Melbourne Winter Plumbing Checklist – Avoid Costly Plumbing Problems

The chilly Melbourne winter weather can take a toll on your plumbing, leading to costly problems. That’s why it’s important to do a regular check-up of your home’s plumbing system and take preventative measures.

Here is a handy plumbing checklist to help you get started:

1. Damaged Pipes

Check your pipes and taps for leaks. If you hear a dripping sound from your tap, you likely have a leak that needs fixing. It may just need some tightening you can do yourself but over time a drip can add up, especially if it’s more than one tap. You may need to upgrade your tapware if it’s old. 

Check your toilet valve. This part prevents water from constantly running while the toilet is flushed but becomes clogged over time and can cause water to run constantly.

Ensure all drainage in your home, including sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Do they drain slowly which indicates a blockage? If you find a blockage early on it’s easier to fix, and a cleaning chemical product can most likely be used. Left too late it might need a plumber.

2. Roof Leaks

The roof and gutters should be cleaned before the winter rain comes along. So it’s important to ensure that it is in good condition before winter arrives. Roofs are exposed to elements, including rain, wind, and sun damage that can result in damage. Look for missing shingles or loose tiles that could cause leaks in the future.

Also, look for cracks and holes in flashing that keep water out of your roof space. Repair any damaged areas right away, and call a professional to fix them before Melbourne’s cold winter. If you have solar hot water panels or ducted cooling have them serviced yearly to make sure any leaking water is taken care of. We have had customers with solar hot water get an extra $1000 on their water bill when they didn’t realise the water was leaking from their hot water solar panel. 

3. Blockages

The most common plumbing systems problem we see during winter is blocked drains and pipes. If you have a blocked water system or pipe, you may see water pooling under sinks or dripping from taps. You could also notice that your toilet is running or backing up into the bowl. Or if it’s a drain in your front or backyard you will see water pooling or notice the grass is soggier than normal. 

To clear a blocked drain or pipe, try using a plunger (or bucket and plunger) to push water through the pipe. If this doesn’t work, use a snake to dislodge any debris in the line during your plumbing maintenance. If it is in a spot you can’t get to like underground drains then call us. We have specialised drain equipment like drain cameras to work out exactly where the leak is. That means we only have to dig in the spot to fix it, not dig up the entire yard.

4. Hot Water Service

A hot water system is a great way to keep you warm and comfortable during winter as you take a hot shower to thaw out. So get your hot water system serviced every year, it will keep it running in tip-top condition and can extend the usual 10-year lifespan of a hot water system so saves you cash in the long run. If you don’t get annual servicing on your hot water system, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. If your system is older than 10 – 15 years it’s probably time for a new hot water system. The new systems are more energy-efficient and most likely will save you some money on your energy bills. We supply and install new hot water systems, just speak to us for a price guide or check our hot water system page. 

5. Ducted Gas Heater Service

Book your gas ducted heater service with Harley Plumbing now to be ready for winter and make sure you are getting the most heat for the least buck. What we mean by that is if your heater isn’t regularly serviced you may be paying more in energy bills. It can be common for ducts to come loose and be heating your roof space. This will mean you find yourself turning up the temperature as the heat is not pumping directly through the ducts. And every degree you turn up adds 10% to your bill. So if you turn the thermostat from 19 to 22 that adds 30% to your gas bill! Heating bills soar during Melbourne Winter so get your ducted gas heater serviced to make sure every dollar works to its potential.

6. Heater Carbon Monoxide Testing

Using state of the art technology we check your heater to ensure that no dangerous fumes are escaping into your home. We clean and service the unit to ensure it is tuned for optimal heating. This in turn will reduce energy bills. We can even help with explaining to you how best to operate the heater. It only takes a few minutes to give you peace of mind and ensure your family’s safety. Click here for info and pricing. 

We offer full heater repairs, maintenance and replacement for all domestic, commercial and industrial situations. Not sure what kind of heater would best suit your home or business? We’ll offer you advice and guidance on all types of heating:

• Ducted Heating
• Wall Furnaces
• Central Heating
• Gas Under-Floor Heating
• Hydronic Heating
• Space Heaters

Annual Plumber Service

Keep your home plumbing in good condition to save money on expensive repairs that could have been fixed earlier and for less cost. Contact us today or read our website for information on our services which include 24hr emergency plumber repairs.