Water leaks can be as small as a dripping tap, but their seriousness can absolutely not be understated. According to data from Chubb, water damage makes up 39% of property-related insurance claims among Australian consumers. Water damage is more costly to Australians than fire and burglary, with an average insurance claim value of $30,361.
In our line of business, we hear from too many customers requiring urgent assistance because they are facing a serious water leak, often having to completely shut off their water until the leak can be fixed. While we’re always here to help and will make addressing your plumbing emergency our priority, we want to help you altogether avoid having to call us in distress.
Regular inspections from the professionals
While there are some options to take leak prevention into your own hands, which we’ll get into, between your appliances, pipes, drains, and your toilets, showers and sinks, there are many places where a leak can begin and it can be difficult to come up with an accurate assessment without any prior plumbing knowledge. The very best thing you can do for your plumbing is have it assessed by a qualified plumber.
For most homeowners, they only ring up their plumber when an issue actively presents itself. But regular maintenance can actually save you money and help you avoid plumbing emergencies.
As our team member, Stacy, puts it, “You get your car serviced every 6 months, but many people don’t think about ‘servicing’ their home.”
That is exactly why we offer a complimentary Annual Plumbing Inspection, as well as a variety of other benefits, as part of our Service Partner Plan membership. We offer our Service Partner Plan for $14.99 per month, which works out to be less than $4 a week! And for that price, we will give you peace of mind with regular inspections, priority service and plenty of value in free plumbing, electrical and air conditioning check-ups.
For non-members, a Plumbing Inspection will only cost $250. Our Plumbing Inspection, whether you are a member or not, includes the following:
A camera inspection of drains to check for blockages and get a look inside your plumbing
Testing of internal plumbing fixtures such as kitchen mixers, bathroom and garden taps
Toilet leak testing
Water pressure test
Hot water system inspection, as well as an inspection of any other external plumbing systems such as rain water pumps
Flexible connector assessments
This will keep you informed about the health of your plumbing and provide early detection of potential plumbing concerns.
Check flexible connectors
We can’t stress this step enough! Burst flexible connectors present a prevalent plumbing issue in Australian households and their consequences can be severe. Once a flexible connector bursts, it can take as little as 24 hours for your home to flood. Flexible connectors, or braided hoses, are commonly found under sinks, and in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry to connect to appliances that use water. This is what a brand new flexible connector looks like:
Unfortunately, many of the braided hoses we come across look a little more like this:
Flexible connectors with frayed braiding, rust, kinks, or ruptures are a flood risk waiting to happen and need to be replaced.
Know the warning signs
Knowing the tell-tale signs of a water leak can help you identify leaks as soon as they occur and get on top of the issue before it escalates. Water dripping from taps or washing machine and dishwasher connections, water running in the toilet long after it was flushed, and damp patches on walls or inside cupboards can all be signs of a water leak. Walls can also become stained if the leak goes unnoticed for a while, which may look something like this:
Outside the home, keep an eye out for muddy patches of lawn, or even pockets of grass that spring up more than the rest of the garden around it. These are both signs of an underground leak.
Replace old appliances and fixtures
This is a case of spending money to save money. Consider the age of the appliances around your home that are connected to water, such as your dishwasher, washing machine and fridge, as well as the age of the plumbing connected to these appliances. Wear and tear on your older appliances, such as broken seals, burst pipes or failing connections, can create issues that lead to water leaks.
Monitor water bills
Higher than normal water bills are not fun to receive at the best of times, but if you’ve noticed a spike in your water bill without an increase in usage, it may be time to investigate further.
Leak detection devices
There are a number of smart water sensors on the market that can instantly detect and alert you of potential leaks in your home. Now, we will admit that consumer leak detection devices do have their limitations.
The cheaper options can only sense water that drips on the device itself, or its sensor cable, meaning that the placement of the sensor is incredibly important and you may need a number of devices across your home. They also won’t be much help for detecting outdoor leaks for this reason.
You can also consider an automatic shutoff device that connects directly to your plumbing and detects leaks 24/7, instantly shutting off water when a leak is detected. These systems are quite pricey, however, and will most likely require professional installation. But if they save your home from a major water leak, it is an investment that will definitely be worth it.
Shut off water when it’s not in use
If you’re going on holidays or otherwise planning to be away from home for a long period of time, why not shut off your water at the meter? This will avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your plumbing and prevent a plumbing emergency from cutting your trip short.
Do you think you may already have a water leak on your hands? Here’s how to test if you have a leak:
- Switch off all taps and water-consuming appliances.
- Go to your water meter, usually at the front of your property, and make a note of the numbers on the dials.
- Don’t use any water for the next hour, and once the hour is up, check your water meter again.
- If the numbers on the dials have gone up during the time you stopped using water, you have a leak. A plumber will be able to locate the leak and provide you with solutions on how to resolve the issue.
We have a handy video on reading your water meter here.
Taking proactive steps to prevent water leaks is not only a smart financial decision but also a way to protect your property and belongings.
In Wollongong, the Shoalhaven and the Sutherland Shire, Curran are your plumbing experts. If you have noticed any of the symptoms of a water leak, or are interested getting peace of mind following a plumbing inspection from one of our highly knowledgeable professionals, give us a call on 1300 792 082.
