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).
Old galvanised pipe was used to plumb water into homes fifty years ago. Unfortunately, many homes still have these pipes as the source of their water lines to their home. Without a doubt, there can be issues within the plumbing of the home due to not updating these pipes to copper.
Galvanised Pipes are a bit gross
Brisbane is jam-packed with antiquated galvansied pipes. After more than thirty years as plumbers in Brisbane, we have seem some truly disgusting galvanised water pipes. Would you drink water sitting in a rusty bucket overnight? Probably not. But this is what many of us are doing when we drink tap water that has been through old galvanised water pipes in our homes. Older and exposed plastic pipe is also not great for our health. Old pipe work can cause long term issues in other areas of the home too. It’s time to ditch your galvanised water pipes, here’s why.
1. It will improve the taste and odour of the water
Rusty water has a metallic taste and odour. Sure, Brisbane water isn’t exactly reputable for its sweetness but you might be drinking water that’s extra flavoured by rust particles. Regular ingestion of rust particles can lead to health complications including hemochromatosis. This is a condition where iron builds up in your body. The cure? Regular bloodletting. Sounds sooooo good right?
2. It will remove the probability of legionella bacteria
Around 30% of homes with galvanised or old plastic piping in their home have tested positive for legionella. To avoid the growth of legionella bacteria, replace your water pipes.
3. Can prolong the life of your dishwasher and washing machine
The rusty water used through the dishwasher and washing machine (and plumbed in fridge, water filters and other appliances also being supplied by old galvanised iron pipes). Rust and mineral buildup can affect the effectiveness and life expectancy of your appliances.
4. Will avoid build-up of scale and sludge in hot water system
Hot water units can also be affected by rust-contaminated water from galvanised pipes. Hot water units are expensive to replace. If you want to prolong the life of your hot water unit too, consider changing your water pipes.
5. You will have clear water
This is the best benefit of all after replacing your galvanised water pipes. Brown water from your taps if often rusty water, not dirty water. This water can stain clothes, leave a film on crockery and glasses and can cause the water to be brown through the tap faucet. A brown bath anyone?
If you want to protect your belongings and avoid a brown bath, upgrade your water pipes. Clear water is healthy and vital for washing, hygiene and general wellbeing. It will also eliminate the need for a higher than normal reliance on detergents and cleaners to keep your items clean because of the brown water. This can help save money and the environment.
For help replacing the old galvanised water pipes in your home, contact Salmon Plumbing for an inspection.
Updated 2024 by John Salmon. You’ve found your ultimate holiday destination. The accommodation is booked, your suitcase is packed and it’s almost holiday time! But before you head off on a well-earned break, be sure to complete our homeowner holiday checklist. The last thing you want is to come home from some much-needed R&R to find your home flooded from a busted pipe or tap. Here are our top tips to get your house holiday ready and number three could save you hundreds of thousands in water damage!
Plumbing Problems Always Happen When You’re Away
Several things can potentially go wrong with pipes, especially if preventive measures haven’t been taken.
Probably the biggest plumbing problem for Brisbane these days, especially during the summer holiday period is flooding. It’s been a wet few years for homeowners, and a busy few years for emergency plumbers in Brisbane. Backyard drainage and blocked drains are the most important items to check over before leaving your home unattended during another Brisbane la nina season.
Burst Pipes: If the temperature drops or increases significantly while you are away pipes can burst. This can lead to extensive water damage throughout the home.
Leaking Pipes: Even if pipes don’t burst, they can develop leaks over time due to corrosion, wear and tear, or pressure buildup. These leaks can lead to mould growth if left unchecked.
Clogged Drains: If drains are partially clogged before you leave, they may become fully blocked while you’re away, leading to backups and potential water damage.
Appliance Malfunctions: Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can develop leaks or malfunction.
Tree Root Intrusion: If you have outdoor pipes, tree roots can grow into them, causing blockages, leaks, or even pipe ruptures.
Gutters and Stormwater Drains: Damaged and blocked roof gutters, downpipes and stormwater pits and drains can lead to water flowing into your home unseen during a storm.
Plumbing Problem Prevention Checklist
Taking the time to perform a thorough inspection of your home to address any potential issues can help prevent plumbing emergencies and water damage during your absence, plus give you peace of mind while you’re away. The great news is there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Check your hot water system for leaks. Test the hot water unit’s valves and make sure they are working correctly.
Investigate if your hot water heat pumps have holiday modes on the electric timers. If yes, set the timers to holiday mode.
Inspect the flexible water connections underneath fixtures such as the kitchen and bathroom taps. If they are older than 5 years, we recommend that you change them before you leave home for an extended period. For your safety, these parts should be changed every 5 years.
Test for dripping taps and leaking toilets.
Clean out the roof gutters on your house and make sure the stormwater is running well. Keeping gutters, downpipes and stormwater pits and drains clear will help mitigate the risk of damage caused by a storm while you are away.
If you are aware of some small ‘plumbing issues,’ don’t delay. Get them fixed before you go, to avoid a costly surprise on your return.
Ask a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member to check on your home periodically while you’re away. They can ensure that everything is in order and address any issues that may arise, including plumbing emergencies.
When you get home from your holiday, go around the house and turn on every tap/water source. This is important because:
Water has been sitting in your pipes for an extended period and is likely stale. This water will have begun to absorb minerals from the pipes and bacteria may have started to flourish. Be sure that you do not use the stagnant water to wash or drink.
Running the taps also flushes and fills the pipe traps. While you were away, the water in the pipes can evaporate in the drains and traps, allowing smelly sewer gases into your home.
Holiday with Confidence
The cost of repairing leaking pipes in houses can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the leak, the location of the pipes, accessibility, and the extent of damage. By taking these precautions before going on holidays, you can minimise the risk of coming home to plumbing issues and water damage. It’s always better to be proactive and prevent problems before they occur.
For the best advice on pipes and drainage, you can rely on the Salmon Plumbing team. From blocked drains and burst pipes to roof leaks and emergencies, we can meet your plumbing needs – day or night.
Updated 2024 by John Salmon. Flood prevention is a hot topic in Brisbane. Summer is our wet season in Queensland and spring is the ideal time to check the external plumbing around your home. No one wants a moat around their house when the storms and rains inevitably hit. Proper backyard drainage is key to preventing water inundation inside your home, but the process starts with your roof!
Here are some checks and maintenance tips you can do around your house to ensure the water flows where it needs to go.
1. Clean your roof and remove debris
The roof is the largest surface area of your home, and it’s the first surface to be hit by rain. Ensure your roof is clean and debris-free so that when the rain does hit, it doesn’t wash accumulated debris through your gutters or downpipes, causing a blockage.
2. Empty gutters of leaf debris
Cleaning your gutters is step one in flood prevention. Crack out the ladder every spring and spend a Saturday making sure there is no leaf litter preventing the water from flowing through each channel to the stormwater drains. Leaf matter can break down and congest downpipes. This can cause a back-up of water when it storms or rains, and this water has nowhere to go except overflow the edges of the gutters, falling around the house often causing an external flood.
3. Inspect rusty gutters and down pipes and ensure correct fall
Every spring, your gutters and down pipes should be inspected for rust and openings which can cause a water to fall through, instead of being directed away from the home through the existing storm water drainage. Have rusty gutters and downpipes replaced as soon as possible to avoid the drama of an external flood during storm season.
Also ask your trusted Brisbane plumber to check for backfall of gutters. The correct fall ensures the water flows towards the downpipes, not away from them.
4. Flood prevention and stormwater grates
Often significant rain events can wash sand and dirt down storm water grates. This needs to be emptied to ensure a free channel of water to flow through when the next rain event hits. Click here to read more about storm water.
5. Ask your plumber to calculate the right number of downpipes for your roof surface area
Some houses just don’t have enough downpipes to meet the capacity of water fall from the surface area of their roof. Moving water from your guttering and is key to flood prevention at home, and usually where the process comes unstuck. If you think this is a problem at your property, call Salmon Plumbing out to investigate and offer a solution. This could be an opportunity to add a rainwater tank or two to be prepared for drought. If you’ve got an ageing rainwater tank, have your plumber inspect it for signs of cracking and decay. Upgrading a rainwater tank isn’t too expensive or difficult.
6. Flood prevention means the correct-sized stormwater pipes underground
Most stormwater pipes underground around houses are 90mm PVC. Often this pipe is not big enough for the amount of water that flows through the down pipes. Upgrading these pipes can help prevent a moat situation around your house during a heavy rain event. Of course, making sure you have no issues with blocked drains is vital too! If you suspect you may have a blockage anywhere in your drainage system, call us out stat. The next big storm could be brewing.
Keeping gardens maintained and away from
storm water grates ensures water can flow to where it needs to go when it
matters most.
The external plumbing to your home is
vitally important to prevent floods around your house. External floods can
cause damage inside your house, by seeping through window and door openings. It’s
an inconvenience that can be avoided with the right storm water drainage around
your home.
Another health concern to be aware of is any type of pooling of water in gutters and around the home can also attract mosquitoes. The pools of water offer mozzies the the perfect spot to breed. This is a health concern as mosquitoes can spread the Zika Virus and Ross River Fever. Ensuring adequate storm water drainage can prevent mozzies making a home at your home. Flood prevention isn’t just about potential damage to your property, it’s about keeping your family safe this storm season.
If you have a storm water blockage or have
concerns about how rain water is channeled away from your home, give Salmon Plumbing a call. Our plumbers
can offer solutions so you’re better prepared when the wet weather hits this
summer.
Do you want to know the trade secrets for cutting costs on your next water bill? Or how you can identify the right time to replace your hot water system? What about when to take a leaky tap seriously? What’s actually going on in your drains – gross as it may seem, there’s a definite fascination with CCTV investigations! Today, I’ve decided to open the floodgates and let the answers to some of Salmon Plumbing’s most frequently asked questions come swimming out. In this read I’ve got everything from trade secrets to top strategies for care and protection, and more.
You’re sure to learn something that will help you look after your property’s plumbing system and ensure you save a few dollars when it comes to next month’s water bills.
So, what are you waiting for? All your plumbing FAQ answers in one place. Let’s dive in.
PlumbingFAQ #1: How does a plumber identify what is blocking a drain and get rid of it?
When investigating blocked drains, plumbers will use plumbing technology and knowledge to analyse the situation. Your typical “local plumber” will likely have a “drain snake” on hand for unblocking drains but larger plumbing companies will carry more advanced technology to make sure that the blockage is fully dealt with.
How we identify blocked drain problems, and fix them
We’ll ask you some questions about the location and characteristics of the blockage. This helps us understand if it’s likely just a simple issue or if there’s a chance of bigger problems like tree root infiltration.
All of our vans come ready to address the problem fully. Depending on the location and characteristics of the blockage we will use special tools, like CCTV cameras, water jetters and plumbing draining rods to get to the root cause and solve the problem.
FAQ #2: What are the benefits of installing a solar hot water system?
Solar hot water systems are one of the biggest underdogs in plumbing.
Whether it’s money, or environmental concerns, people seem to continuously underestimate the value that these eco-friendly systems can add to your home (and wallet!). A solar hot water system can:
Minimise the electricity needed to heat water and lessen energy bills as a result.
Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by heating water.
Offer an aesthetically pleasing alternative to large tanks taking up space in your yard.
Make you eligible for a solar hot water rebate.
Installing these systems may seem costly at first, but they’re one of those “pay for themselves” items. The long-term savings and environmental impact you can make, will see you recoup your spending and then some.
FAQ #3: Why is my water bill so high?
An unusually high water bill can be a real slap in the face when you’re not expecting it. If you’ve noticed a recent spike in your monthly costs, there may be an underlying problem that is causing excess water usage at your property. Here is a list of some of the possible culprits:
Leaky toilets, taps, irrigations (think lawn sprinkler systems), or lines (underground pipes that connect your home to a water meter)
Inefficient fixtures (consider the age of the plumbing appliances in your home, outdated fixtures can use more water in less efficient ways!)
Lifestyle changes (consider the seasons, are you doing more laundry in winter? Or, perhaps filling up your pool in the summer?)
Water waste (consider the water habits of your roommates, are they leaving the tap on while they brush their teeth? Taking long showers? Maybe overwatering the lawn?)
Burst pipes. A burst pipe deep underground may not be immediately noticeable until you receive an eye-watering bill. If you see a massive increase in your water bill, don’t panic. Turn off all taps in your home and then check your water meter. If it’s still running red hot, call in our emergency plumbers immediately. Also, don’t panic, you may be able to appeal the water bill if your leak meets set criteria.
These issues might not be the first that spring to your mind, but they are worth investigating. If you find that after looking into them, you’re still experiencing unusually high water bills, then it’s time to call in a Brisbane plumber to inspect your system.
Plumbing FAQ #4: Is a leaky tap really a big deal?
If you care about the amount of cash in your wallet and the quality of your plumbing system, then yes.
Like I mentioned earlier, a leaky tap might be a sneaky culprit for unusually high water bills, meaning that ‘drip-drip’ isn’t just keeping you awake at night, it’s costing you money!
Additionally, there are so many reasons that a tap could be leaking that it’s worth investigating even if it you consider it to be insignificant.
It could be something as simple as a problem with the O-ring, a small disc that holds the tap in place. Or, it could be a sign of something more serious, like valve corrosion, problems with the washers, or broken pipes or fittings.
FAQ #5: Why do my drains smell horrible and how can I get rid of the smell?
Drains are meant to prevent smells from coming back into your home. So, if you find yourself wrinkling your nose when you walk into the bathroom, you might have a problem. Luckily, it’s usually an easy fix.
Most odd smelling drains are caused by a dried out trap. See, every drain has a U-shaped trap designed to hold a small amount of water. This water blocks sewer gasses from travelling back up your plumbing and into your house. When the trap dries out, there is no barrier, hence the smell when you enter a room.
The simple solution is to pour water down drains in your house that aren’t used often. This builds the barrier back up and should, hopefully, get rid of the smell.
However, if that odd odour persists, it’s probably time to look at calling in a professional plumber to thoroughly inspect your system and track down the problem.
FAQ #6: How do I know when to replace my hot water system?
There are a few hints that it might be time to look at investing in a new hot water system for your property. The biggest and most obvious being that you are frequently calling your local plumber for repairs.
Outside of this issue, some other factors to consider are:
How hot your hot water is when it comes out of the tap
How long your water is taking to heat up
The age of your hot water system (if it’s older than 10 years, you might find new models are more energy efficient and nicer to your water and electricity bills!)
FAQ #7: My pipes are making a banging sound – what’s going on?
This problem is most commonly known as a water hammer. It can be caused by a range of different issues, so it’s important to identify what is exactly causing the problem before you investigate home remedies. In a lot of cases, it’s home remedies that caused the water hammer in the first place. Water hammer is hard on your pipes, it ‘shakes them about” which can lead to them bursting and one of those whopping great water bills and potential flood damage.
A plumber is your best bet in this situation, they can help you identify what is causing the water hammer. Plus, a quick diagnosis from an experienced professional will help you resolve the problem sooner and ensure you’re treating it correctly ASAP.
Do you have a plumbing question that wasn’t answered here?
We’ve got plenty more answers and information about caring for, and protecting, your property’s plumbing system on our blog! You can check it out here.
Otherwise, feel free to contact us on 07 3073 9211! We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Tempering valves play a vital role in maintaining safe and comfortable water temperatures while also being energy efficient and doing their part in water conservation. Think of a tempering valve as a mixing valve. Essentially it is designed to regulate water temperature.
Do you need one? The short answer is yes! Some believe that it depends on various factors including the type of hot water system you have, the depth of your safety concerns, and how strict you are with compliance. However, here’s an in-depth look at tempering valves and the benefits they offer homeowners.
Safety and Preventing Scalding Accidents
One of the key reasons for ensuring your hot water unit has a tempering valve is safety, especially in households with children or the elderly. Designed to blend hot water from the unit with cold water to deliver a controlled temperature, it works to reduce the risk of scalding accidents which can occur when water temperatures exceed safe levels. Temperature regulation is something we take for granted but never really consider what drives this balance.
Convenience and Efficiency
Aside from key safety considerations, a tempering valve provides consistent water temperatures throughout the home especially where you’ve got multiple taps in use and you expect a steady flow of warm water without sudden temperature fluctuations. By optimising the flow of water, you’re also benefiting from energy efficiency because the tempering valve prevents excessive heating of water and ensures that hot water is used efficiently.
Compliance with Regulations
If you are building or renovating, or simply looking to purchase a new hot water system, make sure you enquire about specific building codes and regulations concerning the installation of tempering valves. To meet compliance, they may likely be mandated to ensure that your plumbing system meets safety standards and reduces liability risks.
From a manufacturer’s perspective, a tempering valve contributes to the longevity of a system and helps reduce the frequency of repairs. Some insurance companies may require the installation of tempering valves as a condition of coverage. For peace of mind, it’s worth doing your research and asking questions.
Where Are Tempering Valves Installed?
Tempering valves are mandatory on hot water units in Queensland, limiting the temperature of the water leaving the tap to a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius to reduce the risk of scalds. Other places where tempering valves can be fitted in your home include:
to a zone of concern (like the bathroom); and
to individual fixtures.
When aged or faulty hot water units are replaced, it is sometimes necessary to identify, remove, replace or alter existing tempering valves that have been installed at points other than the hot water unit. If they have been installed in areas that are not readily accessible, it can add significantly to the cost of the replacement of your hot water system. Always talk to your plumber about appropriate places to install tempering valves.
Most modern continuous flow gas hot water systems do not require a tempering valve as the water temperature is set electronically and delivered at 50 degrees Celsius.
Aged care, childcare and some other commercial settings (e.g. hairdressers) are subject to different standards and must use thermostatic mixing valves which do a similar job to tempering valves but are a testable device.
Standard Tempering Valves v High Performance Tempering Valves
High performance tempering valves are more sensitive to temperature variances than standard tempering valves.
Hot water storage units must keep water at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or above to limit the growth of dangerous bacteria in the water. Installing a tempering valve on a hot water unit ensures the water leaves the tap at 50 degrees Celsius or less.
Most hot water units will keep water at 65 – 70 degrees, however, a heat pump hot water system will only heat the water to 60 degrees. For this reason, it is especially important that heat pump hot water systems are installed with high performance tempering valves as they deal with smaller temperature variances between the temperature of the hot water in the unit and the temperature of the water leaving the unit.
Salmon Plumbing only uses high performance tempering valves on all their hot water systems and this is already factored into their pricing for the installation of the new hot water unit.
Protect Yourself With Tempering Valve Installation
The multifaceted benefits of installing a tempering valve in your hot water system make it a worthwhile investment for homeowners – and may be required to comply with local building codes and regulations. So if your system doesn’t have a tempering valve, arrange installation ASAP – not only will you be safeguarding against scalding accidents but the savings on your hot water bill will be a much-needed bonus.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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%.
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.
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.
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.
