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Low Water Pressure! What Do I Do?

sink

There’s nothing worse than turning on a tap, shower or hose and getting nothing but a dribble. The strong burst of water that usually sprays from your water outlet is nothing compared to what it was. When your water flow has lost its volume and force, the likelihood of a problem laying deep within the pipes is pretty high.

No matter how big or small the plumbing problem may be, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your first point of call. With local, friendly service, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have been servicing the South West for over 3 decades and have the knowledge, equipment and expertise to assist you with all your water pressure issues.

The most common culprits when it comes to a drop in water pressure include:

  • Damaged Pipes or Water Meter
  • Hidden leaks
  • Mineral Build up

Damaged Pipes or Water Meter

If your drop in water pressure is sudden, it’s very likely that the issue is a damaged pipe or water meter. If you live in an older home, tree roots are often found invading water pipes and newer homes can suffer unintentional damage from construction equipment in developing neighbourhoods.

Water meter damage is unlikely but worth a look. Damage or blockage within the meter itself can cause a drop in pressure, but best off inspected by an expert.

Hidden Leaks

Burst Pipe

A serious problem that can lead to a myriad of other issues within the walls of your home is the internal burst or leaking pipe. Not only is it causing the drop in water pressure, it’s damaging the walls, electrics and supporting structures of your home. You can check for a leak yourself – record the number on your water meter, go out or do not use the water for a few hours and then check the number on the meter again.

If it has gone up significantly when no water has been used in the house, you know you have a leak – and this problem is one for the professionals. Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have equipment that quickly find where the problem lies and let you know what cause of action is needed.

Mineral Build up

A less serious problem but one that can turn into something nasty is mineral build up. In areas where the water is particularly ‘hard’, calcium and other chemicals that float around in the water can lodge in the pipe and cause a blockage. Home remedies and shop-bought products can be tipped down the drains to attempt to dislodge and/or dissolve the blockage, however if these don’t work, there may be extensive mineral or rust build up further down the pipes.

Who Can Help Me Get My Water Pressure Back?

Regardless of the reason for your drop in water pressure, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local experts to call. With no penalty rates or call out fees and availability 24/7 for emergencies throughout the South West, Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your affordable and reliable choice for all of your hot water, plumbing or gas needs, call 9791 1608 today.

What Are the Signs of a Failing Septic System?

Leech Drain - 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

Septic tank done

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

drain

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?

Leaks

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

burst pipework

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.

4 Ways to Know If Your Pipes Are Worn Out

Pipe repair

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.

Water pipe repair

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

Faucet

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.

Toilet

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.

How Can I Find Out Where My Sewer Lines Are?

Sewerage conversionThere 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 doneSome 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.

6 most common plumbing problems

Dripping TapThere are different sorts of plumbing requirements that will require assistance from minor taps dripping to gushing water out of burst pipes. It is a good practice to get small maintenance items fixed as soon as possible and ensure pipes and taps are not put under too much pressure causing more damage that could lead into leaks into walls cavities, floors and cupboards.

Signs of possible plumbing issues

  • Dripping Taps
  • Sinks not Draining
  • Blocked Toilet
  • Leaking Pipes
  • Sewer System Backed Up

Dripping Taps

This is one of the common plumbing issues that most people come across. Even though it might not seem too bad or look like it needs urgent attention the wastage of water over a period of time can certainly add up.

Sinks not draining

drainGenerally, sinks can get blocked in kitchens from food wastes and oil, bathrooms of the shower and bath drains with soap and hair. Placing a guard over drains in bathroom areas can certainly help to eliminate this problem.

Blocked Toilet

Toilets making gurgling noises when flushing and water rising slowly are generally a good indicator that something is blocking the flow through pipes and into sewerage systems.

Leaking Pipes

When leaking pipes happen, they can cause all sorts of damage to cupboards, furniture and floors that can eventually make it up walls. This is then subjected to dampness and mould.

Sewer System Backed up

Toilet ProblemsWhen the sewer starts to have problems there is no way to ignore the problem from the nasty stench that starts to flow through the breeze. Fixing the issue is finding where the location of the source is coming from. Blockages in sewer systems could be caused flushing the wrong contents eg. non disposable wipes.  Tree roots can also push through the pvc piping and cause a break or collapse.

Low Water Pressure

If you notice that the flow of your water isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, it could be from pipes leaking from corrosion or are worn and broken, commonly seen from older style of homes.

Need Assistance with A Plumbing Situation?

Home plumbing and maintenance is another fantastic service Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot water and Gas can assist you with giving a 24/7 emergency service. Contact the Team today at Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough 9759 1317.

Are you Having Trouble with your Sewerage?

Septic tank doneDepending on what kind of septic tank you have will depend on the maintenance that needs to be done.

Septic Systems of conventional or standard systems are underwater wastewater treatment systems used in rural or regional areas without a centralised sewer system.

If you are not sure what kind of septic system you have, contact your local council or shire and ask for your septic plans for the property, keep in mind there may be a fee charged for this and could take anywhere up to 10 days for retrieval. Another place to look would be your building plans of the house. Ask you neighbours they will probably know.

Signs You May Have a Malfunctioning Septic System?

  • Low Water Pressure
  • Smells
  • Find a Puddle, Pool Around the Septic System
  • Lush Green Growth

Low Water Pressure

If you are experiencing low water pressure or flow in your toilet system, first contact the water service in your area to check if work is being done. If this is not the case, there could be plumbing problem that will need the expertise of a qualified plumber to solve the problem.

Sewerage conversionSmells

If there is a foul odour coming from your drain field or septic tank this could be an indication of a blockage in the system, if you hear gurgling noises coming from areas in the home and a pungent smell, this could be harmful and will need to be given attention from a professional plumber to see where the problem is coming from.

Find a Puddle, Pool Around the Septic System

A pool of muddy water around the septic system especially in the dry seasons will be a sign that something isn’t flowing correctly through the septic system.

Lush Green Growth

Lush green growth around the drain fields, especially during the summer, is usually a good indication that the drain field is clogged and wastewater is not draining away like it should be.

Do You Suspect Your Septic System Needs Servicing?

For all your emergency and general plumbing needs contact the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas in Bunbury 9791 1608 or Busselton / Dunsborough 9759 1317.

Sewerage Conversion in Bunbury

Sewer conversionHas the time come for you to convert from septic to deep water sewerage and you are not sure who to call for all of your sewage conversion requirements? Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the trusted name in sewerage conversion, having converted hundreds of houses across the South West from older septic tanks, efficiently and compliant with local shire regulations. Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have been busy connecting properties to the Water Corporations deep sewerage system all year, providing environmentally aware, cost effective conversions and arranging connection and decommissioning existing septic tanks.

You need a licensed plumber to connect to the Water Corporation’s deep wastewater system and Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your skilled professionals that should be your first point of call.

So, what’s involved in starting the conversion process?

  • Call the Authorities
  • Be Informed
  • Call Mainline Plumbing

Call the Authorities

Are you already aware 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 whereas newer homes are generally connected to the deep sewerage automatically when the estate is built. To start the process, simply contact your Environmental Health Officer in your local shire to advise them that you wish to be connected to the sewerage system. If the system is available and runs through your area, they can advise you on the steps to take and whether you need to decommission your old tank.

Be Informed

SewerageMake sure you are informed as to what to expect when your property is connected to deep sewerage, including time frames, expected groundworks and possible temporary obstructions to your property. Groundworks are extensive, as pipes need to be laid within the ground to move the water to a pumping station, with smaller pipes branching off these bigger ones to every home on the deep sewerage system. Some disruption to water supply is inevitable and you can expect some garden modifications, dependent on where the pipes need to run to connect.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas pride themselves on being extremely professional and considerate when completing this work and endeavour to maintain as much of your garden and property’s integrity as possible.

Call Mainline Plumbing

Once you know you are able to connect to the deep sewerage and understand the process, your next call is to Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas too book your conversion at a time that is convenient for you.

Who Can help Me With Sewer Conversion in Bunbury?

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have been servicing the South West for over 3 decades and have the knowledge, equipment and expertise to assist you with all of your deep water sewerage conversion enquiries. Call the team on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) today to organise your free quote and get connected to the deep water sewage system.

Free Quotes

Call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas on 08 9791 1608 for a free quote
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