Vlog

• This job started as a simple Blocked Toilet
• The blockage was in the main line and it was concrete!
• Check out our jetter at work with the CCTV drain camera
• Watch more of our VLOGS here.

In the video, you’ll notice that our obedient Plumbdog Darius said that he already sorted out the toilet to get it working but when you have a nose for this type of job, he double checked the line for the toilet and found more problems. To the average person or even a less experienced plumber, they would have called it a day which would only cause more problems in the future.

The Plumbing Problem

Concrete in the drains! Now we are used to seeing tree roots, hair and all sorts of usual things creating the need for drain cleaning and drain clearing but concrete is an interesting find. Presumably the concrete entered the drain when the bathroom was renovated.

The Video

In the video, Darius shows us the drain through our CCTV drain camera and gives us a walk through with commentary of the discovery process where he determines where the drain is blocked and why it’s blocked. Then we get to see our water jetter at work clearing through the concrete and dirt.

A couple of interesting points to note which we are always proud to say. Apart from the skills and how easy Plumbdog Darius makes the job look through the camera, our water jetters are custom made locally with power. We’re often called in to take on jobs which others say can’t be done. Imagine being told you had to dig up all the pipes to get this problem solved when we were able to get this done with minimal fuss.

On top of that, notice how far down the inspection opening was for the toilet. We’ve raised it to ground level for easy access in the future which also helps to stop sand getting into the drain. We also found an illegal square junction rather than a Y junction in the drain.

Working With Maintenance Plumbing Specialists

How many times have you called out a plumber only to find that they need to be called back out for the same problem a few weeks later? This would have probably been the same case if someone else was called out to the job saving time and money in the long run and the inconvenience of having to arrange another day off to get the plumbing done at home.

This is why we say we have all the gear and every idea! We are able to sniff out and fix the problems rather than needing to call out other specialists, we are the specialists in our field.

• Good Plumbdogs don’t just dig up dirt, we get our paws dirty and fix things back up again
• Being a plumber isn’t just fixing pipes, we have other tradie skills like concreting too
• Don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this VLOG, one of our top dogs Darius is on the job where pipes have been damaged from tree roots.

Blocked Drains – Tree Roots

Tree roots are one of the common causes for blocked drains. In some instances after the problem area is detected, the problem can be easily fixed but in this instance it’s not as straight forward as blasting some difficult roots with our custom high powered water jetters.

Not all blocked drains are the same. At this location, not only was the pipe broken and needing replacing, Darius has had to break down the concrete driveway to get access to the broken pipe.

If you’ve seen his work before, you know Darius takes pride in his work and does a great job in minimising damage to the property.

More Than Just A Plumber

We pride ourselves in being maintenance plumbing experts and we’re really good at it. On top of that, check out the job that’s done on the driveway. From the start to finish, the breaking down of concrete is done neatly and properly causing minimal damage to keep the properly looking in good condition. After the job is done, another tradie isn’t called in to re-concrete the driveway. Darius has not only re-concreted, he’s done a great job and taken pride in making the driveway look great. This is the standards that we hold to our Plumbdogs.

Another Great VLOG from Darius

In the video in this link, he fixes a burst water pipe inside a brick wall cavity and you will be impressed with how little space he needs to get the job done.

Check out the video here

All The Gear & Every Idea

At Plumbdog, our Perth Plumbers have All The Gear & Every Idea. Our plumbing skills, training and experience coupled with the latest in equipment and technology is why we believe we are the maintenance plumbing specialists that even the professionals turn to.

If you’re in the greater Perth area and your plumbing is letting you down, give us a whistle!

We often get plumbing emergency calls for blocked toilets and while often it is highly advisable to use a qualified professional, there are some actions you can try. In some cases, it may be a good temporary solution before you can get a plumber out for an inspection.

Why does a toilet get blocked?

There are various reasons why a toilet gets blocked. Depending where you are located, there are different common blocked toilet and blocked drain issues. For example, if you are in Australia, tree roots prove to be a common problem damaging and blocking pipes and drains underground. Another common problem among young families is when a toddlers toy wants to discover where the water goes when a toilet is flushed.

If the toilet is completely blocked, don’t flush it again

It might seem obvious but it’s understandable why people might think hitting the flush button again might help push more water through to unblock the toilet. This almost never works and all it leaves is a great big mess which being a toilet is generally not a pleasant one.

Check For Obstructions

If you have kids or even puppies, there’s a chance that a quick search around might reveal a toy or even a bone lodged in the toilet bowl. It’s amazing what you can find in the toilet when it comes to little ones. If you have a pair of rubber gloves, get them on and have a quick search around and you might solve your blocked toilet problem nice and quick.

Use the Right Plunger

Most people have traditional sink plungers at home. While they can in a toilet, you will notice that they do not usually fit properly or it might take a fair bit of effort to generate the pressure needed. If you’re reading this article and you do not have a blocked toilet, it might be a good idea to invest in a good quality toilet plunger next time you’re at your local hardware store.

The right plunger can make a huge difference in whether you can unblock your toilet with this method. Remember, a plunger may not do the trick depending on the blockage and there could be a larger plumbing issue so don’t overdo it.

Plunging Tips

Make sure the plunger is fully submerged and there is no air inside the plunger cup. This will allow for the best plunging force from your plunger and may also save the embarrassment of toilet water being splashed all over you. If your plunger isn’t fully submerged, you can add more water but do not use the flush button, grab some water with a bucket and top up the toilet as needed. When plunging, go straight up and down to get the best seal with the plunger which generates the best plunging force.

Plumbing Snakes

Some people happen to have plumbing snakes in their toolbox. If you’re fortunate enough to have one or know someone that does, you can try the plumbing snake to see whether any blockages can be dislodged. If you do happen to find the blockage with a plumbing snake, remember to apply a reasonable amount of pressure but do not be too forceful as you may end up damaging the toilet. In some instances, the toilet may need to be removed in order to get rid of the culprit as the object causing the blockage might need to come out the way it went in.

Liquid Drain Cleaners

There are a range of drain cleaners available at your local hardware stores and supermarkets. It can be really hard to say which ones are the best and whether they will work for your blockage because if your toilet is blocked because of a hard object that has been lodged then they are not the right solution for you. They can be useful if your toilet has a buildup of soap scum, fats, oils and grease. In these types of situations a liquid drain cleaner can work.

Tips for Liquid Drain Cleaners

When selecting chemical drain cleaners, have a good look to see what options are available. There are some newer products made with enzymes rather than traditional harsh chemicals which may be a suitable alternative. Chemical drain cleaners can be toxic and harmful to humans, dogs and other pets and the environment while also causing damage to your pipes in the long run. If you are going to try this method of drain unblocking, then please read and adhere to the manufacturers instructions.

That’s our pointers on what to do with a blocked toilet. Remember while there are DIY solutions to unblocking a toilet, it is always advisable to work with a professional plumber to make sure the job is done correctly and to prevent future problems. Even if you have the right tools, if you are not trained or sure how to use them, you could damage your plumbing or even worse you could injure yourself.

While we know how important it is to have hot water in our homes and offices, the hot water system is often taken for granted or treated as a set and forget item. It’s only when they break down or stop working for whatever reason do we need to take quick action to remedy the situation.

You Don’t Always Have to Simply Replace Your Hot Water System

It seems to be trending now to simply call to get a quote for a replacement where in the past many sought for repairs. In many cases with a little TLC, the hot water system can easily be repaired. This not only has the potential of saving our customers a lot money, replacing a whole unit also means that an old unit needs to be disposed of which for the environmentally conscious knows that not all components are recyclable let alone is there a guarantee that the old system will be disposed of responsibly.

Determining Whether to Service or Replace Your Hot Water System

Eventually all hot water systems will reach the end of a good run but here are some main points and scenarios to consider when determining whether to service or replace your hot water unit.

The Hot Water Isn’t Hot Anymore

Your hot water might be luke warm or water goes hot and cold indicating that the hot water system is on its way out. This is quite a common problem and quite often does not need a full replacement. When this occurs, it could simply be the heating element or a thermostat issue. Either fixing or replacing these components would save the cost of replacing the whole system.

How Old is your Hot Water System?

A hot water system does not need to be replaced just because it’s out of warranty. Hot water systems are a commodity that is made to last even in our modern disposable world. We expect that in general a hot water system should last at least 10 years (for a reputable brand). If your hot water system has reached 20 years then it may be time for a replacement.

The Hot Water System Makes Strange Sounds

If you have noticed some clanging sounds or hissing sounds, it could be the pipes or the hot water system. A common problem when you hear hissing could be a faulty relief valve. Quite often relief valves are not tested regularly and while they can generally last a few years without any issues, if they have discharged there is the potential of debris stopping the valve from fully closing. A repair or service in this instance is a far cheaper option than replacing the whole hot water system.

Other Considerations when Replacing Hot Water Systems

If it is the case that you have to replace or are weighing up whether to fix or replace then there are few more things to consider.

Compliance

As our building standards have changed over the years, especially in older dwellings, where a hot water system currently sits in your home might no longer be permitted. A plumber or any installer would not be allowed to replace if the location breaches the code which means finding a new location and potentially extra plumbing work required.

Electric, Gas or Solar?

If you are planning on changing from one heating method to another, you may need to consider additional works required. For example, is another power point required which might require electrical work? Does the hot water system fit or will it work where the old unit currently sits? Some systems need to be placed outdoors where some systems also function indoors. For Solar, if you live in a strata property, does installing a solar hot water system on your roof also require strata approval?

Running Costs

There is a benefit of replacing your hot water system. A replacement can mean optimising your running costs. Consider your preferred heating method as well as how much hot water you really need. If you have a small place, you do not necessarily need the largest unit which will cost more to keep running. If you have a family or often have visitors then a small hot water system while cheaper to install might not accommodate your needs causing frustrations when you run out of hot water.

The Importance of a Fully Qualified and Experienced Plumber

In any industry whether it’s for hot water systems, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and stereos just to name a few, there are many people selling these household items with their technicians ready to install when the item is sold. In our industry we have noticed that many are trained to install a brand new hot water system but may lack the training, skills and experience to repair so when they are called out by a customer it’s really just to consider replacing with a new system.

The trusted team at Plumbdog specialise in both Hot Water System Repairs and Replacements so whether you need some simple repair work, you’re looking for a whole new system or aren’t sure what’s best for your home give us a whistle!