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).
Updated August 2024 by John Salmon. What’s causing leaking pipes and is it likely to turn to a burst pipe and full scale plumbing emergency? From mysterious drips to puddles forming in the front yard, most homeowners will encounter a leaking pipe at least once in their lifetime. The biggest issue with water leaks is finding where they started in the first place. This can be tricky when pipe work is concealed. Fortunately, an experienced Brisbane plumber (that’s us, in case you were wondering) will easily be able to detect this.
What causes leaking pipes?
Extremely high water pressure
Some locations can have water pressure higher than 1000kpa – this should be reduced at the entry to the property with a Pressure Limiting Valve. 300-500kpa is a normal pressure range.
A pipe under stress from high water pressure for a sustained period of time is prone to leakage.
Cracks
If you live in an older property, then your pipes may be cracked simply because they are old and have been exposed to minor movement over many years. Depending on the type of pipes on your property, many will need to be replaced when they are around 50 years old.
Corrosion
Corroded pipes are also prone to leakage. Apart from age, pipes may corrode due to pH levels, water temperature, velocity, and oxygen content.
Clogged Drains:
A build-up of hair, grease, debris or objects in your drainage pipes can cause your pipe to block. It’s also not uncommon for small objects to become accidentally flushed down the drain and become lodged in your pipes. These small blockages in turn can cause back-ups. Back-ups increase the pressure in your drainage pipes and these can eventually cause pipe leaks that can be difficult to locate, particularly if they are underground. A sign of a blockage is that your drains start to take longer than normal to clear.
In this situation, it is best not to use chemical drain cleaners. While they may help clear the blockage, they can also eat away at the pipe causing corrosion and therefore in the long run be a more expensive fix.
Renovations
If you have been doing a bit of home renovations and screwing nails into the wall, it can be easy to inadvertently hit a water pipe and cause a pipe leak. While most homeowners don’t know exactly where the pipework is in their home, if you are renovating and have a few unplastered walls, it’s a good idea to take photos of the pipework so you know what areas to avoid if you want to hang shelves, cabinets or even pictures.
Bad workmanship
While this is less common, hiring an unqualified plumber or doing the job yourself might also inadvertently cause a pipe leak. In this instance, it is normally that the joints are not tight enough or done correctly. Perhaps the wrong material has been used. While it’s tempting to try and do the work yourself, it is best to use a licensed plumber.
Tree Roots
Not all leaks start inside the building. Some, like tree roots protruding into pipework, start outside. The root system of some trees are very deep and spread as far as the width of the tree. If you have trees close to your home, it’s possible that a tree root may make its way into the drainage pipe and cause a water leak.
Broken Seals
Seals are placed on appliances that are connected to water to create a watertight connection. When appliances, like a dishwasher, age the seal can break down or degrade over time. A sure sign of this is when you notice a puddle of water near your appliance. It could be a sure sign that you have a broken seal.
Types of leaks and how to detect them
Roof, Gutter and Leaks in the Ceiling
While not a leaking pipe, roof and gutter leaks create water inundation that can turn from a minor problem to an outright disaster very quickly. Water patches or mould on your ceiling could be from a broken tile or an overly full gutter, but it could be from a leaking pipe in your roof cavity. This is especially common if you have an on-roof solar hot water tank. The issue with detecting a leak in a pipe in your ceiling is that they can be tricky! It gets very hot up there in Brisbane in summer so as it expands and contracts the leak may be more or less apparent.
Leaking Taps
A dripping tap is a relatively simple problem to fix – usually the washer has deteriorated the tap needs reseating. This is a pretty quick and easy job, unless its not. If there’s a leak in the pipe coming into your tap, it could be a bigger problem than first thought. If in doubt get the plumber out!
Leaking Flexihoses
That fancy kitchen tap that has a pull down hose – a leak here is a full scale plumbing emergency in the making and it’s come soon. Do not wait. Call a plumber the minute you notice a leak in a flexihose. These renovator’s dreams only last a few years and are under constant stress. When they leak, it means that the hose itself and the casing is compromised. The big problem is that these are connected to your water supply without the “stop-gap” of a tap. So if it bursts while you’re at work, or worse, away, it will purge more than 7 litres of water a minute into your home. Do not, I repeat, do not ignore a leak in a flexihose. Learn more here.
Drain Leaks
Drain leaks can be really bad news, especially if the leak is occurring on a floor other than the ground floor and there is a ceiling of another room below. Drain leaks occur when water that is in a wet area like a shower or bathtub does not all exit through the drain. Instead, the water escapes through joints in the drain as well.
This problem is especially common where there is a fibreglass bathtub or shower flooring. Unlike tiles and grout, fibreglass flexes and warps a little bit each time that weight is placed on it. That means that after years of normal use, the tight seal around the drain hole weakens and water might find its way through. It is also possible over long periods of time that slight movement of pipework can cause loosening of pipework and fittings causing water leaks that can not always be seen. A steady, continual leak underneath a bathtub or shower will slowly ruin the floor under the bathroom or the ceiling of the room below.
There’s a simple way to test whether your drain has a minor leak. The first is filling the tub or shower area with water and observing for warping/leaks from the floor below. Water stains and discolouration are also tell-tale signs. The other tactic to use is to fill the area with water then mark the level of the water on the wall. Check back after a short period. If the level has gone down, then it’s likely you’ve got a drain leak.
Hot Water System Leaks
Fun fact: Hot water systems need maintenance. Annually and then every five years. It’s in your manual. It’s part of the conditions of your warranty and, it’s just a good idea to prolong the life of your system and prevent premature ageing, or an outright disaster. Over time the seals on your system deteriorate which can cause water leaks. Keep an eye out for water pooling at the base of your system, or on the tank itself. Once you’ve got a hot water system leak, simple maintenance may not be enough to save it. But, it could be, call us out asap!
Tile Leaks
Whether it’s a laundry, shower or bathroom, tile leaks are sneaky, hard to find and can cause serious damage to the wall behind it. Gaps in tiles caused by loose tiles or cracked grout, even if they aren’t regularly covered in water, can be a huge headache. That’s because while water won’t leak, steam and moisture will get behind the tile and between it and the wall. This can lead to the wall rotting from the inside out.
Signs to watch out for are peeling paint, tiny cracks in the grout next to tiles, and mould that grows back regularly because it has a warm damp home behind the cracked tile to grow in.
Toilet Leaks
Few things are as concerning as a leaking toilet, but there are some simple things to be on the lookout for to make sure you can get things fixed before it leaks all over the bathroom area. The first thing to watch for is a toilet that rocks or “gives” a bit when it’s pushed or when the flush button is pushed. Minor leaks around the toilet are also obvious causes for concern, as is the appearance of the water pooling more on one side of the bowl of the toilet than the other.
No matter where your leak or suspected leak is, a professionally qualified plumber can take a look for you, point out where you might have problems, and potentially save you thousands of dollars in repair costs by getting on top of a problem early. Our friendly, experienced team of professionals at Salmon Plumbing in Brisbane are ready and available to do this for you today, so give us a call to set an appointment.
While it might be tempting to fix this yourself, its best left to a professional.
We have a standardised leak detection service and are available 24/7.
If you have a plumbing problem, don’t hesitate to give our professionals at Salmon Plumbing in Brisbane a call. Our experienced team of plumbers are qualified to take on any commercial and residential plumbing issue, including leaky pipes, burst pipes, roof leaks, and other emergencies.
We invite you to contact us online or give us a call on (07) 3862 2600.
Tap and toilet repairs around Brisbane aren’t a joking matter. The sound of that dripping tap late at night can be unbearable, costing you precious sleep and money. Worse, a leaking hot tap will cost you both of those as well as the additional electricity to heat that wasted water. A slow drip can waste up to 1 litre of water per hour equating to approximately one bathtub of lost water per week.
Although it may be tempting to try to fix it yourself and might appear to be easy, it isn’t always the case and can very quickly turn into a disaster. Always call a professional for repairs to leaking taps and toilets in Brisbane, because a simple mistake can prove very costly later. At Salmon Plumbing we:
Use purpose made, quality tools to undertake the repair
Are licensed, experienced professionals
Use only quality washers, o-rings and jumper valves on your taps
Always reseat existing tapware to ensure an effective seal between the jumper valve and seat
Salmon Plumbing uses and recommends an extensive range of quality tapware to cater for even the most fastidious buyer. Our plumbers carry a range common taps to be fitted on showers, basins, sinks, laundry tubs and baths. If you’d like an even wider choice, have a chat with our friendly team who can help you with your decision and arrange a plumber quote.
Do you have a dripping or leaking tap?
Use the drip calculators below to work out how much water your household is wasting.
Slow Dripping / Leaking Tap
Count the number of drips from your tap in one minute.
Fast Dripping / Leaking Tap
For drips faster than 5 drips per second, hold a measuring cup under the dripping tap and count how long it takes to fill up to 240ml.
Toilets & Cisterns
Salmon Plumbing’s experienced technicians carry an extensive range of parts to repair most common makes and models of toilet suites. This includes cistern isolation valves, service pipes, inlet valves, outlet washers and rubbers. In most cases, we can fix your toilet on the spot!
We supply and install full toilet suites or just the cistern and toilet pan individually depending on your needs and the current installation. If you would like advice on tap and toilet repairs or replacement around Brisbane, contact Salmon Plumbing Brisbane today.
Making the most of your plumber’s visit
Don’t wait for a small issue to become a big problem. Having your plumber take a look at multiple jobs at one time is a great way to save time, money and the potential of a later call out of an emergency plumber. If you have a leaking toilet, make the most of your plumber call out fee and have your flexi-hoses, dripping taps and slow moving drains looked over at the same time.
We know that plumbing emergencies are, by their nature, a surprise bill when you least expect it. If you need a pay later plumber, give us a call and enquire about our interest free financing options.
Is your bathroom still emitting pungent odours hours after your partner sat on the porcelain throne doing the daily Wordle puzzle? Have you tried multiple air fresheners only to return later to have the smell punch you in the face once again?
Before completely overhauling your partner’s diet or investing in expensive gut cleansing powders, consider whether the bathroom smells are coming from your pipes, rather than your partner. Chances are they are also getting a nose full of the smelly drains, and maybe even thinking it’s you!
DIY Fixes for Bathroom Smells and Smelly Drains
Sometimes stinky plumbing smells need to be dealt with by a plumbing professional. But the good news is there are a few things you can try first.
Fill the P-Trap
The first place to start is with the p-trap – this is a U-shaped pipe found underneath the basins, baths and showers (not the fluffy rug your nan used to put around the base of the toilet!) When it is filled with water, as it should be, the p-trap acts as a barrier that prevents gases from your sewer system rising up through the pipes into your home. If you have a bathroom where fixtures haven’t been used for some time, the water may have evaporated. In this case, simply running the tap to refill the p-trap may be all you need to do.
Check for Leaks in the P-trap
If you still have smelly drains even after running water down them, checking your p-trap for leaks is the next step in getting to the bottom of the issue. Even a small leak in the U-shaped pipe can be enough to let the potent gases sneak up through your system. This is something you may be able to replace and fit yourself. However, if you have any concerns, or lack the necessary tools for the job, calling a plumber is the best course of action.
Check the Sink for Blockages
It’s gross to think about, but all the things that go down your sink drain other than water (such as hair, toothpaste, soap, or food remnants) can cause a blockage in the pipes that takes on a life of its own and begins to stink!
In cases where the build-up is mild, pouring a cup of baking powder followed by a cup of white vinegar into your sink or shower drain and leaving for 10-15 minutes before running the hot water may be enough to clear the clog in the pipes and deodorise drains. You can also try unclogging the drain yourself with a plunger.
However, in more extreme circumstances, a plumber may use a drain snake or high-pressure hydro-jet to unblock the pipes.
Ignoring a blocked drain and hoping it’ll just go away can quickly turn into a costly mistake. So if these DIY methods don’t work, get your plumber on the phone!
Is the Smell Coming from the Toilet Rather than the Drains?
Are you struggling to keep a lid on the smell coming from your toilet? Smelly bathrooms aren’t always down to smelly drains or your honey spending too long on the dunny.
There are several reasons why your toilet might be the source of the foul smell.
Just like with the p-trap under your sink, the water in the toilet acts as a barrier to stop sewage gases from entering your home. If your toilet bowl isn’t filling up as it should, this could indicate a broken seal.
If there is no caulk around the base of your toilet, water and urine can gather in the crevices, grow bacteria and smell very unpleasant if left unchecked.
A loose or wobbly toilet may indicate a broken pan collar seal or wax ring which can result in toilet water leaking out and puddling on the floor and sewer gas escaping into the room.
Don’t let the stench of smelly drains or other unpleasant bathroom smells overtake your home! Contact Salmon Plumbing today.
Mould is the natural result of moisture and damp in your home, but could your plumbing be the cause? To discover if mould from water damage is the culprit, it’s time to investigate.
For more than 30 years, Salmon Plumbing has been helping Brisbane homeowners rectify plumbing problems. This local expertise means we’ve dealt with water damage from small leaks to huge floods and everything in between. If you have mould in your Brisbane home, we’ll identify the cause and provide a solution.
There are few things more worrying than discovering roof leaks. Brisbane homeowners may be tempted to ignore watermarks on the ceiling or the occasional drip, but please don’t! The damage caused by a leaking roof could prove extremely costly. It could result in widespread damage, mould, or even electrical issues which could be devastating to your family.
With Brisbane’s extreme summer storms, maintaining the integrity and water tightness of the roof is vital. To keep on top of roof leaks, Brisbane homeowners should read on. Spotting signs early will help keep your family safe – and could save your bank balance, too!
Internal water damage to homes has risen by 72% in property-related home insurance claims over the past 5 years.
As a homeowner, internal flooding is the last thing you’d expect to claim on. Often more focus is put towards protecting your home from other events like theft or fire.
Security to your property is, no doubt,
important for you and your family. It’s
not unusual to be proactive in protecting your home from thieves by installing locks,
security screens, alarm and security systems.
You’re also probably diligent in checking
your smoke alarms on the 1st day of April each year. It’s the day
the nation changes the batteries to their smoke alarms to ensure it works in an
emergency. (It can also turn on depending on who’s cooking!)
But how vigilant are you protecting your
home from internal water damage? How often do you inspect the water pipes in your
home?
If you have concealed the water pipes for
your appliances behind cabinetry, you probably never check the pipes for leaks
or fraying, and yet this could be the unexpected insurance claim you make
before theft or fire.
Internal water damage to your property is costly and inconvenient. Soaked carpets, warped cabinetry, soggy plasterboard and even damage to any electrical appliances you own… the cost to your claim can add up. And while it is currently claimable on insurance, it will still incur an unexpected excess fee and a possible increase in premium the following year. Let alone the time to meet tradespeople on site to get the damage replaced.
So how can you protect your home from internal water damage?
Check your flexi hoses. And check them again. Every time you get your water bill, make this a reminder to check the flexi hoses around your property. Older style rubber flexi hoses should be changed every 5 years.
Ensure stop taps are installed on all water feeds to isolate water at the appliance/fixture.
Organise a plumbing inspection and replacement of old flexi hoses. This is a callout we are happy to do and encourage you to do so if you’re not sure on the age of your flexi hoses.
Ensure your washing machine, dishwasher and water dispensing appliances (like a fridge or Zip Hydrotap) have flood stop valves so the water is shut off if the hose bursts.
Have floor wastes in your bathroom if you’re building or renovating a bathroom.
Install your hot water unit outside, not internally.
When you notice a leak, get it fixed as soon as you can.
If you’re
proactive with these steps, your house is better protected against internal
water damage.
