What Are the Signs of a Failing Septic System?

When septic systems start to fail, they can cause a health hazard; a risk of contamination with bacteria to the environment, humans and animals. As a system backup can start in the pipes and make its way back up the pipe if it is not cleared, groundwater can also cause issues if your septic system is not healthy.

Some Reasons for Septic Systems Not To Work Properly Are:

Pipes From the House
Inlet Baffle
Leech Drain
Tree Roots

Pipes From the House

Drains may start draining slower than usual or stop draining all together; toilets can stop flushing properly and sinks backup. A professional plumber will be able to source the problem and unblock for you. Best prevention is to only flush human waste and toilet paper in toilets. Having yearly inspections will ensure the pipework is kept clear.

Inlet Baffle

Inlet baffles are located at the tank. They can get clogged with toilet paper and other debris. Contacting your local plumber, they will be able to clear them for you.

Leech Drain

If your leech drain fails, you may notice an odour smell near the tank or leech drain itself may have a wet soggy patch around it. Septic may start backing up into the home which should be actioned as soon as possible for hygienic purposes.

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a major culprit when it comes to septic systems blockages. The trees love the water and the nutrients provided by your system and will come from a far to access it. If you have any big trees near your pipework or leech drain; tree roots maybe causing the blockage. A professional plumber will have a cutting machine to clear the roots from your system.

Having Issues with Your Septic System?

Septic problems can esulate quickly so as soon as you think you have an issue contact the trusted name in the plumbing industry, Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas at Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

Things you can do to stop blocked drains

Throughout the home there is drainage for bathrooms, kitchens, toilets, laundry and outside downpipes.

Each drain hole should be covered with a port that allows the water to still drain without big items being washed down into pipework. When the wrong objects go down, they can cause a bad blockage at the initial area and if not attended to can have a follow effect in other parts of the pipes. If you are not sure what kind of blockage you are dealing with or can’t see the item, contact a reputable plumber who has the right tools and knowledge to dislodge this for you.

How to keep drains clear

Hair and Soap
Food Scraps
Flush Drains
Toilets

Hair and Soap

Bathroom sinks, showers and floor drains are very common for collecting items of hair and soap so it is a good idea to keep these drain ports clear by removing away from the drain. Hair won’t dissolve straight away and will just collect anything that flows down pipes and soap is greasy and can cake onto pipework. If this is something that grosses you out, put gloves on and grab with a tissue and place in the rubbish bin.

Food Scraps

Thinking that pushing small scraps down the sink is harmless is the complete opposite due to the S bend shape of the pipe that is attached to the drain can cause a build up of the scraps which will eventually be hard to flush through and then a blockage will be caused. There are additional drain covers that can be placed onto the kitchen drains and after dishes they can be removed and the scraps that have been caught can be discarded.

Flush Drains

Low flow in toilets and faucets is great for saving water but due to the minimal water flow going into pipes it is a good idea to help flush pipes by filling sinks with some water and releasing a plug to give a good flow of water through the pipes.

Toilets

Toilets are not rubbish disposals so refraining from flushing items other than excretions and toilet paper should be a must.

If you happen to have a drainage problem in your plumbing

Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the trusted name in the industry, available 24/7 for your emergencies. Contact the team today at Bunbury 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

What to Do in A Plumbing Emergency?

When you own a home or business, at some point attention to certain areas can become apparent, especially if maintenance has not been kept up or warning signs have been ignored.

It is no fun at all for anyone if there is flooding in toilets, burst pipework or leaks showing through wall cavities. Cabinetry, flooring may need to be replaced or wall cavities accessed to find the source to the problem.

Preparation is always the key but sometimes we are not so lucky and are caught short and could be left in a puddle of mess.

Got a Puddle to Attend to

Water Supply Shutdown
Water Heaters
Contact Your Plumber
Attend to Leaks

Water Supply Shutdown

Quickly turnoff the closest water source to the problem. If it’s the toilet the tap down the side of the cistern. When there is a flooding coming from certain areas it is best to turn off the water mains usually found at the front of the home.

Water Heaters

To protect your water heaters, it is best to switch off to stop the re heating as this can cause heat build up and could destroy the unit. If you have a gas hot water system, switch the gas off first.

Contact Your Plumber

When you call the plumber, you can be guided on how best to deal with the emergency until a professional arrives.

Attend to Leaks

If you can see where a leak is coming from place buckets, containers or rags to soak up the leak. Another option could be to open up drains and spigots as this will help to release the water build up that is still in pipes after the mains have been switched off.

When You Have A Plumbing Emergency

No matter what the emergency is, Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot water and Gas are available to you 24/7 to attend to your plumbing needs. Contact the team today at Bunbury 9791 1608 or Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

How do I make my hot water heater last longer?

Most hot water systems aren’t given a second thought until you are left with no hot running water inside the home. You may then be required to replace the whole unit.

Unfortunately, when you run out of water it doesn’t always run out at the most convenient times, someone could be washing their hair, shaving, washing dishes or other duties that require this wonderful source.

If so with a few simple tips and steps you can increase the life of your heater and make it work better for you and your family use.

Making Your Water Heater Work More Efficiently

Flushing
Anode Rod
Insulation

Flushing

Most water heater manufacturers will recommend flushing the tank, keep in mind this is different to just draining. If you don’t feel confident in actioning this. You could schedule this with your professional plumbing service.

6 star highly efficient continuous flow gas unit

Anode Rod

This is a Rod that hangs in the tank to help prevent rusting happening inside the tank and continuing outside. It is a good idea to check this when flushing the tank. If the Anode Rod is corroded replace as needed this will save in the long run of replacing your tank. Only use good Anode Rod to stop corrosion in the tank. This step too can be actioned by a professional plumber.

Insulation

A once step only job, is actioned by wrapping the whole tank in a blanket of insulation which can improve the efficiency by up to 40%.

For all your plumbing and hot water needs

Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the trusted name in the plumbing industry and are available for your emergency issues 24/7 Contact the team at Bunbury on 9791 1608.

4 Ways to Know If Your Pipes Are Worn Out

Depending on the age of the home and how maintenance has been done in the past will be relative to any future problems you may come across when it comes to the pipe works overall condition.

It is good practice to check certain areas in the home and fix and replace items before they become bigger problems when they are at the end of their life.

Typical areas to check would be kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, basements, crawl spaces and generally anywhere pipework may be. If this is not in your expertise contacting a professional plumber to do these maintenance checks is definitely worth it.

What Are the Signs to Look Out For?

Leaks
Corroded pipes
Discoloured water
Stains

Leaks

Leaks can present themselves in different ways in housing, e.g. from visible pipework to behind walls where pipework may be hidden, this is where you might see mould or mildew forming on walls or on floors, if mould is smelt in a room but not seen these are all potential problems of leaking pipes.

Corroded Pipes

Flaking metal on pipes or substantial look of damage to pipes could be a sign of corrosion. This can be the cause of high acid water content, that eats away at the pipes. When copper pipes are not used for a certain amount of time this too can lead to corrosion.

Discoloured Water

If rust coloured water starts coming out of your taps it is exactly that from rust. It is important for a plumber to be contacted at this point as rust causes hard water and this is not good for washing clothes, bathing or drinking.

Stains

Stains can show up as a discolouration to walls and ceilings, walls can even show evidence of a bubbling effect in the paintwork this is a sign to contact a plumber sooner rather than later to prevent the cavity of walls and ceilings getting further damage.

When You Need A Professional Plumber to Look at Your Pipes

Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot water and Gas are available to you 24/7 for emergency and general plumbing maintenance. Located in two convenient places at Bunbury 9791 1608 or Busselton / Dunsborough 9759 1317.

What Causes Noisy Water Pipes

There are various reasons for instance, clogged, hot or cold pipes, washers in taps, fast water pressure.

Whatever the noise might be, should be investigated by a professional plumber to ensure your piping is back to working the way it should. Prevention is always better than the cure so getting onto the issue sooner than later will keep the pipes flowing correctly.

Typical Noises Pipes Can Make

Loose Pipes
Main Shut Off Valve
Toilets and Cisterns
Water Hammer
Washers in Taps

Loose Pipes

Pipe work sometimes just needs adjusting, as water flushes through quite quickly and in large volumes this moves the pipes which can cause shake that can be noisy.

Main Shut Off Valve

If you hear a squealing sound coming from your water pipes when turning them on or off, this could be the cause of a main shut off valve or the water pressure regulator. For this to be fixed the mains for the street will need to be switched off to replace or repair or the reducers manifold may need to be fixed.

Toilets and Cisterns

When banging and clanging is heard coming from your toilet after flushing and refilling, the ballcock assembly that helps the toilet to refill could be worn.

Water Hammer

Water rushing through pipes and faucets are at a certain speed and force so when the faucet is turned off this causes an abrupt holt to the water flow. There is a chamber of air that acts as a cushion for pipe work of the hot and cold taps and as hammering happens over the years a part called a riser starts to wear and the cushioning effect is lost.

Washers in Taps

When a washers need replacing the noise of whistling can be heard. If squealing is heard from a washing machine area the valves will need replacing.

Who Is the Expert to Fix My Noisy Pipes?

Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot water and Gas are the trusted name in the plumbing industry available 24/7. Located in Bunbury 9791 1608 or Busselton / Dunsborough 9759 1317.

Do you need hot water in your home?

Have you have noticed your hot water unit isn’t working like it used??

Do you need hot water in your home, having issues with your current system?

A hot water unit is an integral part of your daily life Without one, you will never be able to use hot water for shower or washing. Therefore, when your hot water unit experience some problems, the longer it sits, the longer it disrupts your day to day life.

Hot water tank

Do you need hot water?

Commercial?
Domestic?
Industrial?

Whatever your needs, we can address it for you – we are the hot water specialists servicing Bunbury and the surrounding areas. Also servicing Dunsborough, Busselton and surrounding areas.

At Mainline Plumbing & Cheap Hot Water & Gas we know the importance of hot water options. Call us today on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) and let us help you.

Hot water installation

Hot water installer

For all your hot water needs contact ‘the trusted name in the plumbing industry’. Whether you need to install a water heater or want to repair a damaged heater, contact Mainline Plumbing & Cheap Hot Water & Gas.

Call us today on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) for free onsite inspection and quote.

How Can I Find Out Where My Sewer Lines Are?

Sewerage conversion There are a few different reasons to why you may need to know where sewer connections can be found. It is good knowledge to be informed about the locations for any future works that might need doing.

When you have moved into a new home or town you might not be aware of where the sewer connections might be located. Contacting your local Water Corporation or visiting the website and going into “My Water” to search for your address or you can login to Buildernet and lodge an EPlan request to obtain water mains and sewer junctions at the property for a small purchase price.

What Are the Best Steps Finding My Sewer?

Check with previous owners
Find out where the septic tank is
Check with your local council or water corporation

Check with Previous Owners

If you have purchased a home from previous home owners, documentation of plans may show where the sewer lines are but if not, this could be a question to ask along with what kind of sewerage systems the property uses.

Find Out Where the Septic Tank Is

Septic tank done Some housing will show easily enough where the lines lead to the sewerage tank and it should lead in a straight line from the house to the location of the tank. Gain access to the tank by using a wooden stake and scratch around the area to search where the line might be. The depth could be anywhere from 12-14 inches under the ground surface.

Check with Your Local Council or Water Corporation

Contacting your local council for plans on septic can be helpful as they have zoning for areas and they will keep sewer lines and property maps for their location of underground facilities when needed.

If You Would Like to Know More About Sewer Conversions or Sewer Piping, Contact the Professionals in the Plumbing Industry, Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas can make your search that much easier. Contact Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough 9759 1317.

Can Your Plumbing Cope With Christmas?

Christmas plumbing Christmas is a time for family get togethers and visitors, which is what the festive season is all about. It can also be a time of stress, especially for your home and its functions behind the walls. Extra inhabitants mean extra pressure on utilities, and in the summer months it is inevitably the plumbing and water supply that is hardest hit. Whether it’s 2 or 12 guests coming to stay for a week or just the day, your toilets, showers and sinks take a hit as people use these for everyday living as well as when entertaining. Extra kitchen waste, extra toilet waste and major water usage are just some of the factors to consider when Christmas is happening at your place.

Some easy ways to prep your plumbing for the festive season include:

Potential Blockages
Prepare Ahead In The Kitchen
Check Your Gas Bottles
Hot Water System Ready
Free Up All the Bathrooms

Potential Blockages

Blocked drainage Give your pipes a sniff now to avoid plumbing disasters when you least need them. If your pipes are a bit on the smelly side, or draining particularly slowly already, it’s best to call in a plumber now to clear the pipes before your guests bring increased usage with them.

Prepare Ahead In The Kitchen

Busy kitchens and extra bodies bring extra waste and some people’s disposal habits can result in your pipes being clogged with food waster. Oils, grease, gravies and small food items such as pips and skins can end up in your sink and eventually in the plumbing. Have paper towels handy and strainers over your sink holes to catch any extra debris.

Check Your Gas Bottles

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas can assist you with connecting your BBQ to your home’s gas system to avoid running out of gas when entertaining or at the most inopportune times. It saves you money and product wastage, as well as the stress of remembering just another job on the list at Christmas time.

Hot Water System Ready

Hot water installed How’s the flow in your bathrooms? Can your hot water system keep up with several extra bodies using hot water not only for showers but for washing dishes and running the washing machine as well? Set up a roster system with your guests to stagger out the showers either morning or night and run your dishwasher when everyone is in bed to relieve the pressure on your hot water system. If you think your system might be a bit on the older side and will struggle with increased workload, call Mainline to have it looked at today.

Free Up All The Bathrooms

Do you have 2 or more bathrooms and toilets that are hardly used? Or even don’t currently work? Turn on these toilets for extra guests and make sure all your bathrooms are available to be utilised by your guests. Plumbing doesn’t love being overloaded in one area. Also, make sure a bin is available for toilet rolls and other non-flushable items such as sanitary pads, baby wipes and paper towels to avoid them being flushed down the loo and blocking the pipes.

Can Your Plumbing Cope With Christmas?

Have your plumbing pipes and gas lines checked now before the rush by Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas to get your home ready for the festive season. For friendly, reliable service by local, licensed tradesmen, call 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) 24 hrs, 7 days a week.

Who can I get to fix my Gas Leak?

Gas work by Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas Bunbury Gas is a very distinctive smell and if smelt it should not be ignored and be actioned appropriately.

Whether you have a Gas hot water, stoves or heating it is best to have these items checked by a licenced Gas professional who can make sure the right tagging is done and all safety policies are adhered to.

It is good knowledge to know how to turn off your Gas at the mains until a gas specialist arrives, if you are not sure where or how to do this contact a plumbing professional.

Keeping appliances and supply systems in good working order is vital to the health and protection of you and your family.

What are the key steps to maintaining Gas

Regular Maintenance
Contracting Professionals
Education

Regular Maintenance

A sure way to make sure your appliances and gas pipes are all in good working order is to contact a professional gas fitter who can do scheduled checks on the products of your home. Even though gas maintenance is a great safety process it is also a good way to save on higher bills for the future.

Contracting Professionals

When it comes to dealing with Gas, there is no DIY option unless you have a qualification next to your name as a Professional Gas Fitter. Playing with Gas can be dangerous if you are not sure what you are looking for, leaving it to the experienced licensed professionals is the best option.

Education

Some great education for yourself when you have Gas facilities in your home would be to find out where your gas meter box is situated. Find out how you can turn it off if a suspected leak was detected. Ensure you have the contact details for the professional Gas specialist at easy access.

Need Inspections and Maintenance Done at Your Property?

Inspections and Maintenance will save on larger repairs that may need to be done in the future.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot water Gas are the trusted name in the plumbing industry and will protect you from your Gas emergencies.
Contact the Team today at Bunbury 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough 9759 1317.

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