
Carrum Downs 3201
1300 664 932
Licence No: 45661

Plumbing Services Melbourne

Blocked Drains Melbourne
Hot Water Melbourne
Dripping Taps Melbourne
Gas Leaks Melbourne
Burst Pipes Melbourne
Toilet Leaks Melbourne
Leak Detection Melbourne

Emergency Plumber Melbourne

About Us

Meet The Team
Total Care Membership
FAQ
Blog
Join Our Team
Reviews
Sitemap

 

Fix it Right Plumbing
4.9 / 5 based on 844 reviews.

4.9 Out of
5 Stars

View Reviews

5 things you can do to prevent a blocked drain

By

Blocked drains can be a real emergency especially if your whole house gets blocked up and you cant use the toilet or shower so here's 5 things you can do right now to prevent a blocked drain. Did you know that some household blockages can actually be prevented and there things you can do your self to stop it happening?

Keep toilet paper to a minimum - This may seem a little odd, especially as toilets are designed to be used with toilet paper. However, using too much toilet paper can cause your drain or toilet to block. So how much is too much? Well thats a tricky one. Different toilets have different flow rates and outlet sizes so there is no none rule fits all here. However if you flush the toilet and the water level rises a significant amount before draining, its a good sign you have overloaded the toilet.

Use stick on fresheners instead of the cage types - While cage type toilet fresheners are common, it is also common for them to get accidentally flushed down into the drain where they get stuck. Fortunately there are new stick on types that can be used that stick directly onto the side of the bowl. Not only these pose no threat at all to your drains, they are actually more hiegenic as there is nowhere for the germs to hide.

Put food scraps and oil in the bin - This should be an obvious one but we are all guilty of trying to push those few pesky food scraps through the drain grate after we have finished washing the dishes. While its definitely not as pleasant to remove them by hand and place them in the bin, it does save your drains from food build up which may eventually cause a blockage

Clean your shower drain - Hair has to be the most common reason we see for shower drains to block up. You have you someone in the house who brushes their hair in the shower or it may even be you. You can rest assured that some of that hair is getting stuck and over time will cause your drain to block. Most showers these days can be cleaned by hand by removing the grate and this should be done often enough to keep the drain cleared.

Keep kids away from outside drains - Kids love to explore and experiment, and the drain connection pipe in your rear yard can be an attractive object to experiment. “Lets see how many toys we can get inside that drain” If you have a child that would love to play this game, it could be time for a chat or better yet find a new play area. Toys may be fun to put in the drain but they are not fun or easy to get out.

What to do when your drain blocks up

By

What To Do When Your Drain Blocks Up

So you have a blocked drain. Your stressed and your not sure what to do. In fact your pulling your hair out right now. Well, we understand having a blocked drain can be stressful but don't worry, follow these steps and you'll be well on your way to getting your home back to normal

Stop using the drain. This may seem obvious however just because the toilet flushes doesn’t mean the contents of said toilet are actually going where they should. Using your drain when you know you have a blockage only makes the cleaning and unblocking process more difficult. Not to mention messy.

Organise your plumber. Now is the time to get professional help. You'll need a plumber who has lots of experience and the right equipment for the job. Blocked drains can be complicated and should only be tackled by trained professionals

Keep children and pets away from the area - while they might think its an interesting thing to play with, blocked drains can leave a mess that is not only unsightly and foul but also unhygienic as well. Keep your kids and pets safe by keeping them away from the effected area

Close any doors that lead to the area - the last thing you want is anyone touching or accessing the area. Make sure that any unsuspecting guests don't accidentally enter the area but making sure all doors to the area are locked or noticed put in place

If you have sewerage inside your home try to clean this with a mop and bucket. Sometimes some sewerage will end up inside your home. To prevent damage to your home and to keeps smells and germs at bay, it is a good idea to clean the area as soon as you can with a mop and bucket. Try adding some detergent into the bucket as well to help the smell and kill the germs

Wait for help to arrive - let the professionals deal with the drain blockage while you relax. Your drain professional will know what type of blockage you have and the best way to fix it. They will be arriving with a professional drain cleaning vehicle and will be assessing your home as soon as they arrive. They will also be letting you know the charges up front for any works before they start.

Our expert professional plumbers clear blocked drains in Melbourne, blocked drains in Geelong and blocked drains in Canberra.

Avoid costly hot water repairs in 5 easy steps

By

When your hot water system stops working it can be a real disaster. Not only do you have the inconvenience of having cold showers but the cost of repairs can be hefty depending on whats wrong. There are however things you can do to get the most out of your current hot water system and reduce the likely hood of needing expensive repairs done

Turn your system down - I know what you might be thinking, “but Richie I like a good hot long shower!” Don’t we all. My point is that more than 70% of all houses we attend have there hot water system turned up too high, not only does this cost you more to run but it puts extra stress on the tank which shortens its life. It also burns out the thermo couple quicker and shortens the life of the burners. So do your self and your system a favour and turn your system down

Release the PTR - whats the PTR you ask? It's the little valve on the right hand side of your system which acts as a safety release valve when the system is heating. Releasing this every 6 months allows the valve to open to full position which ensures it will work when you need it to.

Don’t cover your system - we have repeatedly seen home made covers for systems that effect the way the system works. Placing cover over your unit can restrict the air flow into and out of the system which can effect the combustion and in some cases stop the system working all together.

Keep your grass short - This may seem like an obvious one but we have seen some systems that have grass actually growing inside of them because the lawn was not kept under control. Keeping the access panel on and grass away from your system ensures it works as it is supposed to.

Don’t let pets dig under your system - Dogs love to dig right? Yep! well some dogs may see your foundations under your hot water as the perfect place to invest some digging time honing there skills. Unfortunately if the foundations are moved and the system starts to lean, you’ll be calling your plumber soon as the system will eventually turn its self off and you will more than likely need to re install the system from scratch. Soo… ensure your dogs dig up the roses instead of your hot water system.

How hot should your hot water be?

By

Can your hot water system actually be too hot? Does it really matter that much? Hot water inside the home is a necessary part of every day life. We use it from cleaning the dishes to showering the dog. So its important that this is done safely. Water that is hotter than 60 degrees is very dangerous especially to older senior citizens and younger children too.

However your water temperature can be too cold. With water sitting at lower temperatures Legionella can grow causing serious health concerns.

Above 70 °C : Legionella dies almost instantly

At 60 °C : 90% die in 2 minutes

At 50 °C : 90% die in 80–124 minutes, depending on strain

At 48 to 50 °C : Can survive but do not multiply

Ideal growth range

Setting too high can scald someone using the water. Setting the water too low can grow Legionella, so what temperature should you set your water. So what should you do?<

Check your hot water temperature - If you have a thermometer at home, run some hot water and test it. The temperature should be no hotter than 55 degrees at the tap, if it is hotter than that you should have your system turned down

Adjust your tempering valve - If your not sure what this is we don't recommend attempting this step on your own. If you do, Check what setting your hot water system is at and then check your tempering valve setting. Your system should be set to 60 degrees or hotter but the tempering valve should be set to deliver water no hotter than 55 degrees at the house

no toilet paper no problem

No toilet paper, No problem
worried about his plumbing

What to do if you have a burst water pipe
plumber fixing sink plumbing problem

9 Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
flushable wipes

Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Lady smelling gas leak

What to do if you smell gas inside your home
Load More

Got a burst water pipe? What to do next…

By

Got A burst water pipe? Almost everyone who lives in a home with toilets, showers and taps is going to have to deal with a burst water pipe at some stage of their life. So what to you do if this type of plumbing disaster happens to you? Below I will explain the things you need to know and do so you'll be prepared and handle it like a pro.

Who does this usually happen to? Notice I said people who live in a home and not just the person who owns the house. Thats right, you could be staying at your parents home for the weekend, you could be lodging at an Air BnB for the weekend or you could just be home alone one night. Everyone will deal with this plumbing disaster at some time or another.

How do I know if I have a burst water pipe? Several signs to look for when you suspect you a burst water pipe.

  • You could see water building up in a pool in your garden - you may even see a stream of water running across your concrete path way
  • Water spurting out of a wall or wetness around walls that seems to be getting worse
  • Hissing or loud spraying sounds in and around areas within your home where plumbing is installed
  • A high water bill - extremely high water bills are often a sign you have a hidden leak

So what can you do? Here are some practical and essential tips of things you can actually do once you have determined you have a burst water pipe.

If you have a burst outside your home

  • Turn off the water supply at the water meter - this will shut off the flow of water and stop the leak, it will also turn the water off to the whole house so toilets and showers will not work
  • Keep pets and children away from the effected area - hot water bursts especially can be harmful to pets and children
  • Contact your local plumber as soon as you can
  • You may turn the water back on briefly and only if it is safe to do so, so you can shower and use toilets then turn it back off again
  • Keep water off during the night should you need to wait overnight to get help

If you have a burst inside your home

  • Turn off the water supply at the water meter - this will shut off the flow of water and stop the water flowing into your house, it will also turn the water off to the whole house so toilets and showers will not work. Do this as quickly as you can
  • Do not turn the water back on for any reason
  • Contact your local emergency plumber and stress you have an emergency and need immediate assistance
  • Reduce damage to your home by using a mop and bucket and any old towels you have to clean up excess water
  • Contact your insurance company ASAP and inform them what has happened and get a claim lodged

Tips for tennants

  • Follow the steps above but contact your agent to get an emergency plumber for you
  • If your agent is uncontactable or is refusing to help you do have the right to organise a plumber yourself and seek reimbursement once the burst pipe has been fixed. (Check with local laws about the exact procedure and amounts you are able to claim)
  • Do your best to limit the damage to the landlords property, this will make the rectification works easier and less time consuming and will enable you to get back to normal quicker

A note on insurance - most insurance companies will pay for and damage resulting as a cause of the burst water pipe. They will not usually cover the pipe repair itself. If you have a hidden water leak, your insurance company may cover the cost of investigation water leak detection works and the damage caused by the leak, again they do not usually cover the pipe repair.

Follow these simple instructions and you will be able to deal with a burst water pipe at home or at work easily and with very little stress. Handle burst water pipes like a pro

 

friendly plumber in kitchen

Richie's last tip - If you are going away for a weekend or an extended amount of time (like leaving a holiday house or going on holiday from your home) turn the water off at the meter. This will save you a considerable amount of stress while your away as well as protecting your home from potentially catastrophic damage

no toilet paper no problem

No toilet paper, No problem
worried about his plumbing

What to do if you have a burst water pipe
plumber fixing sink plumbing problem

9 Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
flushable wipes

Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Lady smelling gas leak

What to do if you smell gas inside your home
Load More