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 | 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.
by Gary Mays | Sep 23, 2018 | Bathrooms, Cold Water, Consumer Issues, DIY Plumbing, Gold Coast Plumbing, Hot Water, Insurance, Leaking Pipes, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Emergencies, Plumbing Maintenance, Queensland Government
A burst flexi hose is a job we attend to almost every day. In all likelihood, you will have multiple flexi hoses in your home. They will exist commonly in both residential and commercial buildings under the kitchen sink, under the bathroom vanity basins, under the toilet cistern and under the laundry tub. Invariably when we attend to a burst flexi hose it has been damaged during installation causing kinking and has further experienced corrosion. Almost always the burst flexi hose was a time bomb waiting to happen. The braided stainless steel “simple to install” flexi hose has over the last 10 years replaced copper pipe connections to taps and toilet cisterns. Unfortunately, the braided stainless steel flexi hose has not lived up to expectations and delivered on the rust protection anticipated. In our experience, a burst flexi hose is caused by:
- incorrect installation with multiple kinks in the braided stainless steel
- stretching of the flexi hose to make the connection fit
- chemical attack from household cleaners
All of the above can create the perfect storm scenario in causing the braided stainless steel to corrode and rust. It then is just a matter of time until the stainless steel braiding fails which allows for the inner liner to burst. Here at Whywait Plumbing, we are now installing a polyamide hi class water hooker from Abey Australia which is the most technologically advanced flexi hose we have seen come onto the market. The 
Abey polyamide hi class water hooker cannot rust or corrode as it uses polyamide braiding that is similar to the Kevlar used in bulletproof vests. The connectors are manufactured from brass alloy so the entire flexihose will never rust even if its continually in contact with chemicals such as chlorine.
We are confident you will never experience a burst flexi hose once we install the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker as they literally cannot rust and cannot kink but best of all they come with a 15-year rust resistant warranty. Kinking is often the cause of a burst flexi hose but cannot occur with the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker. Kinking is simply poor installation as a result of over tightening the connector which twists the stainless steel braided hose. This over tightening creates 
pressure and tension in the braiding which frequently results in the inner liner bursting through the braiding and rupturing. The Abey polyamide hi class water hooker has a simple design to ensure that it is anti-kink. When we install the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker we are able to use two spanners to counteract any twisting that results in kinking.
Most of the flexi hoses currently used have an inner lining manufactured from EPDM which has the potential to absorb and release harmful chemicals such as 
chlorine into your drinking water. This ability to absorb chemicals also results in a potential burst flexi hose. With the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker the inner lining is manufactured from Softpex Core. The Softpex Core inner liner gives a superior mechanical performance to EPDM guaranteeing a longer life due to its higher tensile strength, higher abrasion resistance, higher working water pressure and non-corrosiveness. The extensive age/stress testing undertaken resulted in an amazing 0% failure rate.
We strongly recommend that you get us to check your flexi hoses every year for rust and/or corrosion and that they are replaced every five years. This will give you the peace of mind in knowing that the flexi hose in your home or business is not rusting and about to explode releasing water at 25 litres every minute that it flows. Rust is the #1 enemy of a braided stainless flexi hose.
When we replace your existing stainless steel flexi hoses with the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker we guarantee you will get:
- superior strength and corrosion resistance
- tested and WaterMark approved for use in Australia
- superior tensile strength
- superior working water pressure
- a superior mechanical performance with the Softpex core inner liner
- a 15-year rust resistant warranty from the manufacturer
As always we must caution you that installing or replacing a flexi hose is not a legally compliant DIY installation and under Queensland law must be done by a licensed plumber. You need to be aware that undertaking a DIY installation has the likelihood of making your insurance coverage null and void and the manufacturer’s warranty null and void if the flexi hose bursts and causes damage. Don’t wait for the ticking time bomb of your existing stainless steel braided flexi hoses to strike! Call us now to get us to upgrade you to the Abey polyamide hi class water hooker.
by Gary Mays | Jun 28, 2018 | Plumbing Emergencies
With owning and operating a 24/7 plumbing company answering after hours calls about a plumbing emergency is something we are used to.
In the many plumbing emergency calls we have taken over the years, the two most common reasons for calling after hours are either a burst water pipe causing flooding inside the house or a blocked drain causing waste to back up and spill over, usually outside but on occasions within the home.
Not only are these situations distressing but they have the potential to cause substantial damage to the home in a short period of time. Knowing what to do in a plumbing emergency not only allows the situation to be handled calmly but enables you to quickly make it safe and minimise damage to the property.
Here at Whywait Plumbing we recommend that all adults residing in a household should at a bare minimum know:
- Where the main water isolation valve for the property is located.
- How to turn off the water at the water meter or isolation valve (usually located in a turf box on the property boundary).
- How to turn off the water at the hot water service.
- How to isolate the power to the house at the meter board.
Let’s take a closer look at some plumbing emergencies
Burst Pipes
In our 40 plus years as local Gold Coast plumbers, we have found that burst pipes are likely to cause the most damage to a property especially if they happen at night or when you are away from the property. We have seen a marked increase in the number of these incidences since braided hoses have replaced copper pipes on tapware and toilets.
Our Recommendations
When installing new tapware have isolation valves fitted at the fixture so you can quickly isolate the water should a pipe burst.
Have one of the automatic water shut off device available on the market installed.
Know where and how to turn the water of at the water meter.
Keep a wrench or shifter inside so it is handy should you need to turn the water off in a hurry.
Before going away turn off the water at the meter. If you need to leave the water on for any reason then make sure you turn off the taps to the washing machine, dishwasher, toilet cisterns and any other isolation valves to water filters, fridges or mixer taps.
Tap Won’t Turn Off
A tap that won’t turn off isn’t technically an emergency as in most instances the water can be isolated at the meter and be attended to the next day. If it’s a hot water tap that won’t turn off then it is best to isolate the water at the hot water service so that you still have cold water to the house. It is a common misconception that you can’t leave a tap running because water is expensive but in real terms with the cost of water being $3.90 per thousand litres you would need to use 42,000 litres of water overnight just to cover the fee to call out our plumber after hours.
Our Recommendations
When installing new tapware have isolation valves fitted at the fixture so you can quickly isolate the water at the fixture should a pipe burst.
Know how to turn water off to your hot water service.
Know where and how to turn the water of at the water meter.
Keep a wrench or shifter inside so it is handy should you need to turn the water off in a hurry.
Blocked & Overflowing Drains
In this day and age having fully functioning drains is something we take for granted and so when drains block it is not only inconvenient but interrupts your normal household routine.
If the drains are overflowing outside although unpleasant they are not really causing any harm to the property and is best left to be attended to in daylight. A much more distressing scenario is if they are backing up and overflowing inside which fortunately is much less common. Whilst we are always happy to come out after hours with workplace health and safety regulations we are somewhat restricted as to what equipment we can operate after hours.
Our Recommendations
Know the location on your property of the overflow relief gully to your drainage system.
If the drains are backing up inside check that the grate to the overflow relief gully is not obstructed. Remove the grate if necessary to allow waste to overflow here.
Limit the use of your plumbing.
Do not run the washing machine or dishwasher.
If necessary use the toilet but avoid flushing where possible.
Here at Whywait Plumbing we understand that not everyone wishes to or is able to deal with a plumbing emergency so our Number 1 recommendation is to have our number handy so you can contact us quickly when the need arises.
by Gary Mays | May 5, 2018 | Consumer Issues, Emergency Plumber, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues, Hot Water, Hot Water Heat Pump, Hot Water Solar, Hot Water Temperature, Hot water tempering valve, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Emergencies, solar hot water
A common question we get asked this time of year concerning hot water repairs is “Why is my hot water not hot enough?”
We find our clients tend to notice this problem predominately when showering and in most instances, the temperature of the water hasn’t suddenly changed. It’s more than when the weather is fresher, and we tend to increase the ratio of hot to cold water, and therefore, any fault that affects the hot water becomes more apparent.
Hot Water Not Hot Enough, Common Causes
When customers ask “why is my hot water not hot enough” we always provide as much information as possible.
In our 42 years of plumbing experience and as hot water specialists, we have found the most common causes of this problem are:
Let’s take a closer look at each of these possible problems.
Malfunctioning tempering valve
Tempering valves are designed to blend hot and cold water to deliver water at a constant temperature that does not exceed 50’C. If water entering the tempering valve contains small amounts of sand or other debris, this can become lodged in the filters of the tempering valve and affect the operation of the valve resulting in lukewarm rather than hot water. Read more about tempering valves.
Faulty hot water service
If your hot water service is older (usually 10-15 years) or you have overlooked regular maintenance, it could result in a problem with the heating system.
A hot water system fails most commonly at these points:
The element is the mechanism within the hot water service that heats the water with the thermostat being responsible for switching the element on and off. Any problem with either of these parts can result in disruption to your hot water.
The relief valve is responsible for releasing built-up pressure as the water heats. If this valve is continuously leaking, then you will lose hot water which in turn is replaced with cold water that cools the hot water stored in the tank.
Hot water demand exceeds the capacity
Typically if a tanks capacity is over 125L, then you would connect to one of the off-peak tariffs, which means that electricity used by the hot water system will be charged at a lower rate. While this makes for a cost-effective solution, it does come with some limitations as you do not have an unlimited supply and if for any reason your demand for hot water increases there is always the possibility that you could run out of hot water.
If you are finding the hot water in your household is consistently not hot enough, and repairs are not required, then seriously consider a more substantial capacity, new hot water system.
Help Is On Hand
Here at Whywait Plumbing, we don’t consider hot water a luxury, it is a necessity. So if you are experiencing a cold shower and asking yourself why is my hot water not hot enough, call us now for Same Day Service.
by Gary Mays | Apr 15, 2018 | Bathrooms, Blocked drain, City of Gold Coast, Consumer Issues, Drain Odours, Gold Coast Plumbing, Health Issues, Insurance, Plumbers, Plumbers Gold Coast, Plumbing Emergencies, Plumbing Maintenance, Septic Tanks, Sustainable Plumbing, Toilets
Back in September 2015 we here at Whywait Plumbing first alerted our clients in newsletters and blogs to the fact that flushable wipes were in fact not flushable. At the time we said flushable wipes are an environmental nightmare and we stand by that claim.
We have repeated over and over again that the only things that are flushable in your toilet are toilet paper, urine and faeces or if you like to adhere to the three P’s rule of pee, poo and paper.
But as we all know a multitude of products labelled as flushable wipes or wet wipes have been claimed by their manufacturers that they could be simply disposed of by flushing down the toilet.
Last Thursday the first of the ACCC prosecutions against manufacturers Pental and Kimberly-Clark Australia had a positive result in the Federal Court of Australia.
The manufacturer of White Kings flushable toilet and bathroom cleaning wipes Pental Limited and Pental Products Pty Ltd was fined $700,000 for its continual false and misleading claims that their products disintegrated “just like toilet paper” in the sewage system. The ACCC has separate ongoing proceedings against Kimberly-Clark Australia.
White Kings products in labelling, packaging and promotional materials included the following misleading statements:
- flushable
- White King Toilet Wipes are made from a specially designed material, which will disintegrate in the sewage system when flushed, just like toilet paper
- Simply wipe over the hard surface of the toilet … and just flush away
The Federal Court ruled all these statements were, in fact, false with ACCC Commissioner, Sarah Court stating, “These White King wipes can’t be flushed down the toilet, and Australian wastewater authorities face significant problems if they are because they can cause blockages in household and municipal sewerage systems.”
This is a huge win for the sewers and house drains where blockages have been an ongoing issue creating $16000 plumbing repair bills for homeowners.
Here in Queensland Michelle Cull from Queensland Urban Utilities said it was a “real win” for sewers as “We remove around 160 tonnes of flushable wipes from our sewerage network every year. Laid end-to-end, that’s enough to stretch all the way from Brisbane to Bali. We spend around $1.5 million a year clearing blockages from our sewer pipes and flushable wipes are a big contributing factor.”
The campaign by Choice against flushable wipes has been an outstanding success. In 2015 Kleenex flushable wipes were an outstanding winner in their 2015 “Shonky Awards” which we highlighted in Flushable Wipes Win “Shonky Award” from CHOICE at the time.
On Thursday after the Federal Court, decision Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey reiterated that the false claims about flushable wipes were a “grubby marketing tactic that left households, local councils and water services organisations having to struggle with the cost of removing these wipes from the sewage system”.
The $700,000 fine is a positive message to manufacturers and the water industry and plumbers are now hopeful the manufacturers of wipes products now prominently label DO NOT FLUSH on all their products.
The $700,000 fine also sends a positive international message as the water industry worldwide has collectively committed to a position statement where all wipes and personal hygiene products must be clearly marked DO NOT FLUSH and that they can only be disposed of in the rubbish bin.
Here at Whywait Plumbing, we hope this $700,000 fine reinforces to everyone that any wipe product is never flushed down the toilet. I can only repeat if you wish to continue flushing wipes in all their forms down your toilet then I recommend you become a Whywait Plumbing Service Partner.
