Residents of Perth’s beautiful suburb, Yokine, often find themselves dealing with a range of plumbing problems, some of which can be fixed using a basic DIY approach, others of which require professional help to ensure the problem is resolved effectively, and safely.
But whatever type of plumbing issue you’re dealing with in Yokine, they’re almost always inconvenient, and almost always frustrating.
Fortunately for Perth’s Plumbing Professor, Andre, there aren’t many plumbing problems he hasn’t seen, and certainly none that he couldn’t safely fix.
Below are a few common plumbing problems residents of Yokine may well come across, along with how to resolve them, and how to prevent them from happening again:
Blocked drains
Blocked drains are a common reason for plumbing call-outs in Yokine, and are often caused by the roots of trees infiltrating underground piping systems, blockages caused by foreign objects, or a buildup of grease and cooking debris. If not dealt with promptly, they can quickly become a major problem.
- Tree roots in particular can easily start growing in cracked pipes, and when left untreated, could end up causing serious blockages and significant damage.
- Foreign objects which typically include such things as sanitary products, wipes, and even excess toilet paper, can cause an obstruction over time.
- Grease, fat and food debris that is often poured straight down the sink, solidifies over time and restricts the flow of water through the pipes.
Depending on the extent of the blockage, the problem can take between 1 and 3 hours to resolve, with cases involving a network of tree roots possibly taking much longer. Drain cameras are often used by plumbers to see the full extent of the problem, followed by pipe relining or high-pressure jet blasting to resolve the blockage.
Preventative action:
To prevent drains from becoming blocked, it’s best to avoid putting any kind of grease, fat or food debris down them, and to have them professionally cleaned as and when needed.
Water leaks
Accounting for around a quarter of all plumbing call-outs in Yokine, leaking pipes, toilets and taps aren’t always noticed until you start to see water damage on the floors, walls and surrounding area. Often caused by worn-out washers, rusty pipes or factors such as high water pressure or ground movement, while a small leak might not seem like a serious problem, if left untreated, it could quickly cause hazardous mould growth, and cause your water bill to go up significantly.
Using specialist equipment for detecting leaks, a straightforward leak might be resolved by a plumber in under an hour, while a more complex leak occurring underground, may take a number of hours, if not days to fix.
If you notice that your water bill has increased despite usual water usage, an area of your home or business has gotten damp, there is visible mould, or you can hear water running when no tap is being used, you may have a hidden leak.
Preventative action:
To prevent a minor leak from developing into a more serious, costly problem, you’re advised to check all of your taps, water appliances and pipes for leaks on a regular basis. You can also have water-efficient fixtures installed along with pressure regulators to limit the occurrence of leaks.
Hot water system failures
During cooler weather in Perth and the surrounding suburbs, plumbers are called out more often to repair or replace failing hot water systems. Unable to cope with increased demand, systems that are aging or faulty may begin to struggle, causing water temperatures to fluctuate dramatically, or might breakdown completely.
A buildup of sediment in the storage tank, along with rusty heating elements and faulty thermostats, are the most common causes of hot water system failures.
Depending on the severity of the issue, an experienced local plumber may be able to fix the system within a couple of hours by repairing or replacing faulty components, while a full system replacement could take anything up to a full day.
Preventative action
Having your hot water system serviced on a regular basis (this may vary according to the type of system you have: gas or electric for instance), is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of ensuring that you enjoy a year-round supply of consistently hot water. Annual flushing is also recommended to prevent sediment from building up in the tank, while being vigilant and checking frequently for signs of leaks or corrosion, is another sensible and simple preventative measure to take. Lastly, if your system is more than ten years old, upgrading to a more efficient model can help you keep your water bills down, while reducing repair costs over the long-term.
Burst pipes
Although this is a less common call-out request for Yokine plumbers, when a pipe does burst, it can cause significant disruption to homes and businesses. Often caused by sudden changes in temperature, severe corrosion, or water pressure that’s excessively high, burst pipes are a nightmare to experience, and can be costly to repair.
- Severe corrosion will eventually weaken any pipe and cause it to burst, but those that are older and made from materials like galvanised steel are most at risk.
- High water pressure can damage seals and create pinpoint leaks, and if left, cause a pipe to burst when it can no longer contain the force.
If you notice that your water pressure has suddenly dropped, the pipes are making strange noises, there are damp patches appearing or water is pooling where it normally wouldn’t, you may have a burst pipe, and should contact a professional immediately.
Using the latest tools to detect leaks, a Yokine plumber may be able to fix a burst pipe in under 6 hours, but if the problem is severe or access to the pipe is problematic, it may take longer to reline or replace the pipe.
Preventative action
Fortunately, there are some preventative steps Yokine residents can take to stop their pipes from bursting and causing a plumbing emergency, such as having any exposed pipes insulated, keeping a close eye on water pressure, and having aging pipes replaced in a timely manner. Plumbing inspections carried out by a licensed professional can also help spot potential problems before they become costly, inconvenient expenses.
Although some plumbing problems are impossible to completely prevent, with some sensible preventative steps, regular servicing, and knowing when to call a trusted, local plumber, you can stay ahead of potential problems, run your household or business smoothly, and most importantly, avoid expensive disruptions.