Vlog

• Drain cleaning products are not always efficient at unblocking drains
• Understanding where the water is really blocked helps to fix the problem
• Contacting a licensed plumber often saves time and money
• Don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Our customers are always looking for ways to unblock basins. For those that consider themselves home handy people, they often look for best drain unblocking products or how to unblock drain instructions. Quite often this simply ends up with buying a drain unblocking product of some sort from the supermarket or hardware store. What usually happens is the customer goes and buy these home remedy products or some vinegar and baking soda, then give us a whistle when the problem continues.

At today’s job, top dog Richard has been called out to a property to look at a blocked waste pipe in the bathroom. First thing he points out is that our clients have already tried to unblock the drain themselves, suspecting hair blockage, by using drain crystals.

Plumbdog Note: There are different types of crystals and products for different purposes. The customers have used a kitchen unblocking product which is more relevant for grease type blockages rather than blockages in the bathroom. However, we usually don’t recommend these types of products. You really need to get your paws dirty if you want to get to the root of the problem.

BLOCKED BASIN – IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM AREA

First things first, Richard identifies where the blockage is in basin. The usual first place to check is the waste trap area as that is a common place where blockages occur. At todays property, the water in the pipe was clear which indicates that the blockage is not in the pipe but moreso in the basin or trap.

Video: Check out how much gunk builds up in the trap even though the water isn’t completely blocked at this location. It’s normal for this type of build up to occur over time.

LOCALISED BLOCKAGE

The blockage has been identified and it’s a localised blockage. While there was some buildup of grime and soap scum in the waste trap area, the blockage was found around the plug and waste fitting area.

Check out the video at [1:04] where you can see the basin holding water when the trap was already removed.

A GOOD CLEAN

After a good clean removing the buildup of grime and soap, we always replace washers when we replace a trap as they are perishable and there’s nothing worse than water seeping out just because the washer has worn out.

Remember if you have plumbing problems it’s best to call a licensed plumber to investigate and get the job done properly. Not only do you save time, you can save money from buying products that don’t work or products that aren’t right for the job.

GIVE US A WHISTLE!

Next time you need a plumber that know to get their paws dirty and are experts when it comes to blocked drains, think of plumbers like Plumbdog. If you’re in the Greater Perth area and are in need of a reliable Perth Plumber, give us a whistle!

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, like and subscribe to stay up to date with our latest videos.

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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.