Plumbing Questions Answered
Do you have a pressing plumbing problem? Have you always wondered about common plumbing issues or problems that seem to re-occur in your home? The team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have gathered the most commonly asked questions for all of your most curious plumbing ponderings.
Why Does A Toilet Just Start To Run/Leak?
The most common cause of a leaking or constantly running toilet is that the flapper no longer forms a tight seal against the valve seat. This lets water leak from the tank into the bowl. Chemical build-up in the flapper contributes to wear and tear over time, resulting in what is known as a ‘silent leak’ – quite difficult to detect if you aren’t extremely vigilant about staring into your toilet bowl. Other contributors to leaking toilets include:
- Faulty fill valves
- Faulty floats
- A stuck flapper (noticeable when the flush button doesn’t pop back up again)
- Faulty connections
- Broken or cracked tanks
- Leaking supply lines
Is There Really Such Thing as Hard Water?
Yes, and it’s not good for your plumbing, or for your body. Sediment, chemical build up and presence of heavy metals and additives not only lead to pipe and fixture erosion, but taste disgusting and can be detrimental to your health. If your area is renowned for ‘hard water’, contact Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas to install a water filtration system at the mains.
Why Is The Toilet Making That Noise When I Flush?
Depending on the issue, a toilet can make some very strange noses compared to the usual whoosh and gurgle. A loud whining sound will usually indicate restricted water flow to the refill valve. A definite foghorn sound is usually a result of dirty valves or the need to replace the ballcock and fill valves. Prolonged gurgling after the flush will be a problem further down the pipes, such as a blockage in the drain.
What Causes Low Water Pressure?
Ever been in the shower only to have the water pressure nose-dive into a dribble because someone has turned on the kitchen tap or started the washing machine? Using water elsewhere in the house is usually the explanation for a sharp decrease in water pressure, however faulty valves, leaks in the pipes and blockages can also restrict water flow.
Why Does The Hot Water Run Out So Fast?
Dependant on the age of your hot water unit and whether it is instantaneous or not, your hot water may flow for a minimal amount of time compared to more modern, electric hot water units. Hot water units that run on a storage tank alone will only provide hot water until the tank runs out whereas instantaneous hot water systems heat the water as it runs through a heated coil, so the chances of the water running cold is a lot less.
How Do I Find The Best Plumber?
You already have! Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have provided the South West with reliable, friendly and highly skilled service for almost 40 years, assisting with all types of plumbing, gas and hot water problems, maintenance and repair. To experience the best in plumbing in the South West, call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas today on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough).
A blocked drain can pose all sorts of issues, and not just for your household plumbing. Short of costing money if the blockage causes damage to pipes, a blocked drain can also exacerbate existing health problems for your family members and problems if you are operating on a septic tank.
Does your tap water taste a bit funny? Do you want to save money by improving the quality of the drinking water in your home and remove the need for bought filtered water? 
Safer For Your Family
Has your toilet started to make funny noises? Filling up to high when you flush and not draining quickly? Statistics show that blocked toilets are the top 
Have you heard all the benefits about converting to 
Have you received a call to act letter from the Water Corporation? Or do you already know that the deep sewerage lines run through your neighbourhood but your home is still connected to your own septic tank? Older homes will sometimes still operate on their own septic, newer homes are generally connected to the deep sewerage automatically when the estate is built (unless your new home is in a remote location or in an area where deep sewerage has not been established).
Once you know you are able to connect to the deep sewerage and understand the process, your next, and final call, is to Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas. They will take care of all the details in regard to your sewerage conversion and will work with you to choose a time convenient to you and your family.
Life is all about the little surprises and when it comes to household plumbing, surprises are often unexpected, unwanted and can cause a lot of stress. Mainline Plumbing & Cheap Hot Water & Gas are experts in all areas of 
Hot Water Problems
It’s not just about the bad smell when your toilet and drains are blocked, but the damage it can cause if not fixed sooner than later. Plumbers have the correct tools and equipment to clear out blocked drains quickly and safely, without ending up with water all over the floor of your home or having to reach your own arms into a smelly drain.
Who Can I Call When I Have A Plumbing Emergency?
Hallelujah!! Spring weather is finally here, and with the start of the new season comes spring cleaning! Whilst your home and garden are the first areas that come to mind for the big overhaul, your pipes and drainage systems will benefit from a bit of TLC too.
Need Help With Your Plumbing?
Is your home a bit older and still connected to its’ own septic tank?
Septic tanks can seem a more eco-friendly option, however they require a lot more maintenance. Regularly inspections of the ground surrounding the tank to check for overflowing, increased chance of pipe blockage, pumping out the tank and the significant cost of repair should the tank leak or overflow. Whilst deep sewerage connects a community and maintenance is paid for by local governments (via rates), septic tanks are the responsibility of the private landowner and costs to repair or maintain can be significant for an individual to incur.
The prevalence of hard water in newer housing estates and the presence of more chemicals in our community water supply contributes significantly to the wear and tear of our home fixtures, especially if they are made of plastic, rubber or metal. Rust and sediment forms easily on metal, allowing the fixture to become brittle and break easily, as with plastic and rubber.
The cause for your wall’s new complexion may be contributed to a few factors, however the main culprit is usually water damage. Water damage occurs to interior walls when a plumbing pipe is leaking significantly and water is sitting in your wall cavity. It usually presents at the bottom of the wall in a corner, the best place for water to drip down and pool inside the wall and generally in the room opposite.
Call your Plumber Immediately
Water damage to walls and flood damage caused by faulty appliances or severe weather conditions are different issues and are treated as such on your insurance policy. Any water damage that occurs due to lack of maintenance or gradual leaks may not be included in your policy. Double check the fine print to make sure you are covered, as hard water in many suburbs is a contributing factor to leaking pipes and this issue is becoming more common, even in newer homes.