Melbourne is known for its unpredictable weather and seasonal extremes, from freezing winters to scorching heat waves in summer. As a homeowner, you must learn how to adapt to the weather shifts and prepare your plumbing for them.
In today's guide, we’ll explore some measures you can take to maintain your plumbing throughout the year, to help you avoid issues like frosty pipes and water wastage.
Conserve Water During the Summer Swelter
Whether it’s taking a cool shower, filling a temporary inflatable pool or having a water fight with water pistols or water balloons, water can help keep you and your family cool in the scorching Melbourne summers. But certain issues can waste more water than you use and make for expensive water bills.
You can minimise this wastage and save money by taking a few simple measures, like:
- Inspect for Leaks: Before the hot season hits, inspect your plumbing system for leaks, as even small drips can waste litres of water if left for a while.
- Upgrade to Low-Flow Fixtures: If your plumbing is old and outdated, consider upgrading to new, low-flow or water-efficient taps, shower heads and toilets which are designed to conserve water without negatively impacting their performance.
- Install a Rainwater Harvesting System: Since Melbourne's summers are often quite wet, you can make the most of this by installing a rainwater harvesting system to collect and reuse rainwater for outdoor irrigation, reducing your reliance on main town water for gardening.
- Adjust Your Irrigation Schedule: Opt for early morning or late evening watering to reduce water loss due to evaporation.
Preparing for the Winter Freeze
While Australia’s winters tend to be milder than other countries located in the northern hemisphere, down in Melbourne it can still get pretty chilly from June to August. To help you prepare for the cold snap, let’s take a look at some steps you can take to protect your plumbing:
- Insulate Your Pipes: Despite the slightly warmer winters here in Australia, we still have a slight risk of partially frozen pipes on the coldest nights or mornings. Make sure you insulate any exposed pipes with tape or insulation sleeves to further reduce this risk.
- Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Taps: Disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses and taps to minimise the risk of them freezing.
- Service Your Water Heater: Hot showers are a must in winter, so make sure your hot water system is working as it should. You can also further protect it by insulating it and setting the temperature to 45°C to save energy.
- Let Taps Drip: While dripping taps can waste water, a small drip can help protect your pipes on the coldest days. A small drip helps to ensure water is always flowing and can relieve pressure in your pipes to reduce the risk of freezing.
Year-Round Tips for Plumbing Maintenance
Along with these seasonal tips, there are also some things that you should be doing all year round to protect your plumbing and keep it functioning at its best, this includes:
- Regular Inspections: Scheduling regular plumbing inspections throughout the year can help to ensure that any minor issues are caught and rectified as early as possible and prevent problems down the track.
- Clean Drains and Gutters: Regularly cleaning out gutters, downpipes and drains can help prevent blockages or overflows during heavy rains. It also prevents plants from taking root there.
- Emergency Preparedness: Additionally, make sure you have a plan in place to tackle plumbing emergencies, such as keeping the number of a trusted local plumbing service in your phone or on your fridge.
- Consult a Professional: Finally, if you notice anything that seems out of place or obvious damages, call a plumber ASAP for professional repairs. They will be able to quickly identify any issues and complete the required repairs.
Stay Prepared for Melbourne’s Weather
By following these seasonal guidelines you can maintain your plumbing system’s integrity throughout the year. Proper preparation not only conserves water and reduces the risk of costly repairs but also ensures your family remains comfortable with efficient plumbing all year round.
And remember that investing in preventive measures and seeking professional advice and services will always pay off in the long run.
8 Ways to Prevent Plumbing Issues During Holidays
19 Catalina Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043
03 9335 4755
info@essendonplumbingservices.com.au
