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Summer Holiday Plumbing Checklist

We’ve made it to December and for many of us, it means that well earned and long-awaited break.  Whether you’re stocking up on the sunscreen and heading off to the Central Coast for a beach holiday or flying to the Northern Hemisphere in the hope of a white Christmas, there’s always lots to do in preparation. But amongst the booking of accommodation and packing of suitcases, we’d like to draw your attention to your home’s plumbing. There are a few simple but important checks that you can do around your house to help ensure that you don’t come home to a plumbing emergency.

Here’s our checklist to get your home ready for the summer holidays:

Indoor Taps

We don’t often pay this much thought, but the taps for indoor appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are on all the time.  If you’re going away for a few weeks, it’s a good idea to turn these taps off (and while you’re at it, why not turn the power to these appliances off too?).  

Outdoor Taps

Take a quick trip around the outside of your home and check that all the outdoor taps are turned off and disconnect your hoses.  If you have a sprinkler system, check that your timings are set correctly – remember that Sydney Water’s Water Wise Rules specify watering lawns and gardens before 10am and after 4pm.  

Water Mains 

The best possible way to prevent water accidents and damage while you’re away is to shut off the main water supply to your house.  Do you know where you can access yours? The water meter is normally found in the front garden. You can check if you’ve turned off the main water supply by turning on one of your taps.  

Check for Leaks

We recommend a quick review of your home’s taps and appliances before heading off on your break. Look for drips and any signs of water damage – there’s still time to get these fixed before you go away.  

Engage the Neighbours

Ask someone to keep an eye on your home, whether it’s a friend or relative, or one of your neighbours. Make sure they have a contact number for you in case of emergencies.  

 See?  It’s not a big list – just a few small but important things to do for your own peace of mind. Now go and have a great holiday!  

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[plumberchas]

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Summer Plumbing (happened so fast ...)

Admit it – you sang that line in either your sweetest Sandy voice or in your swooniest Danny voice!  (that’s a Grease reference, for those of you not showing your age).  Now that the temperatures are finally starting to rise (it seems like the warmer weather is a bit later than usual this year) it’s time to think about summer, and in particular, plumbing options that can elevate your summer to awesome.

In the summer months ahead, we can expect generally sunny conditions with average temperatures in the high 20’s – perfect for making the most of the outdoors. This is where plumbing options come in. Have you thought about:

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are the ultimate in alfresco entertaining at home – they really do turn your outside living spaces into an entertainer’s dream.  They expand your living space, keep cooking smells outside and increase the value of your home.  Add in a small sink and fridge and your outdoor kitchen is even more convenient.  In such a relaxed outdoor setting, with outdoor lounge and dining sets, nobody gets stuck inside cooking, making outdoor entertaining a much less stressful experience for both small gatherings and big parties.  If you’ve got the space, it’s definitely something to consider.

BBQ

If your budget doesn’t allow for a full outdoor kitchen but you still want to make the most of your balcony, deck or outdoor area, consider having your BBQ connected to a gas main supply.  You’ll never run the risk of gas bottles running out with half-cooked snags again (now there’s an incentive!).  No more desperate trips to the servo for swap ‘n’ go gas bottles – just a continuous source of gas straight to your BBQ.  Whether you have an existing bayonet connection or not, these can be installed.  This is the ideal time to point out that, for your own safety and current regulations, you should always be using a licensed gas fitter when dealing with gas pipe fittings. Attempting any type of DIY is illegal and can result in a dangerous gas leak. It’s imperative that you call a licensed tradesman if you have any issues with gas.

Outdoor Shower

Outdoor showers are not just for beach houses.  There are a number of great reasons to install an outdoor shower at your place – whether you live close to the coast or inland.  They’re great to add to a pool area, so no more dripping water through the house to get to the indoor bathroom.  You can keep your home clean by using the outdoor shower for kids and dogs, for post-gardening, after a run, and as a great extra shower when you have house guests.  And of course, they’re a must if you live near the beach (unless you like having sand trampled through your house …).  From a design perspective, outdoor showers also give your house a resort-feel and are sure to add to the value of your home.  

For the next few months, the temperatures are only going up, so give some thought to your outdoor areas and give the Bear team a call when you’re ready to embrace some of these ideas.

[bearplumbing]

Change of Season Plumbing Tips:  Spring

September marks a change of season, and after some seriously cold weather in last few months, it’s time to thaw out and get ready for spring.  While we generally consider spring to be from the start of September to the end of November, some argue that it doesn’t technically start until the spring equinox on September 22. This is the day when our beautiful planet is exactly side-on to the sun and night and day are equal length (take that to your next trivia night!). In any case, we’re up for a change in season and this is a great time to think about the impact on your home and what you can do to get prepared.

More than any other seasonal change, spring seems to inspire people to make a fresh start. Spring cleaning is a thing – in fact, it’s been a thing for some time. There are numerous examples of cultural and religious traditions of spring cleaning stretching back hundreds of years. The common theme is airing the house out after being cooped up during winter. The Bear team takes this change of season as the perfect opportunity to look at your home’s plumbing – how has it survived the cold of winter and is it ready for the heat of summer?  

Here are our top tips to get you ready for spring:

In the bathroom:

It’s been the source of most of your hot water usage during winter (all those nice, hot showers that were difficult to drag yourself out of).  Check your taps and showerheads for signs of drips and leaks.  Have a closer look at your toilet and look out for cracks, listening out for hissing noises, and make sure it flushes properly.  Get down to ground level at your floor waste grate. If it’s a bit whiffy, pour a kettle full of boiling water into it to reduce the potential for smells.

In the kitchen:

This is where all those deliciously warming winter meals have taken shape over the last few months, so chances are your kitchen has worked hard.  Open up your kitchen sink cupboard and have a look at your pipes for any signs of water leakage (you may have to move all the pots, pans and cleaning stuff out of the way!). While you’re there, check your dishwasher hoses for splits and cracks.  If you have a gas stove and oven, check that that the fittings are firing properly.

In the laundry:

Inspect your washing machine hoses, looking out for signs of bulges, cracks, kinks and splits.  A change of season is a great reminder to clean out your washing machine strainer that captures lint, hair and soap residue – usually a small square at the front of your machine. This can be a bit icky, so consider wearing rubber gloves.  If you have a sink in your laundry room, do the usual checks for leaks.

In the garden:

The plants are about to come alive again after winter hibernation. Chances are you haven’t needed to use the outside water taps for a few months, so it’s a good time to check that these are all working and not leaking.

Looking ahead:

Summer is just around the corner. Now’s the time to think about some potential projects that could really make your summer – we’re thinking an outdoor shower, an outdoor kitchen area or even just converting your BBQ area to gas to ensure that you never get caught out with half-cooked snags again.  You’ll need a qualified plumber for these sorts of projects and the Bear team is ready to work with you to get you sorted – December will be here before you know it.

We bang on about home maintenance at the start of every season – and for good reason.  Quite simply, your home is your biggest asset, so it deserves at least as much maintenance attention as your car!  You don’t need any special skills to go through this checklist of maintenance tips for spring – you just need to know what to look out for.  As always, if you spot any sign of problems, give us a call. And happy spring!

[bearplumbing]

Hot Water Heater Buying Guide

The humble hot water heater is one of the innovation world’s unsung heroes. Where would we be without it? Imagine freezing cold early morning showers – not even a great prospect in the summer months, let alone in the depths of a Sydney winter. The convenience of hot water on standby in the kitchen, compared with having to boil a kettle or heat a saucepan every time you needed it. Hot water is definitely high on life’s list of essentials.

Put simply, hot water is a significant user of household energy, second only behind space heating and cooling. The bathroom accounts for more than half of the average household’s hot water usage, with around a third in the laundry and the rest in the kitchen. It pays to ensure that you have the most appropriate system to suit your needs.

Hot water units generally have a lifespan of around 10 years; after that, it’s time to seriously consider a replacement. Check the label on your system for the manufacture date and you can start to plan for the inevitable. When that time comes, whether you’re renovating or faced with a broken unit, you’ll have a myriad of buying options to consider – electric, gas, solar, continuous flow, instantaneous ... there are many options on the market. So how do you choose?

Here’s our buying guide to hot water heaters, to help you decide what’s best for your household and budget.

Household water usage

How much hot water do you think your household uses? Ausgrid has a fantastic free calculator tool that lets you input your household size and usage details and estimate the cost of hot water in your home. You can compare how your current system stacks up against a different type of hot water system. Click here to access the calculator.

What’s your budget?

Choices are all good and well, but at the end of the day you need to buy what you can afford. It’s smart to work out your budget beforehand, so you know what ballpark you’re playing in. There’s no point making extensive investigations into a certain type of system if it’s cost prohibitive to your situation – whether you’re replacing or as a part of a larger renovations project. You will need to consider not just the cost of the actual hot water unit, but also the installation, running and maintenance costs. If you do your research, you’ll find that some types of hot water units are eligible for grants or rebates too.

Choose your technology

As a starting point, you’ll need to choose between gas or electric storage and gas continuous flow hot water systems. Storage systems are the traditional hot water heater tanks that sit outside your house or in a cupboard or laundry. They hold and heat a set number of litres, usually between 25l and 400L. If you have a household of four people and you’re the last to shower, you may find yourself running out of hot water, because with the storage system, once the hot water is used up, it takes time to heat the new water in the tank. On the other hand, a continuous flow hot water system heats up the water as it’s used, meaning that you basically never run out of hot water. The system itself is considerably smaller – about the size of carry on luggage.

Choose your energy source

Electric, gas or solar? There are pros and cons to each of the three main energy sources for hot water so it’s important to have an understanding of your household usage first.

Electric systems can be the most affordable to start but look into tariffs and rates to assess long term value with off-peak or time-of-use options.

For gas you need to consider if you have access to natural gas or whether your existing gas service will cope with the added demand.

Solar is the most energy efficient but has additional considerations like access to unshaded roof space, being in the correct aspect and it’s generally more expensive to supply and install than the other options.

Household location

Where in your house can you locate your hot water system? There are more options that you might realise: inside the home, outside the home, on the roof, or even a combination of these. It’s important to note that the closer the hot water system is to the bathroom, the shorter the pipe lengths needed to get it to the part of the house that uses it the most and therefore less time is required to get hot water to the fixture. 

It is also worth mentioning that recent legislation mandates all new hot water systems installed need to be limited to a maximum hot water delivery temp of 50 degrees. Only continuous flow hot water units come pre-set with this temperature requirement, while storage units require a tempering valve to be installed at the hot water system on installation.

The Bear Plumbing team is fully qualified and highly experienced in hot water units. We can assess your unit and replace where necessary. We can either provide a straight swap of your existing services, or we can look at moving from one energy source to another. We also cover hot water units for commercial premises. 

So, if your hot water is on the blink and you’ve had one of those horrible cold water experiences on a recent winter morning, or if you’re renovating and thinking it’s time for an upgrade, call the Bear team to help you with your hot water system.

[bearplumbing]

To Bidet or not to Bidet?

There is a multitude of decisions to be made when renovating your bathroom.  Colour schemes, tapware, layout, storage, tiles ... literally thousands of options on offer.  There is one bathroom fixture that’s more polarising than any other. Some people get uncomfortable at the mere mention of it. But it’s ok, we’re all adults here, so we can talk about this. When renovating your bathroom, what are your thoughts on including a bidet – yay or nay?  

A bidet is a basin situated close to the toilet that looks a little bit like a shallow bowl with water taps.  You use a bidet to clean yourself with water rather than toilet paper, after using the toilet.  Some people use a bidet without toilet paper, while some use the bidet and toilet paper, and others use the bidet and then dry off with a towel.  

Many people simply don’t know how a bidet works, leaving some with an overarching “ewww” factor.  In the 2015 season of renovating show The Block, one couple made what was considered a bold decision to include a bidet in their bathroom and the judges were divided in their opinion.  It was a big deal!  Most people have never sat on a bidet, wouldn’t know how and are too afraid to ask. In many countries, bidets are de rigueur, and it’s considered odd if there wasn’t one in the bathroom.  We’re generally not used to them here in Australia.

There are many good reasons for considering the inclusion of a bidet in your bathroom renovation:

Hygiene

This possibly the most obvious reason when you think about it … but most of us don’t think about it because, well, it’s a bit icky.  Put simply, we’re going to go with a handwashing analogy.  When you have dirty hands, you wouldn’t think to clean them with a dry paper towel – you wash them and most likely use some sort of soapy hand wash, after which you know they’re clean.  Same principle applies down south. You could argue that such a sensitive area demands proper hygiene, yet most Australians have been exclusively using toilet paper their entire lives.  If it’s absolute cleanliness that you’re after, a bidet will deliver better than TP.

Environment

The average consumer uses around 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per trip – a total of 57 sheets per day (although parents of small children know little people who can absolutely smash that statistic!).  Thinking big picture, that’s around 20,000 sheets or rolls every year for every person.   On the other hand, bidet owners generally use a tiny amount of toilet paper, so the overall need for cutting down forests is decreased significantly.

Cost Savings

Still talking about toilet paper, when you consider that a large 20-pack of toilet paper costs between $8 and $12, depending on your brand of choice, you can see the cost savings add up over the course of a year.  And it’s literally going down the toilet!

Wow Factor

Because they’re a relatively unknown quantity in Australia, bidets definitely have the wow factor!  There are some seriously high-tech models on the market, with technology like soft-close functions, water temperature options, and even seats that can be installed onto your existing toilet, eliminating the need for the extra space.  There are also hand-held bidets available on the market.  These can be fitted to the water diverter to your existing cistern and looks like a small shower head with a hose.  Whichever way you look at it, bidets are bound to be conversation starters for people visiting your house, putting you into the trendsetter category (for better or worse).

So, there you have it.  A couple of reasons why bidets are starting to catch on in Australia.  If you’re looking to renovate your bathroom, why not consider including a bidet?  Talk to the Bear team – we can give you advice about options and installation, without any awkward giggles.

[bearplumbing]

The “news” that poked a Bear!

The Bear team came across a couple of news items last week that really got our backs up. And for good reason.  

Both the Nine website and the Sydney Morning Herald ran articles with attention-grabbing headlines of “It's confirmed: tradies adjust their prices depending on your postcode” and “The most expensive Sydney suburbs to hire a tradie”.  From Bear Plumbing’s point of view, this is wrong on so many levels and we’re devoting this month’s blog to explaining why.

These articles are painting the picture of money hungry tradies rubbing their dirty hands together with glee ask they start the quoting process with your postcode.  One of them has even drawn a “latte line” on the map.  From where we sit, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Bear Plumbing covers much of Sydney, including the Lower North Shore, Upper North Shore, Northern Beaches, City and Inner West.  Let us makes this very clear:  In no way does location or postcode play a part in our pricing if it is within the areas we service. Only if travel will be excessive would we add that cost, and it’s certainly not a hidden cost – it would be discussed openly with the client.  This is because we’re a professional outfit, and clearly communicating with our clients is very high on our list of priorities.  

If you read past the click-bait headlines of these stories – the headlines that suggest that all tradies operate in this way – you’ll see that the CEO of the group that conducted the study is quoted as saying that “Tradies working in suburbs considered to be more affluent often increase their charge-out rates because they perceive their customers to be more capable of paying higher prices.” Somewhat softer than the headline suggests.

What strikes us is that the practices of increasing rates by postcode don’t do even the one-man tradesperson justice. It certainly doesn’t do a reputable plumbing business justice to work at those rates quoted for the western suburbs.

Bear Plumbing offers a thoroughly professional service – from the administration side right through to the tradesman onsite.  It’s this sort of professionalism that has seen us chalk up more than 30 years of reputable business.  

Plumbing is an important, professional trade, that provides essential services to the public. This profession hasn’t been around for thousands of years just because it’s a passing fad. It’s one of the few professions that cannot be replaced by machinery, computers, artificial intelligence or robotics.  And unless our stormwater, sewer and water systems are drastically reinvented, there will always be a need for plumbers.

It’s a shame that two news outlets have given this “story” credence.  They are really feeding into that dusty old stereotype of tradies as head-scratching, gut-hanging-out, butt-crack-showing neanderthals. The fact is, the majority of us are highly qualified, extensively experienced and running a professional business.  What’s most annoying is that these articles are both incredibly one-sided, as neither of them has included the tradie’s point of view to provide a balanced story. 

Plumbers are in training almost as long as doctors.  They provide a service that the average unskilled person simply isn’t capable of providing.  

Stories like this do hurt our trade.  And they’ve certainly poked this Bear!

[bearplumbing]

Why, why, why???

Curiosity may have killed the cat but it doesn’t even come close to slowing down a toddler!  Parents will know this all too well – children ask about a bazillion and a half questions every day, and “why” is one of the main culprits.  So this month’s blog is focussed on the big question: why?  For what cause, reason, or purpose?  But of course, we’ll apply a plumbing angle to our theme!  

“Why” questions are often entered into Google when looking for quick answers to an astounding range of life’s puzzling perplexities.  Why is the sky blue?  Why is this rash not going away? Why is the grumpy cat so popular?  Some of these are harder to answer than others, but the Bear Team has put their collective heads together and come up with the most common “why” questions they’ve encountered in the plumbing trade.

“Why is my toilet making weird noises?”

Toilets can make all sorts of noises, and being such a vital and taken-for-granted part of your home, it’s important to know what’s what.  If your toilet has suddenly become fluent in Parseltongue and is hissing like a snake, this is usually an indication that water is leaking from the cistern into the bowl. This is wasting water which will add to your water bill, so call us to check it out!

Don’t ignore a gurgling toilet. The gurgling sound can occur when air escapes backwards up through the toilet, and generally means that there’s a blockage either in the sewer line, toilet or vent stack.

“Why is there brown water coming out of my tap?”

There are a couple of possibilities here, both best to check in a white basin or a white bath.  Start by turning on the hot water to see if the water is brown. Then turn off the hot tap and turn on the cold tap.  You could have rust or sediment build up in your pipes, which could come from old galvanised pipes in your house or if the city’s main water pipes are having maintenance carried out on them.

If you’re only noticing the brown water when your hot tap is running, this is a sign that your hot water heater is starting to rust and will need to be replaced.  Hot water units tend to have a life span of between 8 and 10 years, so if your system is getting close to that vintage, it might be time to have a chat to us about your options.

“Why does water come up in the kitchen sink?”

When you have water backing up in your sink, it’s usually becuase it can’t drain through the pipes because there’s a blockage somewhere.  This is one of those instances where prevention is better than the cure. Kitchens are the soul of most homes, with an extraordinary amount of daily activity. It’s important to keep “stuff” out of your kitchen sink – and by that we mean cooking oils, fats and grease, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, fruit rind, food scraps, etc, etc!  Anything that can congeal, harden or block your pipes should be put in the bin instead. A drainer for your sink is also a cheap and easy way to keep the “stuff” from going down the drain.  

“Why does the drain in the bathroom smell funny?”

The bathroom can be a place of many different smells, but have you ever noticed a bad smell from your floor waste?  These are designed to hold water to keep smells out. Here’s a tip: Pour a bucket of water down all floor wastes to refill or top up the water level.  For other bad smells, there’s always air freshener!  

“Why do I have low water pressure in my shower?”

If you’ve got low water pressure in your shower, check the shower head first. Those small holes in your shower head can become clogged with mineral deposits, making it spray unevenly. Here’s a simple tip – place a bag with warm vinegar around your shower head and secure with a bag tie and soak it for about an hour. If any deposits remain, use an old toothbrush and scrub gently. Then rinse and re-attach the shower head. Voila!

Poor water pressure is often due to clogged pipes and can also be due to reduced pressure from the water main due to leakage, equipment failures or blocked service pipes but also be aware most new tapware will be fitted with a water restrictor, so if you fit new taps you may find the pressure lower than what the old taps may have provided.

See – some “why” questions are easier to answer than others.  In any of these cases, give the Bear Team a call. If it’s plumbing related, we’re sure to have an answer for you.  And if you’ve got a “why” plumbing question, why not email it to us at office@bearplumbing.com.au and look out for the answers on our Facebook page.

[bearplumbing]

Tips for Apartment Living

Sydney is the apartment capital of Australia, now has one occupied apartment for every two houses. Within the next 20 years, there could be just as many occupied apartments as detached houses.  

While one of the great advantages of unit dwelling is the lack of garden upkeep, there are still a number of key things you should now about your unit’s plumbing.  So it’s only fair that we provide a handy list of plumbing tips for those living in a unit.  Whether you’re renting or an owner occupier, it’s important that you know a thing or two about the key plumbing aspects of your apartment.

Hot water: • Where is it located? • Is it a common unit, ie. shared across the building? • Is it electric or gas? • Do you know how to isolate the water to the hot water unit if it starts to leak? • Where is the hot water unit’s isolation valve?

Water: • Do you know where the isolation valve to the unit is located? • Do you have a water meter for your individual unit? If so where is it located? • Do you know if you have isolation valves just for the kitchen or bathroom, or do you need to turn the water off to the entire unit?

Gas: • Do you have gas to the unit or building? • Do you know where your isolation valve is for the gas? • Do you know where your gas meter is?

Electrical: • Do you know where your electrical switchboard is? • Do you know how and where to isolate the hot water unit’s power?

There are no real regulations on the location and set up of all these items above. Whether you’re in a new building or an old one, it’s absolutely always best to know these things before there is an emergency or you are pressed for time to get any of these services turned off or worked on.  

If you’re renting and need answers to these questions, your first port of call is your landlord. If you’re a landlord or owner occupier, call the Bear Plumbing team and we’ll help you with all your plumbing related questions.

[bearplumbing]

Tips for Saving Water

We all know it – water is the essential ingredient for life on Earth and the most precious resource on our planet. But in the daily grind of life, we tend to take it for granted.  Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world, with 70% of our land arid; but we have the highest use of water per person. In fact, Australia uses around 25,000 gigalitres of water every year – which is equivalent to 50 Sydney Harbours.  

These stats are hard enough to get our heads around, but one thing we all understand is when it hits us in the back pocket.  In Sydney, we have water meters and we’re charged around $2.04 per kiloliter of water usage (that’s 1,000 litres).  The current average daily water consumption is 340 litres per person or 900 litres per household, so our water usage is one area where we can really make some savings for the household budget.

Here are our top tips for saving water around the house:

Turn off the tap. In our book, the easiest way to save water every day is turning off the tap when you brush your teeth. Leave it running while you tend to your pearly whites and you’ve got around 15 litres going down the drain for absolutely no reason.  Now multiply that by four people in your household brushing twice a day, and the water saved across a month really starts to add up.

Not all washing machines are created equal. You can make significant water savings in the laundry with the right machine.  Front loaders use less water than top loaders, and many of the newer models now have automatic load-sensing or reduced load functions to help you save water. It’s also a good idea to pre-soak or pre-treat heavily soiled items in a bucket, so you don’t have to run them through the machine twice.

The never-ending dirty dishes.  A full load of dirty dishes in a 5-star dishwasher can use just 11 litres of water per wash (less than a large sink full of water). Try to ensure you always have a fully loaded dishwasher for even greater efficiency.

Leaking taps. Taps that leak are evil and must be punished!  Ok, that’s a bit dramatic, but when you consider that a leaking tap with can waste up to 20,000 litres of water a year, it’s a no-brainer to get these fixed as soon as you notice.  The most visible places to detect leaks are usually taps and showerheads.

A word on flushing. Dual-flush toilets are a wonderful invention, giving you the choice between a full flush and a half flush depending on your … needs!  Making use of the half flush can save you around 25,000 litres of water a year.  

In the garden. If you have a sprinkler system for your lawn and garden beds, it’s a good idea to regularly check the positioning to ensure that you’re not watering the house, footpath or street - because that would be a waste!

It’s not hard to get into the habit of any of these tips, and added together, they present you and your household with significant water savings across a year, which you’ll see reflected in your water bills.

At the end of the day, it’s all about being conscious of our water use, and aware of when things around the home aren’t running smoothly.  In our experience, plumbing problems rarely just fix themselves, so call us when you notice a leak. 

[bearplumbing]

Spring Plumbing Tips

Ahhhh, spring!  That sprightly season between winter and summer, full of positivity and warmth. No wonder it’s the symbol of rebirth.  The snow melts, the flowers bloom, and for many of us, it’s that time of year that we give our homes an extra bit of love in the way of a good spring clean.  And why not? Spring cleaning has a number of benefits, both mental and physical. It can help you clear out the cobwebs - literally and figuratively.

Spring is the ideal time to run a few checks to ensure that your home is ready for the changing season.  After all, we’re transitioning from the coldest part of the year to the hottest.  We commit to keeping our cars running smoothly with regular maintenance and we should do the same with our biggest asset. Here are five simple but important plumbing tips for spring:

In the garden.  We’d like to see it as a hive of greenery and flowering activity, but that doesn’t happen in the garden all on its own.  It’s a good idea to check your outdoor taps at the start of spring, because they’ll be getting more and more use as the weather warms up.  Check your tap fittings and hoses for leaks, and replace where necessary.

Outdoor area. Your outdoor living area is going to get busy as the temperatures rise. Think alfresco family dinners and entertaining friends.  Is this the year that you finally get around to having gas installed in your outdoor area? You can say goodbye to unreliable gas bottles and hello to becoming the true Lord of the BBQ!  Maybe you’re thinking a bit bigger and dreaming of an outdoor kitchen too?  All made better with gas.

Gutters and drains.  Not as sexy as the garden, but these need attention too. We’ve just had one of the driest winters in recent years, so check your gutters, drains and downpipes for dry leaves and debris before the spring rain comes. You don’t want to have blockages that will cause damp damage to your house, so these checks are vital. We actually recommend that gutters are cleared at least twice a year, so if you haven’t done this since your last spring clean, you better get to it!

Water heater.  It might be getting warmer but your water heater has been working incredibly hard over the winter months, ensuring that your showers were hot and steamy over the last few months.  Have you checked the age of your hot water system recently?  Most systems are good for around 10 years, after which you’ll have to think about a replacement.  Check the ID label or sticker which will show the date of manufacture, near the model and serial numbers. It’s best to know so you can plan ahead.

Floor waste. In the kitchen and bathroom, these are designed to hold water to keep smells out. As part of your spring cleaning, use a torch to check if there’s water. If it’s dry, simply pour a bucket of hot water down the floor waste to refill.

The best defence to ensuring your plumbing systems are running properly is to schedule annual maintenance inspections, and keep on top of your systems before it’s too late. Why not book the Bear team in for our “Pink Slip for your Home” inspection?  We’ll cover 25 plumbing checks in 7 parts of your home and we’ll even include tap washer replacements or even toilet washer replacement – all for $110.  That’s a big tick on your spring cleaning list!

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What makes a good plumber?

Very few people will go through their entire lives without having to call a plumber at some stage.  When you do need a plumber, whether it’s for planned renovations works or for a dire plumbing emergency, it’s worth knowing the difference between a good one and a bad one. After all, plumbers work on your biggest asset – your home.

Like any profession, the quality levels of plumbers in Sydney can vary greatly. There are also many to choose from. So, who do you let into your home?  Here are the most important considerations:

1.     Qualifications.  Plumbers train for years to attain their qualifications – not unlike the length of time that medical professionals do!  You should always check that your plumber is appropriately qualified and licensed before you engage their services. NSW Fair Trading is a great place to start – they have a website where you can do a simple license check by business name. Find it here and look for the green tick. Search for Bear Plumbing and you’ll see that our contractor’s license is up to date and current until 2020.  

2.     Experience.  The only source of knowledge is experience – famously described by Julius Caesar as “the teacher of all things”.  When considering a plumber for your next project, it’s worthwhile to consider how long they have been in the game and on the tools.  Bear Plumbing’s company history stretches back almost 40 years, and we became Bear Plumbing in 1998, partnered by Brett Matthews and Andy Gonzalvez, who have well over a quarter of a century of plumbing experience between them.

3.     Workmanship.  Quality workmanship is the cornerstone of any good plumber, but it’s more than simply getting the job done – from a customer experience perspective, it’s one of the biggest differences between a good plumber and a bad one.  At Bear Plumbing, we believe this difference is providing exceptional tradesmen who are courteous and reliable, finish the job on time, and clean up before they leave.

4.     Communication. Many homeowners are happy for their plumbing work to be carried out in silence, but some are more interested in an explanation of what went wrong, what’s being done to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future.  For renovation work, communication is vital from the very beginning of a project. Bear Plumbing prides itself on listening to customer needs, and providing clear communications at all stages of work.

5.     Technology.  The best plumbers are fully versed in traditional plumbing methods and also keep up to date with innovations in the industry.  This equips them to deal with old and modern plumbing materials and systems, whilst being equipped with the right tools for the job. At Bear, this means we carry both the traditional electric eel as well as the high pressure water jetter and camera locator for all manner of blocked drains.

6.     Testimonials.  The last word goes to the customer, and good plumbers will always be able to refer you to work they have carried out for other customers. They’re also able to point to testimonials from real client experiences.  At Bear, our business is based on ethical conduct and strong working partnerships with both our corporate and residential clients, and we’re proud to be able to point to numerous client testimonials and work examples.

While renovation works come about with considered planning, plumbing emergencies will happen when you least expect them. Why not put Bear Plumbing straight into the contacts of your phone, so you’ve got us on hand when you need us?  And follow our Facebook page where we’ll keep you updated with handy plumbing hints and tips, along with examples of our recent work and renovation inspiration for bathrooms and kitchens.

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Our Top Autumn Plumbing Tips

While it may not feel like it yet, and the temperate gauge is yet to catch up, it’s actually autumn.  These three months from March to May are usually full of fiery foliage as we transition from summer to winter. There are always some key dates in autumn – daylight savings ends, we celebrate Easter and commemorate ANZAC Day, kids switch over to winter sports, and we welcome back the footy season.

A change of season is the perfect time to stop and check that your home is ready for the changing conditions ahead.  Here are our top tips for preparing your home for autumn.

1.      Make sure your downpipes and gutters are clean. Leaves are going to be falling, so it’s good to start autumn with a clean slate. Clearing leaves from gutters is just one of those necessary home maintenance evils. We don’t know anyone who particularly enjoys this chore, but it needs to be done!  There are several gutter guards on the market to consider, but keep in mind that these also need periodic maintenance, so do your homework on the options first.  At the end of the day, it’s important that your gutters are clear of debris and that water can flow unobstructed through your gutters and downpipes.

2.      Think about keeping warm. It’s hard to believe just now, but winter is coming! We’ve had a fair share of heatwaves in the last few weeks, but not long from how we’ll be complaining about cold feet and looking for warmth.  Now is a great time to make that happen before the cold temperatures hit.  Have you considered converting to gas heating for your home?  If you already have gas, is your gas service ready for an increase in usage?  The Bear team can install fixed points for heating, giving you a cost effective solution for keeping your home warm in the coming months.  

3.      Check your hot water system.  It’s one of those vital household functions that goes sight unseen … until you suddenly find yourself under a cold shower one morning. Autumn is a great time to check on your hot water system, so that any problems can be fixed before it gets really cold.  Just a few key signs to look out for include fluctuating temperatures, varying rates of water pressure and flow, cracking or popping sounds from the hot water system, and water leaking out of the system. Also, look out for rusty coloured water, and check for water around the base or even on top of the unit. One of the key considerations is the age of your system. No matter how good your hot water system is, they simply don’t last forever.  10 years, give or take a few either side, is a good indicator that it’s time for a replacement. And if it’s that time for a replacement, why not consider upgrading your storage electrical to gas instantaneous? Talk to us about your options.

4.      Get an inspection.  We’ve just come through one of our hottest summers on record. Combined with the storm activity we’ve had, this has been the prime season for tree roots to grow – and when they do, they make a beeline for any available nutrients. This means that any hint of sewerage in the earth from even just a hairline fracture in your pipes can let in roots.  Call the Bear team in to conduct a camera inspection to identify any cracked or leaking pipes in your sewer and storm water.  

5.      Check for leaking taps.  A change of season is always a good time to conduct a leak audit of your home.  It doesn’t need to take long.  Check for obvious drips from all your household taps including your bathrooms and ensuites, kitchen and laundry – don’t forget to check your outside taps too. Many leaks occur underground and can take months to become visible on the surface, but you can still take steps to identify them early. Turn off all the taps and water using devices in your home. Check the numbers on your water meter and then wait for at least 20 minutes (overnight would be best), then check the numbers again.  If the numbers have moved, you may have a hidden leak.

A few simple tips to get your home’s plumbing into great shape and to make sure that you’re ready for the change in conditions for the three months ahead. 

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Early Signs of Blockages

We all know it’s true – prevention is better than cure. This applies to our health, our safety, and many of the things we have. It’s why we regularly go to the dentist, service our cars, give our dogs flea protection and book in for annual pest control services.  Preventative maintenance around the home also very much applies to your plumbing. Blockages can take a while to build up and become obvious, so it’s important to keep an eye (and ear, and nose!) out for early signs of blockages around your home.  Here are the tell-tale signs to be conscious of:

1. Bad smells are a sure sign that something has become blocked in a drain and begun to rot, so be aware of any untoward smells from your bathroom or kitchen drains. A foul smell can often begin long before any visual clues, so if you catch a whiff of something being a bit off, it’s best not to ignore it.  All the air freshener in the world won’t fix it.

2. If your sinks and toilets are slow to drain, this is one of the most obvious signs of a drain blockage.  As these are items in your home that you use every day, it’s often one of the first signs you’ll notice.

3. Fluctuating water levels in your toilet pan are usually an indication of at least a partial blockage.  

4. As sure sign of a blockage is that weird gurgling sound. If you’re hearing that odd “glurk-glurk-glurk” from your toilet or when draining out water from your sinks or drains, it is a symptom that’s not to be ignored.  

5. The warmer months of the year are the most conducive to tree root growth. Roots will always make their way to a source of nutrients, and any small cracks in your sewer lines are like a red rag to a bull – if they get a sense of sewerage in the earth, they will bolt towards it. This can cause serious damage to the pipes.  If you have trees in your yard and you’re concerned about their impact, you can contact Sydney Water for a sewer service diagram.

If you have noticed any of these early detection symptoms in your home, it’s best to call in the professionals before they become overflowing messes and emergencies.  Just like your annual car service, we recommend our “Pink Slip for your Home”.  This home plumbing maintenance check will cover 25 plumbing checks in 7 parts of your home and we’ll even include tap washer replacements or even toilet washer replacement – all for $110.

Prevention really is better than a big, messy, expensive emergency situation, and now you know the key signs to look out for. 

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Our Top Summer Plumbing Tips

Aaaaaah summer! In our beautiful corner of the world, this conjures up images of sun, sand and surf. It’s all about the festive season, school holidays and the opportunity to catch up with family and friends, and perhaps even put the feet up for some relaxation.  All true.  From a plumbing perspective, unless you’re spending the summer skiing in the northern hemisphere or glamming it up in the Maldives, it’s also the time of year when your plumbing generally works the hardest.  In fact, your home’s water usage can be up to two to four times higher than the average water use in winter.

Here are our top five tips for keeping your home plumbing running smoothly during the summer months:

1. Summer is the prime time for tree root growth. If you have trees in your front or back yards, their roots can make their way towards your sewer lines in search for water and nutrients.  If you notice any signs of problems with your sewer lines, you should call us to inspect with our camera and locator. 

2. Keep an eye out for leaks.  We do say this a lot, but it’s one of the easiest ways to potentially save your home from major plumbing problems.  Check your taps, toilets and shower heads for drips.  Look out for any signs of hidden leaks and call the professionals to investigate these before they turn into big, expensive problems. 

3. Your laundry workload is usually much higher in summer, so it’s important to take a minute to ensure that your washing machine is running efficiently.  Check your machine’s hoses particularly for cracks, bulges and leaks – the rubber hoses generally have a lifetime of around 3 years.      

4. When you’re entertaining family and friends at home with summer BBQs, make sure your food doesn’t end up in your kitchen drains.  Fats and grease should be scraped from plates and BBQ surfaces into a bin, as these will solidify in your drains and cause blockages.

5. Keeping your garden looking good, plants alive and lawn a lush green can be a challenge. The best time of day to water your garden is early in the morning or in the evening once the sun has gone down.  Talk to us about the best ways to capture rainwater and increase the water saving efficiency of your home.  

Our best advice to keep your home’s plumbing working smoothly is to schedule an annual home plumbing maintenance check.  Summer is a great time to book your home in for an annual check up. Our “Pink Slip for your Home” will cover 25 plumbing checks in 7 parts of your home and we’ll even include tap washer replacements or even toilet washer replacement – all for $110.

And it’s the middle of summer – don’t forget your sunscreen!