Prevents Major Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies can be a nightmare, and they can happen at any time. A blocked drain, burst pipe, or leaking tap can cause significant damage to your home and lead to costly repairs. Regular plumbing maintenance can help prevent these emergencies from occurring in the first place.

Inspecting and maintaining your plumbing system regularly allows you to identify and fix minor issues before they become major problems. This can save you from the hassle and expense of dealing with a plumbing emergency.

At O’Brien Plumbing Coffs Harbour, we offer a comprehensive plumbing maintenance service that includes inspecting your pipes, drains, taps, and fixtures to ensure they’re functioning correctly. We use the latest equipment and techniques to identify potential issues and provide you with the best possible solutions.

Saves You Money on Costly Repairs

One of the most significant benefits of regular plumbing maintenance is that it can save you money on costly repairs. Small issues that go unnoticed can lead to significant problems down the line, which can be expensive to fix. By regularly maintaining your plumbing system, you can identify and address these issues early on, preventing them from turning into major problems that require costly repairs.

Moreover, regular maintenance can extend the life of your plumbing system, saving you money in the long run. Your plumbing system is an investment, and you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. By taking care of it and addressing issues early on, you can avoid costly repairs or even a complete replacement of your system.

Improves Water Efficiency and Lowers Bills

Regular plumbing maintenance can also improve water efficiency in your home, which can lower your bills. A leaking tap or a running toilet can waste a significant amount of water over time, leading to higher water bills. By regularly maintaining your plumbing system, you can identify and fix these issues, reducing your water usage and lowering your bills.

Moreover, upgrading to more water-efficient fixtures can also help reduce your water usage and lower your bills. At O’Brien Plumbing Coffs Harbour, we can help you identify and install water-efficient fixtures in your home. This can help you save money on your water bills and reduce your environmental impact.

Ensures Safe Drinking Water

Regular plumbing maintenance can help ensure that the water coming out of your taps is safe to drink. Over time, your pipes can accumulate debris and minerals, which can affect the quality of your water. By maintaining your plumbing system regularly, you can ensure that your pipes are clean and your water is safe to drink.

Enhances the Overall Comfort of Your Home

A well-maintained plumbing system can enhance the overall comfort of your home. For example, a well-maintained system can ensure the water pressure of your shower and taps are ideal for your preferences. Plumbing issues can be frustrating and even have a significant impact on your daily routine or lifestyle. By maintaining your plumbing system, you can ensure everything functions correctly, making your daily life more comfortable and convenient.

Helps Maintain the Value of Your Property

Regular plumbing maintenance can help maintain the value of your property. Prospective buyers are often concerned about the condition of a home’s plumbing system, and having a well-maintained system can make your property more attractive to buyers.

Promotes a Healthier Living Environment

A properly functioning plumbing system can promote a healthier living environment. Leaks and water damage can lead to mould growth, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. By maintaining your plumbing system, you can prevent these issues and ensure that your home is a healthy place to live for all occupants and visitors.

Extends the Life of Your Appliances

Your appliances, such as your washing machine and dishwasher, rely on your plumbing system to function correctly. Regular plumbing maintenance can ensure that your appliances are working correctly, extending their lifespan and saving you money on costly, premature replacements.

Provides Peace of Mind

Finally, knowing that your plumbing system is operative can provide peace of mind, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected plumbing emergencies or repairs. Regular plumbing maintenance can help you feel confident that your home’s plumbing system is in good condition.

I you are a homeowner in Coffs Harbour, regular plumbing maintenance is crucial to keep your home safe and functioning properly. Our team of expert plumbers can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure your plumbing system is in top condition.

The post Benefits Of Regular Plumbing Maintenance For Your Home appeared first on O'Brien.

Whether it’s a hailstorm, a flash flood or a thunderstorm, storms can be unpredictable, causing potential harm to people and damage to homes and businesses. They can also disrupt power, communication systems and local amenities like running water.

That’s why it’s important to be prepared to help keep yourself and your family safe while helping to minimise damage to your property.

O'Brien^® has been part of the Australian community for almost 100 years, so our teams have seen firsthand the impact of storms on our vast country.

So we’ve put together a useful checklist to help you be prepared in advance in case a storm hits.

Here are 10 things you can do around your home before a severe weather event. These tips can help you and your family be better equipped to handle any challenges that may arise.

10 things to do around your home to be storm-ready

1. Check your roof regularly for loose or missing tiles and repair any roof damage as soon as you notice it. This can help you avoid or minimise potential water leaks in heavy rain conditions.
2. Check and clean out your gutters and downpipes to ensure there is proper drainage during a storm. This will prevent overflowing, damage to guttering and backwash that can pool water in places that could cause lingering moisture and water damage.

For help with the cleaning and repair of your gutters, or maintaining your roof, your local O'Brien Plumbing experts can assist.

3. Clean up garden debris like branches and secure any loose objects in your yard, such as outdoor furniture, trampolines, or garden decorations, so they don’t become projectiles in high winds.
4. Check your windows and doors for proper sealing and get any previously broken panes of glass repaired so that they’re in good working order. It is worth checking to make sure you have the correct type of safety glass around your home as well.

Your local O'Brien Glass^® experts can are on hand for replacement and advice for glass around your home.

5. Examine your home for any potential electrical hazards that could occur. Ensuring you have a safety switch installed and maintained on your switchboard and installing a residual-current circuit breaker with over-current protection (RCBO) that guards against accidental electrocution by monitoring the current travelling to and from an electrical load.

Your local O'Brien Electrical experts can perform thorough checks and installations of switchboard & safety switches.

6. Check if your home and contents insurance is up to date and know what you are covered for if it comes to claims with a flood or storm. Take the time to talk to your insurance provider to understand what additional cover may be available so you can consider additional options if you think you need it.
7. Stock up on non-perishable food, water, and other supplies in case you are without power or are isolated for more than a few days. We’ve recently seen how many Australian towns have been affected by prolonged flood waters – so it’s best to be prepared.
8. Charge your mobile phone, power banks and other electronic devices in case of a power outage, so you can contact loved ones or your local O'Brien expert (to glass, plumbing or electrical help)
9. Have an evacuation plan in place beforehand and talk through it with your family and friends, so if the time comes you know what to do and can act quickly.
10. Have an emergency kit ready, just in case, with essential items such as a torch, first aid kit, and batteries.

Stay safe and dry with help from O'Brien^®

It’s always a smart idea to be prepared in advance for storms, and hopefully this checklist is a good starting point for you.

Keep a close eye and ear on the weather and predicted forecast to help your household be as prepared as can be should a storm hit. Always remember, if you need any repairs around the home before or after a weather event – whether it be for electrical or plumbing work or glass repairs, whether it be for electrical or plumbing work or glass repairs – contact your local O'Brien^® team today.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 719 738 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.  We’re here to keep you safe and dry.

The post Storm Preparation Checklist For Your Home appeared first on O'Brien.

It catches Australians off-guard every year. So, as the temperature starts to dip, it’s a great idea to make preparations now so you can help keep your family and home warm, without costing you the planet.

To help you out, our O'Brien Plumbing experts have put together a list of cost-effective ways to help keep warm this winter – so you can feel cosy and comfortable despite the cold.

When we talk about the winter season, there are a lot of things to look forward to. However, shivering, chattering teeth and frozen feet are not amongst them. So, to prevent the cold from bothering you, here are some simple things you can do:

1. Identify and seal any air leaks.

If you have a draughty home, you’ll tend to feel the winter chill a lot more. So, before the weather gets too cold, check for drafts and leaks coming from

under your doors, windows and ceilings.

Caulking is one way to seal them. Or, for more of a quick fix, you can simply use a sand-filled door snake, a rolled-up towel or spare thick fabric to prevent heat from escaping.

2. Maximise the power of sunshine!

We’re lucky in Australia as, even during the winter, we can get some very sunny days. So, open those curtains and let the sunshine pour in when it’s up. This way, you’ll be able to get some natural light and warmth into your home. Just make sure to close them again as soon as dusk falls, so you’ll be able to trap the heat inside.

3. Use a humidifier and ceiling fans.

While this sounds counter-productive, these two make a great team. A humidifier unit adds moisture back into the air, especially if it has a heating setting. Using it can also help hydrate your skin to battle the dry, harsh weather.

On the other hand, adjusting the direction of your ceiling fans by allowing them to spin counter-clockwise will enable the warm air to move back down into the room. Talk about a great trick.

4. Get those rugs, electric blankets and heated mattress pads out.

Rugs are more than just for aesthetics – they can also help prevent heat loss from wooden floorings and can help keep your pets and feet warm. This is a great time to add your electric blankets and heated mattress to your bed too. With these warm covers, you can get a good night’s sleep without the cold creeping in.

5. Invest in a reliable hot water solution.

Hot water is something every Australian household can’t live without. We need it for cooking, cleaning and of course – hot showers and baths!

To help ensure that you’ll have enough warm water flowing from your taps this coming winter, it’s time to invest in a reliable hot water system.

Ask yourself: how’s your current hot water system?

• Is it old or outdated?
• Is it the right unit for your home?
• Is it costing you too much?
• Is it correctly installed?

Don’t put up with it any longer – because you don’t need to. To battle the cold this season, you may need more than just a few extra layers of clothes and a cup of hot choco topped with marshmallows. A reliable hot water system means when you turn your shower on in the morning, warm water awaits. At O'Brien Plumbing, we’ve got you covered this winter. To equip your home with an ideal hot water system, O'Brien expert plumbers are ready to install the right unit for you and your home.

Find your local O'Brien Plumber

Let’s get you all warm and comfy this winter.

The post How To Keep Warm This Winter: 5 Tips To Stave Off The Cold From Your Household appeared first on O'Brien.

However, as with anything that involves heat, there’s always a need to be safety conscious. Everyone can experience scalding from hot water, especially children, the elderly and people with a disability.

This is why it’s important to have a safety-first attitude about your household water and your Hot Water System.

We reached out to our professional O'Brien Plumbing members from around Australia to share their top safety tips about hot water use and your hot water tank. Here’s their list to help you enjoy your hot water while keeping you and your family safe.

1. Install a tempering valve to minimise the risk of scalding.

To adhere to the Plumbing Regulations, The Australian Government requires that all new hot water systems should feature a tempering valve or have a thermostatic mixing valve installed.

A tempering valve helps ensure your hot water’s temperature will not exceed 50°C when it comes out of your tap – which is warm enough for baths and showers, but not too hot to cause scalding.

The below graph* shows how important it is to have a hot water tempering valve to avoid excess heat and the potential of resulting burns.

If you’re unsure if your hot water system has a tempering valve, speak to a professional Plumber today.

* Reference: Chris Riedy, Geoff Milne, 2013, Your Home, Australian Government, https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/hot-water-service

2. Immediately repair dripping hot water taps and leaking appliances, including the relief valve from your water heater.

Inspecting all components of your hot water system and undertaking repairs when necessary are both important steps to ensuring your water heater is performing well. A relief valve is an important part of this.
A relief valve protects storage water heaters by eliminating excess pressure in the hot water system.

However, if you’ve found your tank is leaking and that a bucket placed under the valve is being filled in just a day, it’s a sign that you may need to replace your hot water tank.

3. To prevent the growth of bacteria like Legionella, hot water storage systems for residential buildings must be heated to a minimum temperature of 60°C.

Bacteria like Legionella can be a serious health concern when present at high concentrations in your water. Heating your water at a temperature of over 60°C (in the tank – not at the tap, as per point 1) will help kill any bacteria.

It’s for this reason that we don’t recommend turning your hot water system off when going away on holidays. However, if you still choose to, ensure that the water is heated and stored above 60°C for at least 35 minutes before using it again. Just be aware that it can take some time to heat to that temperature after having been turned off.

4. Maintain your hot water system and have it serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Regular hot water tank maintenance by a professional Plumber will help prevent issues and problems from occurring while keeping your tank running efficiently. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that your hot water system has been properly serviced.

Why is it important to follow hot water safety measures?

While we all love our hot water, observing these safety precautions will help minimise the risk of you and your loved ones from having an accident, and help prevent running out of hot water.

If you’re in doubt or have any questions, speak to one of our experts from O'Brien Plumbing who can provide you with the peace of mind when it comes to hot water safety.

Our expert O'Brien Plumbers are here for all of your hot water needs

We understand how vital it is to have a hot water system that is fully functional and safe.

To make sure your needs are met, we’re committed to undertaking quality inspections, performing repairs and installing effective replacements for your home’s hot water system.

Visit obrien.com.au today to find a plumber near you and we can start discussing your options.

When you call O'Brien Plumbing you can be sure you’ve called the experts.

The post Hot Water Tank Safety Tips For You and Your Family appeared first on O'Brien.