Our Melbourne Winter Plumbing Checklist

Summer is gone and Autumn will soon be leaving us as we start to rug up for the winter months ahead with jumpers, jackets and beanies.

Living in Melbourne means we’re often exposed to four seasons in one day, everything from cold icy mornings to sunny afternoons and wet and windy evenings are all part of life in Melbourne. These large swings in temperature can be problematic for many of the plumbing systems in our homes and businesses, leaving us with cold showers on a frosty morning, leaking roofs or heating that fails to turn on.

Before winter in Melbourne really hits, we suggest following the below winter plumbing checklist. By checking and servicing these items you’ll be in the hot seat for a trouble-free winter.

1. Roof Checks

Be sure to check your gutters, downpipes and stormwater drainage systems before the rain hits. Checking that your storm water drains are clear and free flowing, and your gutters and downpipes are free of build-up and debris, is critical in ensuring water flows easily from your rooftop to the storm water system without flooding your home. Blocked gutters full of water can also pull out of bracket due to the weight, which will require expensive works to repair.

 

2. Hot Water Systems

I think we all agree there’s nothing worse than cold showers on a chilly winter morning. Naturally, in the winter months, hot water services are under increased load due to lower ambient temperatures and increased demand. The lower the cold-water inlet temperature, the more work the Hot Water System has to do to get it up to the set temperature and the increase in demand means it’s doing it more often.

By servicing your hot water system before winter, you reduce the possibility of it failing when you need it most and also saves you the cost of an emergency plumbing call out.

If your hot water system is undersized, we can also provide a quotation to install a more efficient correctly sized unit. Learn more about the types of hot water systems in our blog: Should I choose gas or electric hot water system?

3. Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can be extremely destructive and cause large amounts of damage in a short period of time. If you’ve had a roof leak over summer that you’ve left for another day, now is the time to get it fixed before winter sets in. It can be difficult to repair leaking roofs in Melbourne’s winter, as dry surfaces are often required for sealants to work correctly and finding consecutive days of clear weather can be a challenge. So, it’s best to fix it now, before the winter months set in.

4. Gas Heater Servicing

It’s important to routinely service your gas heaters for two reasons:

1. Your safety, all gas heaters can spill carbon monoxide (CO), a gas you can’t see or smell, that can make you seriously sick or kill you.
   • Energy Safe Victoria’s recommendation is to be sure your gas heater is safe by:

• Have it serviced at least once every two years, by a qualified gasfitter
• Check for safety advice – some heaters need fresh air flow to operate safely.
• Visit vic.gov.au/campaigns/carbon-monoxide/ to find out if your gas heater is safe.

Note: You won’t be able to tell if your heater is leaking carbon monoxide – because you can’t see it or smell it.

2. Your heater will operate more efficiently, and it will prevent them breaking down when you need it most, in Winter!

5. Water Pipes

We recommend taking the time to inspect visible pipe work around your home for leaks including; garden taps, around your hot water system and inside tapware (under kitchen, bathroom and Laundry cupboards).

Whilst it’s unlikely you’ll find a leak under your cupboards you will save yourself money by repairing any dripping or leaking taps. You can learn more by reading our blog: How our plumbers can fix your leaking tap?

Note: Know where your mains water isolation valve is in case you have a leak and need to turn your water supply off in an emergency. Not sure how to find it? See our blog:  How Do I Shut Off My Water Supply? 

Essendon Plumbing Services is here to Help.

When you need a master plumber in Melbourne to carry out your winter check list, we are ready to help when you need us. Experience a Plumbing Company that goes above and beyond with a team to fix all your plumbing needs. Call us 24/7 on 1300 231 976