Vlog

Hot water systems are made to last anywhere from 6-15 years. Over this time, safety regulations have changed in both the plumbing and gas worlds.

There are a lot more items we need to check to make sure installations are compliant.

To most, in this picture, everything looks fine… but there are multiple non-compliance issues.

Before (Non Compliant Existing Hot Water System Installation)

We were recently requested to replace this unit and in doing so we needed to bring this install up to standard.

For the new unit we needed to install a heat trap, a tempering valve, an expansion control valve, 2 drains and a soak pit under each drain. We also needed to add a gas shut off valve.

For some units, there will be even more that needs to be done, like the addition of a concrete slab under the unit…

After (Compliant Installation)

This is what the pipework looks like after all the new standards have been applied to the new install.

 

Continue reading to find out what each one of these items does to protect your system and house…

Heat Traps

Heat traps are valves and or loops of pipe installed on the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes on hot water systems. They allow cold water to flow into the system, but prevent hot water from flowing out of the system back up the cold water pipes.

Read the technical note from the Plumbers Licensing Board (Heat Traps – p6)

Tempering Valves

A tempering valve ensures your hot water is at a safe temperature for personal hygiene use. A tempering valve has a temperature sensitive element which adjusts the level of cold water depending on the temperature of the water from the hot water system.

Regulations on safe water services are Australia-wide and fall under the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA). The water in a hot water storage system must be kept at a minimum of 60°C (AS3500.4.2 Clause 1.6) to prevent bacteria. The maximum temperature water can leave the tap is 50°C (AS3498) and a maximum of 45°C in institutions such as early childhood centres, schools, and nursing homes or other facilities where the young, sick, aged or disabled could be using hot water.

A tempering valve or other tempering device reduces your hot water temperature at the tap, to allow you to meet both Australian standards.

Tempering Valves should be replaced every 4 years. 

Expansion Control Valves

Expansion Control Valves limit the maximum pressure in a pressurised, unvented water heater system by relieving excess pressure to the drain line.

Expansion Control Valves should only be installed on the cold or inlet installation on a water heater as the valve is primarily intended to cope with the excess pressure generated during a normal heating cycle.

Expansion Control Valves are safety valves and should be replaced every 4 years.

Temperature/Pressure Relief Valves

Temperature & Pressure Relief Valves are safety controls which ensure that the temperature of the water in a pressurised unvented water heater cannot exceed 99° C in the event that the normal thermostatic controls fail.

These valves may be used to guard against overtemperature and over-pressure hazards wherever water is stored in unvented containers. This is a requirement of Australian Standard AS 3500-4.

Temperature & Pressure relief valves are safety valves and should be replaced every 4 years.

Gas Shut Off Valves (not shown above)

Allows the manual isolation of the gas flow in natural gas and LPG systems. In the open position (gas is flowing) the handle (lever) will be parallel with the pipe, when it is closed (gas not flowing) the handle (lever) will be perpendicular to the pipe.

Soak Pits

Required so that the release of steam or hot water is controlled and does not cause a nuisance, is readily noticeable and will not cause damage to buildings or injury to persons.

Some units will require two pits to be installed and they should have gravel placed in the bottom. One pit for the Expansion Valve and one for the Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve.

Gas Pressure Tests

As replacing a hot water system involves touching the gas lines, a gas pressure test will need to be carried out to ensure that the system and pipework is gas-tight.

After your system has been replaced

Your hot water system should be serviced every two years to make sure it continues working efficiently.
Read our post about anodes to learn more about how a storage hot water system works.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give Plumbdog Perth a call – 1300 884 146

• Plumbdog can you help me!?!? I think I have a water leak…
• High water bills are a classic clue to a water leak but some leaks are bigger than others
• Water leak detection is one of our specialties. We’re happy to get our paws dirty digging!
• We also have all the gear and every idea. Advanced leak detection equipment helps us efficiently detect the problem area. 
• Check out more of our VLOGs & don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

You will see in this video how one of our licensed plumbers’ top dog Richard was able to examine, probe, and resolve what our client believed to be a water leak issue.

Help! . . . Plumbdog To The Rescue

Richard was sent to inspect and check a commercial property line in Bibra Lake due to the enormous water bill that they have just received.  Instead of the usual $800 it skyrocketed to $8,000!  You can already imagine the shock that they got when they saw that huge amount on the bill, which is 10 times the regular amount that they pay for. Without even doing an inspection, this is one of the classic signs of a water leak and quite a large leak it seems. They were right to give us a call as water leak detection is our specialty where we will find and fix the problem.

Sniffing Out The Problem

First things first, to validate the problem Richard checked the water meter. Upon inspection, he saw that it spun like a disoriented clock so he proceeded to investigate where the leak may be coming from. He does a thorough inspection of the property and used our advanced water leak detection equipment to have an efficient and accurate result.

Eureka! It’s Time to Dig

Richard then finds that nasty leak in no time with our innovative leak detection equipment.  It was under a tree and 2 metres below the ground, the leak came from a hole in a 20-mm copper water service. The pipeline was also next to a copper fire main, so our top dog expert had to be incredibly careful in fixing this one.

Richard, with high precision, cut the pipe with the big hole and a new section was put in place. The surrounding copper near the hole was in poor condition and we want the pipe to be longer-lasting. Instead of replacing the small portion that is affected, he replaced about a metre to make sure it will be more solid.

Because Plumbdogs ROC! (Resolve in One Call)

After spending a day on Richard’s makeshift beach, he tested everything and made sure that the pipes no longer have any leaks. No more worrisome water bill for our client.

He proceeds to create a leak-loss report that only licensed plumbers are authorized to make. He will send it to the Water Corporation on behalf of the client and they will compute how much credit they can get. All in a day’s work!

If in the future you have any problem with your water or pipeline, drains and gas line, just whistle and we will ROC “Resolved in One Call”

• The smallest of holes in a pipe can cause lots of wasted water which also means money wasted down the drain!
• Watch how an experienced Perth based Plumbdog Plumber finds and fixes burst water pipes. 
• He sniffs out the problem on this property before finishing his coffee. 
• Check out more of our VLOGs & don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Plumbdog Leak Detection & Repairs – How We Do It

Do you hear running water on your property, but as far you remember you don’t have a fountain or pond in your home? This video will show how Richard will track and fix a burst water pipe. Unlike many others, we will find the leak and we will fix the problem too without having to call on or recommend anyone else to get the whole job done.

Sniffing Out The Problem

To give a bit of a background, we received a call from a client that there’s a leak in his property. He was able to identify the area where the sound of the running water came from and it is somewhere in the laundry and bathroom. The client was also able to isolate the problem that it was the hot water line.

Effective and Efficient

Our top dog Richard starts his investigation by checking the water metre, and this confirmed that there is indeed a leak in the property. Thanks to the information that the client has provided the location was narrowed down between the bathroom and laundry area. Of course, we wouldn’t want to be digging on  the entire pipeline just to find the source. Here in Plumbdog we made sure to use advanced technology to make our less time-consuming. To find the leak source accurately, Richard, turned on the hot water so that once it starts flowing down the pipes the heat will be detected by our equipment. He used our thermal imaging infrared scanner, the gear can sense heat, which will make searching easier. He walked around the perimeter of the laundry and bathroom and saw a significant amount of heat near the drain.

Gotcha!

He removed a few blocks and started digging in the area that the scanner had identified where the leak may be coming from. Almost two feet below he sees a pool of water, and lo and behold, he just found the leakage. There’s a pinhole on the pipe near the tee joint. All of that accomplished before he was even able to finish his morning coffee!

Resolve in One CALL

Richard proceeds to replace the damaged section by welding in a new pipe and running a test after. He also checks the water metre again to make sure that the leak was just in that one spot. Seeing everything looked good, he covers the hole and do a little sweeping and make it look like nothing happened there. To finalise the service, Richard, will complete and submit a water leak loss report on behalf of the client to the Water Corporation. They will compute the credit that can be applied to the client’s water bill.

This is just one of the reasons why we say we have ‘all the gear and every idea’. We are maintenance plumbing specialists and leak detection and repairs as well as blocked drains are just a couple of our specialties.

• Sometimes simply servicing leaking taps isn’t enough. 
• There’s a lot that could cause water leaking through walls. It’s important to call in a professional to test and check to really understand what the problem is before applying solutions. 
• Check out more of our VLOGs & don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Are you excited to see what we have in store for you this time? Our top dog and local Perth plumber Darius will be checking and fixing a shower leak. Water leak detection is one of the specialist services we offer at Plumbdog.

Let’s Inspect

First thing he did was inspect other fittings and appliances just to make sure there’s no visible leak in the air conditioning unit or taps. Then he heads outside to do a meter test, and upon checking it doesn’t seem to be a substantial leak that may cause it to continuously run.

All The Gear and Every Idea

Inside, Darius removed the tapware in the shower so they won’t be in the way. He proceeds to check the shower area and it looks like it is dry on the outside. He suspects that the leak is inside the wall. Making sure that this isn’t trial by error, Darius uses our specialised infrared equipment for accuracy by doing pressure testing. He attaches a hose assembly on the shower that will help in heating up the pipes, once that happens the heat will also penetrate through the tiles. The infrared will show the problem area that needs to be fixed.

Solution, solution, solution

Seeing that the main fixture set mainly on the left side had already discoloured (copper turned to black), that only goes to show that it has been sitting in a damp and wet area. When that happens, it means that the leak has been there for quite some time. He showed that the leak is right in the centre of the wall breech. Our top dog recommends replacing the set to address the issue.

Whistle while we work

Approved by our client, Darius replaced the breech by welding it in and all the plumbing fixtures. There’s no need to come back for the repair because we make sure that we bring most of the pipefittings and fixtures, there won’t be any need for multiple visits. He tests the fixture and there is no more leak!

Next step is repairing the wall. He will cover the spindles to make sure that the threads remain clean as he puts the cement on the wall. He also puts the tapware back on and tests them one more time. Voila another leak sealed!

Trust the experts to have leaks fixed. There are instances where the water may be going through the wall on a certain area, but the main leak is somewhere else. That will be time consuming and may cost more for you in the end as you may end up re-grouting more than you have expected.
That’s why just give us a whistle and Plumbdog will ROC (Resolve in One Call) your leaks away!