What is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?

Before you can take action in the face of a plumbing catastrophe, you need to know whether your manufacturer’s warranty classes it as an emergency. It could be the difference between an out-of-pocket payment and having the costs covered by the manufacturer or the insurance company.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, Brisbane plumber John Salmon has been in the industry for many years and if there’s anyone that can give you the right advice, it’s him! Keep reading to find out what is considered an emergency when it comes to your warranty.

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Salmon Wins 2023 MPAQ President’s Award

And the winner is … John Salmon!

We always knew our very own John Salmon was a well-regarded professional in the Brisbane plumbing industry – but it’s nice to see him making a ‘splash’ with this prestigious award! John’s been awarded the 2023 MPAQ President’s Award by the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland.

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3 Unbelievably Creative Ancient Plumbing Systems

While we take pride in sharing regular advice and insights to help you care for your residential or commercial plumbing systems, we also love sharing the amazing history of sanitation.

Today, we want to do just that by taking a deep dive into ancient plumbing systems around the world.

We’re going to take a look at the first toilet, a plumbing system involving a pigsty and 21st century solutions in B.C. bathhouses. Let’s get into it.

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How to find and hire a plumber you can trust

Hiring someone to help you fit out your home or business with the best plumbing system can be nerve-wracking.

In this day and age, there are a million and one plumbers out there, so how do you know which plumber you can trust? Who is the best one? Who is the most cost-effective? And most importantly…who is qualified?

We’ve prepared the ultimate guide to help you find the right plumber for all your residential and commercial maintenance or emergency needs. Check it out below.

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5 plumbing tools every home or business owner should have

Now, before we get into this one, let’s get one thing straight: if you don’t know what you’re doing, you should always call a proFISHional (that’s us!).

However, there are some more minor plumbing issues that many home or business owners can actually solve themselves, with the help of some easy-to-use tools they have laying around.

We’ve put together this list of the top five plumbing tools you should have to help you in the case of a minor emergency, check them out below.

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Introducing the latest and greatest service from Salmon Plumbing… Pipe Relining!

The team at Salmon Plumbing are adding a new service to their bank of offerings – Pipe relining!

Pipe relining isn’t exactly new on the plumbing scene, but it has been gaining a lot of popularity recently. Mostly due to its ability to help homeowners improve the overall health and life of their plumbing systems.

So, how exactly does pipe relining work? And what are its advantages over other popular plumbing techniques? Well, we’re going to tell you!

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3 ways you can prepare your plumbing for the Australian Summer

As Spring eases us into the Australian heat, now’s probably the time to start prepping your property’s plumbing system for the summer.

The hotter months can wreak havoc on plumbing systems and lead to damage without the proper preparation.

Lucky for you, we’ve put together 4 tasks you can add to your Sunday to-do list so that you don’t have to stare down an expensive plumbing bill around Christmas time.

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Salmon Plumbing are looking for another proFISHional plumber!

Yep. You read that right, we’re looking for another fish to add to our tank – particularly one with gasfitting qualifications and experience.

With over 28 years in the business, whoever joins our squad is going to be signing up to gain some serious expertise in the plumbing world.

We’re a pretty laid-back school of fish, with just a few common goals – complete the work, do it well and make sure to have fun where you can.

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10 ways to save on your next water bill

No one likes the shock of opening up a water bill in the mail and seeing numbers that just don’t add up.

Or worse, seeing numbers that may make sense but aren’t exactly welcome news for your wallet!

Lucky for you, the latest catch of the day at Salmon Plumbing includes ten top tips for water conservation and water bill reduction.

  1. Use your dishwasher to get the job done.

Handwashing uses 3 times more water than a machine. To save water with a dishwasher, make sure your system has a WELS rating of at least 4.5 as this uses only 15L of water per cycle.

  1. Ditch the garbage disposal.

In-sink garbage disposal systems don’t just ramp up your water usage, they also overload your septic tank or sewage system, which can lead to some sudden and nasty surprises.

  1. Check your taps, toilets, hot water system and pipes for water leaks.

One small leak can waste up to 9,000L of water in a year. That’s a lot of Sunday brunches, movie tickets or morning coffees!

  1. Stop rinsing fruit and veggies with running water.

This uses way more water than necessary. Instead, try filling up the sink or a bowl with warm water and washing your produce there.

  1. Switch to a low-flow showerhead.

Most showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water a minute, a low flow showerhead will use 2 gallons or less. When used right, a low-flow showerhead can save as much as 20L of water!

  1. Don’t use toilets in your homes like rubbish bins.

It’s not just personal hygiene products that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet – cigarette butts, tissues, and other trash are all spending your money every time they’re flushed.

  1. Consider investing in a dual flush toilet.

This kind of toilet allows full flush for solid waste and half flush for liquid waste – meaning you can save up to 70% more water when you go number 1 and reduce your next water bill.

  1. Cut down to one load of laundry per week.

Washing your laundry only once a week can save up to 120L of water, and if you opt to handwash your delicates then you can save even more!

  1. Make sure you use a bucket when washing your car.

Using a running hose to wash your car can waste up to 200L of water. By using a bucket instead and only a hose for rinsing, you can cut that amount by about 50%.

  1. Stop hosing down sidewalks, footpaths and driveways.

We know dirt and leaves might crowd your walkways, but you can just as easily combat those with a leaf blower or a broom. Try to only use your hose on really grimy spots.

And the most important tip of all: make sure you’ve got an on-time, eFISHient plumber, like Salmon Plumbing to help you with water emergencies.

We’re always here and ready to help those in the Brisbane region with any plumbing needs, from burst pipes to hot water, and everything in between.

You can call us on 07 3862 2600 at any hour of the day, we’ll always pick up the phone.

To learn more home care tips for your plumbing system, click here to check out the Salmon Plumbing blog.

5 plumbing problems you should NEVER solve yourself

These days, thanks to the DIY culture of the internet, many people fancy themselves skilled enough to be their own in-house plumber.

While we applaud the enthusiasm, at Salmon Plumbing, sometimes we think there are bigger fish these people can fry. Especially when there are actual, qualified plumbers all around Brisbane to assist with any issues!

Making sure you pick a qualified plumber over an online how-to article is especially important when it comes to certain appliances and home projects.

Without them and their knowledge, one wrong move can cost you a lot more than money – you could lose your home!

Check out which plumbing problems we think you should leave to the proFISHionals, below.

  1. Faulty hot water units.

When faced with a stone-cold shower, most people would be inclined to tamper with their hot water system for a quick fix.

However, make note, trying to repair a gas or electric hot water unit yourself is incredibly dangerous.

Not only can you cause more damage, but the combination of water and gas or electricity means that there are additional risks of electrocution or gas leaks.

  1. Underground water leaks.

When it comes to water leaks, most would be inclined to think all that’s required is a tightening of a fitting on a tap or a jiggle of the toilet handle.

However, that’s not always the best, or safest solution.

Some water leaks are invisible as they occur underground where cracks or breakages have formed in pipes. It is unsafe for homeowners to investigate these issues themselves as they risk making a problem worse without the right equipment or experience.  

  1. Gas leaks.

Gas leaks are even more dangerous than water as gas is combustible. This means that they pose a huge risk to you or your family when heat or fire is close by. Gas can also have detrimental impacts on the body if it is inhaled excessively.

Instead of fiddling with the dials on a stove or opening an oven to investigate the sudden smell of gas, you should call a gas fitter right away.

  1. Persistent drainage problems.

Everyone and their mother has got a strategy for removing a blockage from a drain – but what about when they don’t work?

If you regular solution isn’t getting rid of the problem, it may be a sign that something more sinister is at play further down in your plumbing system.

When this is the case, you need to call a plumber as they have the equipment, qualifications and expertise you need to successfully resolve the problem without causing further issues.

  1. Building a stormwater drainage system.

In Queensland, stormwater can be installed by unlicensed people and is not regularly inspected by building or plumbing inspectors.

So, it’s a favourite for home handymen and other unqualified people to try themselves…

Unfortunately, poor storm water system design and installation is one of the leading causes of home defects in Queensland and can cause $1000’s of in damage and even become hazardous to your health through mould and vermin infestation  

Make sure that you hire a plumbing professional to help you design, install and maintain your stormwater drainage system.

And if all else fails, call the most eFISHcient plumber this side of Brisbane!

The team at Salmon Plumbing are available around the clock to help you with any plumbing problems or enquiries.

All you need to do is dial 07 3862 2600 and one of our team will answer the call, ready to assist you.

If you want to learn more ways you can protect your plumbing system, make sure to check out our blog.