An immediate reaction for a Sydney resident’s head of a household when there appears to be a plumbing issue is to attempt to resolve the problem instead of calling right away for a plumber.
In some cases, this effort might calm the situation for a period, but in all likelihood, it doesn’t resolve the underlying condition, often making it worse in the long run, like if you pour hot oil down the drain. Find out why this is something you should avoid at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/never-pour-hot-oil-down-sink-drain_l_5e3dbcc8C5b6b70886ffabea.
In Australia, taking matters into your own hands doesn’t merely get frowned upon but rather can result in steep fines since nearly every plumbing emergency requires the services of a licensed tradesperson for repairs – by law. What constitutes a crisis can include blocked drains, leaky pipes, or low pressure showing the potential for a break in the system.
The best way to disallow the water supply from catching you off guard with an unpleasant malfunction is to have a reputable tradesperson with whom you employ regular inspections as part of your proactive annual home maintenance and upkeep. A certified plumber will detect minor issues with a yearly service call and repair these before there is an opportunity for an emergency to develop.
Prevent Unforeseeable Plumbing Issues With Proactive Plumbing Services
Often plumbing emergencies catch people unaware. Some of this is due to the falsehood that the system holds exceptional durability for which there’s little care required. The water supply needs as much if not more upkeep as is necessary for standard overall household maintenance.
That means investing in a trusted tradesperson like Sydney Hero plumbers to do annual inspections of the system. Incorporating with other home servicing is a proactive measure for finding defects early and having repairs to avoid possible emergencies and potential damages.
Since Australian law mandates plumbers to handle all plumbing repairs, it’s wise to search for a local tradesperson and have them on hire in a steady capacity ahead of time. Some things a tradie might notice that you probably won’t:
** Drips Inside The Toilet Bowl
You won’t typically take the time, unless cleaning the basin, to thoroughly inspect the water and how it’s operating in the toilet bowl. Common occurrences plumbers see include steady drips inside the bowl indicative of a leak.
When you become accustomed to noises around the house, you might not notice the sound of the cistern continually filling. But for those who employ typical household maintenance, a running toilet will stand out apart from regular everyday noise.
One significant warning sign is an elevated utility bill. If you receive an unusually high expense, check inside the toilet basin first to see (or hear) how the unit is operating.
As a rule, a tradie will check in the cistern to determine where the flow originates, with most instances leading to the inlet/outlet valve needing replacement.
** Installing A Tempering Valve
Having a tempering valve installed ensures safety and wellbeing for your and your family. These attach to the external pipework meant to maintain a water temperature no greater than 55 degrees. With this device there is no opportunity for scalding skin, making it a necessity, particularly in homes with small children.
Mandates for the valve are now in place for anyone who replaces a water heater or chooses to move it to a different area. The device has a lifespan of approximately five years, with recommendations to replace them before five years to avoid burns from a worn-out valve. It would be best if you also had the temperature tested periodically to ensure it doesn’t reach excessive levels.
** Replacing The Hot Water Anode
The anode in a water heater is a steel rod with zinc, aluminum, magnesium covering the surface with insertion at the top of the unit. The piece will start to rust before the tank due to the moisture. Manufacturers employ the rod to expand the lifespan of the heater. The device has a lifespan of its own of approximately one year, at which point you need to replace it.
Manufacturers prefer you not to be aware of this because their goal is for you to buy heaters more often. Trusted plumbers advise clients when engaging in servicing about the anode to avoid unnecessary costs of early heater replacements.
** Main Shut-off Valve
You’ll usually find the main valve for the water supply near the front of your home located close to the water meter. When there is a plumbing emergency, whether a leak or perhaps a burst pipe, you need to shut the supply off while waiting for the plumber to arrive. If you can’t shut it off or can’t locate it, you can end up with significant damages.
There will be “mini-isolation” valves in places like under the sink or behind the toilet that can shut those specific areas off in many cases. These will help if the problem is related to a particular site. But when the tradie arrives, make sure to find the main valve and learn how to shut it off adequately. Also, inquire about installing some new valves in areas where you believe they might be beneficial in the future.
Stopping the flow of water is critical to avoid possible structural damage or personal loss due to flooding. Another reason to have a good plumber on the ready to inspect the system annually is you’ll likely already have an awareness of the shut-offs, including the primary and how to use it, thanks to the professional’s help.
Final Thought
Being proactive by hiring a trusted plumber to do annual inspections is beneficial in numerous ways. The expert ensures that your system has all the necessary components to keep you safe and to maintain an extended lifespan for the varied devices. See who’s responsible for hiring a tradesperson in a rental situation.
You will know upfront where the necessary shut-off valves are if there’s an emergency and the water supply needs turning off. Also, spotting early defects will allow proper repairs before turning into emergent situations fraught with extensive damages, thus saving you from expensive costs.
It would help if you stayed on top of all your home maintenance duties, with plumbing being among the priorities because it’s one of the most common sources for household problems.
