Education

Plumbing emergencies in Melbourne often happen at the most inconvenient time, but what can you do to prevent needing to call an emergency plumber and save yourself some money?

In this blog we share 8 handy tips to get you started with your own plumbing maintenance and prevent the need for an emergency plumber.

The 8 Plumbing Maintenance Tips that will save you money

1. Install a Sink Strainer

This simple and low-cost item can save you hundreds of dollars in blocked drain repairs. Installing sink strainers on all your sinks around the home will prevent food scraps and foreign matter from entering your drains and causing blockages. It’s cheap to buy and easy to install, every home should have them.

2. Don’t Pour Grease or Fats Down your Drain

Grease and fats congeal in your drains and cause blockages. The fat causes obstructions in the drain and catches things like hair and toilet paper on the way past causing the drain to block. Learn more in our blog ‘How to unclog my shower drain?’.

3. Flush your Sink with Boiling Water

If you suspect your sink is blocking up because it’s making a gurgling noise or draining down slowly, then boiling water may save the day. If you notice your sink is clogged early enough it may be as simple as boiling the kettle and flushing hot water down the drain. The best way to do this is to fill the sink with boiling water first and then remove the plug, carefully without burning yourself - use long kitchen tongs. You may need to try a couple of times but if it’s a simple blockage it should unclog.

4. Clean Out your Gutters at Least Twice a Year

If you don’t feel safe on a ladder, then it’s definitely best to call in the experts. However, cleaning your gutters twice a year can save you a lot of money in water damage repairs to your home. If a downpipe or box gutter is blocked it can cause water to overflow into your home and, in a heavy storm or if you’re not home, can cause large amounts of damage in a short period of time. In making sure your gutters and downpipes are clear can prevent this from happening and save you money.

5. Not Everything is Flushable

Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down quickly in the sewer system. Flushing wipes down your toilet, even if labelled ‘flushable’, can cause problems with your plumbing, and can contribute to blocked sewers and be expensive to repair. Learn more in our blog ‘What NOT to Flush Down Your Toilet’

Remember the only things to go down your toilet are the 3Ps - Pee, Poo and toilet Paper.

6. Flush your Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve (TPR)

Flushing and testing a TPR valve is relatively straightforward, and something you can do yourself. You must be careful though as it will expel hot water out of the drain line and will scold you if it comes in contact with your skin. Check the area under the drain line and make sure it is clear. Stand clear and gently pull the handle up, you should hear water running through the valve and it should come out of the drain. Once it’s flushed for approx. 5 seconds, slowly release the handle back down and the valve will close. If the valve fails to open or fails to close when released, the valve will need to be replaced by a licensed plumber.

It is common at times for these valves to occasionally drip or release water but if it is continually running or dripping it needs to be replaced.

7. Know Where your Water Shut Off Valve is Located

Whether you have a burst water pipe, your hot water system is leaking, or you just need to change a tap washer, you need to know where your water meter is located to be able to turn the water off. The quicker you can do this; the less damage will be caused. Learn more in our blog ‘How Do I Shut Off My Water Supply’.

8. If you’re Not Sure, Call a Master Plumber

The cost of plumbing repairs will not only increase dramatically by attempting DIY and getting it wrong, you will also put yourself, your family and the general public at risk of serious injury. Plumbing is a highly skilled licensed trade and it takes years of training and experience to gain the knowledge and knowhow to work on your household plumbing systems. Some of the dangers presented in general household plumbing are scolding, carbon monoxide poisoning, working at heights, gas leaks and contamination of our potable water supply just to name a few. To avoid all of this, you can call an emergency plumber to handle he issue for you quickly and with minor disruptions. Learn more in our blog ‘What is a Master Plumber’.

Contact Us

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online for any plumbing needs.

If saving money during the uncertain times of COVID-19 appeals to you and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then we’ve put together a ‘Home Plumbing Tool Kit’. These are the same tools you’ll find in every plumber’s toolbox. By keeping these essential tools in your toolbelt, you’ll be able to complete your DIY jobs without doing any harm.

Remember though, by law there are certain plumbing jobs that in the interest of public health, should only be carried out by an expert master plumber. For those Plumbing jobs we’re here to help, Call us on 1300 193 298 or book online.

The 10 Plumbing Tools Every Household Should Have

1. Cup Plunger

If you were to choose only 1 of these tools, then a Plunger is definitely the one. A Plunger is a universal tool used to unblock drains, sinks, basins, baths, showers and even toilets. Mostly used on less complicated blockages but always the first line of defence for all plumbers. It’s definitely worth spending a little extra on a quality plunger that, when looked after, will last a lifetime.

 

2. Hand Auger

Hand Augers are a very handy tool to have when your drains clog and a plunger won’t unblock it. While a little more difficult to use than a plunger, once you have the hang of it a hand auger will clear those slightly more difficult blockages. A hand auger is made up of a metal cable coiled up in a housing with a handle. The cable is manually fed into the drain and the handle is rotated turning the cable around. The cable may have a small corkscrew or cutting head on it, so when the cable reaches the blockage it can cut through or retrieve the obstruction.

3. A Caulking Gun

A leaking metal roof or a leaking shower or bath are all times you’ll need a caulking gun.  A caulking gun is a universal tool that is also used to apply gap fillers for painting or caulking compounds for glazing, so not only will you use it for your DIY plumbing projects you’ll likely get much more use for it around the home. Like all tools, the better the quality you can afford the better the tool and the easier it is to use, giving you a neat and clean finish.

4. A Hacksaw

Plumbers use hacksaws to cut metal or plastic pipes, roof flashing and gutters, threaded metal and plastic pipes just to name a few of its jobs. Hacksaw blades are replaceable and come in different grades to cut different products, so it’s best to keep one on hand as they do deteriorate over time. Blades are replaced easily buy loosening the tension nut and re-tightening once the new blade is in position, just make sure you have the teeth of the blade facing in the correct direction, usually facing forward of the handle.

5. Footprint Pipe Wrench

A footprint pipe wrench is used for loosening and tightening plumbing fittings and metal pipes. Usually used in pairs - one to hold the pipe in position while the other turns the pipe or fitting. When a pipe is gripped by footprints, the rotation causes the teeth on the wrench to bite into the pipe and lock it in position. You need to be mindful that this may damage the external surface, so wrapping a rag around the fitting or pipe prior may be a good idea.

6. Multi Grip Pliers

Multi Grip Pliers are great for getting a good grip on something small, they are adjustable in size so one pair does many jobs and are especially handy when you are having difficulty holding it with your hands. These tools are a DIYers dream and a must have as they are useful for so many DIY projects.

 

7. Adjustable Wrench (Shifter)

The common shifter is a must for loosening and tightening nuts and bolts around the home. An adjustable wrench will allow you to accommodate various sizes of nuts and bolts within the 1 wrench. By keeping just 2-3 different size shifters in your toolbox, you’ll cover most if not all nut and bolt jobs around the home.

 

8. Heavy Duty Rubber Gloves

We all know plumbing can be a dirty job, so to keep you safe it’s best practise to wear a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves when unblocking a drain. Sewers can carry harmful diseases, so when working with it you need to be mindful of keeping your hands and skin clean. The easiest way to do this is wearing PPE, protective gloves and washing your hands with soap and water.

 

9. Thread Seal Tape

Threaded pipes require threaded tape to seal the joint and prevent leaks. Commonly called Teflon Tape, it is used on gas, water and drainage pipes. There are different products available for gas and water. Keeping a couple of rolls of Teflon in your toolbox for when you need it won’t blow the budget but will save you the heart ache when you need it.

 

10. Tape Measure

The last plumbing toolkit essential but definitely not the least, is a tape measure. Plumbers are constantly using tape measures as plumbing requires accurate measurements to be taken of pipes, fittings, and fixtures to guarantee correct installation. Remember; “measure twice and cut once” and you’ll avoid costly mistakes.

 

Contact Us

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online for any plumbing needs.

I’m sure after searching google for a Plumber in Essendon you’ve seen the words Honesty, Integrity & Trust many times over, and after looking at half a dozen websites it all starts to mould into one and feel like they're just words with no meaning.

This blog is here to help you find and choose the best plumber for your needs.

We are proudly the best Plumbers in Essendon NOT the Cheapest

Essendon Plumbing Services has been a Value driven Melbourne Plumbing company for over 30 years. This means our pricing structure is derived to be able to provide our customers with a premium and consistent value service at a fair price.

We do not proclaim to be the cheapest plumbers in Essendon or to offer gimmick-based discounts and offerings. We believe being the cheapest doesn’t allow us to be the best we can be or able to provide the level of service that we want to, and our customers expect.

What to Look for when Choosing the Right Plumber

You get what you pay for in life, we’ve all heard it before and it’s no different when looking for a plumber. The simple fact is you can’t provide a fantastic customer experience at the cheapest price, but you can at a fair price. Below are some things to lookout for when you are choosing the right plumber.

• Did the plumbing company you called respond in a prompt manner?
• Does the plumbing company guarantee they’ll be there when they say they will?
• Does the workmanship come with a lifetime guarantee?
• Does the plumbing company offer a 24/7, 365 days a year emergency service?
• Does the company carry all insurances required to keep not only you and your family but your neighbours and the public safe?
• Does the plumbing company have a fleet of experienced licensed plumbers?
  This means if you need a plumber, they’ll be there for you, Weekends, Public Holidays, After Hours
• Is the plumber a Licensed Master Plumber?

What is a Top Tier Plumbing Company?

To be a top tier maintenance Plumbing company in Melbourne you need to provide all of the above and more, which can’t be done by being the cheapest.

• You need to be consistently providing an exceptional customer service.
• You need to provide Value
• You need to be true to your values
• You need to prove to your customers you are what you say you are
• You need to deliver on your promises all day every day

Sure, you may have your drain unblocked for $50 cheaper, but: will the plumber:

• Will the plumber return and unblock it for free if it blocks again the next day?
• Will they arrive at a time that suits you not them?
• Will they guarantee when they will arrive?
• When you call your plumber do they answer the phone or do you have to wait and hope they call back?

These are all considerations to take into account when deciding who to choose when you need a plumber in Essendon. Do you want to engage a cost driven business or a value-based business at a fair price?

We believe what makes us a top tier value-based Plumbing Company is our team of people who consistently deliver a premium customer service experience and go above and beyond in everything we do.

Exceptional Customer Service

Communication is king and we deliver it in spades. From the time you call our office or book online, our administration team are there to answer your calls immediately. From the moment your details are entered into our Customer Relationship Management system your exceptional customer journey begins and it’s where you’ll start to notice the clear difference between a Value Based Business and a Cost Driven Business.

From the plumber contacting you 30 minutes before arrival, to the constant updates on how your job is progressing, to the care we take while working on your home, communication is King. This means it leaves no room for nasty surprises at the end of a job. In fact, it’s possible you may think we communicate too much.

Value

Value is seen as many different things but to Essendon Plumbing Services, we’re clear on what we see as value to our customers.

• Always communicating clearly with our customers
• Always doing the right job
• Always charging the right price
• Always being ethical, dependable and honest
• Always doing what we say we’ll do and if circumstances change, communicating with our customers how and why a different course of action may be required
• Always being generous with our time

Call the Best Plumbing Team in Essendon and Experience the Difference

We’ve just made finding the best plumber in Essendon easy, if you want a plumbing company that provides Value whose Purpose is to “Build lifelong relationships providing unprecedented customer service to homeowners and businesses” then you’ve found them!

Read more about our values and why to choose Essendon Plumbing Services for high-quality plumbing around the clock.

Contact Us

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online experience the difference for yourself.