PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2011
Disability Modifications For Your Safety
For many years now Plumbers Queensland have been installing safety grab rails, adjustable flexi shower kits and a range of other fittings specified by "Occupational Therapists".
Over the years the range of products has increased dramatically and the quality has been much improved to the stage that all needs can be satisfied. Why wait to be advised? If an occupant in the home is in any way inconvenienced either permanently or short term, their lifestyle or recovery can be enhanced by installing fittings that don't detract from the look of the home.
Below is a list of modifications that can be used in the home:
- Grab Rails
- Toilet Seats
- Lever Handle Taps
- Shower Rails
- Bath and shower seats
Plumbers Queensland can advise on simple, economic and approved products to either supply them, or supply and install them.
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2011
Water Water Everywhere
Our dams are full even before the
wet season starts. But as we all know, the cost of water is continually
increasing, leaving you to ask the question: "What do I do?"
The key is to minimise your water usage. Here are some tips:
Firstly, you can use tank water to wash your car, water your plants, or wash your dogs.
Secondly, you can test the water flow from your taps, mainly your showerheads, kitchen taps and bathroom taps.
Below is a table showing the water flow rate that should be coming from your taps.
Outlet Type Litres Per Minute
- Shower - 12L P/Minute
- Bathroom Taps - 6L P/Minute
- Kitchen Taps - 6L P/Minute
Thirdly, you can check for leaks, which is easy to do. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to check for leaks.
1. Ensure that no water is being used in the house.
2. Locate your water meter and record the reading and time.
3.
Return to the water meter within an hour and if the reading is the
same, you have no leaks (make sure you have not used water during this
period, including flushing the toilet).
4.
If the water meter reading has moved, look through and around the
house for dripping taps, running toilets, and discharge from your hot water system.
If you cannot locate your leaks,
you can call Plumbers Queensland to attend and locate your leaks for
you. Plumbers Queensland have many water saving devices in stock, such
as aqualoc and flow restrictors.
Phone PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND PH: 1300 138 02
Fax: 07 5451 0985
Email: plumbers@plumbersqld.com.au
Website: http://www.plumbersqld.com.au
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2011
Preventive Maintenance
A recent report by pest inspectors suggests that this year is the year of the 'Termite'. This is feasible considering the constant wet weather and humidity we are currently experiencing.
Below are some tips to help minimise the infestation of these little blighters;
- Try to keep the perimeter of your house dry.
- Keep leaves and mould and things such as pine bark away from the outside walls.
- Keep storm water drains clear as it is common for a blocked drain to back up and overflow at the downpipe (against the wall).
- Clean out roof gutters (When heavy rain flows over the gutter and onto the ground, it then lays around the wall).
- If budget allows, you can install gutter mesh. Plastic gutter guard is cheap but the birds do tend to pull it out.
Most storm water drains consist of 90mm diameter recycled plastic pipe. The 'Electric Eel' used by many plumbing companies will easily chew through the thin plastic. To prevent breaking the plastic when clearing a storm water drain, it is recommended that a high-pressure jet rod machine is used, which Plumbers Queensland own.
These precautions are not just for termite prevention, they are also to prolong the life of your gutters. Replacing the gutter around your house could cost you between $2,500.00 - $3,500.00, and an annual clean can cost approximately $300.00 - $400.00.
If you need assistance, Plumbers Queensland can clear your gutters, install gutter mesh and unblock your storm water drains for you. All you need to do is call us on 07 5451 0922 and we can help you carry out preventive maintenance to stop termites in their tracks.
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND
PH: 1300 138 022 (or: 07 5451 0922)
Fax: 07 5451 0985
Email: plumbers@plumbersqld.com.au
Website: www.plumbersqld.com.au
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER
Hot Water Services
Winter is
coming. Sunny days and cold nights. Your trusty hot water service is now under
pressure to supply a constant flow of lovely hot water.
Hot water
services are supposed to discharge a little bit of water.
Below are
some tips on how to keep your hot water service in a stable condition and to
keep you warm throughout the colder months.
1. Checking
your hot water service for leaks.
Check the
hot water service to see if it is discharging through the pipe coming from the
top valve leading to the ground. A 250 Litre unit should discharge
approximately 5-8 Litres during a heating cycle on night rate. Any more than
5-8 Litres being discharged is wasted hot water. If you put a bucket underneath
the overflow pipe at the bottom, you can then measure the loss.
2. Check
for rust marks around the tank.
3. Check
the date on the valves and the tank.
4. If you
have Solar hot water, make sure that the panels are clean and not shaded during
the day.
5. If you
have a heat pump, you can see if the condenser unit is free of dust and dirt.
If
everything on the above list is okay, Happy Hot Showering. However, if you are
in doubt, give Plumbers Queensland a call and we can come and check it for you.
If your hot
water system does need replacing, remember that it needs to be replaced with a
Solar Hot Water System as per new legislations, or a Heat Pump. Rebates are
still available until 30 June 2011.
A solar
retailer will insist it is the best option for you, and a heat pump expert will
insist that a heat pump will be best for you. Plumbers Queensland are not
affiliated with any manufacturer and will recommend what suits your situation.
Plumbers Queensland will ensure that your plumber is licensed to install hot
water units as a special license endorsement is required.
PLUMBERS
QUEENSLAND
PH: 1300
138 022 (or: 07 5451 0922)
Fax: 07
5451 0985
Email:
plumbers@plumbersqld.com.au
Website:
www.plumbersqld.com.au
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER
JULY 2011
Asbestos
Asbestos can pose a risk to you if the fibres of Asbestos become airborne, these fibres can be inhaled and reach deep into the lungs, causing a major health hazard and could also cause serious asbestos-related diseases.
If your home was built prior to 1990, it is possible that it may contain some Asbestos material. If your house was built prior to 1980, then it will more than likely contain more than several Asbestos products. This may be a concern to a home owner.
Asbestos can become very costly when it is identified during house renovations or when you are having repairs carried out. The following is an example of how having Asbestos in your house can be expensive during repairs.
You have noticed a water leak in your bathroom, so you have contacted a plumber. The plumber has identified the leak in the wall and has to knock a hole in the wall to locate and repair the leaking pipe. The plumber then advises you to hire a carpenter to repair the hole in the wall. The carpenter arrives and immediately recognises that the wall sheet is Asbestos and is not able to proceed to repair the wall until the Asbestos has been removed by a licensed Asbestos removalist.
You will then have to contact a licensed Asbestos removalist to attend and remove any Asbestos material and clear the area before the repairs can continue. In this instance your water leak has become a very costly repair job with three Tradesmen attending.
Next time, there is no need to go through such a painful and expensive experience.
Plumbers Queensland staff are licensed to remove bonded Asbestos! This is just one more reason to use Plumbers Queensland for all of your plumbing maintenance requirements. Our plumbers are trained to remove Asbestos safely, without the fuss of having to arrange other trades yourself.
Remember, Plumbers Queensland are the maintenance specialists!
PLUMBERS QUEENSLAND
PH: 1300 138 022 (or: 07 5451 0922)
Fax: 07 5451 0985
Email: plumbers@plumbersqld.com.au
Website: www.plumbersqld.com.au
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