What to look out for and how to prevent plumbing issues

At Seaview Plumbing we have been called in to deal with many plumbing emergencies. We’ve put together a guide to the most common ones and what you can do to avoid being in an emergency situation.

Blocked Drains:

One of the most common plumbing issues is blocked drains. Blocked Bathroom Drains can occur from a build up of hair, soap and other debris that is washed down bathroom drains over time. Alternatively there may be a blockage in the pipe system elsewhere due to tree roots.

If you are noticing that your water is draining slower than usual or you hear any gurgling or bubbling noises in your pipes, you should get it looked at sooner rather than later. A small blockage can turn into a costly issue if it continues to build up and prevent the water from draining at all, leading to a blocked toilet or shower.

If you are experiencing a blocked drain, Seaview Plumbing can help. If the blockage is severe we are able to use our Mechanical Drain Machines, or our Hydro Jet and camera system and Locator, to locate the issue and clear the pipes.

If blocked drains are common in your home or business consider joining our maintenance program. We can check and clear your drains on a regular basis to prevent future plumbing emergencies. If you would like to know more about our maintenance program, contact us today.

Gas Leaks

Gas Leaks are a serious issue and should not be ignored. If you smell gas, act immediately! Turn off the gas in your home and call Seaview Plumbing immediately.

Open windows and doors to ventilate the house and avoid using any electrical or ignition sources until the problem has been fixed or isolated.

Like anything gas appliances and pipes age over time. Always ensure your gas appliances are checked annually to avoid serious issues.

Copper Piping Stolen

Unfortunately it is a still a common issue that copper piping external to your home or office is a target for thieves. You may find that your plumbing is suddenly no longer working, and it could be due to theft.

If you have had your copper pipes stolen, we can replace them with UV stabilised piping. UV stabilised piping can be used for water and gas and is generally cheaper to install than copper piping. Worthless to thieves but worth every cent to you.

If you are renovating or adding new external pipe work consider UV stabilised pipe as a theft proof alternative.

Emergency Example

The burst pipe below was situated under the pavers on the out wall of a home. The leak went undetected for several weeks due to rain masking the pooling of water. In the meantime, the ongoing leak had caused some cracking in the walls. It has since been repaired but will likely result in a hefty water bill.

If you have an excessive water bill and it is due to a water pipe burst/leak, which is concealed in the wall or underground, you can apply for a Leakage Allowance Application through SA Water. You will simply need to prove that the plumbing issue has been repaired by a qualified plumber before you can claim. Note that you can only claim only claim once every 5 years. You can find more details on the SA Water website, here: https://www.sawater.com.au/forms/leakage-allowance-application  

A Burst Pipe

At Seaview Plumbing we have heard countless stories of a weekend gardening project or home DIY unintentionally resulting in an unforeseen plumbing emergency. Digging too deep or in the wrong place, can easily result in a burst water pipe, resulting in a number of plumbing issues in your home.

If you don’t know where your pipes lie underground, always check where the water meter is first and where your garden taps are, as this will give an indication as to where the pipe may run.

You can also visit Dial before you Dig – http://www.1100.com.au/ for an overview of the pipe network to the inlet of your water meter.

If we are working in a renovation project we will use our Locator to find the location and the depth of any underground sewer piping, before we start the project.

And if you have accidentally hit a sewer or water pipe unexpectedly, we can of course help!

What you can do to minimise emergencies:

• Know where your inlet pipes are before you start digging – visit Dial before you Dig – http://www.1100.com.au/
•  Clean your gutters and sumps to avoid blocked drains
• Join our maintenance program to avoid blocked sewer drains and detect issues before they become an emergency
• Maintain your hot water system – Always schedule in hot water maintenance before winter so we can detect and fix any issues before you need it most.
• Get your gas appliances serviced to ensure they are operating properly and flue pipes are sound to ensure your safety, as carbon monoxide leaking into a room is deadly.

For any further information regarding emergency plumbing in Adelaide, speak to Seaview Plumbing today.