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3 Common Causes of a Blocked Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sink

Whether the kitchen in your home or business is used to cook meals and bake sweets or to simply make a morning cuppa, the kitchen is certainly a well-used area of a home or business. If water is no longer flowing freely down your kitchen sink, a blockage is the likely cause. While there are many tried and tested home remedies to clear a blocked kitchen sink, if these remedies are no longer working it is likely you have a blockage laying deep in your plumbing pipes.

Once a plumbing blockage has been cleared, if the issue re-occurs the culprit could be an item that is regularly being washed down your kitchen sink. Read on to learn 3 common causes of a blocked kitchen sink including:

  • Coffee Grounds and Beans
  • Food Scraps
  • Fats, Oils and Grease

Coffee Grounds and Beans

Many homes and businesses have a coffee machine that is put to good use each morning and throughout the day. You may think washing any excess coffee grounds down your sink wouldn’t cause an issue, however this is certainly not the case. Coffee grounds also absorb water meaning once in your pipes they can become stuck and continue to build up and collect other particles washed down the sink.

Food Scraps

A common occurrence in a kitchen is to rinse any food scraps from crockery or cutlery. While this may seem like a good housekeeping habit to have, food scraps are a common culprit of a blocked kitchen sink. Scrape excess food scraps into a FOGO bag and dispose of. While all food scraps are a no go to wash down the kitchen sink, there are a few food items that are particularly troublesome including pasta, potatoes, rice, bones and meat.

Fats, Oils and Grease

Chicken drumsticks leftover bones in a plate

Fry pans and baking trays are left with residue of fats, oils and grease after being used. You may think soaking these is a good way to clean them, however the fats, oils and grease that has accumulated is then washed down the sink.  As these liquids dry, they solidify and can cause pipes to block. Avoid any fats, oils or grease making their way down your kitchen drain by scooping into a bag and disposing in the rubbish.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have extensive drain cleaning equipment for clearing all major or minor blockage problems

With over 40 years experience servicing Bunbury and the South West region, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’. The team proudly service Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and surrounding areas and offer superior service and the highest possible workmanship.

For all your blocked drain and plumbing needs, speak to the team today in Bunbury on (08) 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

3 Signs Your Washing Machine Hose Needs to be Replaced

washing machine

A common plumbing tip shared with homeowners is to check your washing machine hoses regularly for damage. While a damaged washing machine hose may not seem like a big problem, the result of the hose breaking can be. Imagine filling the washing machine with clothes, starting the washing cycle, leaving home and expecting to come home to freshly clean clothes however, you come home to a flooded laundry or worse still home. This could become a reality if your washing machine hose breaks. Reduce the risk of damage if your washing machine does break by turning off your washing machines taps when not using your washing machine or going away on holidays.

Read on to learn 3 signs your washing machine hose needs replacing including:

  • Age
  • Damage
  • Leaking Water

Age

If your washing machine hose is more than a few years old be sure to check it regularly for any sign of damage. If the hose is showing any signs of wear or tear then consider having it replaced for peace of mind it won’t break.

Damage

When inspecting your washing machine hose, be on the lookout for any damage. This can include seeing or feeling any bubbles, cracks, rust or kinks. A damaged hose can burst at any time which can result in water freely flowing from the hose into your laundry and home.

Leaking Water

Mainline Plumbing services

When inspecting your washing machine hose be on the lookout for any water leaking, even if it is the smallest drip. Just as dripping taps waste precious water, so does a leaking hose. It may be the hose itself that is leaking or the connection that is leaking.

Call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water for all your plumbing needs

Does your washing machine hose need to be replaced? Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’ for all your plumbing, gas and hot water needs. Servicing Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and the South West, Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local experts.

Call the team in Bunbury on 9791 1608 for friendly, reliable and trusted service.

How Can I Save Water Inside My Home?

Wasted water

Water is a luxury that has become part of our daily lives. From taking a shower to brushing our teeth, to drinking, water is an important part of our daily lives.

It is important we all do our part to save water in and around the home. Small changes can make a big difference and it is important we all have a water wise mindset. With a few simple changes, we can all do our part to conserve water.

Read on to learn 3 ways you can save water inside your home including:

  • Laundry
  • Bathing
  • Dishes

Laundry

Save water in your laundry by ensuring you have a full load before washing clothes. Most washing machines have adjustable settings. The heavy-duty soil setting can use more water and extends wash time. For most loads, the normal settings will do. Choose the appropriate water level setting, small, medium or large, for the load if that’s how your machine works. This feature automatically determines the load size and the amount of water needed.

Bathing

Generally, taking a shower uses less water than a full bath. As lovely as a long shower to start or end the day is, it’s important to keep shower times to a minimum. Start the timer as you jump in the shower and when it goes off you know it’s time to jump out. Further reduce your water usage by using a low flow showerhead.

Dishes

Kitchen sink

Whether washing dishes by hand or using a dishwasher, there are ways you can minimise your water usage. To remove a build up of food, soak dishes rather than scrubbing with the water freely flowing. When using a dishwasher, run full loads of dishes only and install an energy star high efficiency model to save water and energy.

For all your plumbing needs, call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the trusted name in plumbing, gas fitting and hot water solutions in the South West. We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, efficient and reliable service to new and regular customers.

Call the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas today on 08 9791 1608.

What Not to Flush Down a Toilet

Toilet Problems

If your toilet paper supply has or does run low, it’s important to know what can and can’t be flushed. Toilets can easily block and a blocked toilet at your home or business is not only an inconvenience, but can quickly become a smelly and unpleasant experience if it begins to overflow. Blockages in our wastewater system can be extremely difficult to repair and if these blockages aren’t cleared in treatment plants, they can end up in our waterways.  

You may be surprised to learn just a few items that should not be flushed down a toilet include:

  • Flushable Wipes
  • Baby Wipes
  • Serviettes
  • Paper Towel

Flushable Wipes

When you think of what can cause a toilet to block, the first object to come to mind wouldn’t be a product labelled ‘flushable’. The past few years has seen a rise in the number of pipes being blocked and plumbing issues caused by wipes being flushed down toilets. The best way to dispose of wipes is in the bin. Yes! Even if they are labelled ‘flushable’

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are often branded or assumed to be ‘flushable’ thinking they will dissolve in water. Plumbers disagree. One or two baby wipes flushed down the toilet may not cause an issue, but as baby wipes continue to be flushed, they build up causing a nasty  blockage. 

Serviettes

Serviettes

Serviettes are other common culprits of a blocked toilet. Whether serviettes are made from cloth or paper, they don’t break down the same way toilet paper does. The result, clumps of serviettes form in pipes and lead to plumbing issues.

Paper Towel

Paper towel and toilet paper are both made of paper, so why should paper towel not be flushed? Paper towel isn’t made to dissolve quickly and easily in water like toilet paper is. You will notice paper towel is thicker and made to absorb water without breaking down.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot are your local plumbing professionals and available for plumbing emergencies 24/7

If you have a blocked toilet at your home or business and need it inspected and repaired, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local experts.

Call us today to discover why we are known as the ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’ in Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

Why Is There No Water Coming from My Taps?

Tap Problems Call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water & Gas

If you turn on taps in or outside your home to discover a dribble or no water at all, there can be many culprits as to the reason why. If the issue is only with one tap, a minor plumbing issue may be the cause. If the issue is with several or all the taps in your home, and your neighbours don’t have the same problem, then it could indicate a more extensive issue.

Read on to learn 3 reasons why there could be no water coming from your taps including:

  • Hot Water System Issue
  • Blocked or Leaking Pipe
  • Damaged or Broken Washer

Hot Water System Issue

If the issue of no water coming from taps is only with hot water taps, your hot water system could be damaged. A hot water system like all other appliances around the home should be regularly inspected and repaired to remain in good working order. Common reasons for a hot water system to not be working include a build up of sediment, rust and leaks.

Blocked or Leaking Pipe

Burst Pipe

A blocked or leaking plumbing pipe are common culprits for water no longer freely flowing from taps. As a leak becomes larger, it can lower the water pressure to the point it stops water free flowing completely. The same occurs with blocked pipes. As a blockage continues to build, it can eventually stop water flowing through your pipes hence no water coming from one or several taps.

Damaged or Broken Washer

Damaged or broken washers are common culprits of leaking taps however can also cause a taps water supply to stop completely. If one or several taps in your home need washers replacing, remember to ensure the task it done correctly using the right tools. DIY washer replacement that is not done correctly can lead to further issues and repairs in the future.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local plumbing professionals for all your plumbing, hot water and gas needs

The Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas team of professional plumbers and qualified gas fitters have the correct tools, equipment and experience with all aspects of plumbing. They take pride in their work to ensure all plumbing is installed and repaired correctly.  The team offer fast, effective and honest workmanship and are known as the trusted name in the plumbing industry.

Call the team in Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Dunsborough on 9759 1317 today.

Who Can I Call in a Plumbing Emergency in Bunbury and the South West?

Burst Pipe

Our households or businesses plumbing being in good working order is something we take for granted, therefore when a plumbing emergency arises it can be an inconvenience and cause unwanted stress and worry.

If you experience a plumbing emergency, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are experts in all areas of plumbing, hot water and gas in both residential and commercial properties and are your first point of call for plumbing emergencies.

Read on to learn 5 plumbing emergencies that Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas can assist with including:

  • Hot Water Issues
  • Burst Water Pipe
  • Overflowing Toilet
  • Blocked Drains
  • Leaking Septic Tank

Hot Water Issues

Turning on your hot water tap to be greeted with cold water can cause stress and inconvenience your household or workplace. Hot water is a luxury most homes rely on and don’t want to do without. Having your hot water system repaired and in good working order will eradicate any extra stress and inconvenience to your household or workplace.

Burst Water Pipe

A burst water pipe spells disaster and can cause expensive and extensive damage in and around your home. This plumbing emergency needs to be rectified immediately before it affects the foundations of your house and employing a registered plumber is a requirement of your insurance to ensure the job is done correctly.

Overflowing Toilet

A plumbing emergency - Toilet Problems

A blocked or overflowing toilet is certainly an unpleasant plumbing problem. Not only can the smell be unpleasant, but it can cause damage too to your home. If your toilet is blocked and the bowl is full, avoid using the toilet and prioritise calling a plumber.

Blocked Drains

There are numerous causes of blocked drains including tree roots, foreign objects entering the piping system and cracked seals due to age. Plumbers have the correct tools and equipment to clear out blocked drains quickly and safely to have your plumbing back in good working order again.

Leaking Septic Tanks

Some properties still operate on their own septic tank. A major indicator that your septic tank has sprung a leak or needs emptying is if the ground that covers it, such as the lawn or sand, is soggy and wet.

Mainline Plumbing are your ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’ and available 24/7 in plumbing emergencies.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have been servicing the Bunbury community for over 40 years. The team pride themselves on quality customer service and exceptional, cost effective solutions to your plumbing, hot water and gas requirements. Call the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) today.

Why Do My Bathroom Drains Keep Blocking?

Clean bathroom

If water is no longer freely flowing down drains in your bathroom, a blockage is the most likely culprit. Blocked drains can often be cured by using a plunger to clear the blockage, however if blocked drains in your bathroom is an ongoing issue, there is a good chance there is a blockage lying deep in your plumbing pipes.

Failing to clear the cause of blocked drains in your bathroom can lead to water pooling in your shower, bath and basins. Once at their limit, you will no longer be able to use water in your bathroom without the risk of your basin and shower overflowing.

Read on to learn 3 common culprits of bathroom drains blocking including:

  • Hair
  • Sand and Debris
  • Foreign Objects

Hair

The bathroom is the common place in your home to wash and style your hair. While strands of hair may seem harmless, they are one of the most common cause of blocked bathroom drains. Hair accumulates in drains and as it continues to build up, will clump together, become stuck and block drains. To avoid this occurring, it’s encouraged to wipe out showers and basins each time you wash or style your hair. This will help to minimise the amount of hair that makes its way down your drains decreasing the chances of a blockage caused by hair occurring.

Sand and Debris

Bathroom Drains

If your work or hobby leaves you with sand or debris on your hands or body, then this too will be washed down drains. Whether washing your hands in the basin or body in the shower, dirt and debris that is washed down bathroom drains will build up and over time can cause drains to block. When this occurs, specialised plumbing equipment is normally required to detect the location of the blockage and to flush out and clear the sand and debris from the drain.

Foreign Objects

Your bathroom is the common place for your morning or evening beauty rituals from combing and styling your hair to applying make-up to personal grooming. Common culprits that cause bathroom drains to block include items used for our beauty rituals such as cotton buds, cotton wool and hair pins. Ensure foreign objects do not accidentally make their way down bathroom drains by covering drains with a strainer. A strainer will also be useful for catching any loose hair strands too, preventing them from being washed down the drain.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your plumbing professionals and the ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’

With over 40 year’s experience servicing Bunbury and the South West region, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your trusted and reliable professionals. The team proudly service Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and surrounding areas.

For all your blocked drain and plumbing needs, speak to the team today in Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

Eco-friendly Plumbing Tips for Your Home in Bunbury and the South West?

Shower

To help protect and preserve the environment, it’s encouraged we all do our part to adopt environmentally friendly practices in and around our home. These practices extend to the plumbing too with their being many ways we can reduce the impact on the environment. that is why, knowing some plumbing tips for your home is important. Every small effort and change you make to benefit the environment can have a positive impact so there is no time like the present to begin making your homes plumbing eco-friendly.

Read on to learn 5 Eco-friendly plumbing tips for your home in Bunbury and the South West including:

  • Energy Efficient Appliances
  • Low Flow Shower Heads
  • Repair Dripping Taps
  • Dual Flush Toilets
  • Water Filtration System

Energy Efficient Appliances

Eco-friendly and energy efficient appliances go hand in hand. Older models of appliances such as dishwashers, fridges and washing machines tend to use more energy. When replacing appliances in your home, choose those with the highest energy efficiency star rating as possible.

Low Flow Shower Heads

Replace shower heads in your home with low flow models. Many low flow shower heads can save litres of water each minute, making a significant impact on your homes water usage while saving you money. Many people assume a low flow shower head will negatively impact the strength of the water flow when showering, however there are many low-flow shower heads that prove this is not the case.

Repair Dripping Taps

Leaky Faucet

A few taps in your home with an occasional drip or two may not be considered an issue. However, each drip wastes precious water. If not repaired dripping taps can waste litres of water each day. Help do your part to conserve water and make having dripping taps fixed a priority.

Dual Flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets give you the option of what amount of water is needed to flush away waste. A small flush will use on average 3 litres of water while a full flush on average 4.5 litres of water. In homes with multiple toilets, dual flush toilets can have a significant impact on reducing water consumption.

Water Filtration System

Purchasing filtered water for drinking and your household can have a negative environmental impact as it is normally stored in plastic bottles. Under sink filtration systems are becoming more popular as our water supply becomes more and more laden with chemicals and dirt. By installing an under-sink filtration system in your home, you are ensuring the water that comes straight from the tap is cleaner and safer for your family and is another way to add an eco-friendly feature to your home.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water are your local plumbing specialists

With over 35 years’ experience, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your trusted and reliable professionals, servicing the Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and surrounding areas.

The team pride themselves on being the ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’. Contact the team for all your plumbing needs today in Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

How Can I Test My Water Pressure in Bunbury and the South West?

Water pressure

When we turn a tap on in our home, we expect to receive a constant stream of free-flowing water. If you turn on your taps and are greeted with anything but, you may be wondering why your water pressure is suddenly unusually high or unusually low.

A change of water pressure in Bunbury and the South West can be caused by several reasons. While a plumbing issue is a common culprit, be sure to check if any water outages or works are happening in your area as they could potentially affect your water pressure.

Did you know? The Water Corporation of WA aim to provide 20 litres of water per minute. It is important to note though that this number may not be completely accurate for everyone as often it depends on where your water services are located on your property. Read on to learn a simple test you can do at your home to see how many litres of water you are receiving each minute

  • Prepare for the test
  • Record your water metre reading
  • Perform the test
  • Take another water metre reading
  • If required, call a professional

Prepare for the test

Before performing a water pressure test, ensure all taps and any appliances that use water in or around your home are turned off. Ask those that live in your home to not use any water until you have completed the test.

Record your water metre reading

Safely and carefully access your water metre and write down the black and red numbers. If you are unsure where your water metre is on your property, it is normally located on the front boundary however if you are having trouble locating it, the Water Corporation can help.

Perform the test

Wasted water

Turn on your front garden tap for exactly 60 seconds. Use a watch or phone to record the one minute and catch the water into buckets so it’s not wasted and you can use it to water your garden after the test.

Take another water metre reading

After performing the test, take another water metre reading. Subtract the second reading from the first reading to find out how much water came from your tap during the 60 seconds.

If required, call a professional

If you are receiving more than 20 litres per minute from your garden tap there may be an issue with your plumbing. High water pressure could potentially lead to water pipes bursting.

If you receive less than 20 litres of water in the 60 seconds or are unsure of your results, contact the Water Corporation so they can investigate further and if needed do a pressure and flow test.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your reliable plumbing professionals in Bunbury and the South West

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’. The team are fully equipped to investigate and repair all aspects of plumbing plus hot water and gas and proudly service Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and surrounding areas through the South West.

Speak to the team today on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Busselton/Dunsborough).

Reference: Water Corporation

How Can I Check If My Toilet is Leaking?

Toilet problems

Many water leaks in a home or workplace go unnoticed. It is often only when an usually high water bill arrives, that home or business owners suspect an issue. If you suspect a water leak, don’t delay having it repaired.

One of the biggest water users in South West homes and workplaces are toilets. Today, most homes have two toilets and workplaces have multiple toilets and urinals for staff and customer use. Did you know? Older style toilets can use up to 18 litres of water each time they are flushed while new models of low flush toilets use approximately 4.5 litres for a full flush and 3 litres for a half flush.

Read on to learn how you can check if a toilet in your home or workplace is leaking:  

  • Refrain from using the toilet and look out for warning signs of a leak
  • Test if your toilet is leaking
  • If you suspect a leak, don’t delay calling a plumber

Refrain from using the toilet and look out for warning signs of a leak

Flush the toilet and ensure it isn’t used again allowing you to look out for warning signs of a leak. In a home, let the rest of the household know the toilet is off limits and in a workplace, put an out of order sign on the toilet door. Approximately 10 minutes after flushing the toilet, if you can still hear water running or notice water pooling around the base of the toilet, there is a good chance the toilet is leaking.

Test if your toilet is leaking

Wait at least 30 minutes after flushing a toilet to do the following test. The purpose of this is to do the test when the toilet bowl is dry. Place a sheet of toilet paper under the rim at the back of the toilet bowl. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Ensure the toilet isn’t used or flushed and wait a few minutes to see if the piece of toilet paper soaks up any water. If it does, you have a trickling toilet leak.

If you suspect a leak, don’t delay calling a plumber

Water Leaks

If you suspect you have a leaking toilet, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible. Each year the equivalent of 700 buckets of water is lost through residential leaks in Perth alone. A leaking toilet wastes precious water and can cause a spike in water bills until the issue is resolved.

Is a toilet in your home or workplace leaking? Call the ‘trusted name in the plumbing industry’ Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas

The Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas team have the correct tools and equipment to repair your leaking toilet.

It is important that you have a licensed plumber like the Mainline team who can correctly diagnose issues and offer full services on all toilet cisterns across all the major brands.

Call the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas for all your Bunbury and surrounding area plumbing needs on 9791 1608 today.