How to Turn Off Your Water in 4 Easy Steps

How to Turn Off Your Water in 4 Easy Steps

A leaking water pipe, if not closed off quickly can be a serious problem at home or in your office. Knowing where the control valves are in a building and which one to turn off can be the difference between changing a leaking pipe and changing a whole more than that.

Depending on the way a structure was built, various control valves can be found in different spots in and around the building. As a general rule, every water supply point is fitted with a control valve for easy maintenance, but the occasional pipe leak (or leaks) may require shutting off a whole floor to trace. It is important to know where the major valves are located, and where the main supply valve is.

Find the Main Valve

The main valve that supplies water may be in your basement; on a wall outside the house or in a sunken pipe in the ground somewhere around the premises. Alternatively, you may find it next to the water meter at your house. Wherever it may be, finding it is important.

We recommend locating where your house/office main valve is before you have an emergency on your hands. You can also be prepared with the right tools just in case your valve is one of the older models. Water leakages are such that you may find water in another area different from where the leaking pipe may be located. You can always cut supply to the house and begin tracing before your house or office gets flooded, and you incur thousands of dollars in damages. 

Carry the Right Tools

To close an older model valve, be sure to carry your pipe wrench along. Some other valves require a different tool, so be prepared. This is another reason why we recommend knowing where your main water supply valve is ahead of time.

Closing the water supply

Valves seldom get turned barring unforeseen circumstances, especially major valves. It is important to apply minimal force when turning any valve. A broken valve will compound the problem that needs to be solved. Where your valve requires a half turn, do so gently so as not to break the lever. Although shut-off valves come with a stop to avoid breaking them, excessive force can damage them. Lever valves are open when the lever is aligned with the pipe, but a simple 90-degree turn is enough to shut the water off. 

Confirm That the Water Has Stopped Running

Sometimes the main valve has stopped working and we do not realize it. Always make sure that the water is turned off completely. Usually, when the valve is closed, the remaining water in the pipes continues to run until the last drop. Always turn off your water heater even when fixing the cold water pipe to prevent you or your plumber getting burnt while working and protect your heater from getting spoilt. 

One reason why this is done is that there have been occasions where the water appeared to stop but continued to flow because of a leakage in the valve stop.

Having issues with your water and need a professional plumbers help? Call us at 02 9158 6549 and we will quickly sort out your problem. 

How Frequently Should I Clean My Drains? Plumbing Advice

Drains are an important part of building structures. We wash the food we cook; we clean up the dishes; we wash ourselves up and expel most forms of liquid waste this way. They are only useful to us unclogged. Tiny lumps of soap, strands of hair, and every other thing that is washed in your tub or sink accumulate tiny particles that block your drains over time.

First water gets drained slowly, and eventually, nothing flows into your drain pipes anymore. This is frustrating as leakages often follow a blockade as one tries to figure out where the lump is located in your pipes. The reasonable option is to schedule a cleaning check to avoid partial or total blockage.

How Frequently Should I Clean My Drains?

An offline or online search would reveal a retinue of opinions on the subject that we are wont to believe should be a simple decision. Opinions are contradictory with some saying cleaning your drains weekly, monthly, or quarterly is good enough. We recommend scheduling a monthly clean out of your drains.

The responsibility of cleaning your drains must be spread apart well enough to not be boring and monotonous but not too far apart to defeat the aim-to clean your drains before they get clogged. We all have that one thing which we believed we would commit to weekly, and after all, was said and done; it became a pain, rather than an activity to look forward to. Weekly drains clean out would become an activity we intentionally skip or associate with displeasure.

The option of cleaning your drain quarterly does not cut it, as well. You are posed with the opposite problem: cleaning appointments are so far between that you forget to do it. Months turn into years and you find yourself struggling to get it done. More so, you might not even remember to clear your schedule to have free time for cleaning your drains, until everything gets blocked and the water is not getting out quickly enough for you.

These two scenarios pose a challenge that you must be aware of in creating a timetable for cleaning. Prioritize cleaning our drains to prevent coming up with blocked drains which could cost you a lot more in plumber fees. Tracing where a clog is lodged in the pipes is not something you want to spend your productive hours on, not to mention the inconvenience of not being able to use the system until the problem is solved.

Pick the monthly option

Choosing to go with a monthly cleaning program for your drain pipes is perfect as it does not become a burdensome chore you always have to look forward to with displeasure. It allows you to prepare ahead for whatever materials you need to get the job done. You can easily source for vinegar or baking soda and get water boiled to help soften accumulating lumps. Once you mark your calendar and prepare and do it, continuing becomes easier and you get to save yourself money and time.

Need help with your drain cleaning? Just give us a call at 02 9158 6549 and we will provide an affordable solution for your problem. You can trust our plumbing solutions.

How to Get Rid of Musty Bathroom Smell

How to Get Rid of Musty Bathroom Smell

Does your bathroom smell musty? Is the mustiness becoming more frequent? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you how to deal with this problem. Bathrooms are naturally warm and humid, making them the right environment for the growth of mold and mildew. However, if you’ve been getting that musty smell a bit more frequently these days, then it could be something more serious than the steam from your shower.

Why is my Bathroom Musty?

A lot of water is used in bathrooms, particularly hot water, which creates an environment that is always humid. Clearing the air and keeping things dry can be a challenge, so a musty smell could indicate the presence of a mold-causing fungus.

What about Mold?

Typically, mold grows inside cabinets and behind walls, but it can be so sneaky that it will grow in shower curtain folds, behind picture frames, mirrors, or towels. It can also build up on your paint or tile grout, inside fans and light fixtures, and around your toilets, faucets, and bathtub.

Mold smells bad, and it can be dangerous to your health, and the health and well-being of your family. When exposed to mold, you can get a runny nose, headaches, fatigue, aching sinuses, nosebleeds, nausea, and respiratory issues. This problem goes beyond visible mold; mold spores can separate and become airborne when unsettled. When this happens, apart from spreading to other parts of your home, it can also worsen your mold-related health problems.

What Can I Do If My Bathroom Smells Musty?

If your bathroom smells musty, you would have to take action as the smell won’t improve on its own. It might even worsen. However, there are some steps you can take to make things better;

Improve ventilation – better ventilation can help to dry out your bathroom after baths and showers. This can lessen humidity and prevent mold growth.

Keep Your Bathroom Clean – cleaning your bathroom regularly ensures your bathroom smells good all the time while getting rid of mold-causing fungus thereby making it more difficult for mold to grow.

Use The Right Cleaning Products – cleaning your bathroom with the right products is just as important as washing your hands properly after visiting the bathroom.

Mop Shower Walls – after taking your shower, use a squeegee on your shower walls to dry out excess water and reduce humidity.

Use the Fan – getting the bathroom all steamy and warm while you shower or bathe is always tempting. However, to reduce the chances of mold growing, it’s best to run the fan all through and immediately after a shower or bath.

Call your local Campbelltown Plumber

If you are struggling with a musty smell and nothing seems to be helping.

Feel free to call us for all your plumbing needs.

You can reach us at 02 9158 6549 for a free quote.

How to Repair a Stripped Faucet Handle in less than 10 Minutes

How to Repair a Stripped Faucet Handle

Your faucet is subject to wear and tear from regular use either in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else. The cartridge and faucet stem bear the brunt of these turning motions as you open and close your faucet during use. The combined work of the cartridge, attached to the handle is how water supply is discontinued or sustained in your living space. 

If your faucet feels loose and spins continuously when turned, you do not need to worry; a faulty faucet stem is most likely the source of the problem. With $20, a pipe wrench, and a few screwdrivers, you can do the job of getting your faulty faucet good as new in no time, all without hiring the services of a plumber. In just five clear-cut steps, we outline how you can be done fixing your two-handled faucet in barely ten minutes.

Shut off the water supply

Before you begin any work, find the control valve supplying the faulty faucet you want to fix. You can start by checking the cupboard below the faucet (if you have one below it) and trace the pipe until you find the valve. For your bathtub, you will find the valve outside the house where the pipe enters the bathroom. If you are having difficulty finding the valve, just go for the house main valve and close it.

A few tiny screws may fall into your tub/sink so we advise covering your drain pipe before you begin to unscrew the faucet.

  • Remove cover plates and unscrew faucet handles

Remove the cover plates using a flat screwdriver. A cover plate protects the screws from excessive moisture. Next, you unscrew the faucet cartridge. Use a flathead or Phillips-screw driver for screws of the same type to prevent the screw from wearing out, and preserving it for future use. You could be faced with an Allen screw also, depending on the faucet model, so you might want to keep an Allen key handy. Once you are done unscrewing, removing the handles with your hands should be relatively easy.

  • Loosen the locking nut

The more common faucet models give you access to the locking nut, after unscrewing the faucet handles. On the top of the cartridge, there is a small brass screw. Remove this and keep safe because your replacement cartridge does not always come with a new brass screw. Next, you use your pipe wrench to loosen the locking nut.

  • Take out the faucet cartridge

Once you have loosened the locking nut that fastens the cartridge to the rest of the faucet, you can remove the faucet. Many months of being in place mean the cartridge may not bulge even after the locking nut is removed. You can use your pliers to remove the cartridge and take along with you to the hardware store to make sure you get the right one.

  • Couple the faucet

When you get the right cartridge, you can reverse the order in which you uncoupled the faucet, paying attention to use the right screw in the right position. As long as the replacement is not defective, your faucet will be back to normal.

Ensure you fasten the screws and nuts securely or you might have to work on the faucet shortly. 

There you are. All done!

Need help from a professional plumber?

Rest easy knowing that a professional plumber will take care of the hard stuff.

Call us at: 02 9158 6549 to receive a quote.

Why You Need to Call a Plumber in Campbelltown

Why you should call your local Campbelltown Plumber

Life is always throwing up challenges, especially when it comes to our finances and our emotions. At one time or the other, we’ve all been in that situation where we have a problem around the house and we think it’s best to go the DIY route and try to fix it ourselves. At least that should save us some money, is what we think. Well, more often than not, we end up making the situation worse. Then we become worried and upset.

And if you’re in a position where you’re responsible for other people’s safety and well-being, then you’d always try your best to sort out the problems. But this time, you’d have to reach out to the professionals.

That is where Campbelltown plumbing contractors come in. They are the experts at sorting out your problems, no matter how bad. They endeavor to get the job done the first time, using the most efficient and cost-effective methods possible.

How do they do it?

This local plumbing contractor can help you avoid emotional and financial worries in so many ways, here are a few of them.

  1. They are financially resourceful

If it was just a simple fix where you’d need just your liquid de-clogging agent or a plunger, then that’s right up your street. However, if it’s a serious plumbing problem, you would need to call in the experts.

Imagine coming home from work one day to discover that the numbers on your water bill are astronomical. The very likely cause here would be a busted water pipe. It would require a licensed plumbing contractor with the right skillset to sort out your pipes.

So, to stop your water from wasting any further and you racking up those huge bills, your best bet is to call a plumbing contractor.

  1. They are well-trained

Plumbing professionals need to remain licensed and certified so they can work. And they can only do this through constant training to ensure their licenses and certificates are up to date.

Largely, this would involve training in the most efficient and latest techniques for residential, commercial, and municipal plumbing. So, on the whole, the training is well-rounded and it equips them to handle all types of plumbing repairs or issues.

  1. They provide alternatives

If you want your emotional peace of mind back, then use a plumbing contractor. Because they have undergone the necessary training and hold the right certifications, they know a lot more about the latest innovations, as well as the most efficient trends and techniques to fix your plumbing issues.

They also have the right tools required to fix all sorts of plumbing issues. This is a good thing because if you decide to go the DIY route, you would have to buy a plumbing tool or fixture that may not work or that you probably won’t need again.

 

Need help sorting out your plumbing issues? We will be glad to help you just call us at: 02 9158 6549.

 

 

Learn How to Save Money for These 4 Plumbing Emergencies

Learn How to Save Money for These 4 Plumbing Emergencies

There’s a phrase that goes like this: when life gives you lemons, make lemonades. But what happens when life throws everything including the kitchen sink at you? Well, that would be a plumbing emergency.

These things are inevitable and they can happen unexpectedly, no matter how hard we try. So, if you live in Campbelltown, you should be saving up for these 4 plumbing emergencies.

  1. Leaks

With leaks, the major signs to look for are dripping sounds, rust growth, mold, and a sharp rise in your water bill.

Leaks are more common to toilets, faucets, washing machine hoses, and water heaters. They are usually caused by weak, old, and rusting pipes.

*Tip: If it’s a leaking water heater valve, that’s simple and quick to fix. However, if it’s the whole water heater unit, you may likely have to get a new unit which can be a bit tricky and expensive.

  1. Clogs

Your drains can become clogged in different ways; toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks. When your draining appliances start slowing down, it’s an early warning sign that you’re getting close to an eventual total clog which will completely stop the water flow and prevent you from carrying out your daily activities.

Other early warning signs of a toilet that’s clogging up are odd or running sounds as well as difficulty in flushing. When there’s an accumulation of hair and soap scum, your bathtub or shower drains start to clog up, leaving you up to your ankles in stagnant shower water.

*Tip: Get in touch with a professional plumbing service for a routine hydro-jetting which reduces hair buildup, soap scum, and other clogs.

  1. Hot Waterless

Nobody likes cold showers. Especially not for your daily hygiene routine. If you’re in a situation where you’re showering or washing dishes with cold water because of a malfunctioning hot water system, you might be dealing with electrical issues, plumbing leaks, or sometimes a negligent utility company.

*Tip: Get in touch with a professional plumber who knows what they’re doing to find out the exact reason why you’re not getting hot water.

  1. Damaged Pipes

A busted or broken water pipe is usually caused by tree roots, a poorly finished construction work, or earthquakes.

If you suspect you might have a broken pipe, you should check for some common signs like soggy or saturated spots on your lawn, and low water pressure.

*Tip: If you have a busted pipe, then you might have to replace it. Heavy excavation work may also be required, depending on the location. However, with trenchless technology, you can replace your pipes without having to pay for extra expenses.

Need help from a qualified plumber?

If you need assistance with your plumbing issues be sure to call us at 02 9158 6549. It doesn’t matter how big or small the job is we will get it sorted.

Quick Fixes for 3 Common Sink Problems

Sink Problem Fixes – Advice from a Campbelltown Plumber

Leaky faucets and clogged drains can be big problems, and it doesn’t matter if it’s your kitchen or bathroom sink.

Bathroom, kitchen, and laundry sinks get clogged for different reasons, including;

  • Hair
  • Lint
  • Soap scum
  • Food
  • Cooking oils and grease

There are a lot of articles that teach you how to unclog a sink, but rarely will you find an article that talks about causes of the common sink problems and how to fix them.

Here are the 3 most usual sink issues and what you can do to fix them

  1. Clogged drain fix

Sinks in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room are susceptible to sewage and clogging issues because they are exposed to different types of debris. There are various ways through which you can unclog your clogged drain, for instance, you can get a professional to hydro-jet your sink, or you could use chemical unclogging agents.

Moreover, you can whip out the old trusty plunger and try to unclog the sink manually, although using a drain cleaner might help to loosen the clogged substances.

  1. Broken Garbage Disposal fix

A clogged kitchen sink might be caused by a broken or faulty garbage disposal. There is an easy method you can use to try and fix this. Simply do a reset by pushing the red button under the disposal and it should be back working.

However, there may be something more serious going on, especially if the garbage disposal is still not functioning optimally. You would need to contact a professional plumber so they can come and look at things with an experienced eye or do a video inspection to get to the core of the problem.

  1. Leaky faucet fix

It’s easy to miss leaky faucets. They either go unnoticed, or they are misdiagnosed as something else. How can you find out if your faucet is leaking without needing to call a plumber?

If it’s a situation where sediments build up, you can check the aerator – the water outlet – by unscrewing it.

If you need help with identifying or solving your usual sink problems, get in touch with our pipes and faucets specialists today.

 

Call us at:  02 9158 6549

Factors you should consider before repairing or replacing your water heater

Factors you should consider before repairing or replacing your water heater.

When expensive home appliances, like the water heater, are not working correctly, we may face a dilemma whether to repair it or get a new one. While it costs a lot of money to get a new appliance, repairs can also dig a big hole in your pocket. This article focusses on factors you should consider before you decide to repair your water heater or choose to buy a new one.

Repairing the Water Heater:

There can be several reasons your water heater may not be working as expected. The simple problems as the burner or the heating unit not working correctly can be resolved for a low cost. If the problem is not severe, you can look into it with proper precautions, or call the expert to take care of it. In both cases, resolving the problem at the earliest will save you from the repercussions. Here is a list of water heater issues that can be solved without spending a lot of money and repairing the water heater is the best option.

  • The Circuit is broken
  • Unit Thermostat is damaged
  • Stuck water valve sticks
  • Pilot lights are not working

Buying a new Water Heater:

Complicated problems, such as the rust, resulting in corrosion and leaks, cannot be brushed off with repairs and may need replacing the unit altogether. Here is a list of issues where buying a new water heater is the best alternative.

  • A very old, damaged water heater can use a lot of energy resulting in increased electricity bills. Buying a new, energy-efficient water heater instead of repairing the old one is the best option here. 
  • A leak in the tank because of corrosion is another reason you might want to replace your water heater. Leaks are caused because of other internal issues as well and may not be solved easily. Leaks, if not fixed immediately can damage other parts of your house, increasing the expenses.
  • While repairing the water heater you also need to consider costs of other factors like the location and size of the heater, fixing nearby plumbing, drainage system, and the venting system. Sometimes, getting a new unit can be more feasible than spending a lot of amount on insignificant fixes.
  • Another reason to upgrade your water heater is the gallon size of the tank. Your family might need a bigger tank when new family members are added; using a small tank for a long duration may not be beneficial. It can be the opposite case as well, instead of wasting a lot of energy on a big tank; you can replace it with a smaller and economical one.

Switching to energy-efficient units, solar water heaters may be expensive at first, but they can help in paying off the initial cost by saving energy in the long term.

Easy tips to extend the life of the water heater:

Some situations may need you to face the dilemma of repair or replace your water heater, but using these tips, you can help the unit to last longer.

1) Maintenance flush: 

Over time, a thick layer of sediment settles down at the bottom of the water heater, especially if the water is hard. It can cause a lot of damage and result in extra effort to heat the water. It can also corrode the walls of the tank leading to leaks. Draining out the water from the tank regularly can flush out the sediment. The anode rod can wear out because of a lot of sediment accumulated over it. Inspecting the anode rod regularly and replacing it every 2-5 years can increase the life of your water heater.

Installing water softeners can reduce the mineral content of water, reducing the sediment build-up.

2) The pressure value: The T&P or TPR value helps to maintain the correct pressure in the water heater. This value opens up if there is too much water pressure, preventing dangerous explosions and damage to the water heater. The sediment build-up can lead to malfunctioning of the pressure valve. Checking the value regularly can prevent damage to the water tank.

3) Maintenance checks: Schedule regular maintenance checks to monitor leaks and other issues. Even smaller leaks can result in flooding basement or damaging household things that are closer to the water heater. Small leaks can be fixed at an early stage, but if ignored you might need to replace the entire unit.

Get help from your local Campbelltown Plumber

Sometimes to make the right decision you are going to need some help from a professional. If you are still feeling stuck call us(your local plumbers)  at 02 9158 6549 for a free quote. We will get your water heater back in action or advise you on getting a new one.

Top 5 Toilet Issues From a Campbelltown Plumber

Top 5 Toilet Issues From a Campbelltown Plumber

Here are some common toilet problems that a lot of people experience and what your local plumber in Campbelltown would do about the issues. 

Overflowing toilets

We all hate that feeling that we get once the water from our toilet starts to rise from it. You should try to turn off the water supply for your toilet, look behind your toilet, and you will see a copper tubing. If you think that your toilet is clogged, remember to not flush the toilet. 

Once you try to flush the toilet when it is clogged, water will just add up until it overflows the whole toilet. You should remove the top of the toilet’s tank; you will be able to see the flapper from deep within the tank. Once you have located where the flapper is, push it down. 

Water won’t be released anymore, and when it can’t, now is the time that you start to plunge or snake so that you can clear the clog. If it doesn’t work, grab some type of dish soap and pour some onto the toilet and let it stay there for a bit. It can help you in breaking the clog, then repeat to plunge. 

If neither of those worked, something much more serious happened, which will require an inspection from a Campbelltown plumber.

A running tank

This toilet issue is just annoying; they also waste the water and can cost you a lot more money than you can imagine. A solution for this is buying a new flapper and replacing it with the old one. For you to test it out, grab a stick and push down the flapper. 

Once you hear some water running, listen closely if the running water stops, if it does stop, the flapper that you have is not sealing that properly. Change it; you should also check the length of the fill tube and then cut some of it, so that is about 1 to 2 inches above your water line. 

Here is a Campbelltown plumbers tip: The flapper is very easy for you to replace, and a lot of assemblies come with some instructions that can help you. 

A bad water supply valve (a fill valve) 

There will be times that your water supply valve can go bad. Sometimes grit or sand can be the cause of the tank’s water inside keeps running. First of all, you should turn off the water supply then use something like a sponge so that you can mop the tank’s water. Instructions are simple, buy the new valve, attach the valve to the water supply and turn the water on. You should also check if there are some leaks so that there will be no more problems for you. 

A partial flush

Flapper valve can be saturated and dropping too fast. Carefully inspect flapper when flushing. It should be able to stay up until almost all of the water has been drained, if it drops faster than usual, you should get yourself a new flapper. 

A sluggish flush

This can mean plenty of things. There could be a clog, or the obstruction may be deeper in your pipes. Get a 5 gallon of water and then dump it to your toilet with minimum splashing. If it is more vigorous, it’s not a clog. When the water backs up into the toilet bowl, that is a clog, and you won’t need to worry about a more serious issue. You may call your local Campbelltown plumbers (AKA us)  when there is a problem. We are very fast, affordable, and will solve your toilet issues in no time.  


Call us at: 02 9158 6549 for a free quote.

4 Reasons to get a Plumber to do your drain cleaning

Why drain cleaning by a plumber is crucial

In this article we will discuss why you should trust a plumber to do your drain cleaning.

Many homeowners have a blind spot when it comes to their plumbing maintenance. From our experience it this blind spot tends to come in their home’s drains.

Most homeowners unfortunately do not give much thought to their drainpipes until something goes amiss. When the inevitable happens, you need to have a professional and effective plumber ready to help identify and correct the issue promptly.

Having your drains professionally cleaned periodically is an excellent investment for your home.

To help highlight the importance of this our Campbelltown Plumbing team has taken the time to compile a short list of the benefits of getting a plumber to do the work for you.

4. Faster drainage around the house

The first benefit of having your drains professionally cleaned and unclogged is the noticeable difference in how fast your drains will be able to remove water.

You will no longer have to sit there waiting for the still water to slowly go down the drain. You have things to do so stop wasting your time.

Clean drains benefit all areas of the home, your sinks and tubs will all drain water quickly and effectively.

A clogged drain can quickly become a safety hazard through overflowing water which can get on the ground. It’s much better to take care of this quickly.

3. Prevent leaking pipes

With time the buildup of chemical deposits in your drain lines can cause some serious structural issues. The drain can corrode and weaken! This can ultimately lead to burst pipes which are no fun.

Having your drain lines cleaned by your local campbelltown plumber can help mitigate the damage.

This will prevent these leaks from occurring and wreaking havoc on your wonderful home. 

Through our cleaning we can help remove corrosion from your drain as well as the chemical residue that leads to the issue in the first place.

This service will give you peace of mind as you won’t have to stress about leaking pipes and other issues down the road.

2. No more bad smells from drains

What’s that smell?

No, it’s not the toilet that hasn’t been cleaned properly! It’s actually your drain.

The drain lines in your home can carry water that smells foul due to the bacteria, chemicals and a range of other contaminants.

If the drain lines start to leak water or backup that disgusting water can lead to some seriously terrible odours in your home. You don’t want that to happen! What will the visitors think?

To make things worse, the smell can stay in your home if you choose to ignore the issue. Trust us and get a local plumber to do your drain cleaning.

Make your house a home by removing the bad odour that’s coming out of your drainage.

1. Prevent Damage to Your Home

A terrible side effect of having backflow from a messed-up drain is that it can cause damage to your property.

The spills that arise can lead to water damage. To make things worse water damage caused by a drain full of wastewater is far more destructive than damage done by clean water (which is bad enough by itself).

This drain water often come pre-loaded with chemicals and bacteria which leads to serious discoloration of walls and flooring.

If you have ever had a room flooded in your house you would know that this issue is incredibly costly.

It’s far better to get a plumber to help prevent this damage by cleaning your drains for you.

Let us help you

Are you having issues with your drains?

Call us at: 02 9158 6549 and we will promptly fix your drains.