Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing: January 2014

Friday 31 January 2014

Leaking Tap Plumber Geelong

http://geelong24hourplumbing.com.au/leaking-tap-plumber-geelong/

If you have an issue with a blocked drain geelong or hot water system geelong, then you need a 24 hour plumber geelong or an emergency plumber geelong to service you. You might also reach out to a gas plumber geelong to help you. Its important that you have a plumber geelong or a Geelong Plumber you can trust.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Extending the life of your hot water system

As houses get old, there are certain maintenance issues that need to be attended to. Examples include air conditioning, window seals , garden maintenance with weeds that keep growing and more. Very often people ignore maintenance on their hot watersystem. This can result in the replacement of the system every few years or so often.

Here is a solution to extend the life of your hot water system. By replacing the anode valve every two years you could almost double the life span of the hot system. The best part of all this is that you do not need a plumber to replace an anode valve. You can do it yourself.

To replace an anode valve is certainly no big job. Anodes are available from most hardware stores. Follow the steps below to replace your hot water systems anode:

1. Turn off the water going into the tank and also turn off the power supply leading from the tank.

2. You need to drain approximately twelve to sixteen litres of water from the tank

3. Use a goodsocket wrench to remove the existing anode valve.

4. Install the new anode valve. Its recommended to wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new anode. Tighten it with a good socket wrench.

Thursday 23 January 2014

Plumbing Geelong 101

At its base, plumbing is a very basic model as it follows three simple laws of nature:

Gravity
Pressure
Water that wants its own level.

If you can understand this, then you are on the right path to understanding the mysteries of being a plumber. This will aid you in making many fixes in your home’s plumbing system saving you lots of trouble, time and money!

Every business or plumbing system is structured with different subsystems that are logical. The first system brings fresh and clean water into your house. The second system removes used water from your home or business. Water that enters your home or business is under pressure, which forces it to travel. This pressure ensures that the water can travel upstairs, downstairs wherever it is required in the home . To monitor the amount of water being used in your location, the water travels through a water meter.

All plumbing systems contain a main water shutoff or stop value. Generally, this is located close or nexto to the meter. In most plumbing emergencies, the first thing to do is locate the stop valve to turn the water inflow off. Its nb you turn the water supply off quickly, as your house or business will be flooded within in no time.

However, should you discover that the plumbing issue is located in a sink or near a toilet, then you do not need to use the shutoff to stop supply to the whole system. It is very common that most fixtures have a stop valve to prevent flooding.

Cold water incoming to the house is immediately ready for your usage. However, your hot water will need another step prior to your use. A pipe carries the cold water to your hot water system. From the hot water system, a hot water pipe transports the hot water to all taps and appliances that require use. In order to maintain the temperature on the hot water system, a thermostat maintains the temp that you set. The devices heating elements automatically turn on and off to maintain your most desired temperature. The recommended hot water temperature for a home is somewhere between 140′F and 160′ F. saying that, some homeowners set the hot water temperature to a hundred and twenty degrees F as its more economical.

It is more common that some dishwashers require high water temperatures to help with the drying process. In these cases, the dishwasher will have their own mini water heaters to increase the temperature by an additional twenty degrees F.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Hot Water System Manly

If you have an issue with a blocked drain Manly or hot water system Manly, then you need a 24 hour plumber Manly or an emergency plumber Manly to service you. You might also reach out to a gas plumber Manly to help you. Its important that you have a plumber Manly or Manly Plumber you can trust.

Hot Water System Geelong

Hot water system Geelong

Sunday 19 January 2014

How to Extend the Life of your Hot Water Heater

As houses start to age, there are certain maintenance issues that need to be attended to. Examples include air condition, window seals breaking, garden maintenance with weeds growing and more. It is very common that people ignore maintenance on their hot water system. This can result in replacement of the system every 5-6 years.

There is a solution to extend the life of your hot water system. By replacing the anode every 2 years you could almost double the life span of the system. The best part of all this is that you don’t need a plumber to replace an anode. You can do it yourself. I know what you are thinking… what is an anode? An anode is the long metal rod that runs from the top of the how water system to the bottom.

There are massive savings to be made by replacing the anode every two years. To put this into a simple equation, if we say that on average a hot water heater is replaced every 5 years and we can double that to 10 years by replacing the anode every two years:

- anodes cost about $50

- 4 anodes will cost about $200

- approx cost to install a hot water system $500

Using this method, you will save about $300 + the cost of a new hot water system every 10 years + a whole lot of headache. Not bad!

To replace an anode is no big job. Anodes are available to purchase from most hardware stores. Follow the steps below to replace your hot water systems anode:

Turn off the water going into the tank and also turn off the power supply for the tank.
You need to drain approx 12-16 liters of water from the tank
Use a socket wrench to remove the existing anode.
Install the new anode. Its recommended to wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new anode. Be sure to tighten it with the socket wrench.

In four easy steps, you have just saved yourself hundreds of dollars for not much fuss. Be sure to tell your friends and family about this little trick so they too can save money!

For more information and other articles, please look at the Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing Blog.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Shortlist to Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

Test Your Main Water Valve

The main water valve controls the water system in your home. Your first action to take with a burst pipe in your home or business is to turn off the main water supply. This will aid in preventing further leakage or damage until a qualified plumber arrives. The water supply valve is typically located near the main water supply to your home. It’s important that the valve be in working condition at all times.

There is a simple way to test that the valve is working. Go to your bathroom and turn on the water in a sink or bathtub. Turn off your main water valve. The water should completely turn off. If the water continues to run, it means your water valve is damaged or broken. You will need to consider calling out a professional plumbing company such as Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing ,Manly Emergency Plumber or Mr Plumber Sydney to replace the control valve.
Take Care of Your Drains

Plumbers often remove a variety of unexpected items from drains including hair and grease. Drains that are not taken care of can become blocked over time. To prevent blockages from occurring, it is of importance that no fat and grease is poured down your kitchen drain. Moreover, avoid allowing excessive hair going down the shower drain in the bathroom. Ensure your children’s small toys are not flushed down the toilet!

One of the major causes of blocked drains in Australia in tree roots. Tree roots cause large amount of damage and often causes recurring blockages. Tens of thousands of dollars are spent removing tree roots from drains across Australia ever year. We strongly suggest that you consider choosing where to plant trees and what species of tree to plant. Many local council websites have recommendations of what trees to plant. Its important that you spent some time planning of what trees to plant and where. This will save you money in the future.

Check Any Leaks

Leaky fixtures and faucets may indicate internal problems such as missing or broken o-rings or loose pipes. We recommend that you take care of minor leaks before they become big nuisances. The bigger the leak, the more expensive it is to repair. By removing the faucet spout, you will be able to check the o-rings and if required, replace them. If your sink still leaks, it is a great idea to call a plumber to do a routine inspection. Repairing minor damage will save you a lot of money in the future. Moreover, fixing water leaks will save you money on your water bill. Its also great for the environment to save water!

By maintaining the plumbing in your home or business, you will be able to prevent major plumbing emergencies that could end up costing a significant amount of money. Calling a plumber to fix minor leaks and other issues before they get worse is a great way to invest in your home and increase your peace of mind. Maintenance is essential to any home or business!

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Emergency Plumber Manly

Emergency Plumber Geelong

f you have an issue with a blocked drain geelong or hot water system geelong, then you need a 24 hour plumber geelong or an emergency plumber geelong to service you. You might also reach out to a gas plumber geelong to help you. Its important that you have a plumber geelong or a Geelong Plumber you can trust.

Sunday 12 January 2014

Hot Water System ins and outs

Considerations

When buying a hot water system, it is important that you choose one that fits your needs. Do not focus solely on the purchase price – also consider how much it will cost to run over its total lifetime. If possible, look for an energy efficient system. Also look at things such as how easy the system will be to install, how easy it is to run and maintain, and what kind of warranty is offered.

It is a good idea to ensure that the system is located as close as possible to all of the major areas in the home to use hot water – the bathroom, the kitchen and the laundry. If you cannot find a suitable central location, then install as closely to the kitchen as possible. This will help to minimize the lengths of pipe, keeping the cost of installation lower and preventing heat loss from the pipes. It will also help to reduce the amount of time that you have to wait for hot water to come through from the taps, minimizing water wastage. Finally, make sure that the hot water system is sheltered in order to prevent heat loss from the tank itself.

Types of Hot Water Systems

The two main types of hot water system Geelong that are available are storage water heaters and continuous flow (or instantaneous) water heaters. Both of these systems are suitable for the average household. Storage water heaters heat the water, which is then stored in an insulated tank for use throughout the day. They are most economical when run on solar energy, natural gas, or off-peak electricity. However, you can also run them on LPG, peak electricity and solid fuels. If you have a mains pressure system, the hot water will come through at the same pressure as the cold water does, meaning that more than one hot water tap can be turned on at the same time without any loss of pressure. Constant pressure systems deliver the hot water at a lower pressure than mains pressure systems and are normally located in the roof space of a home. The amount of pressure depends on the vertical height between the tank and the point of use.

Continuous flow or instantaneous water heaters heat the water, as it required, removing the necessity for a storage tank. This also means that it is impossible to run out of hot water. Because they are significantly smaller than storage water heaters, they can be installed internally or externally on a wall or in a cupboard. These heaters are connected to the mains water supply and deliver heated water at a slightly reduced pressure than cold water. Adequate amounts of hot water can be delivered to one or two points within the home at one time and some units have electronic controls to deliver precise temperature control. However, it is vital that these hot water systems are correctly sized according to how they will be used. Continuous flow heaters operate the most economically on natural gas but they can also use LPG or general tariff electricity.

The best method to find out about a hot water system is to get in touch with a professional plumbing business such as Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, Mr Plumber Sydney, Mr Plumber Perth or Manly emergency Plumber

Thursday 9 January 2014

Use a Professional Plumber At All Times

When it comes to your plumbing needs, you may be tempted to go with someone based on the lowest price. Sure you may have a small budget, everyone does, but this is not always the best way to go. I’m sure you have heard the old saying, you get what you pay for? Well this is often true when it comes to a quality plumber. Let’s start with the importance workmanship. Hiring just some random guy may not be the right idea, especially if it’s a big job, like clearing out a drain. Sure he may be able to get a pipe snake down there and get it cleared, temporarily, but what if you have large roots in your pipes? They probably won’t have the tools or equipment to inspect the pipes properly, such as a drain camera that travels down the drain pipes, identifying problems along the way. Will they have the tools to completely clear the pipes and correct the underlying problem permanently? Probably not. In fact, many of these low budget plumbers will more than likely refer you to a professional like Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing Mr Plumber Sydney Manly Emergency Plumber or Mr Plumber Perth

Another reason to choose a professional company is that you will get faster and better service. A professional company is going to have the tools and equipment to get the job done right the first time, and within a less amount of time. If there are problems that take longer to fix, they are going to tell you before they start, so you know there is going to be a delay.

It is important that you have someone on hand to help you out in an emergency situation. Problems don’t always happen during the day during regular business hours. Usually these emergencies happen in the night or early morning, on a weekend, even on a holiday. Sure a regular plumber may be able to help you in an emergency in most cases, but now you are at their mercy, they can charge you just about anything and you are going to pay it, because you no choice. A professional plumbing company is going to be on call, keeping the same emergency hours, but a good company isn’t going to rake you over the coals to come out in an emergency. If you have used them before, in many cases you may even get a discount. Additionally, a professional company may even offer a maintenance program, where they come out and maintain your plumbing, preventing problems from happening in the first place.

So now you know some of the reasons to hire a professional service when it comes to plumbing and drains.

So the next time you need plumbing or drain work done, turn to the people who know what they are doing. Whether it’s a small job, or a big one, make sure you use a plumbing expert.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Geelong Plumber blocked Drain

http://geelong24hourplumbing.com.au/blocked-drain-plumber-geelong-video-2/

Blocked Drain Plumber Geelong

Sunday 5 January 2014

Burst Pipes – Finding the Source of the Leak

When copper pipes are run in concrete without lagging or covering over them properly, the pipes can sometimes split. Copper is a material that expands and contracts when heated. Pipes that are run in concrete can split, as the pipe cannot move when the copper naturally tries to expand.

There are companies that specialise in locating the pipe work and leaks, but they should be used in conjunction with a plumber who is experienced in burst pipes. The pipe locators are not always licensed plumbers and will not repair any leaks. It is important that the plumber who is going to repair the leak is present when the pipe locating company is performing their work. Finding the leak is part of the first part of the job and repairing or re-running the pipe is the second part. If a thorough tracing of the pipes is not completed and a re-run is required, this could result in water being shut off to parts of the house or building for a longer period of time than is required.

Some plumbers may have the equipment to trace copper pipes but unless they are using the equipment on a regular basis, it is better to use a company that specialises in this type of work as they can solve the issues much faster and will save you money in the process.

If you have a leaking pipe, ask these questions when calling a plumber:

1. Have you had any experience in tracing leaks?

2. Do you have the correct pressure testing equipment?

3. Do you have the required pipe-locating equipment or use a specialised leak detection company?

Many homes and units that have been built in the last 15 years do not have copper pipes for hot and cold water supply. This makes the pipe locating process much more difficult. These pipes are a plastic poly butaleen and cannot be traced as easily as copper pipes. The plastic hot pipe can be traced using an infrared tool. When the pipe becomes hot by running hot water through it the infrared will show up on the pipe monitor. To find a leak in plastic cold water pipes, you need to connect it to the hot water system. Once hot water is running through the pipe, the leak will show up on the infrared monitor.

Get in touch with a professional plumbing business such as Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, Mr Plumber Sydney, Mr Plumber Perth, Manly Emergency Plumber to help you locate your leaking pipe.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Blocked Drain – DIY Advice

More often than not, if the blocked drain is located in the bathroom, laundry or kitchen, it is more than likely a build up over time of hair and other gunk becoming trapped in the drain. The good news is this is usually a quick and easy fix!

Try removing the drain cover and removing the blockage by hand, of you can locate it. If the blockage is located further down the drain, using a piece of wire or a bent coat hanger with a curved tip usually fixes the problem. Slide the wire down right through the blockage, hook it into the build-up and pull it out. Often times the whole mess comes out in one heap, if not repeat the process until the drain is cleared and unblocked.

If the drain is located elsewhere in the home, it could be a similar build-up. It could mean that food and other items are lodged somewhere down the drain. If the wire/coat hanger trick does not do the job, it’s time to call in the plunger!

Plungers are a great way of releasing free any blockages, and can be effective for use on kitchen sinks, toilets, and other drains. Firstly, make sure there’s enough water covering the drain as you want to be forcing water not air through the drain. Also, if the blockage is on one side of a double sink or has an over flow, be sure to cover the other sink or outlet with a wet towel or cloth to prevent water flowing out and causing damage. Cover the drain with the plunger ensuring a tight seal, then pump up and down vigorously for 25-35 seconds. Generally, this is enough time to clear the blockage, if not you will need to repeat the process.

The third way to fix a blocked drain is to pour drain cleaner down the drain and leave it there for the specified time. These chemicals eat their way through most substances, and followed by a hot water flush will usually have your drain clear in a matter of hours. For those people after a more environmentally friendly solution, try pouring a cup of baking soda down the blocked drain followed by a cup of vinegar or vinegar/hot water mixture. These two chemicals have a reaction, which can be quite violent, so be sure to cover the drain, and flush once again with hot water afterwards

Regular flushing of your drains will save you a lot of trouble in the future. Every month, make a habit of flushing your drains with boiling water, or use the baking soda/vinegar combo on a regular basis to maintain clear drains. Also, ensure you prevent as much hair and rubbish as possible from entering sinks and drains. Prevention is better and cheaper than a cure!

If all else fails, get in touch with a professional plumbing business such as Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, Mr Plumber Sydney, Manly Emergency Plumber or Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing.