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Your Guide to Common Plumbing Issues in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Plumbing problems can strike at any time, often when you least expect them. Living in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, you might face unique plumbing challenges due to the area’s mix of heritage homes, modern apartments, and coastal conditions. Understanding these issues and how to address them can save you time, money, and stress.
This guide explores the most common plumbing problems in the Eastern Suburbs and offers tips on how to handle them like a pro.
1. Blocked Drains: A Common Nuisance
The Problem:
Blocked drains are one of the most frequent plumbing issues in the Eastern Suburbs. Sand from coastal areas, tree roots, grease, and debris often find their way into pipes, leading to clogs.
Signs of a Blocked Drain:
- Slow-draining water in sinks or showers.
- Gurgling sounds from drains.
- Unpleasant odours near sinks or outside gutters.
What You Can Do:
- DIY: Use a plunger or a natural drain cleaner (such as baking soda and vinegar) to tackle minor blockages.
- Call a Professional: For persistent blockages, a plumber with specialised equipment like drain cameras and high-pressure jetting tools can clear the problem quickly and thoroughly.
2. Leaking Taps and Pipes
The Problem:
Leaking taps and pipes not only waste water but can also lead to higher water bills and damage to your property. This is especially common in older homes in areas like Woollahra and Paddington.
Why It Happens:
- Worn-out washers or seals.
- Corrosion in aging pipes.
- Increased water pressure causing strain on fittings.
What You Can Do:
- Tighten loose fixtures if you’re comfortable with basic repairs.
- Replace washers in leaking taps.
- Consult a plumber for pipe replacements or to check for hidden leaks using advanced detection methods.
3. Hot Water System Problems
The Problem:
Nothing disrupts a morning routine faster than a faulty hot water system. Hot water issues can stem from old units, sediment buildup, or faulty components.
Signs Your Hot Water System Needs Attention:
- Water isn’t heating up properly.
- Strange noises coming from the system.
- Water temperature fluctuates unexpectedly.
What You Can Do:
- Regularly flush your hot water tank to remove sediment buildup.
- Check the thermostat settings and reset if necessary.
- If issues persist, contact a licensed plumber to inspect or replace your hot water system.
4. Burst Pipes
The Problem:
Burst pipes can cause significant water damage if not addressed quickly. Homes in older suburbs like Randwick and heritage areas are particularly vulnerable due to aging infrastructure.
Why Pipes Burst:
- Extreme temperature changes.
- Corrosion over time.
- High water pressure or blockages causing stress.
What You Can Do:
- Shut off the main water supply immediately to prevent further damage.
- Contact a plumber who can repair or replace the damaged section of the pipe.
5. Stormwater Drainage Issues
The Problem:
With Sydney’s unpredictable weather, heavy rainfall can overwhelm stormwater systems, especially in properties near the coast. Poor drainage can lead to flooding and water damage in gardens, driveways, and basements.
What You Can Do:
- Regularly clean gutters and downpipes to prevent blockages.
- Ensure stormwater drains are free of debris.
- For recurring issues, consult a plumber to install or repair stormwater systems.
How to Prevent Plumbing Problems
Taking a proactive approach can help minimise plumbing emergencies. Here are some simple steps you can take:
- Routine Maintenance: Schedule regular plumbing inspections to catch small issues before they escalate.
- Mind What You Flush: Only flush toilet paper—avoid flushing wipes, sanitary products, or other debris.
- Install Drain Covers: Prevent hair, grease, and debris from entering your drains with simple drain covers.
- Monitor Water Pressure: High water pressure can strain your pipes, so consider installing a pressure regulator if needed.
Why Work with a Licensed Plumber?
While some plumbing issues can be tackled with DIY solutions, many require the expertise of a licensed plumber. Here’s why:
- Safety: Plumbing systems involve gas and water connections that can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.
- Efficiency: A professional plumber has the tools and expertise to fix problems quickly and correctly.
- Prevention: Experienced plumbers can identify potential future issues during routine inspections.
World Water Day 2024
Living in Sydney Australia we have water on tap.
Fresh water to drink. Clean water to cook with. Even fresh clean drinking water to flush the toilet.
And, if we don’t, we have great plumbers like The Lone Drainer and Pronto to find out why, and return the status quo.
If you didn’t know, March 22nd 2024 is World Water Day. Its a day to consider the billions of people worldwide who have never had potable water dispensed from a tap.
So, how does that affect you dear reader? Well it doesn’t!
Unless we are to venture to parts of Asia, Africa and some parts of Australia and the Americas and the oceans in between us for exotic getaways where the local residents just don’t have fresh water to use the way that we do.
There are several things we can do to draw attention to the plight of those who don’t have access to fresh drinking water:
- Share information: Spread the word about the global water crisis by sharing information about it with your friends, family, and social media networks. Raise awareness about the issue and the impact it has on people’s lives.
- Support organizations: There are many organizations that work to provide clean water to people in need. Consider supporting these organizations by making a donation or volunteering your time to help with their efforts.
- Advocate for change: Write to your local representatives and urge them to support policies that prioritize access to clean water. Use your voice to advocate for change and push for action on this critical issue.
- Reduce your own water consumption: By conserving water in your daily life, you can help reduce the demand for freshwater resources and lessen the strain on those who don’t have access to it.
- Take action on World Water Day: Participate in events and activities that are organized around World Water Day to draw attention to the issue and show your support for those who are affected by the global water crisis.
By working together to raise awareness about the issue of water scarcity, we can help ensure that everyone has access to this basic human right.
Love your Plumber on World Plumbing Day 2024
G’day, it’s The Lone Drainer and Pronto here to tell you why World Plumbing Day, Monday March 11th 2024, is worth celebrating!
Take a quick look behind the scenes at our Coogee plumbing HeadQuarters to see how we celebrate every day.
It can be a lot of fun showing up for our clients daily.
We prepare ourselves and our equipment and load up materials before coming out to see you at your home or business.
But, you won’t see us giving Plunger a rubdown, sweeping the floors, making everything spic and span.
Checking on all our high-pressure drain cleaning equipment to see it’s in tip-top condition to easily fix your blocked drains.
We’ve got drain cleaning equipment for every situation.
You won’t see us reviewing footage from the inside of your sewerage pipes to find out precisely what’s going on, or working on some entertaining and educational blog posts just like this, our specialty.
We bring a variety of parts to fix your taps and toilets, and what we don’t have, we’ll get pretty quickly. You won’t see us stacking mountains of toilet paper, just in case you need it.
We bring loads of equipment to the job, just for you, and when we show up at your place, you won’t know we’ve come from our plumbing HQ here in Melody Street, Coogee.
P.S. Take another minute and watch a few scenes from The Cutting Room
But seriously, plumbing is an often forgotten, but critical component of our modern society that many people take for granted. Plumbing allows us to access clean water, safely dispose of waste water, and maintain hygiene and sanitation in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. Without plumbing, our daily lives would be much more difficult and unhygienic.
Secondly, World Plumbing Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of plumbing and the role that plumbers play in maintaining public health and safety. It’s a chance to recognize the hard work and dedication of plumbers, who often work in challenging conditions to ensure that your plumbing systems are working properly.
Finally, World Plumbing Day is an occasion to promote sustainable plumbing practices and technologies that can help conserve water, reduce energy usage, and minimize environmental impact. As plumbers, we have a responsibility to ensure that our work is not only effective but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
So, let’s raise a toast on World Plumbing Day and all the great plumbers out there who keep your plumbing systems running smoothly and our communities healthy and safe!
And, as we say in Australia, “‘ave a good one”!
Full Flush or Half. Which is used more?
It depends! On the context and the specific type of toilet. But think about your own use.
Remembering, not everyone on the planet has a flushing toilet and unbelievably, a full toilet flush is more water than most people in the world use every day.
In some places, toilets have a dual flush option, where the user can choose between a half flush and a full flush, depending on the waste being disposed of. The dual flush toilet cistern was invented by an Aussie, Bruce Thompson at Caroma industries in 1980 as a water saving function for the dry continent
Generally, the half flush is used more frequently than the full flush, as it is typically used for liquid waste and the full flush is used for solid waste. However, it can be varied by country, region or building regulations, as some places may require the use of a half flush for all waste to conserve water.
So I say, its the half flush that gets used the most. What do you think?
World Water Day 2023. Four Ways to maintain our Water Supply
March 22nd 2023 is World Water Day.
G’day, it’s Dave Conroy, the Lone Drainer here to tell you all about World Water Day. This special day is celebrated every year on March 22nd, and it’s all about raising awareness for the importance of freshwater and advocating for sustainable management of this precious resource.
You see, water is essential for all life on Earth, and yet many people around the world still don’t have access to clean and safe water. Plus, with climate change and other environmental pressures, the future of freshwater is becoming increasingly uncertain.
That’s why World Water Day is so important. It’s a chance for people all over the world to come together and take action to protect our water resources. From conserving water in our daily lives to supporting policies that promote sustainable water management, there are many things we can do to make a difference.
To do our part to protect this vital resource, and remember that every drop counts, here are four things that can help maintain our water supply:
- Conserving water: One of the most effective ways to maintain our water supply is to use water more efficiently and avoid wasting it. This can be done by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, using water-efficient appliances, and reducing outdoor water use (such as watering lawns and gardens only when necessary).
- Protecting water sources: Another important step is to protect the sources of our freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and aquifers. This can be done by preventing pollution, reducing runoff from agricultural and urban areas, and minimizing the impact of industrial activities.
- Investing in infrastructure: To ensure that we have a reliable supply of clean water, it’s essential to invest in infrastructure that can capture, store, and treat water effectively. This can include building new dams, improving water treatment plants, and upgrading pipes and other water delivery systems.
- Supporting sustainable policies: Finally, it’s important to support Federal, State or Local government policies that promote sustainable water management, such as regulations that limit water use in times of drought or encourage the use of water-efficient technologies. By working together to protect and manage our water resources, we can help ensure that future generations have access to the water they need.
Super Bowl 2023 Flush with Excitement.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona on Monday morning Sydney time. It was the team’s second title in four seasons. Now Aussies Jordan Mailata an AFL player and punter Arryn Siposs a Rugy league man, made Australian sporting history when they played for Philadelphia. 🙁
Personally, apart from my son going to a game at the stadium when he was studying at NAU Northern Arizona University in 2019, I know little about the contest other than to say the Chiefs star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes apparently won the game after his team was behind 24-14 at half time.
And its the half time break that gets my interest! Specifically, toilet flushing at half time.
In a post from Super Bowl 2016, I wrote that the amount of water used in toilet flushing during the Super Bowl half time break is the same volume that would flow over Niagara Falls in seven minutes.
In doing some research on the topic, anecdotally, it is often joked that there is a Super Bowl flush that occurs during the halftime break, as many viewers may use the bathroom at the same time. However, there is no reliable data to support the claim.
In fact, some experts have suggested that the idea of a simultaneous flush causing water system issues is a myth, as modern water systems are designed to handle large surges in demand. While it is possible that water demand may increase during the halftime break or the Super Bowl flush, the impact on water infrastructure is likely to be minimal.
Our local Sydney news reporting on the Super Bowl reckon there are now more Australians watching that game than the Melbourne Cup.
Given Super Bowl lasts three and a half hours and, The Melbourne Cup lasts three and a half minutes, the halftime Super Bowl flush might be a thing.
What do you reckon?
World Toilet Day 2022
What is World Toilet Day? World toilet day is now celebrated every year on November 19th. It was declared by the UN in 2013 to raise awareness to the plight of over 3.6 billion people worldwide that don’t have a flushing toilet or access to clean water for drinking and washing their hands after going to the toilet.
What does that mean? No household toilet. At all! It’s difficult to comprehend living in Australia where every house has at least one and sometimes four or more toilets that have complete privacy, toilet paper and fresh water to flush the toilet and wash your hands with.
Really? Yes really! Over 3.6 Billion people go to the toilet outside, without any privacy. They squat down in a paddock, behind a bush, in the street or even on the railway lines to relieve themselves. They then may use leaves or grass or sand to wipe themselves clean. And they don’t have water to wash their hands after that.
How is that unhygienic? Human waste on the streets and in paddocks can end up getting washed into drains, creeks and waterways that are the source of their drinking water. People swim in those waterways. Diarrhoea is rampant and part of a spiraling cycle of malnutrition and a large loss of life. Especially in young children.
What can I do to help? Raise awareness of World Toilet Day. In 2022 it falls on a Saturday. Share your insights with your family and friends. Think about using Who Gives A Crap toilet paper. Who Gives a Crap donate half of their profits to improve sanitation in third world countries. Learn about and protect our water table.
What is the water table? Australia’s water table or Artesian basin has fortunately been topped up by our recent rains. As many as 30 per cent of us get our drinking water from the water table. In the USA it’s as high as 38 per cent. Imagine if untreated human waste made its way into the water table and, that contaminated water was then consumed by those Australians who live in remote parts of our country that have no choice for their drinking water.
Don’t flush our drinking water?
As the summer of 2021 approaches, our water consumption is back on the menu.
Even though our borders have been closed to tourists and immigration and Australians returning home to sit out the pandemic have had their numbers slashed, our water consumption continues to rise.
During our current building boom, its not unusual for every new home to have at least two bathrooms with his and hers showers and hand basins’. And even the most modest Sydney home has at least two toilets.
Australians have been world leaders in water conservation with water saving taps and showers now the norm. If you didn’t know the dual-flush toilet cistern is an Australian invention.
Don’t be surprised but the dual flush toilet is still a big water user. Here in Sydney, with a few exceptions like urban domestic rainwater harvesting that uses rainwater to flush our household toilets and fill the washing machine, most of the water flushing our toilets is from our potable water supply. That’s our drinking water!
I grew up as one of six kids in a NSW country town of 13,000 people and our home in town had a metered water supply. But our family had a weekend shack on acres out of town where every drop of water we used was caught in rainwater tanks. The toilet was flushed with water piped from a dam over 300 metres from the house. It was a simple gravity system that piped muddy dam water across a paddock to the toilet cistern and flushing the toilet with the dam water left a brown stain on the toilet bowl.
There was a time when we didn’t go to the shack for a few weeks and what started as a simple toilet cistern leak that went unchecked, drained the farm dam down to a muddy sludge by our next visit. That weekend, as we flushed the toilet with our drinking water from the tank, I learned that our drinking water was way to precious to waste on flushing a toilet.
So, what does that mean here in Sydney?
Simply put, if you have even a slight toilet leak DO NOT IGNORE IT otherwise it will drain our dam.
World Toilet Day 2020
Today is World Toilet Day 2020.
I’d like you to take a minute today and think about the Toilet. Imagine if you didn’t have one?
Spare a thought for the 4 billion people worldwide that don’t have access to a flushing toilet.
Its astounding BUT there are more people with a mobile telephone than a toilet and clean water to wash themselves.
Now, telling your workmates and classmates is a simple way to raise awareness of a sometimes very private subject.
Another way to help is stock up on toilet paper like Who Gives a Crap.
They donate half of their profits to improve sanitation for those less fortunate.
Sydney Water restrictions
Sydney November 29th 2019
The continuing drought is having an effect on all Australians. The dry conditions have added bushfires to that list, and the forecast is for a hot summer.
Here in greater Sydney we sometimes forget about our country cousins, the farmers that produce most of our food supplies, and how the lack of rainfall is affecting them. But that is about to change.
Sydney dam levels have dropped below 46% capacity, and with our growing population, we’ve got to slow down on our water usage. Thankfully we have a desalination plant to help out. It may add a nominal charge to our water bills, but I believe that’s a small price to pay.
Sydney Water has announced that from Tuesday, December 10th 2019 greater Sydney will move to Level 2 water restrictions. For householders, it means there will be a few more rules about how and when we can water our gardens, wash our cars and generally use water around our homes.
We can all save water!
Our business has to apply for a water use exemption. The exemption doesn’t mean we can waste water. It means being more thoughtful about how to use it.
Water Saving Tips for your Garden
Did you know about 35% of household water usage occurs in the garden?
In my daily rounds the common theme is how the spring has unfolded, the gardens are in bloom, the Jasmine flowers have come and gone. We’ve had very little rain lately on the coast but, after recent temperatures reaching 36 degrees, our gardens are dry.
It helps if you know the needs of your plants. More plants die from over watering than lack of water so don’t drown ’em.
So here are a few water saving Do’s and Dont’s:
– Do choose water efficient plants and grasses.
– Do mulch your garden.
– Do install a drip feed system to water the gardens and lawns. It’s pretty easy to do. If you need a hand just ask us.
– Don’t water in the heat of the day. Heat = Evaporation and the watering process can burn your lawn and plants. Water early or late. Cool is good!
– Don’t assume the garden needs watering. Check the soil to see whether its dry before turning on that hose.
– Don’t water for long periods if your garden slopes. The water just runs off. Allow it to soak in!
– Don’t water on windy days especially with sprinklers and fine sprays. Wind increases evaporation.
– Don’t water everyday, if its practical give em a drink twice a week to encourage the roots to grow deeper
– Don’t water for 1-2 weeks after a good soaking rain.
– Don’t forget to drink yourself. Personal hydration is even more important!
Water saving tips for Spring
Now we are really into spring and the gardens are blooming, after our long weekend heatwave, the lawn needs to be watered.
A dripping tap can waste up to anywhere between 30 and 200 litres of water a day. That’s over 70,000 litres a year.
So here are a couple of simple water saving tips to get you through spring and the long hot summer ahead.
Ensure all household and garden taps are always turned off tightly so they don’t drip. Don’t force taps as you can damage them and actually cause leaks.
Develop a regular routine of checking all indoor and outdoor taps, washers and pipes for leaks, cracks and breaks.
Check all your household appliances for water leaks. Learn how to repair leaking taps; a new washer is inexpensive and easily available at your local hardware store.
If in doubt call us for some over the phone guidance on 02 9664 4990.
Toilet Leaks Waste Water
How Much Water Is Wasted When I Continue To Let My Toilet Leak?
When a meter’s flow indicator moves and you know that all the water outlets are off, both inside and outside, you can be sure that there is a leak somewhere in your lines. The continuous drip of a leaky tap, or a constantly running toilet, will add dollars and cents to your water bill in a hurry. When this happens, it is time to call for toilet plumbing services.
It is estimated that $145.00 is added to your water bill annually if the toilet continues to run after flushing. This is money you are paying out that you don’t have to. The insides of the toilet cistern are inexpensive compared to the extra money you pay because your toilet is constantly running. So it makes sense to acquire plumbing services Sydney to fix your leaky toilet or tap.
The constant running of a toilet not only wastes water but will increase your utility bill over a period of time. That extra money, not to mention the water, could be used more advantageously.
Let’s think about the water that is wasted when you continue to let your taps or toilet leak.
Wasting water is no longer something you can do and not feel guilty about it. The shortages around the world can be helped if everyone keeps their equipment in good working condition, and if we are all mindful about how we use water and how we can prevent wasting water that can be better used somewhere else.
It would not be hard to put together a list of items you could purchase with the money you are paying for the wasted water from the leaky toilet. There are many ways to spend that $145.00. Whether the money is used for a needed item or for leisure, that money can be better spent on something that you will have for a while or something you will enjoy whenever you want to. Therefore, it is well worth it to hire plumbing services to fix your leaky toilet.
So many people can be helped by you simply ensuring that you do not waste water negligently. Neglecting to take care of your household can cost you hundreds of dollars in a short period of time. Lately, the economy makes us spend thriftier; hopefully it also teaches us to be more conservative of the natural resources that are limited worldwide. Contact one of the plumbing services Sydney to make sure you are doing your part to conserve water and put the water where it will do the most good.
Sydney’s New Water Desalination Plant – Why Your Water Bills Will Go Up
Why Dripping Taps and Leaking Toilets will cost More $$$ with Sydney’s New Water Desalination Plant
Do you have a problem with a leaky tap or toilet? You will be amazed how much money dripping taps and leaking toilets will cost you per day. On an average, one house with three taps that leak at a rate of 60 drips per minute will cost you the price of 64 litres of water per day. This adds up to a whopping 23,000 litres of water per year.
The price of water will go up as new plants are added, such as Sydney’s New Water Desalination Plant. The key to keeping money in your pocket is to contact plumber services Sydney and fix the leaks!
Water conservation is on everyone’s mind these days. The cost of water is going up because there just simply is not enough water without programs such as the New Water Desalination Plant. Just as all other water recovery programs, it is expensive to run one of these plants. The more water that your dripping taps and leaky toilets waste, the less water there is for everyone, and the more you will pay for that water.
Saving money is on everyone’s mind as prices go up and budgets get slimmer. One of the best ways to save money on household bills is to make sure everything is in top operating order. You can ensure that all your dripping taps and leaking toilets are in top shape by calling in professional plumbers. Plumbing in Sydney is quite a large business and everyone needs a plumber sooner or later. You need to call the guys who are professionals and can take care of your dripping taps, leaking toilets and all your plumbing needs.
The constant drip, drip, drip of a leaky tap in the middle of the night keeping you awake is not a good way to start any day. A person with a very busy schedule, which most of us have, does not need to listen to that tap drip even one more night. Call the professional plumbing services today and get them to stop that annoying drip from keeping you awake another night.
A leaking toilet can be just as annoying and as costly. Call plumbing services Sydney to solve your problems.
Some bathroom surfaces stain quite easily. That ugly stain in the back of the sink is caused by a tap that is constantly dripping. This will ruin an expensive sink. Call in the professionals to prevent the destruction of your beautiful sinks.
The phone book has a “Plumbing Sydney” section where you can find and hire plumber services and get your dripping taps and leaking toilets fixed so you save money and water. Call today for an appointment and, see how easy and inexpensive it is to have your house in tip top plumbing shape.
Are you Ready for Spring?
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! This means footy finals, Spring Racing and cricket! You don’t have to change your sleep habits to watch the games, and you can start planning a good old BBQ with family and friends.
This also means that people will want to get their backyard into shape, and the NSW State Government is helping with this by offering rebates for some water saving devices. More information about this can be found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/
Here are some simple ways to save water around the house but still keep your garden looking its best during the hot summer:
– Install a timer irrigation system. Drip lines are effective as they deliver water straight to the plant root system and largely avoid water loss through evaporation.
– Use mulch throughout your garden beds to further trim down evaporation.
– Install a trigger nozzle. They save water by shutting off a hose between watering different plants in the garden.
– Install a rainwater tank to capture otherwise wasted rain water that runs off the household roof. The NSW Government provides rebates of up to $1500 for such tanks.
– Think about installing rain and soil sensors which prevent irrigation systems from operating unnecessarily after rainfall.
Also if you are installing a new BBQ, always remember to use a licensed gasfitter!
Overlooked Grand Final Heroes – Plumbers!
With a crowd of nearly 100,000 spectators expected to cram the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday for what is obviously one of the biggest annual sporting events in Australia, it puts a large burden on the grounds personnel and infrastructure.
The challenge includes the upkeep of the ground’s 546 urinal stalls, 166 individual urinals and 345 toilets. Whilst this may seem daunting, the 3.5 million people who annually pass through the MCG gates during the course of the season provide great training and testing for these bathroom facilities, and give plumbers and curators a great idea of whether or not the lavatories will be able to cope on the last weekend in September.
During the large scale redevelopment and rebuilding of stands at MCG earlier this decade, plumbing was also improved.
In recent years, improved crowd control and regulation has ended the outlandishly large crowds on Grand Final Day, such as the enormous 121,696 people who packed the MCG in the 1970 Collingwood v Carlton match. Although people may not drink as much at the football game as back then, facilities and maintenance practices today are still light-years ahead of what they were. This includes a team of plumbers outsourced by the grounds manager who must go to great lengths in preparation for a big event to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Whilst crowd satisfaction is the foremost goal at a large event, in the 21st century the sustainability of a venue must also be taken into account. One of the ways the MCG attempts to be more eco-friendly is by catching rainwater from the gigantic Northern Stand roof and storing it in a 1.5 million litre tank below gate one.
Even though it is very easy to forget about plumbing when at the footy, it is still amazing how much time, effort and planning must go into managing something as simple as bathrooms, in order for fans to have an enjoyable, comfortable and trouble free day.