FYI: Plumbing & Gas Concepts & Terms

FYI: Plumbing & Gas Concepts & Terms

Have you found yourself talking to your plumber or gas fitter and just agreeing to their every suggestion – leading you to surpass expenses because you do not understand some of the terms that they are using and the concepts that they are proposing?

At The Plumbing and Gas Guys, we give importance to our clients and we pledge to stay true to the services that we offer that’s why we make sure that our clients understand the terms that we use and the concepts that we are proposing to get the job done efficiently.

Here are some of the most important plumbing concepts and terms that you need to know before going through extensive plumbing and gas fitting undertaking:

Access Panel

The Access Panel is one of the most important parts of a house, especially for a plumber. This is where the whole plumbing system can be controlled during maintenance. It is also the first place that a plumber would check before doing any excavations for blocked drains and pipes.  The Access Panel is usually hidden from plain view to not be toyed with by children. Since the Access Panel is usually behind a wall or near the ceiling, it is necessary that they are not covered up but instead can be easily accessed by plumbers, especially during emergencies.

Fitting

A Fitting connects two parts of a pipe. Plumbing sewers and vent pipes are made from cast iron to ensure that the material will connect the two parts and can hold the water or gas pressure running through the pipes. When checking for house water leaks or gas leaks, plumbers often first check the fittings to see if there are holes or if the fittings become loose. The Fitting can come in various types such as couplings, ells, tees, crosses, reducers, unions, caps, and plugs.

Green Plumbing

Green Plumbing is an initiative that promotes water and energy conservation in household plumbing as well as in plumbing maintenance. Green Plumbing advocates for homes to use harvested rainwater or greywater which is untreated wastewater that does not come from a toilet or kitchen waste. Waterless urinals are also encouraged especially for large commercial establishments like hospitals and malls. The use of solar-powered hot water systems and low-consumption plumbing fixtures are also highly encouraged. And since plumbing maintenance often requires several litres of high water pressure especially in water jetting to remove blocked drains, Green Plumbing advocates the use of solar-powered tools as well as recycled water.

Master Plumber

Master Plumbers are licensed plumbers that have over 10 to 15 years of experience in the industry. To become a Master Plumber, one must first get a high school diploma or pass the GED before apprenticing under a Master Plumber to learn the trade and garner experience. Following the apprenticeship, the plumber can work as a journeyman until they take the licensure exam to be a Master Plumber. Unlike an apprentice or a journeyman, Master Plumbers are often ensured to safeguard their clients. Their 10+ years of experience allow them to assess the job properly and conduct the installation, maintenance or repair as efficiently as possible.

Septic System

The Septic System is the waste management system of any property whose sewage is not connected to the main sewer line of their city. The Septic System is composed of the septic tank, the septic field and the connecting pipes. It temporarily stores the waste while at the same time bacteria is breaking down the waste and allowing gravity to separate the solid from the liquid before the liquid is drained into an absorption field and the solid is taken out by septic tank cleaning.

The Plumbing and Gas Guys are composed of extensive and fully qualified Master Plumbers and Gas Fitters servicing all metropolitan suburbs for any 24/7 plumbing emergency. We also have insurance for all our plumbing and gas installation, maintenance and repair. Our vans carry state of the art gas leak, water leak and blocked drain equipment and spare parts, so the team can work independently and complete each job with ease.

Autumn Plumbing & Gas Maintenance Ideas for Perth Homes

Autumn Plumbing & Gas Maintenance Ideas for Perth Homes

People often tend to do renovations and property maintenance before the holiday season starts during December and January. As we approach autumn, it’s an ideal time to address outdoor plumbing and roof cleaning & repairs. The end of summer is the perfect time to plan your home improvement project so that you can start around autumn, and finish before winter arrives.

Here at The Plumbing and Gas Guys, we offer 24/7 year-round plumbing, gas fitting and renovation services to all suburbs in Perth, Western Australia. Aside from emergency plumbing and gas fitting services that can pop-up any day and time of the year, we recommend to customers autumn as an ideal time to do home maintenance and renovations for their Perth homes

tree root cutting

Go for tree root cutting services to fix blocked sewer pipes and drains.

Tree roots as small as thin hair fibres can enter pipes and cause blockage when they accumulate. Solid things that pass through your drain can also be trapped further causing blockage to your pipers. Call a licensed, professional plumber to assess your sewer lines, especially if you feel that your waste pipes start to drain slowly or give off an unpleasant odour.

Clean blocked roof gutters. 

It’s essential to clean your gutters every so often to remove falling debris such as leaves, tree roots, sand that accumulate and block your roof pipes and drainage. Roof plumbing, cleaning and repair are best done during spring and autumn.

Autumn Plumbing & Gas Maintenance Ideas for Perth Homes
Energy-Efficient Hot Water Systems

Install new hot water systems. 

Hot water system installations, especially placing a big tank outside or adding solar panels (for solar hot water systems) on the roof is best done after cleaning, and repairs to the roof are done to make sure that there’s good support for the system to be installed on.  

 

Make sure that your hot water system is running well.  

To prepare for the colder weather ahead, it’s best to have your hot water system checked and repaired during the autumn months. 

hot water shower
kitchen tiling

Engage in Kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation. 

Do you see mould forming? You must take action sooner than later. To avoid plumbing emergencies caused by blocked sinks and toilets, better to have them checked out and cleaned now if you suspect there’s a problem. Do you feel it’s time to renovate? Talk to The Plumbing and Gas Guys for ideas and choose the fixtures and fittings that will suit your style of home.

 

Contact The Plumbing and Gas Guys on 1800 087 244 and speak to our 24/7 Customer Service personnel to schedule general plumbing and gas health check and maintenance. We can send out a team that's trained to the highest standard in every aspect of their trade, from appliance installation; dealing with tap leaks to the installation of major gas and hot water replacements. Our licensed Perth plumbers and gas fitters use the latest and most sophisticated technology to clean blocked pipes and drains as well as repair damaged lines and systems. Our hot water supply, installation and repair services are also available for all suburbs in Perth, Western Australia.

Why is my water bill so high?

Why is my water bill so high?

Why is my water bill so high even though I do not do anything outside of my usual routine?

Do you always wonder why you have a high water bill even though you know you do not consume anything outside of your usual? Most people often experience this and they try to check if they had a previous activity that required more water consumption – perhaps a guest was staying over for the month, or they purchased a new tub that they’ve used since then, etc. But others check for leaky taps and other plumbing issues to see if those were the cause of their high water bill.

Putting aside increases in water tariffs, damaged plumbing is the number one reason why households are getting a higher than average water bill.  

leaky tap

Leaking Tap 

leaking tap is one of the most common reasons for high water bills. Most people tend to just ignore a leaky tap especially when the drip is slow. But did you know that a leaky tap with a rate of 1 drip per second can waste up to 20 litres a day? Imagine how much more water you’ll waste when it’s dripping at a rate of more than 2 drips per second. Always remember to tighten your faucets to avoid running water. Don’t overlook a leaking tap – make sure to tighten those knobs or call a licensed plumber to help sort out the problem.

Running Toilet 

A running toilet is just as bad as a blocked toilet. When you flush your toilet, do you know notice how long everything goes down the drain and water eventually settles? Depending on the size, the average toilet uses 6-32 litres per flush; but when you have a running toilet, water is continuously being wasted. If you do not see to this your water bill will surely skyrocket! That’s why if you’ve noticed that your toilet takes too long to flush, or if there’s a hissing sound, make sure to call a licensed plumber to check your leaking toilet.

running toilet
reticulator

Excess Water Pressure 

Though a high water pressure seems good, having too much of it is bad especially when you consume too much when you just need a little. Having excess water pressure is not good when you have an automatic sprinkler system that rather than waters your plants, it drowns them instead. We can be waterwise by checking the duration and time of the day our reticulation is set for. In addition, too much water pressure can also cause strain which may damage pipes and joints, leaving them vulnerable to leaks and corrosion.

 

Damaged Pipe Seals or Joints 

It’s important to have your plumbing checked every year since damaged pipes – including the joints and seals, can cause a lot more problems including water leakage as well as bursting pipes. Since most pipes run behind walls and underground, most dripping pipes are often overlooked – making you spend more money without you even noticing it. That’s why, if you feel like your water bill has gone through the roof make sure to call a licensed Perth plumber immediately.

damaged pipes

A leaky tap, a running toilet, excess water pressure, and damaged pipes are not only bad for your household finances – but can also impact the environment especially when other parts of the world are experiencing water shortages. 

Help us help you resolve your plumbing problems!

At The Plumbing and Gas Guys, we do water leak detection tests to determine if there are damaged pipes and faulty joints. We use the thermographic detection technique which uses an infrared and imaging technique to quickly let us know where the water leaks are. The ultrasonic detection technique also allows us to quickly identify even the smallest leaks.  

We do a whole lot more than just fix water leaks…  

At The Plumbing and Gas Guys, we do plumbing, electrical and gas installation and maintenance. Get in touch with us on 1800 087 244. We have 24/7 customer service ready for your emergency plumbing and gas issues.

General Plumbing and Gas Health Check / Maintenance

General Plumbing and Gas Health Check / Maintenance

How often should I have my plumbing and gas fittings inspected?

The answer to that is every two years! It is necessary to have your plumbing and gas fittings inspected every two years to avoid safety hazards and accidents caused by ageing pipes, clogging, corrosion, ruptures and others. Often, people forget to have their plumbing and gas fittings checked until they stop working altogether – like when you are in the middle of a hot shower, and the water suddenly turns cold and would not heat up; or when you are preparing dinner for guests. When left unchecked these issues often escalate and would be more expensive to repair or replace.

 

For local plumbers in Perth, the weather plays an essential aspect in the correct upkeep of the plumbing and gas systems since constant exposure to natural elements – like water corroding the metal pipes – may cause faster wear and tear that’s why our professional plumbers at The Plumbing and Gas Guys in Perth encourage biennial inspections and maintenance of plumbing and gas fittings.

Some fixtures are more prone to wear and tear than others, so if you are experiencing the following general problems, make sure to have your plumbing and gas fittings and fixtures inspected right away:

  • Water flow is not high as it used to be - your hose might be leaking, or there’s damage to your water pipes.
  • The toilet won’t flush thoroughly – you may have blocked drains that are clogging your toilet and even your sinks.
  • Water discolouration is evident – your hose may be damaged or your pipes might be getting rusty already!
  • Water is just warm and doesn't get hot anymore – the burner in your hot water system might be damaged, or the thermostat may be failing.

 

If you are experiencing some of these issues or want to have your plumbing and gas fittings inspected, give us a call on 1800 087 244. We have a 24/7 customer service that can help you book an appointment and send over our highly rated local Perth plumbers or a gas fitting technician as soon as possible.

 

At The Plumbing and Gas Guys WA, we do plumbing and gas fitting inspections and maintenance. From using a camera to assess blocked drains to gas leak detection, our licensed and experienced local Perth plumbers and gas fitting technicians can evaluate the damage and complete the repair or maintenance without the customer having to break the bank.

With FREE, no-obligation over the phone quoting services as well as no call out fees, our customer service staff will readily connect you with a local Perth plumber or a gas fitter to help solve your plumbing and gas issues.  We strive to offer you total satisfaction with the best plumbing and gas service in Perth.

Plumber Perth

Plumber Perth

Qualities of a Good Plumber Perth Expert that You Need to Look Into

If you are thinking of hiring a good plumber Perth expert, then you need to look for a domestic or commercial plumbing service that can cater to your needs perfectly. Considering that this kind of work involves complex processes, this should only be performed by a skilled and well-trained professional for an efficient and right result. However, in order to find the best one, you need to understand exactly what makes a good plumber.

In this article, we have listed some of the quality traits that a good and professional plumbing service should possess. Check this out before hiring them to do the job.

5 Quality Traits to Look for in a Plumber Perth Expert

1. Professionalism Towards Work

Well, obviously it takes an educated, skilled and well-qualified plumber to get a job done properly and professionally. So, before hiring one, make sure to check if they went to a certified and reputed plumbing school. This will help you make sure that you could receive the best services. Also, don’t forget to consider the experience and the length of their service in the field. After all, having been in the industry for an extended period of time means that they have enough knowledge and skills to handle the job well.

2. Reliability and Responsibility

Before you invest in plumber Perth experts, it is important to make sure whether if they can be depended on. Yes, they should be able to find the easiest and quickest solution to any plumbing related problems you are facing. Thus, making sure that they could complete the task on time with great results.

Additionally, they also need to be readily available whenever you need assistance with your plumbing system. Remember that a defective plumbing system could bring the operation of your home or workplace to a halt if it is not taken care of quickly. Yes, dripping taps and damage pipes can even damage your structure in various ways if it not fixed quickly enough. So, you need to look for someone that could come to your rescue whenever you have an emergency.

3. Trustworthiness

Well, trustworthiness is very important considering that you will be letting a stranger enter your house. So, therefore, you need to only hire someone that you could trust. Likewise, make sure you do the proper research on your prospective service provider before investing in them.

4. Well- Trained and Efficient

A well-trained and efficient plumber Perth professional is really important when it comes to selecting a good service provider. As we all know, each plumber in town has different skills in different ways. So, it is paramount that you hire the one that specialises in the certain services you are looking for. And before hiring them, you should be confident enough that will be able to complete the job on time and professionally. Well, you could do this by finding out more about their training and making sure that they are licensed and insured.

5. Plumber Perth Should Be Punctual

Lastly, a good plumber should be punctual. Yes, punctuality reflects a person or services' work ethics and commitment towards his job. Likewise, being on time shows diligence and dependency. And in this case, you could entrust your plumbing problem to people who are diligent and dependent enough. Why? Well, because most of the time, they can get the job completely.

Moreover, when a plumber arrives on the dot, you could have enough time to show him the problems that need fixing. And at the same time, he will have enough time to assess the situation. In fact, professional plumbing services company always advise homeowners to always check the reputation of the company they plan to get for a better choice and result.

Dedication, commitment, honesty, and competitiveness towards work are some other traits that you should look for a professional plumber Perth expert. Make sure that you have checked and learn more about them before investing your time and money on the service they are offering. After all, what is important is for you to make sure that you could have a good experience working with them.

Ready to look for professional plumbers?

Well, your search is over! The Plumbing and Gas Guys is what you are looking for. Call us today for more details and don’t hesitate to avail and experience our high standard of service. Our team of professionals will be glad to work with you.

Also, have you experienced gas leaks on your gas appliances? Then this article will give you ideas about gas leaks: What to do When You Smell Gas Leak: Gas Leak Detection Perth Tips and Guidelines.

Gas Leak Detection Perth

Gas Leak Detection Perth

What to do When You Smell Fume Leaking:  A Gas Leak Detection Perth Tips and Guidelines

Fume leakages could be dangerous and need an urgent attention. For this reason, professional gas plumbers suggest to take precautions when you try to look for it by yourself. Likewise, you need to make sure that there are no potential open flames, spark, or any other flammable materials within your home. Well, you might be asking - how would you know if you are experiencing it at home? Well, gas leak detection Perth will give you clear thoughts about it.

Here are some of the common signs that you need to check out.

Gas Leak Detection Perth Tips: Signs of Fume Leakages

  • Listen for a Hissing Sound. The hissing sound around any of your gas appliances could be an indicator that there is an opening. No matter how small the crack is, it should be dealt with as soon as possible.
  • Smell Around. Commonly, natural fume smells like a rotten egg. So, if you could smell this, then most likely there's a possible leakage from an appliance in your home or yard.
  • Bubbling. If you have soil that is wet and you have notice bubbles in that soil or water, then that could also be a sign of a leakage.
  • Dirt Blowing. Yes, it can blow air and dirt around the cracked part of the fume hose.
  • Dying Plants. Natural gas can kill vegetations. So, if you have plants in your area, especially if it is near a pipeline, then this could be a sign that you should watch out for.
  • Health Symptoms. Fume leakage can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. And this poisoning symptom includes headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, breathlessness, loss of consciousness, or could even cause collapse.

Gas Leak Detection Perth Tips that you need to do when there's a Leakage

Considering that you have encountered the signs in your house or even around your place, you need to take the precautionary measure. This is for you to be able to prevent any danger that might cause due to damages. Well, here’s what you need to do:

  • Turn the gas supply off.
  • Do not flip the switch off on any electrical devices and appliances. And do not light any open flame or turn on any appliances or lights. Just so you know, any of these actions could light a spark that may cause a fire.
  • And if you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, open the windows and doors immediately and go outside.
  • Immediately leave the area and warn others to do the same. Yes, it is quite dangerous and may often cause explosion and harm to your health.
  • Call emergency services or professional gas leak detection Perth expert for help. They know a lot better how to handle such problems and prevent any danger that it may cause.

Commonly, people are confused about whom they should call in case of such emergency situations, most especially if the problem is coming from outside the home.

Well, here’s a Gas leak Detection Perth Guidelines that you could follow whenever you smell gas:

  • Call your emergency plumber or gas fitter when you smell fumes on the side of your meter or on your property.
  • You can call the natural gas company immediately when the odour is coming from the street. Or if the odour is coming from your meter or before it. Example, the fume smell comes from the street side of the meter.

Fume leaks could be very serious and it needs serious precaution to avoid any danger. Likewise, gas leak detection Perth expert suggest to have a regular maintenance test on your fume appliances. This is to avoid issues that can cause you a big trouble in the long run. Also, make sure that any gas safety checks inspection should only be performed completely by a qualified and well-trained gas fitter.

Looking for a plumber to detect fume leakages?

The Plumbing and Gas Guys is what you are looking for. We are a team of a fully qualified master plumber and gas fitter. We're trained to offer a high-quality and standard service for your needs. Call us today for more details and our team of professionals will be happy to guide you through.

Also, are you experiencing water leakage at home? Then you may read this article for a better idea: Water Leak Detection Perth: An Effective Guide for Your Home Leak Problem.

Water Leak Detection Perth

Water Leak Detection Perth

Water Leak Detection Perth: An Effective Guide for Your Home Leak Problem

Most of the house owners often consider leak as an irritating noise that might keep them up at night. And as long as they think that leak will find a drainage system somewhere, they tend to assume that the only problem that it presents is the disruption of the quietness of the house. The truth is, aside from the nonstop dripping taps sound, water leaks can also present a very real and expensive threat to the condition of a home. Well, water leak detection Perth services are here to explain to you why this is the case. We will also tell you what you could do to take care of this issue before it gets to a point where you will have to invest in costly repairs. Here are some of the things that you need to do to for your water leak problem.

3 Effective Water Leak Detection Perth Guide for Your Home Leak Problem

1. Water Leak Detection Perth Guide #1: Confirm Whether There Really is a Problem

Before you do anything, confirm first if there is really a problem and find out what's the cause of it. That said, you can do a little experiment to confirm if there is really a leaking or not. You can try to shut your water flow and make a note of its current meter reading. Then, after 10-15 minutes, check your meter again. Even the slightest change will let you know upfront. After that, you can try and locate the leak. You can either do it by yourself or hire a professional contractor. But note that, only in the luckiest circumstance that it will only be a loosened faucet somewhere in the house. The worst case scenario for you is a buried or a hidden pipe.

Additionally, there are also times that the leak may be in a toilet, or in a water heater, or it may also be in the waste pipes that carry drain water and other waste away.  When it gets to that, your best option is to leave it with the pros.

2. Water Leak Detection Perth Guide #2: Don’t Neglect Early Warning Signs

Practicality is a widely observed initiative. No one loves to pay the extra bills for wasted water around the house. But then, not all of us really have time to check, don't we? It's easy enough to make a conscious note in our minds, but taking action can be a little bit harder. Taking priorities to more urgent things buries other tasks that may come back to us hard when we least expect them. One good example for this is a rocketing water bill just because you've been delaying the plumbing repairs forever. Don't get caught in such a dilemma. It's better to spend the extra bucks today than be sorry and pay more in the future. If you will have to get a guy to deal with the tap and pipes, then do it!

3. Water Leak Detection Perth Guide #3: Take Some Preventative Steps

When the repairs are all said and done, make sure the problem will not come back. It only takes regular inspection and proactive enquiry from the industry experts to take care of your plumbing efficiently. While you're at it, might as well ensure that there are no other potential sources of leaks in your pipe network. Or you could help prevent your pipes from an early break by being kinder to them. Well, it’s a fact that there are some people that enjoy high-pressure water coming from their taps and showers. But take note that high pressure could shorten the lifespan of your pipes over a long period of time. So better make use of it correctly.

Furthermore, it is always an extremely good idea to hire professional water leak detection Perth Services if you are unsure about any of this. Doing it yourself is sometimes not a good idea especially if issues are quite serious. And worst case might end up costing you thousands to get a fix.

So, if you don’t feel confident in doing plumbing by yourself, then let the professional plumbers handle it all. Remember that getting things wrong could end up costing you far more money than it actually needs to.

Additional tip: make sure that your house has a good insurance cover just in case water leak causes a ceiling to come down damaging the content of the room below it.

Looking for professional help?

Well, you don’t need to go any farther! The Plumbing and Gas Guys is known to provide a high-quality service of your need at a very affordable price. Call us today for more details and talk with your team of professional for any related concerns. Or you may also book your appointment online for convenience.