Occasional plumbing problems are a normal part of life. No matter how cautious you are at home, things can still go wrong with your household’s drains, pipes, and appliances. Where water is concerned, it’s always wise to be prepared for the unexpected. What your plumbing issues should never be, however, is chronic.

If you find yourself unclogging the same drain month after month or pouring caustic cleaners down your pipes on a regular basis, there may be an underlying issue causing the same problem to reoccur. One blocked drain or backed up toilet could be a relatively minor mishap but, if it’s happening often, it’s time to call your local plumber in Melbourne.

In this article, the experts at Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing discuss what to do, what not to do and when to call in the professionals.

1 – If It Comes Back, ’t Ignore It

There’s nothing wrong with trying to fix a minor clog or blockage by yourself using plungers, snakes, and other widely available DIY tools. Not every plumbing problem requires a professional response. However, if you clear a clog in the kitchen pipes and another one appears two weeks later or your toilet even after you’ve replaced its flapper valve, the issue has become chronic.

Do you know who gets the biggest bills from local plumbers? Homeowners who wait to see if the problem gets worse. If it happens again and the DIY approach hasn’t worked, you should call your plumber in Melbourne for advice.

2 – That Kitchen Grease WILL Have Its Revenge

Plumbers spend more time cleaning grease and cooking oils out of kitchen pipes than you’d care to know. It’s one of the most common causes of serious drain blockages. Yet, we’ve all done it once or twice even though we know the risks. The tricky thing about fat and food blockages is they don’t happen overnight. Fat residues build up slowly over time and unless homeowners are paying close attention, they might not notice the water in their sink taking longer and longer to drain. Then, one day, it stops draining altogether.

Avoid having to call an emergency plumber for help. Always pour excess cooking oil into a bottle or can and throw it in the trash. Though they are relatively easy for a plumber to clear, blocked drains can smell foul, cause mould and mildew buildup and interfere with other appliances.

3 – The Location of Your Property’s Water Shut Off Valve

According to Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing, one of the most important things homeowners should know is the location of their property’s water shut off valve. The quicker you can get to this valve in the event of a serious leak, the easier it will be to limit the damage done to your home. If you’ve got a leak that won’t quit and know where to find your shut off valve, make switching it off your first priority.

Switch off the water supply if you can. Then, get on the phone to an emergency plumber in Melbourne. Let them know you’ve neutralized the danger and they can get to work fixing the leak as soon as they arrive. Using the valve won’t repair the leak but it might just save your favourite carpet from a watery demise. In most cases, the water shut off valve is located very close to a home’s perimeter.

4 – Professional Plumbing Maintenance Is Always Worth It

There are lots of things you can do to keep your home’s plumbing healthy and prevent blockages, backups, clogs, and other issues. However, nothing is quite as effective as scheduled plumbing maintenance. Just as a car performs better and lasts longer when it’s serviced regularly, so too will your plumbing.

Professional plumbing services are not just for emergencies. Twice yearly inspections prevent almost all common plumbing issues from developing because they spot issues before they become disruptive. A couple of services per year from a qualified plumber in Melbourne is enough to save a homeowner hundreds of dollars in emergency repair fees.

5 – Some Plumbers Are Better Than Others

No matter how minor or serious your plumbing issue, you should always make sure you’re working with a fully licensed plumbing provider. It’s not uncommon for skilled plumbers to be called out to fix the mistakes of less stringent contractors. ’t be afraid to ask for proof of certification. All properly licensed professionals can show proof of their credentials and won’t ever make a homeowner feel like it’s wrong to ask.

Do your own research if possible. Read customer testimonials. Get recommendations from locals. Look for plumbing providers who value the personal touch. You should always find it easy to talk directly to an expert whether you’re dealing with an emergency or just want to schedule a routine drain inspection.

Need an Emergency Plumber You Can Trust? Call Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing!

Call 1300 931 384 today to speak with an emergency plumber and arrange an immediate call out visit to your property. Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing operates a 24/7 customer helpline so there’s no bad time to pick up the phone. Whether night or day, our qualified and licensed plumbing team is on hand to fix your blocked drains, burst pipes, leaky faucets and more.