Whywait Plumbing Services Logo

OFFICE HOURS

Mon to Fri 7.30am – 4pm
24-Hour EMERGENCY SERVICE

CALL 7 DAYS FOR SERVICE!

(07) 5580 4311

YOUR TRUSTED GOLD COAST PLUMBERS & GAS FITTERS

OFFICE HOURS
Mon – Sun 7.30am – 4pm
24 Hr Emergency Service

(07) 5580 4311
Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

by | Oct 18, 2022 | bathroom renovation, bathroom renovation cost, bathroom renovation costs, bathroom renovation regret, Bathrooms, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Form 4, Gold Coast Plumbing, handyman, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Legislation, Plumbing Renovation, WaterMark Certification Scheme

Planning now ensures you don’t blow your budget

When it comes to bathroom renovations, one of the biggest concerns for homeowners is cost. It’s no secret that these projects can quickly add up, leaving you with a hefty bill and a less-than-ideal outcome. But at Whywait Plumbing, we’re here to tell you that bathroom renovation costs don’t need to blow out of proportion.

First and foremost, you must clearly know what you want before you begin the renovation process. This means deciding on a specific design, layout, and materials. A clear plan will help you stay within budget and avoid costly changes or additions.

Another tip for keeping costs down is to focus on the essentials. While you may be tempted to splurge on fancy features, the basics often make the most significant impact. For example, you can create a beautiful, functional bathroom without breaking the bank by prioritising functional elements such as a new toilet, sink, and shower.

There is no disguising a bathroom in need of renovation

We have prepared a few tips and advice to help you keep costs down and maximise your budget when renovating your bathroom. Increasingly we are observing the simple fact that there is no disguising a bathroom needing renovation. These bathrooms have some or many of the following abominably dated features:

  • peach or pea green tiles,
  • failing grouting in floors and walls,
  • mould damage to the ceiling,
  • bathroom carpet,
  • gold plated taps with fake glass handles,
  • poor use of space,
  • wallpaper that looks like a ’70s disco freak chose it.

​

All of the above were standard design traits in bathrooms dating back over 10 years and often 25 years.

 For better or worse, bathrooms are a place for people to stamp their creative mark on a home.

 Often it was inexplicable to what they were trying to create with bizarre combinations such as black tiled walls and red-painted ceilings.

Bathrooms by their design and use factors are prone to failure over time

Generally, a bathroom needs some form of renovation after around five years, depending on how frequently it is used.

 But bathroom renovations do not have to be designer-level expensive affairs.

If you plan and know what you are doing, keeping a lid on bathroom renovation costs is not hard.

 Below are listed seven issues to be seriously considered so your bathroom renovation costs do not blow out:

1: Assess how much you need to change

The more you want to change, the more expensive the project will be. That is a guarantee.

If you are on a tight budget, you can still make a surprising difference to the look of a bathroom by just replacing tap handles, painting the walls and ceiling, plus sticking up shampoo shelves, towel rails or a lovely new mirror. All of which you could probably manage, provided you know what you are doing.

Re-tiling of floors and walls will cost a fair bit more. Still, surprisingly economical coating options are applied directly over existing tiles, reducing costs by reducing the amount of demolition work required.

Always be aware that anything involving electrical or plumbing fixtures, relocating fixtures, or adding new ones will cost considerably more.

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

2: Reuse or recycle fittings and fixtures

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it rule applies. If there is nothing wrong with the existing fittings or fixtures, you can save a lot of money and unnecessary waste by resisting the overwhelming temptation to replace them.

 If you think about ways you can style and theme the bathroom to utilise what you already have installed and focus on the worst aspects of your bathroom.

 Old-style taps can be replaced relatively economically and efficiently.

 If your bath and vanity basin have been seriously abused over the years, it is possible to have them re-coated and to look like new for less than outright replacement.

 Vanity unit cupboard doors and draws can be replaced for much less than the outright replacement of the entire vanity.

3: Do not move plumbing fixtures

Relocating or adding new plumbing fixtures can be expensive.

Most homes are built on a concrete slab which makes relocating or adding extra plumbing fixtures much more expensive.

As much as possible, focus on reusing the existing water supply and drainage connection for your toilet, shower, bath, vanity basin and floor waste, as this will keep plumbing costs under control.

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out call Whywait Plumbing
CALL (07) 5580 4311 FOR EXPERT ADVICE ON BATHROOM RENOVATION COSTS

4: Shop around for materials

This may sound obvious, but it requires discipline.

If you have the time and inclination, you will save a small fortune by shopping around and buying the necessary materials, fittings and fixtures.

If you are shopping, make sure you have done your homework and know exactly what you are looking for. For example, there is a considerable difference between wall and floor tiles.

Buying a bath with a centre waste to replace one with a waste at one end will cost you more to install.

Replacing a toilet requires that you know whether it uses an S or P trap outlet or whether the water connection is concealed or bottom linked.

Any paint for bathroom walls needs to be suitable for use in bathrooms so that your walls are resistant to moisture.

If you are supplying the fixtures and fittings, ensure everything is ready and available when renovation starts to prevent delays. Delays in fixtures being available will translate into increased costs.

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out get advice from Whywait Plumbing

5: Get your hands dirty

If you are willing and able, you can save a lot on labour costs by doing some of the work yourself and project managing the renovation.

Likely, you will still need to hire licensed contractors such as plumbers, electricians, waterproofers, and tilers for the renovation project. Still, volunteering to do manual work, such as demolition, will translate into lower labour costs.

Without exception, any discussion about what you can do yourself has to include a big, flashing neon warning. You cannot cut corners on some things and do it yourself. Licensed professional contractors MUST do waterproofing, plumbing and electrical work.

Doing it any other way is guaranteed to be illegal, substandard, dangerous, non-insurable and without the protections of a warranty.

Never believe handymen who tell you they can do everything.

It is also essential that you are confident before you start working that there is not any asbestos in your bathroom. Asbestos sheeting was very commonly used in bathrooms up until the late 1970s, and exposure to it can lead to cancer, so you will need to have asbestos removed by a specialist contractor using the correct safety gear who will dispose of it legally.

6: Plan very carefully and avoid variations

Careful planning and having an exact idea of what you want to achieve, what you are getting and how everything will be done before you sign any contract with a contractor will ensure you’re not stung with hefty fees for necessary changes.

Suppose you use a builder to manage your bathroom renovation. In that case, it is guaranteed he will charge over the odds for variations to a contract if you have made a selection mistake or want to change your layout or add additional fixtures.

Many builders will come in with a low quote to prey on clients who are not clear on their plans and have not prepared properly.

Regardless of how well you perceive you get along with the builder or other contractors, ensure that the fittings and fixtures are precisely what you are after and will fit exactly where they are supposed to go. The colours and tiles are strictly correct, the costs are itemised on the contract, and you are confident that all labour, material and administrative expenses are included.

Please ensure any variations are fully costed, and you approve in writing before they commence.

 

7: Things to be careful of

Make sure you have more than enough tiles because if they break in future or if they break some during your renovations, you want to have some spares on hand that are from the same batch so that they are a perfect match.

Beware of non-certified plumbing fittings and fixtures which are non-insurable and can make any future insurance claim null and void. Ensure all plumbing products have the WaterMark certification and comply with Australian Standards.

Avoid ordering plumbing or electrical fixtures online or overseas, as they will almost always be shoddy or inferior fittings and fixtures and will come back to haunt you.

Ordering online plumbing or electrical fixtures online invariably is not worth the savings they appear to offer.

Consider where you’re going to shower as your bathroom’s going to be out of action for a week or two at least, and always double any timeframe you have given by any contractor.

It is widespread to discover rotten timber under baths or behind shower walls which will require extra work, with any other savings you make being eaten up quickly if you are unprepared for that.

 

Plan a bathroom renovation from beginning to end

​Ultimately your bathroom renovation is all about careful planning and managing expectations.

 Careful planning will assist you in ensuring your bathroom renovation costs don’t blow up in your face.

Finally, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best deals. Compare prices and materials from different suppliers, and consider hiring a trusted, experienced contractor who can help you get the most bang for your buck.

At Whywait Plumbing, we understand that budget is a significant concern regarding bathroom renovations. But by following these tips, you can create a beautiful, functional bathroom without blowing your budget. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create the bathroom of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

Bathroom Renovation Costs Don’t Need to Blow Out

CALL (07) 5580 4311 FOR EXPERT ADVICE ON BATHROOM RENOVATION COSTS
Avoiding Bathroom Renovation Regret

Avoiding Bathroom Renovation Regret

by | Mar 22, 2022 | bathroom renovation, bathroom renovation regret, Bathrooms, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Plumbers, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Maintenance

Renovation is not entertainment

Renovation shows such as  The Block, House Rules, Selling Houses Australia, and Grand Designs command high television ratings in Australia. However, while they are generally good television, they are not factual in what goes into the renovation of a house and, in particular, bathrooms.

Television renovation shows have been correctly described as dazzling, high-resolution, high-fructose renovation eye candy. This is due to the more critical but unfortunately mundane areas of bathroom renovation not being easily translated into making excellent television programming, so they are, at best, skimped over and are generally completely ignored.

Bathroom renovation can improve your homes value

Updating a bathroom can be an exciting and rewarding project, but it can also be a source of regret if not done correctly. Planning every detail is critical for avoiding bathroom renovation regret and ensuring that your new bathroom meets your needs and hopefully exceeds your expectations.

Every real estate industry expert will confirm that a bathroom renovation will improve your home’s value and lifestyle. However, a stylish and affordable bathroom renovation is a matter of being methodical in your planning, especially if you are renovating for yourself. Above all, do not be fooled by what you see on television renovation shows, as there is a substantial difference between what you see on television shows and what is involved. Unfortunately, this is often when bathroom renovation regret steps in.

As a rule, the bathrooms are small rooms in homes over ten years old compared to homes built in the last few years. This makes older bathrooms more challenging to renovate as they are sophisticated and compact spaces. This can result in compromises, but be aware that shortcuts causing mistakes and defective work in a bathroom can cause significant problems in the future and be very costly to rectify.

Do your planning first to avoid bathroom renovation regret

After 45 years in business, Whywait Plumbing has undertaken numerous bathroom renovations, and we frequently see bathroom renovation regret creep in halfway through a project. The best advice we can give you is to go slowly and plan thoroughly whether you are undertaking a complete renovation or just a makeover. It would help if you avoided the mistakes we see repeated over and over again, all of which should be reasonably obvious, and that is:

  • Plan ahead: Before starting any renovation work, it’s essential to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Consider your budget, your lifestyle, and your personal taste. Make sure you know exactly what you want before starting the renovation process.
  • Choose the right contractors: Choosing reputable and experienced contractors is crucial. Make sure to read reviews and ask for references. Look for contractors who will take the time to understand your needs and provide you with a detailed estimate.
  • Be realistic about your budget: Bathroom renovations can be costly, so it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. Prioritize the most important elements of your renovation and be prepared to make compromises.
  • Consider the layout: Make sure your new bathroom layout is functional and easy to use. Think about the flow of the room, and make sure there is enough storage space and the fixtures are placed in logical locations.
  • Don’t neglect the details: The little things matter, too. Ensure that the finishes, such as the tile, countertops, and fixtures, are high-quality and installed correctly.
  • Keep future resale in mind: While you want to design your bathroom to suit your personal taste and needs, it’s also essential to keep in mind that you may sell your home in the future. So, consider what may appeal to potential buyers and make your bathroom renovation as versatile as possible.

Managing a bathroom renovation

A bathroom renovation or makeover can be project managed in two ways, requiring you to do all the above. Managing the project yourself is simply a matter of being organised and knowing what you want.

Hiring a builder to project manage your bathroom still requires that you are organised and understand what you wish to do, but it saves you the burden of dealing with specialist trades.

No matter which route you choose, ensure you hire skilled and talented specialist trades, as inevitably, they will dictate how smoothly the bathroom renovation runs and the quality of the finished product.

One pitfall of using many so-called builders to project manage is that they are no longer a tradesman in their own right but have undertaken courses to gain a BSA builders licence. In our experience, the specialist trades they subcontract your bathroom renovation to are not hired because they are the best to undertake the job but are the cheapest companies the builder can obtain to maximise his profit.

How to choose specialist trades for your bathroom renovation

When choosing the specialist trades to undertake your bathroom renovation, you should always:

  • Check that they have a compliant contractors license
  • check that they have public liability insurance of at least $10 million and can supply you with a certificate of currency
  • check that they have a WorkCover insurance policy and can provide you with a certificate of currency
  • check their references, as many of the so-called online references are of dubious quality
  • write a specification of the work you wish them to perform so that when you receive the quotes, you are comparing like for like and if getting multiple quotes, this is critical so that you are setting benchmarks
  • Be cautious about quotes that seem too high or too low because, as always, the devil is in the fine print or lack thereof
  • check before you sign anything to ensure that quotes include all the most minor details and are compliant not only with your specifications but local laws and Australian standards and that it consists of the brands and models of fittings you specified and not a substitute

There is a limit to DIY in a bathroom renovation

Despite what you see on television programmes, there is a limit to what can be achieved by DIY, especially in areas such as plumbing and electrical, which are two of the foremost specialists you will require in a bathroom renovation. 

While doing some work for yourself is a wise way to save money, you also need to understand that many legal restrictions are in place for a good reason. DIY in regulated trades is a recipe for disaster, with the possibility of insurance coverage being denied if something goes wrong.

No matter what you get told by well-meaning shop assistants in Bunnings, always use qualified and licensed tradesmen for regulated work such as pest control, electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, and waterproofing. Therefore, part of your initial planning is to know which aspects of the bathroom renovation must be undertaken by experienced, specialist and licensed trades companies.

You will only get what you pay for

The old saying about only getting what you pay for has never been so true, especially regarding plumbing products. Buying cheap or non-standard fittings is an easy trap to fall into with the proliferation of outlets selling plumbing materials, accessories, fixtures and even tools. Purchasing the bargain that is frequently an unbranded toilet or tap that looks the same as the one you saw in a shop elsewhere can quickly become the product from hell that will cost you much more in the long run.

If you’re buying the fixtures and fittings for the bathroom renovation yourself, ensure that everything you buy conforms to the relevant Australian Standards. As a rule of thumb, be careful about who you buy from online outlets as, in our experience, many of the products they sell are brand-name fakes and claim to comply with Australian standards when in reality, they don’t.

A bathroom renovation is expensive and needs to last for at least ten years, so avoid being too trendy or bold because what is exceptionally fashionable now, and you can be sure will unfashionable in 10 years when you want to sell your home.

Avoid a bold colour and design if it is a permanent feature, such as the tiles, vanity, or toilet. In the permanent features, always aim for a neutral understatement that will last the passage of time. Painted walls can be bold and fashionable as long as they can be repainted. Otherwise, bright colours and designs should be left to the removable decorative features you put in after you renovate the bathroom.

Stick to your plans once you begin

You need to know precisely what you want before beginning your bathroom renovation, within reason. Then, once you have planned your bathroom, commit to it because it will cost you a fortune if you change your mind once work begins. For example, changing your mind about a bath or shower size can cost a small fortune in moving walls and pipes.

It’s not that hard to turn your bathroom into an oasis of peace and tranquillity without breaking the bank as long as you plan and are organised. Just remember your bathroom renovation is not a television programme. If you treat a bathroom renovation like you see on The Block, I guarantee you will suffer from bathroom renovation regret.

Whywait Plumbing has been involved in numerous bathroom renovations. We have over 45 years of experience and a team of expert plumbers and tradesmen dedicated to creating beautiful and functional bathrooms. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

Is bacteria & mould in your showerhead making you sick?

Is bacteria & mould in your showerhead making you sick?

by | May 5, 2021 | Bathrooms, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues

The wet and warm environment of your shower head is a prime real estate for germs, bacteria & mould

Bacteria in your showerhead is reality. Your showerhead is prime real estate for sediment build-up from fine particles in the water, bacteria and mould.

You no doubt think that stepping into your shower will wash away dirt and germs in the showerhead. However, studies from the University of Colorado, NYU Langone Medical Center and Manchester University have concluded that bacteria thrive inside and outside showerheads. Furthermore, they have found showerheads have the potential to harbour more bacteria than your toilet.

 We live surrounded by bacteria, some being beneficial, some being harmless, and a few are potentially lethal. These potentially lethal bacteria in a showerhead may cause lung infections, yet few of us consider the implications of bacteria in your showerhead.

Mycobacteria are found in abundance in showerheads

All the studies concluded that bacteria in your showerhead is real. These bacteria can cause illness live in our showerheads. Therefore, it’s important to understand how people can be exposed to them.

The most likely cause of lung infection that you can get from a showerhead is mycobacteria.

Mycobacteria is a bacteria distantly related to bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy. It is part of rapidly growing mycobacteria and is typically found in water, soil, and dust.

Dr Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, confirmed that bacteria grow in moist wet places like showerheads. “This is a reminder to clean your showerhead, which nobody does,” he said, though “most of us are likely to tolerate mycobacteria and not get sick from it.”

Bacteria in showerheads won’t cause an outbreak of lung infections. However, Dr Siegal suggested people who are run down or who have a compromised immune system or a chronic condition may be vulnerable. Dr Siegal said bacteria also live on your toothbrush and in your basin, and on any moist surface to put it in perspective,

Dr Siegel recommends cleaning your showerhead every week or two with a disinfectant that contains ammonia to be sure you kill all the germs nesting there. “Add your showerhead to the list of things in the bathroom that need cleaning,” he said.

What is mycobacteria bacteria in your showerhead?

As Dr Siegal pointed out, you are unlikely to get sick with mycobacteria. Infections with atypical mycobacteria in Australia occur at a rate of 1.8 cases per 100,000 population.

In Queensland, all cases of mycobacterial infection are notifiable under the Queensland Public Health Act.

The Australian Government Department of Health undertook the last national survey on mycobacteria in 2000. The main sites of infection are identified in the respiratory tract, soft tissue, pulmonary and lymphatics. 

To read the mycobacteria survey for consumers, click here.

 

Bacteria that could be found in your showerhead

Manchester University has conducted studies into the condition of the inside of showerheads. There were multiple bacteria and fungi found in the showerheads that they tested which were:

The solution is to clean your showerhead regularly

As Dr Siegal recommended, you should regularly clean your showerhead, which doesn’t mean just the parts you can see. While infection rates are low, it makes sense to keep your showerhead clean – particularly if you have recently been ill, or are run down or are more prone to infection due to a compromised immune system.

Cleaning your showerhead means removing it from its arm or hose and then dismantling it to clean both inside and out to remove any scale, debris or bacteria that potentially is lurking unseen inside the showerhead itself.

Few of us have ever contemplated the simple act of jumping into the shower in the morning to wake you up or to leave you feeling relaxed and fresh last thing at night before getting into bed is potentially a health risk.

Should you replace your showerhead regularly?

According to some “experts”, Bacteria in your showerhead is so much of a risk you should replace your showerhead every six months.

This is pointless as good quality showerheads that are cleaned and maintained will last ten years plus. Imagine the cost of having new showerheads installed every six months, especially if you have three bathrooms, all with showers.

The range of modern showerheads available is extensive with most of the quality brands from manufacturers coming with full 2-5 year warranties.

In South-East Queensland, we don’t have hard water that destroys plumbing fixtures. This means cleaning your showerhead regularly is all that is required.

How to clean a showerhead?

Bacteria in your showerhead is controllable by cleaning a showerhead properly. Despite the urban myths you hear, bleach will not clean your showerhead.

The reality is, as the research clearly indicates that keeping your showerhead clean could mean the difference between good health and bad health, so reduce the potential risk and keep your showerhead clean with this simple method.

Here’s why you should always close the toilet seat lid before you flush

Here’s why you should always close the toilet seat lid before you flush

by | Feb 7, 2021 | Bathrooms, bidet seats, blocked toilet, Consumer Issues, Gold Coast plumbers, Health Issues, toilet seat lid

Why is the operative word in toilet seat arguments

As we’ve all become aware in the last year hygiene is the foundation of health.

Toilet hygiene has become a focus in the home and at work. The simple toilet seat has been focused on as never before.

Arguments over the toilet seat revolve around:

  • why can’t I leave the toilet seat up
  • why should I put the toilet seat down
  • why do I need to close the toilet seat
  • why do toilet seats have a lid

The answer to all these “whys” is because of basic personal hygiene and overall community hygiene.

Harpic photos reveal the danger of not closing the toilet seat lid before flushing

Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times why do toilet seats have lids. Generally, my answers have centred around because it’s called into law in the Plumbing and Drainage Act, which satisfied most people.

However, now I can finally answer all the questions about toilet lids.

I can better answer that perennial question of why you should always close the toilet seat lid before flushing.

The answer is simple. The lid is there for good hygiene to protect your health and community health.

I can answer these questions thanks to Harpic the #1 selling toilet cleaner in Australia and forty other countries worldwide.

Harpic commissioned a study to illustrate the dangers we all face by not closing the toilet seat when we flush. Harpic used sophisticated high-speed specialist camera technology to capture a fireworks display of thousands of tiny aerosol droplets being catapulted into the bathroom, contaminating all surfaces up to two meters away. Not only did the droplets spread over a wide area of the bathroom, but they also stayed airborne for up to a minute as they are tiny.

The photos above and below illustrate these fireworks displays graphically illustrating how far into the air a flushing toilet catapults these aerosol droplets.

Flushed toilet water aerosol droplets can contain bacteria & viruses

These photos are of a single toilet flush. Imagine what your towels, facecloths, laundry, makeup and toothbrush look like after multiple toilet flushes with the seat up.

Water in a toilet bowl that has been exposed to harmful pathogens will remain contaminated despite clean water being flushed into the toilet pan multiple times. The contaminated aerosol droplets and particles are very fine and are more than capable of reaching your lower respiratory tract. This potentially can create infections.

If you touch any surface in your bathroom contaminated by the toilet bowl flushing of aerosol droplets you can risk infections if you have cuts or touch your mouth or nose.

 

Would you clean your teeth with a toothbrush sprayed with flushed toilet water?

Let’s face it. None of us would knowingly clean our teeth with a toothbrush that has been sprayed with contaminated toilet water. But the reality is over 50% of the population never close the toilet lid before flushing. 

Unhygienic bathrooms really are dangerous

As a spokesman for Harpic stated after their research was made public, “There has never been a more important time to take extra care around our homes. Although the risks associated with germ spread in unhygienic bathrooms are high, the solution to keeping them clean is simple. We hope our new #CloseTheLid campaign helps inspire people to make simple changes to their cleaning routine that can have long-lasting benefits to the health of the nation.”

The Harpic survey of 2000 respondents was undertaken in the UK, but I guarantee the results would apply equally to Australia.

When asked why they did not close the toilet seat lid when flushing the toilet were:

  • 47% said they were unaware of the danger in not closing the lid
  • 24% said they were afraid to touch the toilet seat lid
  • 15% said they forgot to close the toilet seat lid

Three simple solutions to bathroom hygiene

COVID-19 has been a huge motivation to increase bathroom hygiene with Harpic, suggesting the three steps below are a simple common sense approach for a more hygienic bathroom.

  • Always close the toilet seat lid when flushing the toilet to prevent germs that potentially contain bacteria and viruses spreading over your bathroom.
  • Ensure you clean your toilet bowl, toilet seat and cistern with a toilet cleaner that removes limescale, providing a home to germs and disinfecting the toilet to guarantee ultimate hygiene.
  • Always wear gloves when cleaning the toilet and wash your hands afterwards.

It’s simple just close the toilet seat lid every time you flush

Closing the toilet seat lid is simple hygiene that helps eliminate the potential spread of COVID-19, which we know is found in human waste.

Just remember when you flush with the toilet seat lid up the contaminated aerosol droplets spread up to two meters in all directions spraying you with the droplets as you redress for up to 35 seconds.

Teach your children always to shut the toilet seat for their health: your health and the health of the entire community.

Are these tiny flies coming out of my bathroom drains drain flies?

Are these tiny flies coming out of my bathroom drains drain flies?

by | Oct 5, 2020 | Bathrooms, Consumer Issues, drain flies, Gold Coast plumbers, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues, Septic Tanks

Yes the tiny flies in your bathroom are drain flies

As a Service Partner client, Lynette recently sent me a photo of her bathroom floor covered in tiny flies. It didn’t take me long to identify them as drain flies, which thrive in warm temperatures above 20°C, especially in spring and summer. Unfortunately, Lynette’s attempts to kill them were futile, as the flies kept coming back.

She was baffled and frustrated that they only appeared in one bathroom, accumulating on the walls and floor while absent in the rest of the house. The photo above shows the astounding number of flies that can exist in a small area.

Cleaning your bathroom won’t eliminate these pesky flies

Despite her rigorous cleaning routine, Lynette was fed up with the drain flies persistence.

She tried using a strong bleach cleaner, but the flies returned the next day, as she’d heard from others in a similar predicament.

Finally, a friend suggested pouring a 2.5-litre container of bleach down the drains to eliminate the flies within 24 hours, but the flies remained even after Lynette followed this advice.

Identifying drain flies in your home

Drain flies can be unsightly and frustrating, but they pose no health or property damage risks. They don’t bite or transmit diseases, nor do they ruin clothes, towels, or linen.

The problem lies in their ability to breed quickly, causing frustration for homeowners like Lynette. Unfortunately, the more she killed, the more seemed to emerge.

The flies are small, at only 3-4mm in length, with dark grey bodies and hairy moth-like wings that dominate their body size, as shown in the photo below.

Solving the mystery of why drain flies only appear in bathrooms?

If you’re not on an acreage with a septic tank or sewer treatment plant, your only encounter with these annoying flies is probably in your bathroom. These flies are prolific breeders in septic tanks and treatment plants but tend to stay near their food source.

During the day, bathroom flies often sit on walls or under the vanity basin or ceiling. However, they are more active at night, so you may not see them flying or emerging from your floor waste drain.

Despite being poor fliers, drain flies can travel long distances of 3-5km, carried by the wind away from septic tanks or treatment plants. They can enter your home through your insect screens since they are small enough to fit through the holes in the mesh. Ultimately, they will seek out your bathroom floor waste drains as a food and breeding source.

The drain fly dilemma where do they live and breed?

Drain flies are weak fliers, never straying far from the bathroom floor waste drain, causing them to be exclusively found in bathrooms.

Infestations occur when temperatures exceed 20°C in spring. Drain flies multiply rapidly as their life cycle is 1-3 weeks from egg to adult. Eggs hatch within 48 hours, becoming larvae that mature within 12 days, feeding on decaying organic matter in the bathroom floor waste drain. The adult flies emerge from the drain at night, living no more than two weeks.

Tiny insects, big headache: Tips for eliminating drain flies from your​ bathroom?

Removing breeding sites in bathroom drains is the best way to control and eliminate drain flies. Bleach can help with minor infestations but not major ones, which require sealing and cleaning of the floor waste trap.

Our experience has shown that cleaning the area around the floor waste, and inside the drain, with Enzyme Wizard All Purpose Surface Spray will sanitise and disinfect the breeding ground and food source of drain flies.

If you’re struggling with persistent drain fly infestations, call us at Whywait Plumbing on (07) 5580 4311 to book a service call. We’ll eliminate them for good.

What is a Form 4

What is a Form 4

by | Oct 20, 2019 | bathroom renovation, Bathrooms, Blocked drain, blocked toilet, City of Gold Coast, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Emergency Plumber, Form 4, Form 4 notifiable work, Gold Coast Plumbing, Gold Coast Water, Health Issues, Hot Water, Insurance, Leaking Pipes, notifiable work, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Emergencies, Plumbing Legislation, Plumbing Maintenance, Plumbing Renovation, QBCC, Queensland Government

QBCC Form 4 Plumbing Compliance Certificate

We often receive questions from clients regarding why we charge them for Form 4. The straightforward answer is that it is required by law.

The Form 4 system for plumbing and drainage work has existed for over two decades.

Initially, licensed plumbers had to submit Form 4 to local authority plumbing inspectors. For those on the Gold Coast, this meant submitting the form to the City of Gold Coast’s Plumbing and Drainage section when replacing part of the sewer house drain, water main, or hot water service.

In 2012, legislative changes mandated plumbers lodge Form 4 with the Department of Housing and Public Works through the Plumbing Industry Council (PIC). This was the first time a fee was introduced for lodging a Form 4, which amounted to $25.90. In 2014, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) assumed responsibility for the Form 4 process as part of their role in overseeing occupational plumbing licensing.

Once Form 4 is submitted, it may be subject to a random compliance audit to ensure the work adheres to the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019. This process guarantees that work is carried out to the highest standards, safeguarding everyone’s well-being, health, and safety.

Whywait Plumbing has always been a proponent of the Form 4 process, as it ensures that all work on your property is compliant and registered with both the QBCC and the City of Gold Coast. In the event of a significant insurance claim involving plumbing failure, an accessor can easily trace the work to confirm that it was performed legally and in compliance with regulations.

In essence, Form 4 serves to protect homeowners.

Which areas of plumbing & drainage work are classified as notifiable work?

The definitions of notifiable work were updated on 1 July 2019 to ensure clarity and usability and establish cost-effective plumbing laws and regulations for both plumbers and property owners.

Twelve primary categories of notifiable plumbing and drainage work necessitate a Form 4:

  1. Extending water supply pipes – involves work on water reticulation pipes other than fire services in existing buildings.
  2. Extending or removing a fire service – applies to class 2-9 buildings with development approval as per schedule 2 of the Building Act 1975.
  3. Existing sanitary plumbing – pertains to work in existing buildings where sanitary plumbing is removed, replaced, altered, or extended.
  4. Existing sanitary drainage – concerns work on existing class 1 to class 10 buildings involving extension, replacement, alteration, or removal of any part of the sanitary drain system (excluding a combined sanitary drain). This also applies to extensions or alterations to a class 1 building.
  5. Temperature control devices – includes work with thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) or tempering valves in existing buildings that require installing, replacing, or removing a valve. This also applies to extensions or alterations to a class 1 building.
  6. Water heaters – involves work in existing buildings requiring installing, replacing, or removing a hot water heater. This also applies to extensions or alterations to a class 1 building.
  7. Backflow prevention devices – work with testable backflow devices or dual check valves in existing buildings that require installing, replacing, or removing a valve. This also applies to extensions or alterations to a class 1 building.
  8. Greywater treatment plants – pertains to work involving installing a greywater use system that includes a greywater treatment plant installed in a sewered area where the plant generates less than 3kL of greywater daily or for replacing a greywater plant.
  9. Fixtures in class 1 or class 10 buildings – include work required for installing a new fixture or relocating an existing fixture in class 1 or class 10 buildings. This also applies to extensions or alterations to a class 1 building.
  10. Fixtures for class 2 to 9 buildings of 1 or 2 storeys – applies to all work other than sanitary drainage required for installing or relocating a fixture, provided the work is for an existing class 2 to 9 building up to two storeys above ground.
  11. Sanitary drains – involves sealing a sanitary drain after the connection point to the council sewer or a treatment plant.
  12. Sealing supply pipes – includes work to seal a water supply pipe after the council water meter, provided the work is for an existing class 2 to class 9 building.

The QBCC provides easy-to-understand guides on notifiable work and the definitions of building classes as outlined in the Building Code of Australia, which can be downloaded below:

Form 4 notifiable work compliance

Every reputable professional plumber I know wholeheartedly supports the notifiable work system. This support ensures that homeowners and property owners can trust that all work carried out on their property adheres to the required standards.

If you have had plumbing or drainage work done and have not been provided with a Form 4, as shown above, and the work falls under the listed categories, you should report it to the QBCC immediately or call them at 139333. High-quality plumbing and drainage work is essential for protecting your health.

If you are uncertain or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at (07) 5580 4311; we will offer our opinion. Ultimately, all plumbing work is not about guesswork but compliance with the law, specifically the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018.

Call Now ButtonCALL NOW