VLOGS

Rich from Plumbdog Plumbing responds to a customer report of a strong gas smell around their hot water system — something that always needs to be taken seriously.

What initially appears to be a possible gas leak quickly turns into a full diagnostic process involving gas tightness testing, appliance inspection, burner pressure testing, and system commissioning checks.

In this video, Rich walks through the exact process professional gas fitters use to safely diagnose gas appliance faults and confirm whether the issue lies within the pipework or the appliance itself.

In This Video

•Performing a full property gas tightness test using a U-gauge / manometer
•Inspecting the hot water system and checking pilot and burner operation
•Leak testing fittings using soapy water / leak detection spray
•Identifying installation compliance observations and clearances
•Testing burner pressure using a digital manometer
•Testing inlet gas pressure while the appliance is running
•Diagnosing erratic burner pressure caused by a faulty gas control valve
•Replacing the gas control valve and recommissioning the system
•Performing final safety checks and confirming stable operation

The testing revealed that while the gas pipework to the property was completely gas tight, the burner pressure was behaving inconsistently. After confirming that inlet pressure was correct, the fault was traced to a malfunctioning gas control valve regulating gas flow to the burner.

The Result

Gas pipework confirmed leak-free

Faulty gas control valve identified and replaced

Burner pressure restored to the correct 1.0 kPa specification

Hot water system recommissioned and operating safely

Gas smell issue resolved

This video provides a real-world example of professional gas fault finding and shows why systematic testing is critical when diagnosing gas appliance problems.

Location: Perth, WA
Need help with gas appliances, leak detection, or plumbing repairs? Visit Plumbdog Plumbing

Josh from Plumbdog Plumbing takes you through a full reticulation conversion in Mount Lawley, switching a property from a bore water supply to mains water.

This video is a detailed look at professional reticulation work, showing all the steps needed for a smooth, compliant conversion while adhering to plumbing and irrigation standards.

In This Video

•Excavating and tracing existing bore lines
•Installing a new reticulation cut-in for mains water
•Connecting a new master solenoid and wiring to the control board
•Installing isolation and check valves to comply with standards
•Testing sprinklers and flushing through the system
•Troubleshooting a low-pressure zone caused by prior damage

Key highlights:
•Ensuring correct backflow prevention with check valves
•Connecting new wiring to the existing irrigation controller
•Testing and flushing sprinklers after conversion
•Identifying and resolving issues from damaged or old pipework

The Result

Property successfully converted from bore to mains water
Backflow prevention and valves installed to code
Sprinklers tested and operating at full pressure
Low-pressure issues resolved for consistent irrigation

Location: Mount Lawley, WA
Need help with reticulation conversions, irrigation upgrades, or troubleshooting? Visit Plumbdog Plumbing

Evan and Dan from Plumbdog Plumbing return to a property after previously pinpointing a hidden water leak beneath a long driveway.

After completing leak detection a few days earlier, the team identified the exact location of the underground pipe that had split — buried beneath pavers and surrounded by several other underground services.

Accessing the pipe required carefully lifting the driveway pavers and excavating deep into the trench to expose the damaged section without disturbing the nearby services.

In This Video

•Leak detection and pinpointing the burst pipe location
•Lifting driveway pavers to access the underground water line
•Excavating nearly 1 metre deep around multiple services
•Repairing the damaged section of water pipe
•Reinstalling pavers and restoring the driveway

Working carefully around several services running through the same trench, the team successfully exposed the pipe, completed the repair, and reinstated the driveway.

The Result

Burst underground pipe located and repaired

Water supply restored to the property

Driveway pavers lifted and carefully reinstated

Area cleaned and returned to original condition

Leak fully resolved

If you notice unexplained water loss, wet patches, or rising water bills, a hidden underground leak could be the cause.

Location: Perth, WA
Need help with leak detection, burst pipes, or underground plumbing repairs? Visit Plumbdog Plumbing

James from Plumbdog Plumbing takes you through a complete service of a storage hot water unit in Camillo, showing why regular maintenance is key to keeping your system running efficiently and safely.

In this video:
•Remove and inspect old sacrificial anodes
•Flush out the tank to remove built-up debris and sediment
•Compare old vs new anodes to highlight wear and efficiency
•Install new valves, a high-performance tempering valve, and new anodes
•Test and adjust burner pressure to manufacturer standards
•Ensure water temperature is safe and compliant at 50°C
•Clean up and prepare the system for optimal performance

Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your hot water system, prevents sediment build-up, and ensures consistent, safe hot water for your home.

The Result
Hot water system flushed and debris-free
Old anodes replaced with new units for improved protection
Valves and tempering valve installed for safety and efficiency
Burner pressure and water temperature set correctly
System running efficiently and compliant

Location: Camillo, WA
Need help with hot water services, repairs, or replacements? Visit Plumbdog Plumbing