4 Typical Plumbing Issues Every New Australian Homeowner Should Be Aware of
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that plumbing issues can be an absolute nightmare to deal with. This is especially the case if the offending issue happens outside of office hours or ends up making a huge mess of your home or property.
When this happens, locals turn to the emergency plumber Sydney residents trust. This post takes a closer look at a few of the more common plumbing issues that you may experience at some point. In addition to sharing a few tips to help you deal with these issues, we also highlight the ones that will require a plumber’s assistance sooner rather than later.Â
Plumbing 101 for First-Time Homeowners
If you’ve just moved into your first home or apartment, then you may be new to the stress that goes along with dealing with plumbing issues. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, many plumbing issues can be avoided with preventative maintenance or early diagnosis. Our team of experts has created a list of the top plumbing issues a new homeowner needs to be aware of.
- The Dreaded Blocked Drain
Blocked drains are among the most common issues that you will experience as a homeowner. There are many reasons that you may have this issue, with the most common being funny items being flushed down the toilet. Other causes could include tree roots damaging outside plumbing pipes or blockages somewhere along the plumbing system.
You can avoid blocked drain issues by being strict about what gets flushed. Avoid flushing wet wipes, nappies, sanitary products, food, or even oil and grease. All of these products can create blockages.
The clearest sign that you’re dealing with a blocked drain is slow-draining water in the sink. A minor drain blockage can be cleared by using a plumber’s drain snake or a plunger to loosen the blockage. Avoid using toxic or harsh drain chemicals to break down gunk in the drain, as these can damage older or weak plumbing pipes. Blockages that you can’t clear after a few sessions of plunging should be referred to your local plumber.
- Water Heater Issues
The last thing any homeowner wants first thing in the morning is having to have a cold shower because there’s no hot water. It’s essential to point out that a faulty water heater doesn’t usually mean that you need to replace the whole unit. A clear sign that you’re dealing with a water heater issue is fluctuating water temperature.
The good news here is that the issue can often be resolved by replacing a faulty heating element or thermostat. Both of these options are considerably cheaper than having to replace the entire system.
Issues with your water heater can also be a result of sediment buildup. You can flush the system to remove this from the water heater. If this doesn’t work, then your next step should be to call your plumber for an assessment to ensure that the issue is dealt with before it escalates.
- Smelly Drains and SinksÂ
It’s not uncommon for the cleanest drainage system to have foul odours coming from it at some point. This is usually caused by bacteria, stuck food waste, and blockages down the line. If your drains or sinks smell funny, here’s what you need to do:
- Check if you can see any blockages close to the surface. Clear these with a drain snake or plunger.
- Pour a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda down the drain. The hot water helps to loosen and remove minor blockages. Vinegar has anti-bacterial properties, which means it removes bacteria and reduces the odour. Since baking soda is abrasive, it helps to loosen any debris stuck in the drain.Â
- More stubborn blockages or odours that won’t clear up should be referred to your plumber for assessment.Â
- Blocked Stormwater Drains
If you have a stormwater drain on your property, then you’ll quickly find out that it only takes one heavy Australian storm to flood the area. Especially if the stormwater drain is blocked. Avoid this by cleaning your stormwater drains as often as you do the house drains. Here’s how to do this:
- Start by removing visible debris such as leaves and twigs from the stormwater drain.Â
- If water still doesn’t drain or even pools around the grate, it’s recommended that you call a professional plumber to remove the blockage before it creates a much bigger blockage.
- Invest in regular drain maintenance to reduce the likelihood of further blockages.Â
Keep in mind that stormwater drains can quickly fill up if they already have blockages. This can lead to localised flooding on your property or your neighbours’. Be sure to clean the area around the stormwater drain to avoid leaves and other debris from getting stuck.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing issues come in all shapes and sizes, and while some are easier to fix than others, it’s always a good idea to enlist the help of your local plumber. Whether you’re dealing with a smelly drain or a more severe water heater problem, a certified Sydney plumber will have the best long-term solutions to have the issue resolved in no time!
