The Ultimate Plumbing Checklist for Australian Households This Summer
The Ultimate Plumbing Checklist for Australian Households This Summer
The Australian summer is synonymous with BBQs, beach visits and long afternoons in the backyard but with all that comes hot days. The more people shower, the more they cook and do the washing, the harder your plumbing is working. When that happens, small problems can turn into bigger ones quite quickly.
Plumbing can be tricky but giving things a quick look now can help you avoid problems later. To make it easy for you, we have put together a simple summer plumbing checklist you can use before the heat sets in.
Why Summer Plumbing Maintenance Matters in Australia
Before we get into the checklist, it helps to understand why summer plumbing maintenance is so important. Aside from the things we mentioned earlier, we also get sudden storms that can test your gutters, stormwater drains and roof plumbing in one hit.
A bit of household maintenance now can:
- Decrease the risk of flooding in heavy rain
- Keep your water bills under control
- Extend the life of your hot water system and pipework
- Prevent smelly or blocked drains when the house is full of people
Indoor Plumbing Checks Every Homeowner Should Do
- Look for Leaking Taps and Fixtures
Inspect taps and leaking fixtures by going room to room and testing each one. Turn the tap on and off fully, listen for any drips once it is closed and check for water collecting around the base of the tap or mixer. Even a slow drip adds up over summer. Aside from being annoying, they are also a sign that part of your residential plumbing needs attention.
- Check Water Pressure and Flow Rates
Next, pay attention to how your water behaves. In different rooms, turn taps and showers on. If you see some water pressure issues or one part of the house is always weak, it is worth asking a plumber to check it before the summer rush makes it worse.
- Test Your Hot Water System Before Peak Usage
Hot water is about comfort and safety, so it is worth giving your system a quick look now and then. Check that your hot water reaches all taps, heats up in good time and is not making strange noises or showing obvious damage. You do not need to pull it apart to see how it is performing. You just have to pay attention to how it works day to day.
- Hot water system safety checks
Make sure nothing around the unit looks damaged, there is no constant trickle from the relief line and no water pooling on the ground nearby. If you have young kids or elderly family members, water that is too hot at the tap can be risky, so the temperature needs to be set correctly. If you are not sure how to check your hot water system safely, it is best to get a licensed plumber to do it for you.
Signs your hot water system needs service
- Hot water keeps changing temperature
- Rusty or coloured water from the hot tap
- Popping or rumbling sounds from the tank
- System is 8–10 years old with no service
Plumbing Maintenance for your Kitchen
Check the Sink
Check for sink leaks and moisture by looking inside the cupboard under your kitchen sink for damp spots, swollen or soft timber, stains or any signs of corrosion around the hoses and joints. Leaks here are usually slow and easy to miss. However, they can cause a lot of damage to your cabinets and flooring if they are left too long.
- Run a Drain Health Check
While using the sink, pay attention to how well it drains. Have a go at answering the following.
- Does the water go down freely
- Does it sit and slowly swirl away
- Do you notice a smell after using the sink or dishwasher
- Early signs of blocked drains
In the kitchen, early signs of a blockage include:
- Water that is backing up in one side of a double sink
- Gurgling noises when the dishwasher is emptying
- Air bubbles rise when you tip out a pot or bucket
When to call a plumber
There is only so much you should do yourself. If plunging does not clear the drain or more than one fixture is slow, call general plumbing services. If you see water coming out where it should not, like at the base of cabinets, get a professional in straight away.
Plumbing Checklist for Bathroom and Laundry
- Inspect Showers, Toilets and Pipes for Wear
In the bathroom, keep an eye out for cracked or missing silicone around the shower and bath. Watch for water that drains slowly, toilets that keep running and any exposed pipes with rust or green staining. Fortunately, a simple water pipe maintenance can already go a long way.
- Check Washing Machine Hoses and Valves
In the laundry, it is worth checking behind your washing machine now and then to make sure the hoses are not cracked, kinked or bulging, the taps and fittings are not slightly leaking and there are no water stains on the wall or floor.
Outdoor Plumbing and Summer Preparation
- Test Outdoor Taps and Garden Hoses
Walk around the yard and make sure each garden tap turns on and off properly. Also check that there are no leaks around the handle or spindle. You should also look at the hose connections for any constant dripping. Be sure to check the hose itself for splits, cracks or bulges too.
- Inspect Stormwater Drains Before Summer Storms
Before the worst of the summer storms arrive, clear leaves and rubbish from drains, make sure downpipes are secure and unbroken. Remember to also take note of any low spots in the yard where water tends to collect.
This is really just the practical side of a checklist for summer roof plumbing middle class homes. If you have trees nearby, even a small amount of leaves and debris can block a stormwater line. If you keep getting flooding or pooling in the same spots, it is worth asking a plumber to camera check your stormwater system so you know what is going on underground.
- Check Irrigation Systems for Leaks
If you use sprinklers, drippers or any irrigation, run each zone and watch how the sprinklers work.
- How heat affects outdoor plumbing
Heat is hard on outdoor plumbing. Aside from that, plastic fittings can become brittle and crack and rubber washers dry out and start to leak. Moreover, exposed pipes expand and contract every day in the sun. Over time, all of this movement and UV exposure can cause your fittings to fail.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
You can handle a lot of basic checks yourself but there are times when calling in general plumbing services is the safest choice.
Issues That Need Immediate Attention
Call a plumber straight away if you notice any of the following:
- A heavy leak from a pipe, ceiling or wall
- A strong odour of sewage in the house or yard
- Drains are gurgling or overflowing
- No hot water or the system keeps tripping the power
- New water discolorations on ceilings or walls after rain
Book a Summer Plumbing Inspection Today
If you have worked through this guide and noticed a few things that do not look quite right, it is a good time to book a plumbing inspection as part of your regular household maintenance services.
In these situations, waiting can only make the damage worse. If you are in our area and need a 24-hour plumber in Newcastle, Jetblasterman is ready to help at any time.
