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What’s causing my water leak?

Wondering what causes pipes to leak? If you think you have a leaking water pipe or just want to be sure your plumbing system is safe and compliant here is some basic information regarding what can contribute to pipes leaking in or around your home. These easy to understand tips will help you keep your home safe and dry, no coming home to nasty surprises and will save you from expensive repair bills that can be caused from water leaks going unnoticed

Signs you may have a burst or leaking pipe.

Water leak

Has your water bill increased significantly compared to previous bills for the same period? Can you hear any dripping or humming sounds in your walls? Have you noticed any dampness or mould growing on carpets, water staining on plaster walls or ceilings or puddles of water? Hot water nor as hot as usual? If you have you may have a leaking or burst pipe.

What to do if you suspect you have a bust pipe or leaking pipe:

First thing to do if you suspect you have a burst or leaking pipe is to isolate your water supply by turning your mains water supply valve off, this valve is generally located at the water meter supplying your home or business. If your home or business is part of a body corporate there is usually a bank of water meters in an allocated area so you’ll find your isolation valve there.

A quick and easy DIY check is to take a meter reading while your water supply is turned off. Turn the isolation valves off to your toilets then turn your main water supply back on. Wait approx. 1hr but make sure no taps or fixtures are used in this time. After 1 hr take another meter reading, it should read the same as the number you wrote down. If it’s moved it sounds like you have a leak. If you suspect you have a leak Call your Local Plumber Essendon Plumbing Services on 9335 4755 for a fast reliable service 24/7 365 days of the year and remember to turn the water back on to your toilets.

Common Pipes Used In Homes Around Australia

Water leakOlder homes were built using galvanised iron metal pipework. Over time these pipes corrode both on the outside and the inside and are prone to corroding and leaking at the threaded joints. This was followed by the use of Copper pipe then came plastic products which now flood our market and there are numerous different plastic products being used on homes around Australia. Most new homes and renovations have a mixture of both plastic and copper pipework.  If you are aware of what pipes have been used in your home it can save time making it easier and cheaper to locate and repair your leaking water pipes.

Poor Work Quality

If the installation of pipework has been carried out by an un qualified person or a person who doesn’t have the appropriate training in a specific product then there is a possibility it could fail. The installation may have been completed to an unrealistic budget so short cuts were taken. Possibly incorrect fittings have been used, wrong type of plastic fixing tools, incorrect use of Teflon tape, insufficient amounts of sealing paste, poorly welded joints, wrong fixings or stress on pipework can all cause leaking water pipes. Unfortunately sometimes these leaks occur in areas you can't see like in your walls or under the floor so the quicker you can identify you have a leak the least amount of damage will be caused.

Too Much Pressure

Water pressureIn Victoria all new homes are required to have a 500 KPA pressure limiting valve installed at your water meter to limit the water pressure at all outlets to 500 KPA. This is to ensure the plumbing system within your home is not subject to an increase in mains pressure damaging your pipework, fixtures, appliances or tapware.

Corrosion

Copper pipework is less corrosive than steel pipework but can still corrode causing small pin size holes to form on the pipe. Copper pipe if creased during installation can become a week spot on the pipe and can split and leak. Silver soldered joints and welds between copper and brass if not welded properly or the correct pipe preparation not carried out can cause dry joints which over time will leak.

Essendon Plumbing Services for 33 years have been your local plumbing professionals, where ready to respond to your call quickly and repair your water leaks in a cost effective manor with minimal fuss.

Need Help with a Plumbing Issue?

You can book online now or call us for 24/7 emergency service within the hour.

Book Now

Or call 03 9335 4755

6 Tips on how to fix a blocked sink

Have you noticed your kitchen sink flowing away slowly? Or are you standing in a pool of water when having a shower? These are all signs your drains are becoming blocked and need to be cleared. It’s best to try these 6 x DIY unblocking a kitchen sink methods before it becomes completely blocked and you need to call a plumber.

  1. Boiling Water and Sink Plunger- Boiling water is the easiest method to try first and is great for breaking up a build-up of soap scum. Boil the kettle or boil a large pot of water on the stove. Be sure to wear safety gloves and glasses, block up the second side of the sink with a dish cloth or plug and make sure it is securely sealed. Fill the other side of the kitchen sink with boiling water. Use a sink plunger placed firmly over the sink drain hole to plunge the boiling water down the drain being careful not to splash on your skin and to hold the second sink plug in place. It may take several attempts of continual plunging to move and break up the blockage but over time it should clear all minor blockages and have your kitchen sink flowing again.
  2. Salt and Boiling Water- This method can assist the boiling water method for more stubborn blockages. After removing as much water as possible from the kitchen sink pour approx ½ cup of salt down the drain then pour in the boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes then plunge using the boiling water method above.
  3. Vinegar and Baking Soda- Be sure to wear safety gloves and glasses, Remove as much water as possible from the kitchen sink. Pour about 1 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. The mixture will bubble at first and this procedure will help break down soap scum in your drain. Leave it for approx. 45 min to 1 hr then repeat the boiling water method.
  4. Remove the sink trap- You may need to remove your sink trap and clean it out. You will find this drainage trap located under your sink connected to the plug and washer. It is the U shaped fitting connected directly to your sink. You will need to put a pot or a bucket under it before you disconnect it to catch all the water. Remember when disconnected to empty it into the bucket not back into the sink. Clean the trap out then reinstall it.
  5. Coat Hanger- Straighten out a wire coat hanger and make a small bend at the end of the wire. Insert the coat hanger into the kitchen sink plug hole being careful not to scratch your sink. Try twisting while pushing it forward to reach any blockages and break them up but be careful not to damage the drain or get the wire stuck in the drain. This method is only of use for obstructions that are located close to the sink.
  6. Chemical Drain Cleaners- Once again be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear all recommended PPE. Chemical drain cleaners are not environmentally friendly products and can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Drains that remain blocked after applying chemical drain cleaning products will now contain hazardous chemicals so be sure to let your plumber know if you’ve used chemical drain cleaners before they carry out any work on your drains as disconnecting pipework or use of mechanical machinery could cause the chemical to come in contact with your plumbers skin or eyes causing permanent damage. We only recommend using them if nothing else works.

Need Your Sink Unblocked?

Sinks and drains can slowly clog over time with constant matter such as hair, dirt and food scraps filtering through the drain daily. When they completely block this can lead to plumbing emergencies with water failing to drain away and backing up into your house. If you follow these 6 tips and your drain still doesn’t seem to be draining it’s time to call in the professionals.

At Essendon Plumbing Services, our master plumbers have been fixing blocked sinks across Melbourne for over 30 years. We have all the latest technology, tools and expertise to repair blocked sink waste pipes and sewer pipes. To read more about how we can help or learn more about sink blockages you can visit our blocked sink service page. To get your sink draining freely again contact Essendon Plumbing Services on 03 9335 4755 or book online.

Need Help with a Plumbing Issue?

You can book online now or call us for 24/7 emergency service within the hour.

Book Now

Or call 03 9335 4755

Can I Unblock My Drain With A Drain Snake

It’s not a good idea and we wouldn’t recommend for a DIYer to try and unblock their own drain with a drain snake or sewer machine. These machines are dangerous mechanical tools when operated by people who haven’t been trained in the operation of them and can cause serious injury to the operator and serious and expensive damage to your drains if used incorrectly.

The use of Chemical Drain Cleaners

The use of harsh chemical drain cleaners that can be purchased from your local hardware store or supermarket are not recommended. They can damage your plumbing fixtures if it comes in contact with ceramic surfaces, it can damage your sewer drainage system piping and is a danger to the person using it, the environmental and serious health hazard.

DIY Unblocking a Sink, Bath or Basin drain

Small blockages to waste pipes on basins, baths, showers etc can often be cleared using very hot water and a plunger. You will need to fill the bowl with hot water, place your plunger over the waste hole and plunge for approx 30 seconds. The plunger will bring the sludge from the drain back up into the bowl. Make sure there is always water in under the plunger and you are wearing safety glasses and gloves but after a few attempts if it is just a build-up of scum in the pipe the drain will clear. Remove the sludge from the bowl and rinse the drain out with hot water.

DIY Unblocking a sewer drain

Plain old hot water and a quality plunger can be effective in unblocking drains. If your drain is blocked by a build-up of paper or scum then hot water and a plunger can get it running again. You will need to fill the drain up with very hot water then plunge continually from your gully or inspection shaft until you hear it let go. It can sometimes takes 10min- 30min to get it clear. If this doesn’t work then it is time to get your registered plumber in with a CCTV Camera, sewer snake, sewer machine or water pressure jet.

Unblocking Drains with Sewer Machine or Drain Snake

A sewer machine or drain snake as it is commonly called, is used to unblock stubborn blocked drains. There are two types of drains. One is the main drain and branches leading to your fixtures and two is the waste pipe that connects the fixtures to the main drain. Common blockages to clear from a main drain with a sewer snake would be tree roots. Tree roots can get into the drain via cracks in the pipework of faulty joints. A sewer machine is used to cut the tree roots out of the drain. A common blockage in waste pipes is hair. It gets caught and matts up inside the drain. A small electric drain cleaner will cut the hair out and clean the pipe. Both these machines are dangerous and should only be used by trained operators.

Need Help with a Plumbing Issue?

You can book online now or call us for 24/7 emergency service within the hour.

Book Now

Or call 03 9335 4755
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