Have you spent more time in your home than usual over the festive season? Maybe poured some questionable liquids down the sink while you were cooking up a storm? Entertaining over the holidays can tend to put extra pressure on your pipes. So, now that 2022 is well underway, it’s the perfect time to take stock and give your pipes a once-over.
Why give your plumbing a regular health check?
Your pipes, taps, toilets and drains get a lot of use year-to-year – especially during recent times, when many Aussies have been working from home. There are some great reasons to give your plumbing an annual check-up, like:
Leaky pipes can hike up your water bill
If you have a leak in your pipes, you could be using more water than you realise. Small leaks aren’t always apparent, but they can still add dollars to your water bill. A plumbing check can help you spot any leaks so you can get them sorted.
A sewer blockage could become a smelly problem
If your sewer pipes are blocked, due to debris or tree root intrusion, Or a sewer blockage could start to build up and cause a smelly problem. Giving you pipes a regular check can help you spot a crack or a blockage sooner, and could save you big time in the future.
Help keep things flowing smoothly
When your pipes are happy, it helps your taps, sinks, washing machine and dishwasher all run as they should!
5 plumbing health checks to do regularly in your home
Here are some things you can do to check for plumbing problems, and make everything is working as it should.
1. Check your plumbing for leaks
A good place to start is with your taps. When you turn them on, does water pool at the bottom? If your tap is dripping, replace any faulty washers. If there are any visible watermarks on your walls, that’s also a sign that you have a leak.
2. Assess your sewer
There are a few things you can do to see if you might have a blockage in your sewer. Try emptying all of the sinks and tubs in your house at once, and see if your floor drains back up, or if it takes a long time for all of the sinks to drain. This could be a sign things aren’t flowing smoothly.
You can also try turning on your bathroom sink tap, watching your toilet as you do. If the water in your toilet rises, it’s likely you have a block in your sewer.
Cast an eye over your backyard, too. If you notice any abnormally green spots, it might indicate that there’s a crack in your pipes, or that tree roots have started to infiltrate them.
3. Do the meter test
The meter test can help you work out if you have water running when it shouldn’t be. First, turn off all of the taps, dishwashers and washing machines in your home. Then, check your water meter and note down then numbers. Wait for about half an hour without using any water, and then check the meter again. If the number has gone up, it might mean you have an undetected leak.
4. Take a look under sinks in multi-story homes
If your kitchen or bathroom sink is on a top story, go downstairs and have a look at the ceiling below it to check for any visible signs of leaking or watermarks.
5. Look for a leaky loo
Is there any water leaking, either in the cistern or in the S-bend? To see if there’s a leak between the tank and the toilet, try dropping a few drops of food colouring into the water cistern above the toilet. Leave it for a few minutes, and then check if any of the food colouring has made its way to the toilet bowl.
What to do if you think you have broken pipes or a blocked drain
The easiest way to confirm if you’ve got a problem on your hands is to book in a drain camera inspection with your local plumber. They’ll be able to give you a full report on the health of your pipes. If you’ve just moved into your home, a drain inspection is a great way to give you a full view of your plumbing system.
Ready to see what’s happening beneath the surface? Our Nuflow pipe relining technicians can help. They’ll send a high definition drain camera down to get a clear view of what’s going on. You’ll receive a comprehensive report that shows exactly where your pipes are and any issues – and we’ll even provide you with a copy of the footage, so you can see for yourself. Talk to your local Nuflow team to book in for a CCTV drain camera inspection today.
