3 Plumbing Checks to Perform Before Christmas Visitors Arrive

The holiday season is here at last, with family and friends gathering for Christmas celebrations around Bunbury and the South West.

If you are hosting extra visitors in your home over the holiday season, you want to be sure that your plumbing can cope. Toilets, bathrooms and other areas in your home can all have issues if not checked regularly, and you don’t want to have any problems on the day of your get-togethers. Here are 3 handy christmas plumbing tips to make sure that you have everything in working order for the holidays, courtesy of Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas;

Clear Blocked Drains
Inspect Toilets for Issues
Ensure Hot Water Systems are in Good Working Order

Clear Blocked Drains

While a necessary task, we don’t often think about clearing our drains when they get blocked. This is a common christmas plumbing issue that many people face, but it can become an unpleasant issue when guests arrive. Clearing drains can sometimes be done yourself using a variety of ways. However, if the drain is significantly blocked by something that is causing more problems or you need to clean sewage or drain blockages, the best thing to do is call a plumbing expert to fix the issue.

Inspect Toilets for Issues

Over the holiday period your toilet might be getting used more than normal therefore any issues with a toilet should be solved sooner rather than later. Keep an eye out for any leaks. A leaking toilet may have symptoms such as sewerage odours or constant noise coming from the toilet, even when not in use. You may also want to have a closer look at your water bills to see if there are higher costs than usual.

Leaving a leaking or otherwise damaged toilet alone can become a costly and unpleasant expense therefore if you suspect that there are issues with your plumbing, contacting a plumber to investigate should be your next option.

Ensure Hot Water Systems are in Good Working Order

Hot water is considered an essential by most households, especially when having visitors.

Holiday guests will probably be using your shower and bathing facilities if they are staying over, so checking the plumbing in your bathrooms is a good way to prepare for the season. Check that hot water is flowing from your taps when you turn them on – if you are getting only cold water, that is a sign that your hot water system is out of order.

Small leaks from your hot water system are normal. However, an excessive amount of water leaking from your hot water system may suggest that there is a bigger issue at hand.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are Your Local Experts in All Areas of Plumbing in Bunbury and the South West.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local choice in plumbing and can assist you during the holiday season with any christmas plumbing or hot water issues that may arise. If you need any help with your drains, toilets, pipes or hot water, get in touch with the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas. We offer a 24/7 service in plumbing emergencies.

Call the team on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) today for a free quote.

Why Is Water Pooling Around My Toilet?

While there are many common plumbing issues that can occur in and around your home, plumbing issues with toilets definitely keep our Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas team busy. It isn’t normal for water to leak anywhere from a toilet, its base or its cistern. If you notice water on the toilet floor or a wet toilet mat, a leak it the likely culprit.

At the first sign of water pooling around your toilet, prioritise calling a plumbing professional who will locate and repair the leak to fix the issue. While water pooling around your toilet is one way to know your toilet needs plumbing attention, read below for some other warning signs of a leaking toilet including:

Your water usage is higher than normal
You can hear running water when near your toilet
There is an unpleasant sewerage smell

Your water usage is higher than normal

Water usage hence water charges can fluctuate, especially during summer with many of us watering our gardens. However, if you aren’t using more water in your home but your water bills have increased it can indicate a toilet leak. While some toilet leaks are easy to hear and see, others are hidden hence a higher-than-normal water bill may be your first indication of a leaking toilet.

You can hear running water when near your toilet

It takes about 30 seconds after flushing your toilet for all sound to shut off. If you can hear running water when near your toilet after this time or continually, then a leak is possible. Sounds in the home can be drowned out by other noises so if you suspect an issue, it’s a good idea to make the house quiet then listen carefully to see if you can hear a noise.

There is an unpleasant sewerage smell

The smell of sewerage is unpleasant and will not go un-noticed. The smell of sewage normally means a plumbing problem and can be caused by leaks in pipes around your toilet or your toilet bowl itself. Call a plumber at the first trace of a sewerage smell. A professional will ensure yours and your family safety plus repair the issue so your home will return to smelling pleasant again.

Water pooling around your toilet? Call the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas for all your leaking toilet repairs in Bunbury and surrounding areas of the South West

The team at Mainline Plumbing & Cheap Hot Water & Gas pride themselves on offering a friendly, reliable and professional service to Bunbury and the South West. If your toilet is showing signs of a leak or you have any plumbing issues, call the team for expert advice on 9791 1608.

Why Is the Water Running from My Taps Brown?

Free flowing water from taps in our home is used for many purposes including drinking, laundry and bathing. If you turn on taps to discover the water is discoloured, it is understandable to be concerned. Brown water may be a temporary issue that is quickly resolved however it can also indicate a plumbing problem.

Read on to learn what plumbing problems can cause the water from your taps to be brown including:

Your Hot Water System Needs Repairing or Replacing
Your Water Pipes Need Repairing or Replacing
Issue with the Mains Water Supply

Your Hot Water System Needs Repairing or Replacing

Your hot water system can be the culprit of brown water. A simple test to do is turn on a cold tap only and check the water colour then do the same with the hot tap. If only the water running from the hot tap is brown it is a good indicator of a hot water system issue. Call a hot water plumbing professional to do an inspection and advise if the issue can be repaired or your hot water system needs replacing.

Your Water Pipes Need Repairing or Replacing

An issue with your water pipes can cause water to be brown. If you notice the water is brown when you first turn on a tap but after a minute or two it become clear, this could mean the pipes have corroded. The rust that has built up is flushed out when turning on your taps causing water to brown. Have a plumber inspect your pipes and advise the best action.

Issue with the Mains Water Supply

If you notice the water is consistently brown from all taps in your home it could indicate an issue with the mains water supply. Check with your neighbours if they too are experiencing the same and if it is a communal issue then report it to the water corporation to investigate.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water 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 and surrounding areas through the South West.

For all your plumbing, gas and hot water needs speak to the team today on 9791 1608.

Winter Storms and Your Household Plumbing

Drops of rain The storm season is upon us and it’s not only the residents of the South West that can get a little overwhelmed with the excessive water and deluge that big thunderstorms can bring. You may think your indoor plumbing is safely hidden away behind the walls of your home when heavy rains hit, but the outdoor drainage system can cop a beating; effectively building up with water and back washing into the household pipes.

Whilst usually a rare occurrence, it pays to have your drains, plumbing pipes and sewage/septics inspected and maintained by a professional to avoid messy, and costly, problems inside due to the weather outside.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas always go the extra mile when it comes to their customers throughout the South West. As the premier local choice for all things plumbing, gas and hot water, their qualified tradesmen are available 24/7, with no emergency call out fees, and their years of experience means you get an expert who has seen it all, everytime.

It’s important to check your drainage system during winter storms, including:

ORG’s (Overflow Relief Gully’s)
Underground Pipes
Internal Backwash

ORGS’s

ORG-photo The outdoor wells that pop up outside wet areas of your home are notorious for attracting sand, rock, leaf and children’s toy build-up that clogs the relief gully and leads to pipe blockage. These blockages can be huge and extend for a length of pipe or just the bit that you can see when you peer into the ORG. These need to be clear to allow for water pressure to be released and excess water to drain away.

Underground Pipes

Not as easy to inspect as ORG’s or internal plumbing, underground pipes will experience a huge amount of increased pressure due to the weight of the heavy (now wet) soil around them. When the rain dries up, keep an eye out for signs of a broken or leaking pipe, as these are quite common after heavy rains not only leave the ground heavy, but can also shift pipes around when the water softens the soil.

Internal Backwash

If your sinks, tubs, showers and toilets aren’t draining properly after, or during, a heavy storm, chances are there is a build-up of sediment, or water, in the pipe. Water can be entering your pipes through the drains outside and is the volume of water falling is exceeding that which is pushing out, you’ll end up with an overload.

Who Can Assist Me With Making Sure My Pipes Are Storm Ready?

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are the local’s choice to make sure your plumbing is storm ready. For everything from emergencies to simple routine inspections, the team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas will ensure your job is completed efficiently, affordably and professionally every time. Call 9791 1608 (Bunbury) and 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) today.

3 Common Causes of a Blocked 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

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

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.

What Not to Flush Down a Toilet

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 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 Does My Toilet Keep Blocking?

A blocked toilet is one of the most common household plumbing issues. If your toilet keeps blocking and you are at a loss as to why, it can be surprising to learn the cause. A blocked toilet is a problem that needs to be inspected and repaired. If your toilet keeps blocking, it’s time to call the team from Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas.

The Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas team can help find the cause of your blocked toilet. Common causes include:

Age
Foreign Objects
Sewerage Issues

Age

If your toilet continues to block and you have ruled out all the other possible reasons why, it may be time to replace it with a more up to date model. Many older toilets are first generation low flow toilets and don’t have enough pressure when flushed to effectively clear their drain and trap. As a result, despite doing everything right they still regularly become blocked.

Foreign Objects

Toilets are designed to only flush toilet paper. Why? Toilet paper is made to dissolve quickly in water. Any other object, even if it says it’s flushable, should not be flushed down toilets. Recurring blocked toilets in a home can simply be as foreign objects unknowingly continue to be flushed. Items such as tissues, paper towel, cotton tips, flushable wipes, food scraps, cooking oils and chemicals should not be flushed down a toilet. It is important to ensure all your family understands this too. Children are fascinated with flushing items down the toilet. If you have an inquisitive child in your home, keeping the toilet lid shut and toilet door shut is a good idea.

Sewerage Issues

If several toilets in your home or workplace continue to block or you have blocked drains plus a blocked toilet, a sewerage issue may be the culprit. Main sewer lines can become blocked due to a build up of waste, foreign objects or even tree roots in the main drain and sewer lines.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water are your local toilet 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.

Mainline have the correct tools and equipment to clear and repair blocked toilets. If you want to get to resolve your blocked toilet issues, they are ‘the trusted name in the plumbing industry’.

Contact the team today in Bunbury on Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton/Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

My Water Pressure is Low – What Do I Do?

Water is a precious resource many take for granted and it’s often only when there is an issue we realise how dependable on it we actually are. Low water pressure is an issue most homeowners face at some stage. Daily activities like showering and watering the garden become frustrating and time consuming, leaving homeowners frustrated until the issue’s resolved.

There are many culprits when it comes to the cause of low water pressure. No matter the reason, it’s an issue best left to the professionals at Mainline Plumbing Cheap Hot Water and Gas to investigate and repair.

3 of the most common causes of low water pressure include:

A Build Up In Pipes
Plumbing Leaks
Corrosion

A Build Up In Pipes

A fractured water main can cause sand and dirt to freely enter your homes piping causing water pressure issues. Even without a fracture, minerals naturally found in water, build up and leave deposits as water flows through pipes. It only takes a small amount of sediment to cause a blockage. Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have the correct equipment and tools to manoeuvre deep down into pipes to investigate and clear blockages, allowing water to freely flow again.

Plumbing Leaks

A costly water bill and low water pressure are good indicators there is a plumbing leak somewhere in your home. Some leaks are easier to detect than others. A leaking toilet can often be identified as the sound of water running can still be heard after the toilet has been flushed, while an outdoor leak is often visible by water pooling in a certain area.

To test for a plumbing leak, shut off your water supply and record your water metre reading. Come back an hour later and see if the metre reading has changed. If the water usage has risen, there’s a good chance you have a plumbing leak and are in need of a plumber.

Corrosion

Plumbing piping is built to last with most homes getting more than 20 years out of their pipes. Despite this timeframe, corrosion still naturally occurs and begins to build up over time. Although each case is assessed individually, often replacing the pipes is the best solution.

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water – the trusted name in the plumbing industry

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 are fully equipped to investigate and repair all aspects of plumbing plus hot water and gas. Contact the team today in Bunbury on 9791 1608 or Busselton and Dunsborough on 9759 1317.

How Much Water Is a Leaking Tap Wasting?

While the sound of a dripping tap seems to echo through the house at night, there are more important reasons than it being annoying to have it repaired. Water is precious and saving water helps to preserve our environment. There are many small things we can all do to help save water in our homes, one of them being having leaking taps repaired.

Ever wondered just how much water a leaking tap is wasting? Read on to learn the amount of water a leaking tap can waste over periods of time including:

A day
A month
A Year

A day

A leaking tap which leaks 10 drips of water a minute may not seem serious. Right? Wrong! 10 drips of water a minute adds up to 600 drips an hour and 14,400 drips a day. That is the equivalent to about 3 litres of water.

A month

A dripping tap leaking 10 drops of water each minute, adds up to 90 litres or more over a month. How much water is 90 litres? To put it into perspective a running tap can use 10 litres of water per minute. Imagine turning on your shower or a tap and leaving it running for no reason for 9 whole minutes! The result, a big waste of water and a spike in your water usage.

A Year

The longer a leaking tap is left, the worse the leak can become. The worse the leak, the more times a tap drips each minute and the more precious water wasted. In some cases, a dripping tap that is left for a year can lose up to 20,000 litres of water. That is enough to fill a small pool.

Do you have leaking taps? Call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas

Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local experts when it comes to plumbing maintenance and repairs. They have the expertise, tools and equipment required to assess and repair your leaking taps and plumbing problems.

Call the team today on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) for trustworthy advice on all your plumbing needs and a FREE quote.

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