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• Check your toilet and identify if it is not working properly. Signs that it could have a problem include random phantom flushes or constant flow of water into the tank.
• Check the floor and the back of the toilet to ensure any flushed out water is going out completely and not leaking from the pipes.
• Check if your toilet fills up immediately after flushing. If it doesn’t this could be a sign of a damaged valve or toilet parts inside the tank. Check and replace them if needed.
• Cleaners, no matter what kind they are, can contain chlorine or other chemicals that can lead to damage to the working parts of your toilet. Check them out for bends, brittleness or cracks. Replace as needed.
• The old grandmas trick of putting a brick in the tank still works in some tank systems. This will help you save some money on water use during the holidays, but newer systems contain a half and full flush button which is designed to do the same thing as nannas brick

These are just a few tips to prepare and keep your toilet leak free in the holidays and all year round. Contact us for all your plumbing needs!

We know how distressed some of our customers are when they call with a water leak. Calling a professional plumber is often the first thing that many homeowners think to do when experiencing problems with the plumbing network within their home. Whilst that is often the best course of action, there are occasions where you may be able to fix the problem yourself. We put together this little guide so that you can do a quick water leak detection check around which might save you some frustration and water wastage. There may even be an easy fix to a small water leak.

• Blocked Pipes and Drains

Blocked pipework is one of the most common causes of water leaks in your property. Months’ worth of hair, oil, grease and grime can quickly build up to create a blockage that prevents your sinks and basins from draining as they should.

Locate the source of the leak to ensure that the pipework nearby isn’t clogged and is causing an increase in pressure within the system. Going forward, be sure to keep your drains clear to prevent any further problems.

• Excessive Water Pressure

High water pressure is often characterised by a ‘banging’ sound when you operate a tap. What you will notice is that water is trying to flow out from your tap too quickly and will also be trying to find an outlet elsewhere in your plumbing system.

The installation of an anti-hammer valve will rectify this problem, but we also suggest reducing your hot and cold water pressure to prevent any further problems.

• Worn Seals

Every water-based appliance or fixture is fitted with a seal to prevent the leakage of water. If the seals on your washing machine, refrigerator, sink or toilet are worn, they may be allowing water to pass this important barrier.

The installation of new door seals for your appliances and new seals around your basins and toilet may rectify the problem.

• Faulty Pressure Relief Valves

Another common cause for water leaks is the presence of a faulty pressure relief valve (PRV). If this is the cause of your problem, locate your valve and lift the lever several times which should clear the blockage.

If at this point the leak stops, you have solved your problem. If it doesn’t or your valve is old and hasn’t been operated in a while, we suggest calling us instead to replace the valve entirely.

• Broken, Worn or Loose Washers and O-Rings

Every pipework joint is fitted with a washer and O-ring which is designed to create a tight seal and prevent leakages. Occasionally, these ancillaries break or become dislodged which can result in a leak.

Try tightening the joint which should move the washer back into place and stop the leak. If this doesn’t work, we suggest replacing the worn or broken item with a suitable replacement.

Plumbdog: Plumbers Perth – Providing Plumbing Services across Perth

If you are still experiencing a water leak within your home, call us today so that we can schedule a plumber to attend your property. Plumbdog are your leak detection specialists. Whistle And We Will Come! You can reach us at 1300 884 146 or drop us a message.

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.