How To Turn Your Water Off In An Emergency

Posted on August 26, 2021November 4, 2021 by planbweb

In an emergency, the ability to locate your water main quickly and efficiently in order to turn it off can help you prevent disastrous damage to your home. If a pipe bursts in the middle of the night, you’ll need to be able to turn off the main quickly. But, where is it?

LOCATE YOUR WATER MAIN TAP:

Your water main can fly under the radar and escape your notice. We always recommend checking the location of your water main whenever you move into a property so that you know where it is in an emergency.

So, where should my water main be?

MODERN SUBURBAN HOMES
- Most commonly, the water main is inside the front boundary fence
OLDER TERRACE/SEMI PROPERTIES
- In terrace or semi properties, the main may be shared with adjoining properties. Those with galvanised iron pipes (not copper) may not have a meter.
NEWER PROPERTIES
- Newer properties may have a remote read meter device
APARTMENT BLOCKS
- The water mains are commonly shared between all units, however if you do have an individual water main, it may be in the carpark or services area with your apartment number marked.
OFFICES & FACTORIES
- Generally, the water mains may be shared and are usually at the front of the complex. If you have an individual meterm it should be near your business unit’s front door.
PROPERTIES WITH RECYCLED WATER SYSTEMS
- If you have a recycled water system, you should have two purple metres. One is for drinking water, and the other is a separate recycled water meter.

TURN OFF THE WATER MAIN:

Next to your water main will be the tap. Turning this tap off will restrict the flow of water that is threatening to flood your property.

Generally, you will need to turn the tap clockwise to turn it off
Make sure you turn it off firmly
The tap may be difficult to turn. If you’re struggling with bare hands, try putting on gloves and/or using a spanner, shifting wrench or pliers.

CONTACT PLAN B PLUMBING:

Congratulations, you’ve successfully prevented any more water entering your property and have stopped the impending water doom!

You’re now ready to contact Plan B Plumbing who will identify the cause, fix the problem and have your water running in no time. We service properties throughout South Oakleigh, Oakleigh, Oakleigh East, Chadstone, East Malvern, Glen Iris, Bentleigh and South Eastern Suburbs!

When is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous & Should You Get Your Appliances Tested?

Posted on June 10, 2021October 5, 2022 by planbweb

Carbon Monoxide (or CO) is an odourless, colorless, and tasteless gas produced by any material burning incompletely. Using materials for heating, such as coal or charcoal, creates high carbon monoxide levels when burnt in fireplaces or barbecues.

Carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces like rooms, houses, garages, and sheds. Both people and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing CO in. Carbon Monoxide becomes extremely dangerous when it accumulates within these improperly ventilated areas. The CO results in these scenarios are dire, with the potential to cause irreversible damage to our bodies and, in extreme cases, death.

What are the risks of Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning when a person inhales the combustion fumes. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air you’re breathing in; your body replaces oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This prevents oxygen from reaching your tissues and organs, resulting in damage that can be irreparable.

It is crucial to recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as it could help you to save yourself and your family before the gas has a chance to cause irreversible damage. Keep an eye out for any of the following:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headaches
Nausea
Fatigue
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Confusion
Vomiting
Muscle weakness
Loss of consciousness

How do you protect yourself from Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is emitted from any appliance that is not well maintained and in good working order. If your devices are not maintained and serviced regularly, you are putting yourself and those around you at risk of CO Poisoning.

In Winter, we use our heaters far more frequently. If gas heaters and appliances go untested, the risk of Carbon Monoxide being present increases drastically. Due to the fact CO is odourless and colourless, any time you have a gas heater operating close to people, a simple unseen fault in the heater can pose a real and immediate risk to human life. Examining & inspecting the levels of CO gas in your home or business is vital for good health.

The best way to prevent and protect against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is to test for the presence of CO every two years at the absolute minimum.

The efficient and experienced team at Plan B Plumbing will test all of the appliances in your home that could be a potential source of carbon monoxide. These may include:

Gas or kerosene heaters
Gas-fueled appliances or space heaters
Gas ranges and stoves
Gas or wood-burning fireplaces
Any fireplaces lacking ventilation

Book your Carbon Monoxide test today, and protect yourself and your family.

Drone Roof Inspection

Posted on December 14, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

Technology has had a significant impact across a huge number of industries, and plumbing is definitely one of them. We use cutting edge technology – like drones – every day to help us get the job done.

When you think of a roof inspection, you probably picture a plumbing professional using a very tall ladder to climb up onto the roof.

While that is still very much the case in a lot of situations, we now also have a drone on hand to help us out when the roof is too high, too sloped or too dangerous to climb.

Why do you need a roof inspection?

Regular professional roof inspections are important because they will help you to better understand the integrity of your roof and whether or not it needs fixing, upgrading or retiling.

With a regular roof inspection, you will be able to prevent common roofing problems from turning costly, such as:

Leaks
Plant or moss growth
Blocked gutters
Drooping or sagging
Weathering or natural aging
Storm damage
Missing, dislodged or slipped tiles

Drones provide a safe roof inspection method

Using a drone during our routine roof inspections is safer for our team because they remain on the ground while the drone does the higher, more dangerous work.

Having a drone on hand also makes for a much more detailed analysis of roofs that are higher than three stories. With the help of a drone, no crooked corner or sloped section of the roof is too hard for us to reach.

Using high-quality video and imaging, our drone shares its live feed and recordings with the inspection team on the ground. It can also upload data directly to the Cloud so that nothing gets lost in the process.

Our inspection drone

Mr Drone is our in-house roof inspection drone. This techy addition to our team helps out the plumbing guys on the ground by flying up to those hard-to-reach areas and inspecting rooftops for damage or general wear and tear.

We bring Mr Drone along with us when properties above three stories need to have their roof inspected. Letting Mr Drone do the higher-reaching work makes our roof inspections safer, easier, faster and more affordable.

Let a drone take care of your next roof inspection

If your roof is high or hard to navigate, let Mr Drone and the professional plumbing team at Plan B Plumbing take care of your next roof inspection.

Working with a drone will make the inspection process safer and easier for our team while saving you time and money in the process.

Why You Should Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

Posted on November 16, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

You’ve probably heard the whispers by now (or the shouts!) that grease is not something you should ever pour down the drain. But do you know why?

The reality is that once grease goes down the drain, it doesn’t just disappear. It sticks around – literally – and causes serious plumbing problems down the track.

Grease is not good for drains

Pouring grease down the drain may seem like a good idea while it’s still hot and in liquid form, but what you might not realise is that as grease cools, it solidifies.

After a couple of minutes travelling down the drain, that hot grease will turn into a cooled, solidified and sticky trap that catches any passing debris.

Over time, the buildup of debris and solidified grease can create a blockage in the pipe and slow the sink from draining. An excess buildup of grease beyond your home’s pipes can even clog local sewer systems and septic tanks.

Because grease can wreak havoc in your pipes and local sewer system, we recommend that you never, ever pour it down the kitchen sink – or any other drain in your home.

Disposing of leftover cooking grease

Rather than pouring it down the drain – which may seem like the easy option in the moment, but ends up being far more work in the long run – be sure to dispose of your leftover cooking grease in a more pipe-friendly manner.

If the cooking grease is still hot, pour it into a jar or empty can and leave it to cool. Once the grease has solidified, you can either scoop it out into the rubbish or dispose of the whole jar.

Alternatively, you can give the grease time to cool while it’s still in the pan and once it has solidified, scoop it out with paper towels and dump it all in the rubbish.

What if I’ve already poured grease down the drain?

If the cooking grease has already disappeared down the drain (that’s okay, you know better for next time), you must take action quickly to try and prevent it from solidifying.

Run the tap on the hottest temperature while pouring boiling water from the kettle down the drain. The heat from both sources should help to liquefy the hardened grease and keep it moving through the pipes.

You can also squirt some dishwashing liquid down the drain which will work alongside the hot water to clear the leftover grease from the pipes.

For grease-clearing expertise, call in the experts

If you’ve been pouring grease down the drain for years, or if you think that solidified grease might be what’s causing your sink’s slow drainage, you may need to call in a professional plumber to unclog the pipes.

The friendly team at Plan B Plumbing are experts in drain-clearing and pipe-cleaning, and with our help, things will be moving along smoothly in no time.

Having trouble with blocked drains? Our friendly team is here to help

What Temperature Should A Hot Water Heater Be Set At

Posted on October 19, 2020October 5, 2022 by planbweb

Whether it’s a traditional storage tank or an instantaneous system, a hot water heater delivers hot water to the faucets and showerheads in your home or office.

An experienced hot water plumber will ensure that your hot water heater is set to the right temperature, and they’ll also help you to better understand hot water safety in the home or workplace.

Hot water safety

Hot tap water can cause real harm in everyday households – especially to small children and elderly people – if not managed carefully.

Something as simple as washing your hands or unexpectedly stepping into a scalding hot shower can cause painful burns and lasting damage to your skin if the water temperature is too hot.

Legally, the temperature of hot water coming out of any tap or showerhead in Victoria (unless specifically required) can’t be more than 50°C. This temperature is considered warm enough to heat up your baths and showers, but not so hot as to cause severe burns.

There are some exemptions to the 50°C rule, including childcare centres, schools and nursing homes, where – for safety reasons – the hot water coming out of any faucet must be capped at a maximum temperature of 45°C.

Maintaining a safe water temperature

To prevent harmful bacteria from growing, the water in hot water heaters needs to be stored at a temperature higher than 60°C.

However, if the storage temp (60°C) is higher than the legal outlet temp (50°C), then how does the temperature cool down that additional 10°C before reaching the tap?

As your handy hot water plumber will tell you, a tempering valve (for traditional hot water tanks) or remote temperature control (for instantaneous systems) will reduce the temperature of hot water before it comes out of the faucet.

So long as your hot water system has a remote temperature control or tempering valve installed and activated, you won’t have to worry about scalding hot water coming out of taps or showerheads in your home.

Set your hot water heater at a safe temperature

With the help of your local hot water plumber, preventing hot water burns is easy. Talk to one of our experienced plumbers today to ensure that your hot water heater is set at a safe temperature for your home or workplace.

Benefits of Instantaneous Hot Water Systems

Posted on September 16, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

If you’re building a new home or office, or are ready to upgrade your current hot water system, we recommend installing an instantaneous system with the help of an experienced hot water plumber.

What is an instantaneous hot water system?

A traditional hot water tank stores a set amount – this could be anywhere from 90 to 300 litres, depending on the size – of hot water within it. As it is used up, cold water fills the tank to replenish it.

When the hot water is used up in a traditional tank, expect your shower or tap water to go unexpectedly cold, and to stay that way for some time while the water in the tank reheats.

Unlike a traditional hot water tank, an instantaneous hot water system won’t have you stuck in a cold shower. This modern system is designed to heat water when you need it, and to shut off when you’re not using it.

Instantaneous hot water systems are activated when you turn the water on. This action subsequently turns on the gas or electricity needed to heat the elements contained within the pipe that heat the water as it travels through.

Preset heat for safety

With a remote temperature control, you can preset the heat of the water so that it never goes above your chosen temperature. This is especially important for a home with children as it ensures that your hot water won’t burn them.

Long-lasting

Instantaneous hot water systems are durable and long-lasting. Though they cost more than a traditional hot water tank, their lifespan is up to 10 years longer. Where a hot water tank lasts up to 10 years, an instantaneous system can last up to 20 years.

Compact

Hot water tanks need room for storage. Their bulkiness takes up a lot of space if installed inside the home, and they jut out unattractively if added to the exterior. Instantaneous systems, on the other hand, have a simple, aesthetic design that doesn’t take up much space at all.

Neverending hot water supply

The number one benefit of an instantaneous system is that you will never run out of hot water. No matter how many showers you have or hot water wash cycles you run, you’ll always have enough hot water to go around.

Is an instantaneous hot water system for you?

With all of the benefits that come with installing an instantaneous system, we think it’s definitely one to consider for your new build or upgrade.

Instantaneous systems can run on gas or electricity, and an experienced hot water plumber can advise you on the installation process that will work best for your home.

Talk to a hot water plumber about installing an instantaneous system today

10% Seniors Discount

Posted on August 21, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

The team at Plan B Plumbing are committed to helping our community, which is why we offer a 10% Seniors Discount on all general plumbing works.

To receive this discount, all you need to do is show us your Seniors, Veterans or Pensioner Concession Card, and we’ll get the rest sorted out for you.

How Plan B Plumbing can help pensioners

Pensioners need plumbing just as much as the rest of us, but it can be a costly expense for those in retirement who no longer have a steady source of income.

By offering a discount and getting the job done quickly and with care, we aim to make things as affordable and stress-free for our seniors as possible. The following are a list of plumbing services that we can help with.

Gutters

When your home’s gutters are blocked due to debris like leaves, rubbish or broken tiles, they need to be properly cleaned out to stop overflows, especially during winter.

As a pensioner, you need to consider that a blockage in the gutters won’t just cause overflows – it can also lead to a leaky roof and more serious water damage to the internal and external walls of your home.

Blocked toilets

Blocked toilets aren’t fun for anyone. You’ll know your toilet or sewer drain is blocked if you see wastewater coming back up in the sink, smell a nasty odour drifting from the drains or see the toilet water rise up the bowel before slowly receding again after you flush.

If left unattended, a blocked toilet or sewer drain could cause serious damage to your home and your health. As a senior citizen, it is important that you put your health first and call in one of our friendly plumbers to unblock the drain and get things running smoothly again.

Dripping taps

A dripping tap can cost you more money than you might think. Whether it’s the faucets, toilet cistern, outdoor taps or underground/interior pipes, leaking water can lead to a hefty water bill as well as serious damage inside and outside the home.

To save on costs and prevent water damage from leading to an even larger bill, have a professional from the Plan B Plumbing team stop by to check for and fix any leaks in your home.

Our COVID-19 Best Practices

Posted on August 10, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

Our COVID-19 Response

Avoiding contact with the general public is not completely possible in our line of work. As we are unable to control or ascertain the containment measures of the general public, we have put our own in place to limit the chances of COVID-19 from spreading.

Our protective measures

After extensive consideration, the following level of protection has been deemed appropriate for all of the plumbers at Plan B Plumbing.

Gloves:

We wear disposable gloves (i.e. nitrile gloves) which are put on prior to any contact with the insured or their property.

Respirator:

We wear a half-face respirator, with a P2 canister or P2 paper mask. We put these on upon our arrival on-site and prior to contact with the insured or their property.

Eye protection:

We wear clear safety glasses that offer an adequate level of protection in addition to our half-face respirators.

No handshaking

As much as we would love to, we ensure proper social distancing measures at all times, which involves refraining from handshakes.

Maintain physical distancing of 1.5m

This includes maintaining a safe physical distance of 1.5m from each other as well as others on our site.

COVID-19 safety training

In addition to this, we have also completed specific Infection Control Training on COVID-19.

Don’t risk using a plumber that isn’t taking the above precautions.

Call us today for all your plumbing needs: 1300 075 262, or get in contact now.

Why Ventilation Matters

Posted on July 27, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

A home built without proper ventilation can lead to all sorts of problems, including excessive condensation, lack of air circulation, air pollutants and allergens. Calling in a leak detection specialist will help you to identify potential problems before they cause any serious damage.

Problems caused by unventilated spaces

Condensation

Condensation occurs when cold surfaces come into contact with warm air, or when humidity is prevalent in the home. While condensation is common in colder climates, the humidity of warmer climates can also play a huge part in causing condensation damage.

Without any ventilation in your home, trapped moisture will cause condensation. Ultimately, this can lead to mould, rot and deterioration of the ceiling and walls in places where the condensation is most prominent.

Mould

When condensation begins to build up, it causes mould. Because mould thrives in damp areas, a home with little ventilation and lots of condensation makes the perfect place for it to grow.

The following are signs that you could have mould in the house:

Visible mould spores
Dark or coloured spots on the walls or ceilings
Musty or damp odour
Dark or pink colouring on the shower floor or in the grout
Peeling wallpaper
You experience lingering cold symptoms that won’t go away
Your asthma or seasonal allergies worsen

Mould can be toxic to humans and when left untreated, it can have seriously adverse effects on your eyes, lungs and skin. If you’re experiencing mould due to excessive condensation in your home, it’s important to check for any water leaks that could be contributing to the problem.

Lack of air circulation

Lack of ventilation in your home can cause the air to become still and stagnant. In turn, this traps harmful pathogens like spores, bad bacteria and viruses inside with no other way of getting out into the open air.

Everyday household items like hairspray, nail polish and general cleaning products often contain chemicals that stay in the air long after the smell is gone. Without proper ventilation, these toxins will hang around for anyone in your home to inhale.

Air pollutants and allergens

As air pollutants like carbon monoxide and cigarette smoke can get trapped inside without proper ventilation, so too can allergens like dust, pet dander and pollen. This can lead to some nasty smells and serious health problems down the line if left unchecked.

Opening up the doors and windows of your home will help to rid the air of pollutants and allergens, while fresh, clean air circulates back inside. An exhaust fan or ventilation system will also help to clear the air – without you having to worry about letting any cold or hot air in.

Make sure your home is properly ventilated

Whether you live in the tropics or a city like Melbourne with colder temperatures in winter, proper ventilation throughout your home will help to prevent any of the above issues from afflicting your abode.

Talk to our team about detecting condensation leaks in your home

Carbon Monoxide Testing

Posted on June 26, 2020November 5, 2021 by planbweb

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odourless and invisible gas that is poisonous to humans. There is a natural concentration of carbon monoxide in the air that doesn’t harm us, but when that level rises, it can begin to cause serious damage.

Found naturally in bushfires and volcanoes, carbon monoxide also comes from unnatural sources including tobacco smoke and car exhausts as well as gas heaters and appliances.

Carbon monoxide in Australia

Carbon monoxide levels throughout Australia’s smaller towns and cities are low enough that they won’t cause harm to our health. In some of our larger cities, carbon monoxide levels may be slightly higher and could potentially cause harm.

Why carbon monoxide testing is important

Because of the potential harm that carbon monoxide can cause – and because we are unable to detect the poisonous gas ourselves – it is important for us to bring in tools and professionals who can detect it for us.

By testing for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home or workplace, you can prevent the poison from causing harm to yourself or others and take action to eliminate high levels if they should arise.

Signs carbon monoxide could be making you sick

If carbon monoxide levels build up within your home or workplace, you and those sharing your space are likely to get sick. If not detected soon enough, the toxic gas can negatively impact your health long-term or even cause death.

Recognising the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning could help you to save yourself and your family before the gas has a chance to cause irreversible harm. Keep an eye out for any of the following:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headaches
Nausea
Fatigue
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Confusion
Vomiting
Muscle weakness
Loss of consciousness

Testing for carbon monoxide in your home or workplace

The efficient team at Plan B Plumbing will test any and all of the appliances in your home that could be a potential source of carbon monoxide. These may include:

Gas or kerosene heaters
Gas-fueled appliances or space heaters
Gas ranges and stoves
Gas or wood-burning fireplaces
Any fireplaces lacking ventilation

When inhaled in large amounts, carbon monoxide can be fatal. In order to prevent any harm from coming to yourself or anyone else sharing your space, it is vital that you bring in a professional to test the carbon monoxide levels in your home or office.