Plumbing emergencies are the last thing you want happening at your house – especially now that you’re spending a lot more time in it than normal!
If you ask our Bayside plumbers, the best way to deal with a plumbing emergency is to prevent it from happening altogether.
But how exactly do you go about that?
Fortunately, it’s actually quite simple, provided that you take these 8 steps on board!
Avoid calling an emergency plumber with these 8 simple tips
1) Keep an eye out for leaks
Never ignore a leak – no matter how small you think it is.
Sure, it might be small now – give it time however, and it could turn into a plumbing emergency.
It pays to be mindful. Inspect problematic areas that can show tell-tale signs of a leak, including:
- Sinks
- Cabinets
- Bathroom tiles
- Kitchen taps
If you’ve got a leak, you need to call a Bayside plumber sooner, rather than later.
This can help you avoid a range of issues such as mould, water damage or worse if not solved immediately.
2) Know where your shut-off valve is
In any unfortunate event of a plumbing emergency, it’s crucial that you know where your main shut-off valve is located.
Not only does it make your emergency plumber’s job easier, but it can also help you avoid damage!
Take the example of a leaking (or worse, burst) pipe – in these cases, leaving the water on can lead to flooding and water damage.
Luckily, you can control the situation and reduce the damage by turning off the water to your house at the shut-off valve.
That’s why you NEED to know where the shut-off valve is, and how to use it!
3) Watch what to you put down your drains and the toilet
Did you know that the leading cause of clogged drains and toilet bowls are wet wipes, paper towels and other household objects that simply aren’t designed to be flushed accumulating in your drain system?
There are only 2 things that should ever go down your toilet:
- Toilet paper
- Ahem, “waste”
And when it comes to sinks, that list is even shorter – water should be the only thing going down them!
Anything else should go directly to the rubbish bin.
It’s a small habit to change. However, by doing so, you’re almost completely eliminating your risk of a blocked drain or toilet!
4) Put screens on kitchen drains and bathroom sink
So, water should be the only thing going down your drains.
But how do you stop everything else like hair and food scraps from making their way in regardless?
The solution is cheap and easy!
Drain screens are a cheap and effective way of filtering your sink and preventing anything that isn’t water from getting down your drains.
This simple trick will eventually prevent many clogs in your system, and will save you from the headache of having to call an emergency plumber to fix it for you!
5) Know your pipes
Over the years, pipes grow old and have a tendency to wear-out. Make sure that you know not only where your pipes are installed, but when they were and how old they are.
Okay, so this isn’t really a “maintenance tip” per se – that said, doing so will save you the cost of a repair or replacement that may cost you a lot.
Keep an eye on the condition of the pipes themselves, as well as the joins. And if you notice anything going wrong, there are plenty of plumbing band-aids you can use to extend the life of your plumbing even further.
Of course, if you need a permanent fix, our Bayside plumbers are the people to call!
6) Clear your drains regularly
Try as you might, it’s almost inevitable that over time, some things will slip through the cracks.
Luckily, they’re pretty easy to resolve on your own in most cases – all it takes is a trip down to your local hardware store.
Your options include:
- Drain cleaning chemicals
- Drain snakes
- Pipe cleaners
Giving your drains some much-needed care and the occasional clean doesn’t hurt – what’s more, it can also protect you from a range of plumbing emergencies later on!
Can’t fix it on your own? Our Bayside plumbers are more than ready to step in!
7) Don’t forget the outdoors
You look after your indoor plumbing – but what about outdoors?
We’re talking about things such as:
- Sprinklers
- Irrigation
- Stormwater drains
In particular, we want to bring attention to your downpipes, gutters and roof plumbing.
While you may not think of them as “plumbing”, they play a crucial role in protecting your home.
The Watermaster team also includes qualified roof plumbers in Melbourne too.
8) Schedule regular plumbing inspections
It’s a simple measure, but it can go a long way!
Our Bayside plumbers are proud to offer FREE plumbing inspections for our domestic clients.
We’ll turn up and give your plumbing system a once-over, before issuing a plumbing report that lays out how things look.
After the inspection, we can provide you a quote, and in many cases, we can make on-the-spot fixes (and you benefit from a discounted rate!)
When all else fails, our Bayside plumbers are ready to help
These 8 tips are simple, but together, they can go a long way towards protecting you from a plumbing emergency.
Of course, nothing is infallible, and there may be instances where you need to call an emergency plumber despite taking each of these steps.
When this happens, our Bayside plumbers are ready to step in.
The Watermaster Plumbing team provides quality plumbing maintenance all across Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs.
Our experienced team provide plumbing services for:
- Blocked drains
- Blocked toilets
- Burst pipes
- Leaking roofs
- … and more!
For rapid-response plumbing and lasting solutions, call our Bayside plumbers on 1300 156 650 or book online today.
You can also visit us for plumbers in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.