by Gary Mays | Aug 4, 2019 | Bathrooms, Blocked drain, City of Gold Coast, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Emergency Plumber, emergency plumber Gold Coast, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues, Insurance, Plumbing Emergencies, Whywait Plumbing
It is my experience that many clients mistakenly believe their job is a plumbing emergency. The reality is that most are not and just require routine maintenance unless they are:
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putting your or your family’s life at risk
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flooding your house
Life-Threatening Plumbing Emergency
Gas Leaks
Leaking gas, whether it’s natural gas or LPG, is dangerous. There are no DIY gas repairs; you must always use a licensed gas fitter.
LPG is highly flammable and being a dense gas; it will sink to your floor and build in intensity. Natural gas is not as combustible as LPG but still dangerous, especially in confined spaces in your home.
If you suspect you can smell gas, then you likely have a gas leak. You need to immediately isolate the gas supply to your home at either the gas meter or at the gas bottles. Once isolated, call us immediately to organise a service call.
While you are waiting for us to arrive at your home ventilate your house by opening doors and windows. Ensure you turn off all your gas appliances and as a precaution your electrical appliances as well. Above all, do not use any naked flames.
Sewage Overflow
Overflowing sewage from toilets or floor wastes needs to be taken seriously. Raw sewage flowing into your house or outside is hazardous, and the risk of contamination is real.
Drains overflowing inside or outside your home require urgent attention, which is why we have a 1-hour emergency plumbing response for overflowing blocked drains. Blocked drains are a potential health hazard and need to be solved by trained plumbers with the correct equipment.
Don’t be fooled that overflowing sewage is only from your sewer drains. Sewage overflow can originate from outside your property very quickly, primarily if your home is located below other properties or if you live in a highrise apartment.
Don’t try to solve raw sewage lying around your home yourself as mopping it up solves nothing. Raw sewage contains parasites, fungi and bacteria that will soak into your floors and walls.
The photo on the right is where we had raw sewage flowing through a three-story terrace house and had to remove all the carpet and throw it away as can be seen on the lawn. The sewage had penetrated floors and walls which all required which required a combination of structural drying restoration and replacement of gyprock plaster wall linings.
Burst Pipe
A burst water pipe or flexi hose is now an everyday occurrence for plumbers. This is due to the amount of plastic piping now installed in homes instead of copper pipe.
A burst flexi hose is unfortunately all too common. An average house now has multiple flexi hoses installed under the kitchen sink, under the bathroom vanity basins, under the toilet cistern and the laundry tub. The reality is that every flexi hose connected is potentially a ticking time bomb.
Burst or ruptured plastic hot and cold water reticulation pipes occur for multiple reasons such as age, high pressure, poor installation, accidentally drilling into them, poor quality pipe fittings or faulty workmanship.
A burst pipe can cause damage fast to your furniture, floor coverings, kitchen cabinets, vanity cabinets, walls and floors. You need to turn your water off quickly when you experience a burst with the best place at the isolating valve at your water meter. Once isolated, call us immediately as this is a plumbing emergency.
A burst pipe or flexi hose is not a DIY repair and needs to be done compliantly by a licensed plumber who will ensure that the pipe is repaired with approved WaterMark products in accordance with the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018.
by Gary Mays | Aug 1, 2019 | Plumbing Diagnostic Technology
Plumbing Diagnostic Technology: X-Ray Vision Would Be A Dream Come True
Have you ever heard the one about plumbers getting Superman’s X-ray vision glasses with their license?
No? Well, trust me, neither have we. Contrary to popular belief, plumbing isn’t a superhero movie, and our tools are a tad more realistic.
A delightful fantasy, but let’s be real – in the world of plumbing, our tools and skills are more rooted in reality than in superhero movies.
The Hidden World of Plumbing
Beneath the facades of your homes lies a complex network of plumbing, stealthily nestled within walls, under floors, and deep underground. If only we had the ability to see through these barriers like a superhero from the big screen!
Plumbing infrastructure, mysteriously hidden in walls, floors, and underground, makes up about 90% of our battleground. Imagine how handy Superman’s vision would be to see through physical objects when dealing with these hidden mazes!
The Illusion of the All-Seeing Plumber Using Plumbing Diagnostic Technology
As Plumbers (and our friends, the Electricians) can attest, there’s a common fantasy that we possess some magical X-ray vision. It’s amusing how people consult a doctor multiple times for a health diagnosis but expect a plumber to arrive at their home, diagnose and fix a complex issue in one visit.
How convenient it would be if solving plumbing mysteries was as simple as in a blockbuster superhero movie! But alas, diagnosing complex plumbing issues is a process of elimination that frequently takes more than a single heroic visit.
The Reality of Plumbing Diagnostics Vague Awareness vs. Stark Reality
Most people have a foggy idea that pipes and drains are connected to their homes. This vague awareness becomes a stark reality when something goes wrong – like a sneaky leaking pipe or a rebellious blocked toilet.
Here’s where the “fun” starts. When you call us, we arrive only to see what you see – the problem, not its cause. We start with the same information you have – the visible issue.
This is when our detective work begins, a methodical process of elimination without the aid of any superpowers.
Like detectives, not movie superheroes, we methodically eliminate possible causes, employing experience and expertise over supernatural powers.
Technology to the Rescue (Sort Of) The Limits of Plumbing Tech
While Superman’s X-ray vision remains a dream, we have our own cool gadgets. But let’s be honest – a CCTV drain camera is no match for Superman’s eyes. It’s great until we hit a blocked drain, and all we see is an unhelpful view of murky water.
At Whywait Plumbing, we’re all about investing in plumbing diagnostic technology. We’ve got quite the arsenal. Here at Whywait Plumbing, I believe we have invested wisely in technology over the years and continue to do so. Equipment such as CCTV drain cameras, sonar locators, pipe tracers, gas detectors, leak detection equipment and much more.
Modern plumbing technology borrows heavily from medical technology. This means our tools are ever-evolving but far from the superhero level.
The Future of Plumbing Tech Dreaming of X-ray and Sonar Tools
We’re eagerly awaiting the day when affordable portable X-ray or sonar equipment becomes a reality in plumbing. Imagine being able to see inside your walls, floors, and underground without guesswork.
Until then, we’ll keep dreaming.
The True Power: Experience and Patience
Ultimately, our real power in solving plumbing problems lies in the experience and patience of our professional licensed plumbers. We tackle problems with precision and care, not with capes and dramatic effects.
Sure, the tech is cool, but our team can investigate, assess, and solve your problems that really count – no wall-smashing or floor-jackhammering required until necessary.
While we may not have the flair of movie superheroes, Whywait Plumbing offers practical, effective solutions to your plumbing issues. Our strength lies in our professional expertise and commitment to quality service.
by Gary Mays | Jul 14, 2019 | City of Gold Coast, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues, Insurance, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Legislation, Queensland Government
Unlicensed DIY plumbing work has never been legal in Queensland. Unfortunately, too many people think because they can buy plumbing products at Bunnings, then they can carry out the installation or repairs as well. In reality, the ability to undertake unlicensed plumbing work is extremely restricted in Queensland.
Technically DIY plumbing is classified as “Unregulated work” in Schedule 3 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 which was called into law on 1 July 2019.
So the “Unregulated work” that an unlicensed person can undertake in respect to plumbing work is not a great deal and for a good reason, as outlined below. Specifically, in Schedule 3, Unregulated work generally is defined as the following work for premises necessary for the following:
- replacing a shower head or domestic water filter cartridge
- replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap
- repairing or replacing a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber in a toilet cistern
- replacing caps to ground level inspection openings on a sanitary drain
- cleaning or maintaining a ground-level grate for a trap on a sanitary drain
- installing or maintaining an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from a tap, isolating valve or backflow prevention device on the supply pipe for the watering system
- repairing or maintaining an irrigation system for the disposal of effluent from a greywater use facility or on-site sewage facility
And those seven tasks listed above are the only legal DIY plumbing jobs that you may undertake without a plumbing licence. The only other exception to this is what is referred to as incidental unskilled tasks such as excavating or backfilling a trench
In Queensland, all plumbing work is legally required to be carried out under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003 and Queensland Plumbing and Waste Water Code 2019. These acts and regulations are comprehensive in their requirements and outcomes concerning individual plumbing licences and training.
In addition, the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 calls into law The Plumbing Code of Australia. This is defined as the document in force from time to time called “National Construction Code volume 3 – Plumbing Code of Australia published by the Australian Building Codes Board. The Plumbing Code of Australia covers every aspect of plumbing and drainage setting out the minimum requirements for the construction, installation, replacement, repair and maintenance of all plumbing systems, specifically:
- Water services
- Sanitary plumbing and drainage systems
- Excessive noise
- Facilities
To be a plumbing contractor in Queensland, a company or individual must also hold appropriate contractors licences by the QBCC under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991.
This is in addition to a plumbers occupational licence that allows us at Whywait Plumbing to lawfully carry out particular plumbing or drainage work. This licence ensures that all plumbing contractors have the correct technical qualifications and occupational license. No one other than a licensed plumbing contractor can undertake plumbing work no matter what the value of the work is. The threshold amount of $3000 does not apply to plumbing, drainage or gasfitting that applies to several other trades with QBCC licenses.
It is not worth the risk to undertake unlicensed DIY plumbing. It is illegal, plus it potentially voids your insurance coverage.
Plumbing laws nationwide safeguard the health of the nation. Plumbing is public health, now, and in the future.
by Gary Mays | Jul 7, 2019 | Consumer Issues, Insurance, Insurance coverage of water leaks, Leaking Pipes, Water Leaks
Here at Whywait Plumbing, we frequently get a phone call asking does insurance cover water leaks? Every week we are called upon to deal with insurance companies or assessors on behalf of clients when they have sustained water damage to their home.
With water leaks just like everything else to do with insurance, there seem to be multiple grey areas with numerous interpretations. It is our experience we find every time we deal with an insurance company where the circumstances of the water leak are similar to previous we meet with a different response.
The product disclosure statement issued with your policy is where we find all the confusion starts. This is where the insurance company hopefully discloses what is covered by your policy. If you find the product disclosure statement confusing then call the insurance company to clarify what the coverage is that you are paying for. The more questions you ask, the more you will understand. Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Also, remember insurance companies record all calls, so keep diary notes of when you called and who you spoke to. Better still send them an email confirming your phone call and what your understanding was of the answers you received. This creates an electronic paper trail that can be utilised at a later date.
Important Definitions & Clauses
There are three important definitions and clauses which appear to apply to the question does insurance cover water leaks:
- the “Water Damage Clauses” in the actual policy
- the definition of what is water damage
- the definition of what is gradual water damage
The Water Damage Clauses
The water damage clauses you should always read carefully and ensure you understand. Generally, it will have a section with several clauses and subclauses in the policy which will cover water damage and what you can claim for if you make a water damage claim on your home.
As a rule, it will state precisely what water damage your insurance policy covers and what is excluded. The exclusions are what you need to be aware of as often they will include an all-encompassing negligence clause coupled with a failure to maintain your home in good repair. If you have these general all-encompassing clauses, ask your insurance company what they precisely mean as we’ve seen these clauses used to deny coverage where it was in a very grey area and open to interpretation in their favour.
The Definition of Water Damage
Water damage can occur in so many ways that it’s generally not well defined in your insurance policy. In our experience, insurance companies specify water damage in two ways:
- accidental or sudden water damage
- gradual water damage
We’ve found that instances such as burst pipes, burst taps, burst valves, overflowing sewerage, overflowing stormwater and storm damage are covered by most insurance policies. This is because it was a sudden event that you could not have prevented.
In contrast, the damage caused by slow plumbing leaks in pipes, showers, toilets, gutters and roofs not damaged by a storm is not covered as they are classified as gradual water damage.
The Definition of Gradual Water Damage
Essentially gradual water damage is the insurance policy get out of jail free card. It is water damage they assess has occurred gradually over time. Frequently the water damage was visible to the trained eye but invisible to you as it covers the rotting of timber under the paint or mould in the walls, floor or ceiling. Essentially the insurance company will conclude you were negligent in not maintaining your home.
Examples of gradual water damage we frequently see are:
- seepage from leaking taps into cupboards
- leaking shower trays
- leaking shower taps
- leaking toilet cisterns
- leaking drain pipes
- rusted-out sections in gutters and roof
The water damage from many of these occurrences is often not covered by your insurance policy as it will be concluded you failed to keep your home in good repair through regular and reasonable maintenance.
Water Leak Prevention
The best way to avoid an unsuccessful water leak claim is regular maintenance by Whywait Plumbing. Now this will not prevent every possible water leak scenario happening, but it will demonstrate to the insurance company that you have been undertaking regular maintenance.
At Whywait Plumbing, we see instances every day of water damage that has occurred through the failure to maintain your home regularly. That is why we recommend all our clients to become a Service Partner and enjoy the VIP benefits of having a Service Partner Plan to maintain your most valuable asset, your home, proactively.
by Gary Mays | Jul 5, 2019 | Consumer Issues, Emergency Plumber, emergency plumber Gold Coast, Gold Coast Plumbing, plumbers call-out charge, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Emergencies, Plumbing Maintenance, the going rate for plumbers, the recommended rate for plumbers, Whywait Plumbing
Be honest – would you work for free?
More and more Gold Coast plumbing businesses are advertising that they have no call-out fee or a $0 call-out fee.
This creates a perception that you are getting something for free as it will be cheaper. Of course, perception is never reality, as no business can work for free. Let’s face it would you go to work for free?
Call Out fees help ensure all costs are transparent
Legitimate, professional plumbing businesses charge a call-out fee because it costs $50 – $150 to arrive at your door.
A call-out fee is there to cover the expense of reaching your home or business. This is because employees are still paid for driving to your home, plus there is the running cost of the vehicle and all the other costs that never stop in running a business.
Simply the call-out fee helps cover costs, it’s not a profit centre, nor could any plumber live off a call-out fee.
If a plumber is not charging you a call-out fee, they will charge you the cost of travelling to your home or business elsewhere.
A no-call out fee is purely a marketing ploy
Advertising a $0 call-out fee or no call-out fee is purely playing with words.
A no-call-out fee is a marketing tactic to get you to call them to come to your job. Plumbers that use this tactic know that you are unlikely to send them away once they are at your home because you want the plumbing work completed.
There are four separate tasks involved in undertaking a plumbing repair:
· coming to your home
· inspecting the reported plumbing problem
· diagnosing the possible multitude of possibilities for what is causing the problem
· undertaking the repair
There is no such thing as a free lunch
Splitting costs into the above cost centres is sensible and transparent because every expense must be paid.
There is no cost advantage to you if you pay no call-out fee but are then charged $155.00 to inspect the blocked toilet that you already knew was blocked and then be informed the cost to unblock the drain is $660! It’s semantics and word games to get you to call them because you saw the word FREE.
Remember, if something is FREE, it has no value to the business offering it or the consumer receiving it.
Two old sayings apply when considering using a plumbing company that advertises no call-out fee:
· there is no such thing as a free lunch
· you get what you pay for
At Whywait Plumbing, we charge a call-out or diagnostic fee and provide an upfront fixed-price guarantee for all residential and domestic clients. As a result, there is no game-playing, our clients are always informed of costs upfront, and there are no hidden costs or nasty surprises.
