Plumber FAQs

When it comes to plumbing, there are many different things that can go wrong which is why we created this plumber FAQs page. If you are unsure of how to do something yourself, give us a call on 1300-931-384 to have a plumber visit you today.

What causes the water temperature to change in the shower when the toilet is flushed or someone runs another water appliance in the house?

Answer: When you flush the toilet tank starts refilling by opening a valve. Some water rushes through the opened valve and is diverted from the shower. Depending on how the piping is done and how wide the valve opens more or less water is diverted form the shower and the effect is more or less noticeable.

What is a pressure-balancing valve and why should it be installed on my shower systems?

Answer: Pressure-balancing valves prevent sudden change in temperatures. It is happens to everyone who showers. Elsewhere in the house a toilet is flushed, a faucet is opened, or the washing machine kicks on, and the once-temperate water coming from the showerhead is suddenly cold enough to make you jump or so hot you want to scream. A simple device called a pressure-balancing shower valve can help you.

Plumber FAQs

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What would cause a water leak from the vent in the plumbing system?

Answer: Water should not leak from your vent system. The only water that should be in your vent system should be the occasional storm water after a large storm. There should be no way for sewage or sewage water to get into your vents or water system.

What could contribute to a high water bill besides pipes leaks?

Answer: Almost ninety percent of all leaks in residential plumbing systems are found in the toilet tank. Toilet tank leaks usually result from worn parts or improper alignment of some part of the flushing mechanism. It is important to stop the leak happening.

What makes my plumbing & drain pipes rattle constantly?

Answer: This problem is usually caused by the water lines not being properly isolated. It can be easily fixed if your water lines are easily accessible.

Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs? My cold water doesn’t smell, how can I fix this?

Answer: The most common cause of “smelly water” is a non-toxic sulfate reducing bacteria, scientifically known as Divibrio Sulfurcan anda often enters the water system through construction or a break in ground piping. The easiest treatment available is the shock-chlorination of the system. This is a surface treatment, and mostly requires repeated trials in heavily infected systems.

My toilet somehow empties itself of water. Why does this happen?

Answer : Their are a couple answers to this question, but this solution fixes it almost all of the time. Poor venting or no venting of the toilet fixture. Vents allow for airflow to the toilet sewage system. Without the vent, air pockets form in the waste branches, which cause what, is called back-siphonage. The air in the system, without a vent, can only escape through the sewer and drags the water in the trap with it.

Why does my toilet to fill up with hot water instead of room temperature water?

Answer: The main reason you may have hot water in your toilet is due to a bad flapper in the toilet tank or a bad fill valve. This can allow the water to seep into the tank. When you have a mixing valve on your toilet to stop condensation from occuring, some hot water is introduced into the cold water line to warm the water just a little, but when the water just seeps a little at a time the hot water dominates the cold and you get a tank of hot water.

How do I stop water in the toilet tank from over flowing?

Answer: This happens because the fill valve in the tank has a leak in it. Also, if the fill valve has been recently repaired or replaced, it is possible that it has been set too high. If the fill valve is old, replace it. By replacing it your problem should be fixed.

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Why does my hot water system not work as well as it used to?

Answer: This is usually due to a sediment build up in your tank. As water hot water systems get older, they accumulate sediment and lime deposits. If these deposits are not removed periodically, the sediment will create a barrier between the burner and the water, greatly reducing the hot water systems performance level. The result is an increase in the amount of energy required to deliver hot water.

Why would a hot water system run out of hot water faster than normal?

Answer: If your water heater is running cold easily or frequently then several things could be occuring. Firstly, check the showerhead volume to ensure they are not too quick. A new showerhead puts out about 2.5 gallons of water a minute. Some older heads put out 5 gallons of water a minute. Working with the showerhead would double shower length. In some cases, the dip tube on the cold-water inlet has broken or is worn.

Plumber FAQs

Plumber FAQs 

The below plumber FAQs all have articles attached to them with full answers.

How do you find the source of a leak in a burst pipe

Answer: Read this blog post

I am a beginner DIY plumber, what should I do?

Answer: Read this blog post

What are the signs my drain is blocked

Answer: Read this blog post

How do I fix my hot water system?

Answer: Read this blog post

What Causes my drain to block?

Blocked drains can be caused by many different things. Read this blog post for more information.

The Victoria Building Authority Plumber FAQs is located here for more information