Every day, numerous Australians experience a form of plumbing problem. – from something as simple as a small leak that can be fixed quickly to a clogged toilet to something as huge as a burst pipe. The good news is that the most common household plumbing issues in Perth are not always disastrous. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Unlike commercial plumbing issues, you can try to fix residential plumbing problems in just a few minutes with a bit of know-how.
Here is a list of eight common plumbing problems that many Aussies face, along with some tips on how to fix them:
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Clogged Toilets
How many times have you complained about a clogged toilet? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common issues, not just in Australia but around the world. The previous years increased the number of Aussies who called plumbers to fix their toilets, mainly due to the rise of toilet paper use. Instead of throwing it in the bin, people flushed the paper in the toilet, which is not a good practice.
To fix this issue, grab a plunger and try to dislodge the blockage until the problem is fixed. It’s quite easy, but several people refuse to do this. You can always call a plumber to get rid of the blockage for you.
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Dripping Toilets
This common problem is more challenging to fix than a clogged toilet. Water is clear, so leaks cannot be detected right away. One way to know that you have a dripping toilet is that the cistern attempts to fill itself up, making a distinct noise in the bathroom several times a day. Another thing to watch out for is a higher water bill. If there are no other leaks in the house, the problem could be hiding in the toilet.
Fixing a dripping toilet is not that complicated, though. You just have to open the cistern lid and find where water comes out of. Typically, you will see it happening from either the outlet or inlet valve. If so, the specific valve will require replacing.
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Blocked Drains
A blocked drain is yet another common issue in household plumbing. An easy to spot symptom is a slow-draining sink or tub. If the drains are completely blocked, water will not drain at all. In most cases, this issue is a sign that you have an obstruction in the piping system.
In bathrooms, the biggest culprit is hair, which can quickly clog the bathtub and shower drain. Meanwhile, in kitchen sinks, you have to watch out for grease build-up. If you often dump oil and fat in the sink, it is time to stop that habit; otherwise, you will find yourself constantly looking to fix the sink drains. Remove any cooking and food particles before you wash the dishes on the sink to avoid this issue from occurring again in the future.
You can also use a plunger and an anti-grease solution that you can buy from the hardware store. If you often have these issues, we suggest that you invest in a drain snake. This handy tool will help get rid of any obstruction in your pipes without breaking a sweat. If all else fails, you can always turn to Perth Local Plumbing and Gas.
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Leaky Taps
According to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), over 357 billion litres of water was available for consumption in 2012-13. Homeowners and businesses used 314 billion litres of the said figure in Western Australia. The 12% difference in these two numbers included unmetered or unbilled water consumption. And about 30 billion litres or 8% of the total water supply was lost due to leaky pipes.
WA is among the states in the country with the highest water loss. In fact, WA lost about 90 litres daily in 2011-12 compared to other states averaging 50 litres per day. Leaky fixtures can easily be detected, though. If you constantly hear dripping sounds, especially at night, it means you have a leaky tap. It’s important that you do not wait to fix the issue since it costs a lot of money over time.
Usually, the fix is as simple as removing the damaged washer and replacing it with a new one. If it does not work, you might need to call a plumber.
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Weak Water Pressure
It’s annoying when you turn the tap and shower on and the water is too low or weak. But there is an easy way to repair this issue. You only have to replace the showerhead or your faucet. Most of the time, the problem lies in the calcium build-up, which is expected as you continue to use these fixtures over time. If you do not want to replace those fixtures, you can uninstall them and use a descaling solution instead. The solution is effective in removing calcium and lime.
For your tap, you can remove the aerator and clean it before putting it back. Once again, if the problem persists, you can contact a plumber. There could be worse issues lurking underneath the surface.
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No Hot Water
This issue is a little serious, but it’s pretty common in many Perth households. There is nothing to panic about, though. Water heaters will break eventually and lose their effectiveness as time passes. Once it happens, you will begin to experience a number of problems, including not-so-hot water. At times, the problem will go away on its own. However, the more frequent it gets, the more likely you will need to replace the unit.
Water heating issues are often more complicated than they seem. Unless you know what you’re doing, it is best to leave the job to the Perth Local Plumbing and Gas experts; otherwise, you could end up damaging the unit or, worse, you get injured.
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Contaminated Water
The University of Queensland declared that it is a fallacy that all Australians have access to clean, uncontaminated water. While 99% of the country is connected to a mains or town water source, some places, especially those outside capital cities, use rainwater tanks. Nevertheless, if you’re hooked up to a local water source and see that your water is dirty, it’s not a good sign. A good solution is to use a water filter.
Water filters are used in Perth households to enjoy clean water. Water can have trace amounts of chemicals, bugs, and lead. The good news is that Perth drinking water is clean and free from all these foreign materials. However, you probably want to be sure, so you use a water filter.
There are different types used, including those with the filter spout next to your sink and those connected to the tap directly. Next time you hire a plumber, ask about your water filtration options. While it is true that WA has safe drinking water standards, these standards are not perfect. You can still have heavy metals in your water, such as lead. Instead of buying bottled water, install a filter, which is more cost-effective and less harmful to the environment.
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Gas Leaks
Gas leaks can be difficult to detect for some people. Gas is colourless and cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, you can most likely smell it when there is a leak. A common symptom of a gas leak is the smell of sulphur or rotten egg, which you will notice when you’re near your gas appliances. If you suspect a leak, immediately turn off the gas supply to your home. Make sure that you open your windows and don’t use any electric appliances.
Even if you cannot smell the rotten egg stench of gas, you should also watch out for a hissing sound and higher gas bills. If everyone in the house starts to feel unwell, it could be due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which happens because of prolonged exposure. Call a gas plumber right away to have the problem fixed and keep your family safe.
Are you experiencing any of the household plumbing and gas issues above, and you do not know what to do? Perth Local Plumbing and Gas is here to the rescue. Simply contact us to get the help you need.
