General Plumbing

• CARE! Don’t over tighten your taps!
• Over tightening your taps could cost you some serious $$$
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Have you had a tap where you just had to turn it tighter and tighter each time to get the water to stop dripping? The reality is you may be causing more damage than it’s worth. Most of the time customers unsuspectingly let the problem grow for weeks or even months until water just won’t stop and it’s too late!

Of course you should make sure your taps are off properly but check out the video to learn why it’s important to call in a plumber sooner rather than later and the importance of getting a real qualified and experienced plumber to do the job.

IT’S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST CHANGING THE WASHER

Washers are the obvious and usual answer when it comes to small leaking taps. You can even feel it when a washer is aged and on the go when you tighten the taps and even more so you can feel the difference when you have a new washer installed.

This property recently had another plumber out that simply changed the washers on the taps which would have been the obvious thing to do. However, the water was still leaking.

NEVER JUST CHANGE THE WASHERS, ALWAYS CHANGE AND RESEAT!

If the plumber or tradie changing the washer had a quick proper look when they removed the spindles, they would have easily seen that there was a huge scar on the seat. Have a look in the video where Richard shows us throughout how the seat looked from when he first discovered it through to after when he filed it down. You can even see the scarring there after filing.

ALL THE GEAR AND EVERY IDEA!

It’s not always the big tools that make the plumber. Having all the gear also means carrying around a little stainless steel tap insert which many don’t (but we do). In this case it was the last line of defense in the bag of tricks that our obedient Plumbdogs carry. This stainless steel insert not only allowed us to get the job done and save the current tap set, it also saved the customer a lot of money. The alternative would have been to pull the tiles down to have the sets replaced.

Replacing the washer and reseating on the onset would have saved the customer the inconvenience of calling out another plumber and wasting more time to get to the root of the problem. Not only has it wasted time, it’s also cost the customer extra to get the same problem fixed twice.

GIVE US A WHISTLE!

Next time you call out a plumber to simply change the washer, keep an eye out whether they have reseated or at least had a good close look at the seat to make sure the problem doesn’t persist.

If you’re in the Greater Perth area and are in need of a reliable Perth Plumber, give us a whistle!

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, like and subscribe to stay up to date with our latest videos and if you’re in the greater Perth area give us a whistle!

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• When a like for like gas hot water system replacement just isn’t possible 
• The work of gas fitters in Perth are inspected by a third party which is good for the industry and consumer
• Check out more of our VLOGs & don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

When It’s Time To Change a Hot Water System

This video will show how Richard replaces and relocated the gas storage hot water system at a home in Parkwood.   He will be completing the installation and will make sure that it is compliant to the standard regulations of what installed hot water tanks should look like.

Tired Tank

When the client called, their problem was that they didn’t have hot water, the pilot light was out and there was a substantial amount of water leaking from the tank. Richard asked for some photos to make sure his diagnosis will be accurate before making any recommendation. Aside from the fact that the tank is 19 years old, it was missing compliant components such as a gas isolation valve and soak pits for the relief valves.

Options, options, options

After some meticulous investigation, Richard provides 3 quotes for the client. They will choose from a Vulcan 135, a Rheem 135 and a Rheem Stellar 330. The client followed Richard’s recommendation and chose the Rheem Stellar 330. With its advanced technology and given a 5-star energy efficiency, this tank is cost-effective in the long run, not to mention the 10-year warranty that gives the customer assurance that it is definitely built for the long haul.

Aside from getting a new tank, it is Richard’s job to make sure that it will be compliant to the standard regulations.  He talked to the client that the best place to relocate the tank from the alcove corner is to the main wall next to it.  The area will give ample space and clearance for the hot water storage. The client had to move their existing clothesline and will have to opt for a shorter line, or they will have to move it in a different part of the property.

Time to do the Dirty Work

Richard showed how he laid the pipework since he had to replace the old ones as they were as old as the tank. He made sure that the fittings are placed strategically, avoiding the tank so if in any case there are some problems in the future there will be no problems troubleshooting it. The worst thing is having to take out the entire gas system just to fix the fittings. He also laid a big concrete slab where the water heater will sit on.  He also installed a gas isolation valve and the hot and cold relief valves now has soak pits. All installed and ticked the checklist for compliance requirements for a gas storage hot water system.

Whistle and We will Come

Our expert plumbers in Perth install and complete the work as efficiently as possible. We provide solutions that are compliant and cost efficient to our customers whether it’s replacing a new hot water system or giving your existing system the servicing it needs. Give us a whistle and we will come!

• Not all smelly toilets are results of water leaks or blocked drains.
• Watch how our Plumbdog diagnoses and fixes a smelly toilet. 

Our service call this time is from a client who cannot stand the smell any longer of their toilet. It’s been bothering them for a couple of days already and decided to have the experts check their toilet.  Richard gives away some quality plumbing tricks and shows us step by step on how he diagnoses and fixes the problem.

It’s not a blocked drain!

The first thing Richard wanted to check was if the toilet was blocked or not.  By simply flushing it and observing the water level if it rose or if it was draining really slow, he was able to confirm that it was not the source of the problem. Grabbing his torch, he looked around the physical toilet and that’s where he noticed that the rubber pan collar seal is already split and crumbling. He used his screwdriver to verify that it is no longer intact, this is probably due to the age of the seal or moulds that can accelerate the degrading process. This part of the toilet is where the smell is coming from. The toilet pan is the connection to the sewer pipe and the seal prevents any odour. Now that the seal had already perished the smell is coming right through.

Making Your Toilet Great Again

To resolve this Richard used a clear mould- resistance silicone and applied it around the pan collar. Afterwards, he also sprayed it with soapy water to clean the excess silicone off to make it look nice and clean. It is an instant fix for the concern and when it sets it will be airtight and watertight again.  There will be no more sewer smell in the client’s home.  Job well done!

Professionals Plumbers for that Pine Fresh Smell

The troubleshooting in the video may look quite easy but it is always best to call the experts when dealing with these things.  This instance, it was just a broken seal but if it was something else our obedient Plumbdogs have all the gear and every idea on how to handle any plumbing issue.

Give Plumbdog a whistle and we will come!

• Backflow Prevention Devices Protect the water source which supplies water to commercial and residential properties
• These backflow prevention devices need to be installed on commercial and industrial properties and they need to be tested annually
• A Licensed Plumber that has Backflow Certification needs to perform the test
• Check out more of our VLOGs & don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Annual Backflow Prevention Device Inspection Due

Our client is located in Rockingham, WA, far from the usual videos that we have on residential properties, we also look after commercial and industrial. Richard was called in to perform the annual test for this client’s backflow prevention devices. These apparatuses are required to be installed in such properties to make sure that there is a safe water supply for the end users.  Top dog Richard, apart from being a licensed plumber he also has Backflow Certification, so he is allowed to have these tests done for such establishments.

What is a Backflow prevention Device?

For those who are not familiar with this device, they are usually installed at the boundary of commercial properties as legally required.  What they do is they keep and protect the water supply that we use daily for bathing and drinking. For example, if in any case there’s an accidental chemical spill in the water source or pipe, the device’s job is stop them from being siphoned back into the main water supply keeping it safe from contamination.  Water Corp. requires an annual test for these devices to make sure they are in good working condition.  Same thing with Richard’s testing equipment that needs to be checked every year to make sure that it is always accurate in providing results.  All these certifications are crucial as they will be submitted when all tests are done.

It’s time to start Testing

The initial backflow prevention test that is done for the backflow prevention device is checking the pressure of the water, upstream and downstream. In the video Richard already attached the differential pressure gauge in the different points of the double check valve. He started with the upstream check and the gauge needle needs to be above 7 kPa(kilopascal) for it to pass. He will do the same type of checking with the RBZ valve (Reduced Pressure Zone). After all necessary tests are done for the devices, he will write up a report and submit it to Water Corp along with the required certificates.

It is particularly important and a requirement to have a licensed professional perform this test.  The purpose of the device being tested plays an important role in keeping the water supply of the community fresh, safe and clean all the time. Our crew are licensed and experienced experts who will always make sure we deliver fast and efficient service. We pride ourselves with high quality standard workmanship that complies with all the legal standards. We have all the gear and every idea. Give us a Whistle and We Will come!

We also pride ourselves in being maintenance plumbing specialists in not only general plumbing needs but are the ones that people turn to for:

• Genuine Hot Water System Repairs & Maintenance
• Leak Detection & Repairs
• Block Drain Detection & Repairs