by BPD Team | Oct 14, 2019
There’s nothing worse than having the tantalising aromas of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee being overpowered by the unpleasant smells emanating from your kitchen sink. If this is the case it’s time to investigate what is going on in your drain as chances are you just might have a blockage.
Who’s responsible for a blocked drain?
As a property owner if the blockage occurs within the boundary of your property, then you’re responsible for clearing it. If the clog is located outside the property on council land, then it’s the job of the council or water company. This is why it’s important to locate the blockage.
By far the best and most successful way to do this is to put a CCTV drain camera down the drain system. A reputable plumbing and drainage company will be able to provide this service and also give you a detailed report as to the best course of action to clear or repair the drain.
DIY drain clearing
There are also a number of drain cleaning products on the market some of which are pretty potent. Many will clear the initial blocked drain problem but few will stop it from returning.
If you’re adamant you don’t want to use harsh chemicals then how about taking the biological route and use an enzyme cleaner. These preventative products break down the grease and fat that can build up in your drain leading to odours and eventually blockages. What’s more, by using products like these on a regular basis they’ll keep drains sweet-smelling and free from blockage.
That said, prevention is always going to be better than cure, so with this in mind, here are some tips you should and shouldn’t be doing if you don’t want a nasty whiff coming from your kitchen sink.
- Install a strainer in the plug area in order to catch any food particles or hairs that may otherwise block drains.
- When disposing of excess cooking fat and grease, allow it to cool and place it in the bin. Never pour it down the sink.
- Don’t dispose of any paints or non-cooking oils down the sink either as they’ll have the same effect.
- Do have an established and trusted plumber check your pipework for leaks on a regular basis and sort out any problems immediately. Don’t leave them to build up.
If you do have a nasty smell coming from your drains and simple DIY techniques won’t eradicate it, then call in Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage. We’re a rapid response plumbing and drainage company serving the people and businesses of Brisbane and the surrounding areas. For a seriously competitive quote then why not give us a call today. You’ll be glad that you did!
by BPD Team | Oct 10, 2019
When it comes to property water damage, even the smallest of leaks can cause extensive problems. To put this into perspective, even a tiny hole in a water pipe less than half a centimetre in diameter has the ability to expel just under 950,000 litres of water over a 3 month period. A leaking toilet can easily lose over 340,000 litres of water in just one month, and even a simple dripping tap can get rid of over 700 litres of water in just one day.
That said, if you do exercise a little caution, then you should never have to encounter the devastation and upheaval that water damage can cause. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what you need to do.
Washing Machines
One of the major problems with washing machines is the connecting hoses. They only have a useful life of about 5 years and after this, they can start to perish. As a result, it pays to check them regularly for signs of wear and tear.
The bottom line is that if they feel perished or look worn, or have passed that 5-year stage then they really should be changed. One thing to bear in mind when they are changed is to leave a sufficient gap behind the washing machine and the wall (say 8-10 cm) to prevent kinking.
Sinks
Sinks are another major cause of water damage so check out your pipework at least every 3 months. If you have copper or plastic pipework, pay particular attention to kinks which might lead to small pinhole leaks over time.
Check pipes and hoses under your sink regularly
Professional inspections of your water heaters
According to findings, a staggering 75% of all water heaters fail before they’re 12 years old. In addition, any water heater that’s been operating for five years or more will increase its chances of suffering either a burst pipe or leak.
For this reason, it pays to have the tank and its pipework inspected annually by an experienced plumber. This should include the anode rod. These have a tendency to corrode and as a result can leave the tank open to damage.
Shut off your water at the source
Finally, if you do leave your house for any length of time (2 days or more) then err on the side of caution and switch off your main water valve.
Remember a little vigilance and prior planning now can prevent a major catastrophe in the future, so follow these simple points and keep your property water-damage free.
by BPD Team | Oct 9, 2019
They say that if you become a plumber, you’ll never be out of work, but is this really true? After all, the plumbing profession (just like many other trades such as electricians, builders and carpenters) is being flooded with ‘bob-a job’ types who can often undercut a true professional and in theory, put them out of business.
The good news is that (well…for the professional plumber anyway) cheap doesn’t always mean good and as a plumbing business is built on reputation, being professionally trained, insured, and licensed can count for a lot.
From a customer’s point of view too, many people agree that a professional plumber is a great person to know and this is certainly true when they have a major plumbing crisis. However, what about when the problem isn’t an emergency and they have an annoying dripping tap or a small leaking pipe? Who do they call then?
Leaking Pipe
Chances are that they’ll call on Fred from across the road who hasn’t had any formal professional training but instead has fixed a few pipes in his time. The reason… because he’s much cheaper.
No disrespect to our fictional Fred character of course, but hiring him to carry out the job may be a really bad move and here’s why… Let’s say that Fred did indeed fix the leaky tap or pipework and their customer/neighbour handed over their hard-earned cash and was happy with the job. Great!
However, what the customer didn’t know (and Fred too for that matter) is that it was a pressure build-up somewhere else that caused the pipe to leak or the tap to drip and it’s just a matter of time before things get a whole lot worse and a whole lot wetter. The icing on the cake, insurance companies are very happy to deny claims for problems caused by unlicensed plumbing work. It’s not worth the risk.
How can a professional plumber help?
By calling in a formally trained and licensed professional there’s every chance that the root cause of the problem would have been picked up. Yes, it may cost the customer more money in fees and fault finding, but chances are they wouldn’t have to stump up for the impending carnage that our fictional character Fred failed to spot.
The moral of the story…
A professional plumber isn’t just for plumbing emergencies. Instead of calling them in to deal with smaller problems too just might save you a whole load of hassle and expenses in the long term.
If you need a professional and fully licensed plumber you can rely on then speak to Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage. With a wealth of experience in the plumbing and drainage industry, we have the skills to tackle any job no matter how big or small. Call our plumber today on 0488 943 224 for a competitive quote.
by BPD Team | Oct 7, 2019
Let’s face it, a decent plumber is a handy person to know, especially when you’re faced with a watery emergency. However, unless a plumber is charging ‘mates rates’ then chances are that you’re going to be confronted with a bill.
So are they simply taking advantage of the situation? And if so, what should you expect to pay when you call out a plumber?
Like any trade, there may well be the odd one who does take advantage and this is why you should always do some research before you hire one. However, the majority of fully-licensed plumbers are experienced professionals who do a very good job.
Most plumbing services will have relatively significant overheads in the way of stock, vehicles, equipment, plus ongoing training, and therefore this price is necessary to cover these criteria.
In addition, many plumbers will also charge you an emergency call-out fee. This often includes expenses such as travelling to and from the job and possibly some portion of the labour costs for the first 15-30 minutes. The reality is that by agreeing to a company that charges hourly rates the customer carries the risk.
What about flat rate fees?
To get around the thorny issue of hourly fees, some plumbing companies are moving to flat-rate payment. This means that any work completed is carried out in exchange for a fixed price.
On the surface, it seems to provide the customers with peace of mind because there aren’t going to be any nasty surprises when it comes to paying the bill. However is it really the best solution?
The problem comes when a job that’s been priced on a fixed rate goes on for longer or is more complicated than expected. This is a risk that a plumber has to carry because they can’t then turn around and ask the customer for more cash.
To counteract this, many contractors will build in a so-called ‘risk margin’ into pricing methods so that the job doesn’t end up costing them instead. As a result, there may be a chance that if it’s a straightforward and easy job, it might cost more than if the client chose a plumber dealing in hourly rates.
When it comes to hourly fees or by the job payment there are pros and cons to both hourly and fixed rate charging. Probably the best advice is to do your homework, or get several quotes, and go with the method and the plumber that you feel most comfortable with.
If you’re in need of reliable and experienced plumbing service and you reside in the Brisbane area, then contact Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage. We have a wealth of experience to help you with all your plumbing needs, Why not contact us today for a competitive quote? You’ll be glad that you did.
by BPD Team | Oct 6, 2019
As a real estate property manager you know that when something goes wrong with a tenant’s plumbing or hot water system, you need a reliable contractor to sort the problem out both quickly and efficiently.
Alternatively, you might be a property investor in need of an experienced and reliable plumber to carry out those all-important renovations where any delay may cost you money.
The thing is, there are lots of plumbers and plumbing companies out there, but how do you know you’re going to find one that is reliable and has the expertise to carry out the vast array of jobs that you might have? Here at Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage, we’ve worked with a wide selection of real estate and property managers over the years and as such we provide our clients with a prompt and reliable residential and commercial plumbing, hot water, and gas fitting services.
Our team is comprised of qualified and fully licensed plumbers, gas fitters, and drainers, and as a result, we can take on just about any project. From simple jobs such as fixing a dripping tap for a tenant to installing a brand new plumbing system for a commercial fit-out, we have the skills and manpower to get the job done.
Going above and beyond fixing plumbing problems
It’s true that the right plumbing service can be a great asset to any real estate and property manager, but what you may not know is that they have the ability to carry out far more than simple plumbing jobs.
For instance, here at Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage our plumbers are also fully licensed to carry out water efficiency tests for rental properties. After extensive testing, we’ll compile a detailed report highlighting any problem areas where efficiency standards aren’t met.
In addition, you’ll also receive recommendations for improvement, detailing the work that needs to be done in order that you’re able to meet these standards. We’ll even issue you with a compliance certificate to state that your premises have been tested and meet the required standard. It’s a win/win situation for you, especially when landlords are able to pass on full water consumption costs to tenants.
Got a plumbing emergency?
We understand that you yourself are under pressure to get problems sorted quickly no matter what the time of day, and for this reason, we pride ourselves on our rapid response to all plumbing and drainage emergencies. Simply pick up the phone, call us, or provide your tenants with our emergency plumber phone number and we’ll be there fast.
It’s as simple as that.
For a plumbing and drainage service, you can rely on, contact Brisbane Plumbing and Drainage. We have the expertise and plumbing solutions for all your plumbing needs. Call us to see how we can help you. You can trust us not to leave your tenants in a crisis.
