These five, short-term plumbing solutions will go a long way to saving you long-term dollars
Don’t get us wrong, we’re always happy to receive a call from a customer needing our help. Limcora has been in the business of providing quality plumbing and drainage to Sydney suburbs for over 35 years – and you don’t last that long in this business if you don’t love what you do!
It also means that we can say we’ve probably seen and done it all. And over the years, our experience has taught us some of the quickest and easiest ways you can save money on your future plumbing costs.
So we thought we’d share our top five tips to keep money in your bank account – not ours.
Plumbing advice No 1: Maintain your water heater
Most people wouldn’t dream of buying a brand-new car and not having it serviced regularly. It’s a big-ticket item and gets looked after accordingly.
And yet the humble water heater, that big-ticket, household investment that helps wash away the worries of the day, gets installed and almost always left to its own devices. For years on end. And without a second thought.
Until it goes on the blink, that is, and it’s panic stations to get it fixed quicker than the fast wash on your dishwasher.
But a quick maintenance check once a year can improve the lifespan of your water heater and save you dollars in the process. If you’ve got your heater’s manual handy, make sure you include these simple activities as part of your home maintenance schedule.
- Test the pressure-relief valve
This one’s a safety issue and stops your tank from exploding due to excessive-high temperature or water pressure. You want to make sure that little lever moves clear and free in the case of an emergency. It can seize due to anything – mineral salt, rust or corrosion – so you want to raise and lower the level several times to ensure it moves freely. - Drain the tank to flush out sediment
Unless your tap water is coming from freshly-melted glacial icecaps, chances are it’s going to contain traces of minerals that build up over time. Often described as ‘hard water’, the blighter that does the damage is calcium carbonate (or ‘lime’ to the non-technical folk). This build-up, or sediment, has different effects depending on if your heater is gas or electric. In gas heaters, the sediment settles in areas that eventually cause long-term damage to the tank. In electric heaters, it will settle on the lower heating element, reducing efficiency and eventually causing it to erode, requiring replacement.
What about the sacrificial anode?
Sounds slightly sinister, doesn’t it? Only these anodes are anything but! Simply put, inside your water heater is a metal rod whose sole job is to attract the traces of corrosive minerals from the water. Its only purpose is to collect and contain these harmful elements, and it will slowly rust and deteriorate over time. However, by doing this, the bottom and inner lining of your heater is protected and its overall lifespan extended. Its sacrifice saves you money.
About every five years, it’s best to call in the professionals to do an overall maintenance of your heater and replace the anode. This simple step can get you an extra 5-10 years out of your water heater.
Plumbing advice No 2: Slow the flow and drop the temp
Did you know that the average bathroom is responsible for around half the water usage in your home? So, how do you have the cleanliness without the costliness?
- Quickly and simply; stop the leaks as soon as they happen. A leaking toilet can waste more than 16,000 litres of water a year. A leaking tap – 24,000 litres. Ouch.
- Consider a water-efficient showerhead. The best combination for an overall cost reduction is a gas hot water system with a water-efficient showerhead. Over ten years, this dynamic duo can save you up to 47% compared to a gas heater/standard combo.
- Upgrade your toilet. Single flush toilets use up to 12 litres of water per push of the button. When you use the half-flush, you’re actually only using a quarter of the water.
Does water temperature make a difference?
You bet your bottom dollar it does!
Firstly, setting your water temperature to extra-hot or super-hot is just a waste. To kill the nasties that breed in water, the temperature needs to be set at 70C. Anything higher than this and it’s just, well, overkill.
Secondly, the hotter the water comes out, the more cold water you need to add.
So naturally, you’re just using more, only to watch it go down the drain.
But I like a hot shower, I hear you say. Yep, as do a whole lot of researchy-sciencey people who say that the maximum temperature for your shower should be 41C. Hotter than this and you risk stripping the skin of its natural oils leaving you susceptible to dry, itchy skin and eczema. Or it can cause your blood pressure to drop dramatically, leaving you light-headed or faint. Either way, dropping your water temperature saves you on your power bills and possibly, medical ones too!
Plumbing advice No 3: Dial Before You Dig
This one is really simple. If you’re going to do any excavation work in your garden, first find out what’s under there and where it’s located. It’s a FREE service that can save you big dollars in repair bills. There’s a lot going on below the surface including gas mains, water pipes, sewerage pipes, electrical conduits and telecommunication lines, just to name a few. Damage or destruction of these assets can see you liable for their repair or replacement, especially if you don’t have a DBYD request lodged. And we’re not talking loose change to fix.
But even before we talk dollars, this should be about safety first. That of you and your loved ones. Make sure everyone lives to tackle another DIY project.
Plumbing advice No 4: You get what you pay for
All plumbers are not created equal. And all handymen are not plumbers. To be qualified to Australian Standards, you have to undergo several years of study and relevant practical training to get your license. And you want your plumber licensed. Being licensed means your plumber:
- Is accountable and held to an agreed standard
- Has the necessary insurances if something goes wrong
- Provides warranties on their work, and
- Can see potential problems before they arise and advise on how to fix it before it becomes an issue.
Always check the qualifications and references for any plumber you’re looking to employ. Testimonials are good too! Trust us – the good ones won’t have any problems providing the details.
Plumbing advice No 5: Know your limitations
At the end of the day, DIY is an Australian hobby. The success of home renovation TV shows is proof that we like to get in there and do things ourselves. But there is a time to tackle a project and a time to call in the professionals. Want to stop a dripping tap – go right ahead. Stop a running toilet – definitely be our guest. But please, for the safety of you, your family and your bank account, know your limitations. If the world wide web is telling you to call a plumber to fix the problem, this is definitely one time you need to take its advice.
They’re only small things, but they can add up to saving you some big dollars
We’re not precious, we promise! But we are particular when it comes to some peculiars of plumbing – namely, those can either end up causing harm or costing you a fortune. There are definitely some basic plumbing jobs that can be done with a DIY approach but, in general, you’re best to call in the experts.
Have you ever had any misadventures from not doing (or doing!) any of these things?
We’d love to hear from you what went right or wrong – from DIY disasters through to hilarious stories about plumbing gone wrong. Share your story!
