Salmon Plumbing Guarantee to ARRIVE ON TIME to your scheduled appointment.
In the rare instance that your plumber has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we promise to give you a MINIMUM 30-minutes notice of ANY change in arrival time and will offer to reschedule, if that’s more convenient for you
If we don’t give you at least 30 minutes notice in advance, we will happily give you a FREE Hour of Service on your plumbing job.
This offer is not to be used with any other offer.
Does not apply to quoted jobs.
Discounts will not be applied to overdue amounts.
Deposits
Deposits are not refundable however partial or total refunds of deposits may be made at the sole discretion of Salmon Plumbing.
Cancellations
Salmon Plumbing reserve the right to charge for lost time as a result of cancellations and or postponement made less than 2 business days from the scheduled appointment time.
Warranties
Salmon Plumbing offers a 6 and half year warranty as per the Queensland Building & Construction Commission (QBCC).
The trade contracting industries of Australia are behind some of the biggest and best man-made marvels. For plumbers, one of the most well-known is the Hamilton Syphon.
Many people typically associate plumbing with backed up toilets, burst pipes or leaky roofs. But, what about the modern systems that solved large-scale community problems like sewage and water treatment?
Plumbers have been at the forefront of sanitation for longer than many care to think, and it’s important to tip our hats to the hard work that the men and women of our past have done.
The Hamilton Syphon was the solution to a sewage problem that had plagued Brisbane for decades. Bad planning, debt, a depression and World War II had meant that the city was around 40 years behind others when it came to providing sewage and water treatment services to its outer suburbs.
Its creation was part of a plan to transfer sewage from the south side of the Brisbane river at Cowper Street in Bulimba to the treatment plant on Kingsford Smith Drive in Hamilton via a tunnel under the Brisbane River.
Tender for the project was won by MR Hornibrook Pty Ltd, a prominent civil engineering contracting company at the time. The work designed by the team at MR Hornibrook involved the sinking of two vertical shafts at each side of the river, and then the connection of them with a tunnel roughly 600 metres long underneath.
Perhaps the most daunting and dangerous part of it all was that the digging of the tunnel was not supported by the advanced technology we have today. Instead, the tunnel was constructed by men with rock-drilling machinery mounted on a wheeled hydraulic system. With such a simple, yet cumbersome, system, progress was slow, with the tunnel only lengthened by about 9 metres each week.
To give you an idea about the conditions these fearless men were working in, here’s a quote from page 3 of a 1951 edition of The Courier Mail that details the project:
“The four experienced miners at the tunnel face work in a roaring wet, grey fog. They guide two long rock-drills fixed to a wheeled hydraulic mounting…River water seeps down the brightly lit walls enclosing the 10ft diameter tunnel. The men leave the tunnel when gelignite plugged into the drill holes is exploded electrically from above.”
Once the tunnel was finished, the work wasn’t done either. It then needed to lined with a special concrete sealer that prevented leaks from the river entering the tunnel – meaning more tradesmen were sent into the dark depths to work quickly and efficiently.
Then, sewage pipes had to be installed and maintained to ensure they were working correctly – meaning that sending tradesmen down into the tunnel was a regular occurance.
Work was completed on the Hamilton Syphon in 1955. However, the tunnel is still used today and has even undergone further maintenance.
A few years ago some major renovations were required to repair some cracks that had occurred in the Syphon and upgrade access areas for workers that would be maintaining the Syphon.
Meyjor Industries Pty Ltd took on this renovation project, with their director noting it’s difficulties and the precision-planning it required:
“Tough engineering challenges were inherent in this project form the start, including the requirements of confined space entry, the likelihood of sulphuric gas being present in the horizontal tunnel and requiring ventilation, workers requiring breathing apparatus in case of emergency and the difficulties with being able to get a man box down the shaft to ensure workers could safely remove and install platforms. Intensive planning was undertaken by the project crew before works commenced to ensure safety of workers was paramount, and to ensure project completion would be on schedule.”
To this day, the Hamilton Syphon is still used by Brisbane, and is regularly maintained and walked through by tradesman.
It is one of the great marvels that the trade contracting world has to offer, and a true testament to the notion that man will go anywhere.
To read about other plumbing marvels or learn about Salmon Plumbing and the services we offer, click here to read our blog.
We’ve all been there. You’ve just finished dinner and a long day, and you just want the washing up to be done so you can crawl into bed. Or you’re groggily walking into the kitchen the morning after a big night and can’t believe the mess you made.
In these times it can be tempting to wash anything and everything you can down the sink. It’s easy, it’s fast and it means you can have a clean kitchen sooner. So, what’s the harm, right?
Wrong. While we know it’s easier, washing a number of different things down your sink can be dangerous for your plumbing system and lead to cracked pipes, blockages or worse.
Here’s our advice for 10 things you should avoid washing down your kitchen sink.
1. PASTA
The plumbing system that connects to your sink has a fixed width. The semolina in pasta can cause it to absorb liquid and swell which means that too washing too much down the drain can block, or worse, corrode your pipes.
2. BONES
Especially those from beef, pork, lamb or poultry. Bones from these animals are big enough that they can cause a blockage in your sink and leads to overflows that can damage your plumbing system and your property.
3. GREASE
This liquid can stick to the inside of your pipes, and the pipes that your water flows into in the street, causing major blockages over time. If you’re looking for other options, leave the grease to cool first, and then dispose of it in your rubbish bin.
4. FLOUR
Much like pasta, flour coagulates when mixed with water. This mixture when washed down the drain can coat the edges of your pipes and catch other bits of food or debris that is washed down, which can cause a blockage and break down your pipes.
5. UNUSED MEDICATION
Tipping or dissolving unused medication down the sink may seem harmless, but the truth is that the chemicals you’re getting rid of may end up back in your drinking water and the environment.
6. EGGSHELLS
The impact of eggshells down the drain is very similar to flour. They can build-up and cause blockages and overflow quickly and easily. Try putting these in your compost or rubbish bin instead.
7. MILK
This one often catches people off guard. Milk, like all dairy products, is considered a highly polluting substance due to its high oxygen demand. This means that when it is released into environments with sewage, it can deprive other organisms of oxygen to survive.
8. PAPER PRODUCTS
You remember spit balls from primary school? Those things you’d load up into a straw and rocket at a friend? Picture that but bigger and blocking your drainage and causing overflow in your kitchen. Putting paper products down the sink is nothing but trouble for your pipes.
9. FRUIT AND VEGGIE STICKERS
These bad boys belong in the bin. When they get washed down your drain, they can they clog your pipes and also block filters in water treatment plants due to their adhesive being unable to dissolve in water.
10. COFFEE GROUNDS
Everyone loves a good brew in the morning – but what you might not is the blockages that can occur when you tip coffee grounds down the kitchen sink. Grounds can stick together and cause a blockage that cannot be easily moved with water. Instead, try using these grounds as part of your compost.
IT’S TIME TO MOVE YOUR RUBBISH BIN A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE SINK
Disposing of liquids, solids and the in-between properly will help you preserve your pipes for longer and avoid any other damage occurring to your property as a result of blockages and overflow.
If you do find yourself stuck in a mucky situation though, don’t fret! The team at Salmon Plumbing are more than happy to help you. Give us a call on 07 3862 2600 for any plumbing assistance you might need.
To learn more about how you can care for your home’s plumbing system, check out our blog.
When it comes to saving money on plumbing projects, there is something we think you should know.
Those same Youtube videos, Pinterest hacks, and family recipes that are keeping your toilet bowl sparkling clean or your house odor-free may be doing more damage than you think.
As plumbing professionals, we want to make sure you’re not doing more bad than good when it comes to your home or business’ plumbing. So, we’ve decided to bust five popular plumbing myths and show you the right ways to look after your water and sanitation systems.
Myth 1: You can flush more than toilet paper
One of the most common issues Salmon Plumbers have faced is attending to, what we call, a UTB, a.k.a an Unidentified Toilet Blockage. See, when it comes to your bathroom, there are many things that might appear flushable, but actually they aren’t.
Objects like paper towels, maxi pads, tampons and makeup remover wipes are not designed to go down the toilet and can easily cause a blockage if they are flushed.
Nothing except toilet paper, not even flushable wipes, should be flushed down the toilet.
Myth 2: You should use bleaching tablets to clean your toilet
Bleach can be a very effective toilet cleaning agent. However, when left to sit in your toilet for too long (usually more than 10 minutes), it can damage the toilet bowl surface and degrade many of its working parts.
A drop-in bleach tablet continually releases bleach over an extended period of time. So, by placing this in your bowl and simply walking away, you run the risk of issues above, or in some more serious cases, the complete corrosion of your toilet bowl!
While it may require a more hands-on approach, manual cleaning processes with the occasional inclusion of bleach will help you achieve the safest and best clean for your toilet.
Myth 3: You only need to think about your pipes when there’s a problem
Hair and shampoo in the shower, food and coffee grounds in the kitchen sink, and more, can all accumulate in your pipes over time. So, while you may not think anything is immediately wrong, the slow build-up of a blockage may mean water could start backing up without warning.
To avoid issues like these occurring so suddenly, arrange regular inspections of your home or business’ plumbing system. This can help you identify problems before they become costly, and enable you to learn the best tactics for maintenance from the plumbing professionals.
Myth 4: You can flush fish down the toilet
Before sending a fish to the porcelain pet heaven, you need to be certain it is no longer alive.
Many fish that are flushed can end up surviving their journey through the sewer system. From there they can become oversized and reproduce at alarming rates. This can put a number of natural ecosystems at risk.
Myth 5: You can use drain cleaner to avoid calling a plumber
If you find drains in your home are gurgling or slow to empty, don’t reach for the baking soda and vinegar or drain cleaner right away. It’s actually best to contact a plumber to remove the blockage that is impacting your system.
Liquid drain cleaners, and drain cleaning methods, are not actually that effective at clearing blocked drains. What they are 100% good at, however, is eating away at your pipes and flushing dangerous chemicals out into natural ecosystems.
Fact: Your local plumber will have the best advice for plumbing issues
When you can, it’s best to call your local plumber if you are facing a problem, or need some advice for care and maintenance.
By consulting a professional, you can trust that you are taking the best care of your property’s plumbing system.
Salmon Plumbing Ladies: Virginia (Left) and Claire (Right)
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on the 8th March. The theme for 2020 is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.’
Traditionally, International Women’s Day is
celebrated worldwide, offering an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the
wonderful contribution women have made in the workplace and in society. It’s
also a time to reflect on what changes still need to be made when it comes to
gender equality.
In generations past and still in the
present day, the plumbing industry has been a male-dominated industry. But the
times are changing – for the better, with women actively pursuing a career in
plumbing.
I thought this would be a great opportunity
to share with you the women who help the QLD Plumbing Industry thrive. Their
leadership, skill and work done behind the scenes are what drives better
outcomes for plumbing businesses in QLD.
These women have brought equality into the
plumbing industry and they should be commended and recognised for what they do.
The
Administration Team Behind the Scenes at Salmon Plumbing
I might be biased, but Salmon Plumbing has the best administration staff in QLD. Without them, our business would not run. Virginia, Claire and Tina are at the forefront of our business, taking your calls, organising the bookings and managing the paper trail that comes with running a plumbing business. Their genuine attitude to help, friendly customer service delivery and exceptional administration skills keep Salmon Plumbing in business. While what they do is done behind the scenes, if they were to quit tomorrow, we wouldn’t be able to function.
Master
Plumbers’ Association of QLD (MPAQ) Executive Director Penny Cornah and Team
The MPAQ is run predominantly by women and it is no surprise the changes the team have put into place have been for the better for QLD plumbers.
Penny Cornah has been influential in her role as Executive Director by advocating for plumbers with government leaders and initiating solutions to problems within the industry. She is a female leader in a male dominated industry. Her advocacy to see QLD plumbing businesses thrive, while encouraging equal opportunities for women to make a career in the plumbing industry, should be commended and recognised.
Penny Cornah
Women’s
Plumbing Alliance
The Women’s Plumbing Alliance is a group managed by the MPAQ and it not only recognises the work women do in the plumbing industry, it offers opportunities for mentorship and support. The group aims to address the isolation women can feel when they are running a plumbing business behind the scenes. It also focuses on initiatives to encourage more apprentices within the industry.
The group meet once a month and have
networking events throughout the year to ensure women who work behind the
scenes in their family plumbing business don’t feel isolated or
underappreciated. The group is comprised of women actively working in plumbing and
is comprised of volunteers who attend meetings and events to initiate change
and support for all women in the industry.
Women’s Plumbing Alliance
Female
Plumbers in Areas of Influence – Plumbing Inspectors and TAFE Teachers
While there are only a small number of
female plumbers in QLD, many are running their own business or have gone on to
develop careers in areas of influence like being a plumbing inspector or
teaching apprentices at TAFE. These women are truly living out the
International Women’s Day theme of Generation Equality.
For all women working within the plumbing
industry whether in jobs of influence, behind the scenes in admin or on the
tools, we say thank you for what you do. Your contribution is recognised and the
plumbing industry in QLD is all the better for your involvement. Thank you for
stepping up and standing tall for gender equality within our industry.
Brisbane can be the city of plenty and not
enough water. But we aren’t doing it as bad as our regional towns and
communities, who have been experiencing severe drought and are in desperate
need for rain. Almost two-thirds
of Queensland is in drought, and the lack of water supplies affects
industries, agriculture and can impact personal lifestyles.
Water is a precious resource and we often
take it for granted. Being mindful of how much water we use each day is
something we don’t consider, until the water supplies start to dwindle. It’s
important to understand we all play a role in conserving water and ensuring we
only use what we need.
Unfortunately, it can take a drought to
prompt a change in the way we use water, but your plumber can help automate
water conservation through a few changes around the house.
Here are 5 ways your plumber can help drought-proof your home.
1. Install a rainwater tank
Rainwater is free and collecting it in a tank can help reduce your water bill and lower your reliance on town water supplies. Of course, it has to rain in order to fill your tanks. But having a tank readily installed for when the rains do come, is a way to drought-proof your home. Collecting this water and storing it for use to water gardens, clean cars, fill toilet cisterns and wash down the exterior of your home can ease consumption from drinkable water supplies used for personal use (ie drinking, cooking and personal hygiene)
2. Install water saving aerators
Using less water in the home makes sense, but it often requires a disciplined practice. Install water saving aerators to reduce the litres of water used through the spout. Your plumber can change the taps or add aerators to reduce the water through each spout.
3. Install dual flush toilet cisterns
Most homes should have dual flush toilet cisterns, but if you have an older, single flush toilet suite, consider changing it. Dual flush toilets are another automated way to use less water than needed when flushing a number 1 away.
4. Change over to a water-saving shower rose
There are often grumbles about the pressure of water-saving shower roses, but you can shower for twice as long in a water-saving shower than a shower rose without a restrictor. It’s well worth the investment to install a water-saving shower rose on all the showers.
5. Grey water diversion
Grey water is the waste
water collected from washing machines, basins and sink wastes. This water can
be re-used to water the garden. We need to be mindful of the soaps and washing
powders used if the grey water is diverted. Some aren’t meant to be dispersed
on gardens. If you use eco-friendly products, the grey water can be diverted. Grey
water diversion may not be possible on some homes. Often a call out is needed
to advise on the best diversion for your laundry set up.
If you’re looking for ways
to reduce your water consumption in the home, give Salmon Plumbing a call. We
can help get your house better prepared for drought when water restrictions
come in place.
Brisbane summer wouldn’t be the same without the mozzies. If it’s not enough that they’re breeding madly in flood waters, they’re coming for your rainwater tank! Rainwater tanks are a great way to save on your water bills, if you can keep the local mosquitoes out! So, how do you keep mosquitoes out of your rainwater tank?
Stored water makes a perfect home for mosquitoes
The collection of rainwater is a system that can be of great benefit to the environment and your water bills. But any plumbing system that collects and stores water needs to be maintained, and the rainwater tank is one such system that is often out of sight, so out of mind. Mosquitoes use rainwater tanks to lay eggs and raise larvae – you could be pumping baby mozzies into your pool or directly into your garden irrigation system.
Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on earth!
This mosquito is the culprit for infectious diseases including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Here in Queensland, we’re susceptible to Ross River Fever outbreaks. Ross River Fever isn’t usually deadly but it can shatter you immune system and make you very, very sick, for months, if not years. Dengue and Ross River Fever are real risks to Brisbane families.
The most common areas for mosquitoes to breed are near water supplies and CSIRO are urging all rainwater tank owners within Brisbane to check their rainwater tank systems to prevent an outbreak of dengue fever.
Research has shown the last epidemic for dengue fever in Brisbane was when the use of unsealed water tanks was prevalent. It’s important to check the current state of your rainwater tank installation and fix these issues if found during your inspection. If necessary, Salmon Plumbers Brisbane can do hassle-free rainwater tank replacements.
How to keep mosquitoes out of your rainwater tank
1. Check the mesh sieves into and from your rainwater tank
The mesh barrier at the top of your rainwater tank should be intact and have no penetrations. Any holes will attract mosquitoes. Replace the mesh to keep mozzies out of your tank.
2. Clean all gutters and downpipes
Leaf matter attracts mosquitoes as this is their food source. Remove the food and the mozzies won’t come looking for a home. Ensure your gutters and downpipes are free from all leaf debris. It’s important to clean your gutters twice a year, not just to prevent mosquito infestations but for flood prevention too.
3. Inspect the tank and check for holes or penetrations
Any penetrations or open holes into the rainwater tank are basically inviting the mosquitoes in. Replace or fix broken rainwater tanks. Your plumber can give you a quote on the cost to replace and install a split rainwater tank.
4. Check your first flush device
Your first flush device, connected to the outlet of the water tank should be flushed every 3 months. A biannual inspection can check for malfunctions and the possibility of mosquito presence.
5. Treat the water
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your rainwater tank, the water can be treated. This will stop mosquitoes laying eggs and kill any larvae already present in the tank.
Rainwater tank maintenance is a Salmon Plumbing speciality. The next time you book a call out, why not get our plumber to check the state of your rainwater tank system? It could be vital for your health and those living in the wider Brisbane community.
