Plumbing Questions from Hampton Park Homes

There is no standard figure, because the cost depends on the work done and the parts used, not just the time. We do not sell blocks of hours. We find the fault and give you a fixed price for the whole job before we start.

Rates vary between businesses and between business hours and after hours. Because the hourly rate is only part of the story, we quote a fixed job price instead, so you know the total before any work begins.

A burst pipe, sewage overflowing inside or in the yard, a gas leak, water coming through a ceiling or light fitting, a blocked or broken only toilet, no water at all, and no hot water in a household that relies on it. If you are not sure, call and we will tell you honestly.

It depends on what is causing the blockage, how far down it is, how we can access the line and whether the pipe is damaged. Clearing wipes from an accessible line is a quicker job than cutting through heavy roots. We price it on site before we start.

In Victoria, the property owner is responsible for the sewer pipes on their land up to the connection with the water corporation's sewer main. South East Water looks after the main itself. If the blockage is in the main, we will tell you and you can report it to them.

Many policies do not cover a blockage on its own, but some cover damage it causes, such as water damage from an overflow. Cover varies widely, so check your policy. We can give you a written report and photos from our camera for a claim.

On gas units, the pilot light or ignition may have failed, the thermocouple may be worn or the gas may be off. On electric units, a tripped circuit breaker, a failed element or a thermostat fault are common. A unit that is leaking or very old may have reached the end of its life.

Only plumbers who also hold a gasfitting licence can do gas work in Victoria. All our gas jobs are done by licensed gasfitters.

It depends on the tap type and the parts. A washer in an older tap is a simple repair; a ceramic cartridge in a mixer or a tap that needs reseating takes more. We give you a fixed price after looking at it.

The owner is responsible for pipes on the property side of the water meter; the water corporation is responsible for the meter and the main in the street. In a rental, the landlord pays for repairs to a burst service, as it is an urgent repair.

That depends on the suite you choose, whether the waste position suits it and how easy the access is. We give you a fixed price that includes removing the old toilet, fitting the new one and testing it.

As a rough guide, gas storage units last around ten to twelve years and electric units twelve to fifteen. Continuous-flow and heat pump units can last longer with servicing. Water quality and maintenance make a big difference.

No. In Victoria, installing a hot water system involves water, and often gas or electrical work, that must be done by licensed tradespeople. A compliance certificate is needed for the installation.

That many problems can be avoided cheaply: keep wipes and grease out of drains, replace flexible hoses before they fail, and have older hot water units checked. We are happy to tell you all of it.

Rates differ between businesses and are higher after hours, but an hourly rate does not tell you what the job will cost. We give you a fixed price for the emergency repair once the plumber has seen the problem, before the work goes ahead.

If the pipe is on your side of the meter, call a licensed plumber like us. If water is coming from the meter or the street, call South East Water's faults line. Either way, turn off your stopcock first if you can.

If you have turned off the water main, switch a gas hot water unit to pilot or off, or turn off the power to an electric unit, so the tank is not heating without water flowing in.

A severe blockage, especially roots or grease in the main sewer, needs a high-pressure jetter or a powered eel, not a plunger or chemical cleaner. Chemicals rarely shift it and can harm pipes and the plumber who opens the line. Stop using water, and call a plumber with jetting equipment.

We cannot speak for retailers' installation prices. What matters is that the installation is done by a licensed plumber, and a licensed gasfitter or electrician where needed, with a compliance certificate. We supply and install hot water systems for one fixed price.

Some plumbers are cautious because continuous-flow units need an adequate gas supply, can have a short delay before hot water arrives and may need a larger gas meter or pipe. For many Hampton Park homes they work very well. We look at your gas supply and how your household uses hot water before recommending a system.

Most common repairs, such as a thermocouple, element or relief valve, take an hour or two if we have the part on board.

A gas plumber, or gasfitter, holds a specific gasfitting licence on top of, or as part of, their plumbing licence. A plumber without that licence cannot do gas work.

Licensed gasfitters do. We repair gas leaks, faulty appliance connections, gas hot water units and heaters, and run new gas lines.

Every two years is the usual recommendation from Energy Safe Victoria, or straight away if you notice a yellow flame, soot marks or a smell.

Check the power or gas is on. For electric systems, look at the circuit breaker labelled for hot water. For gas storage, check whether the pilot is lit. For continuous-flow units, look for an error code on the controller and check the power point outside.

They make a gentle hum similar to an air conditioner's outdoor unit. Placing them away from bedroom windows avoids most problems.

Yes. Modern units work well in Melbourne winters, although recovery is slower on very cold mornings. Setting the timer for the warmest part of the day helps.

Usually not in the same system, but we can design an installation with an electric booster that covers cold periods.

We do not quote a set figure without seeing the tap, because brands and faults vary. Once we have looked at it, you get a fixed price, and we often fix several taps in one visit to make the call-out worthwhile.

Turn the tap off firmly but do not overtighten it, as that damages the washer and seat. If it keeps running, turn off the isolation valve under the sink or the stopcock at the meter, and call a plumber.

It depends on where the pipe is, the access and how much needs replacing. Replacing a short accessible section is quick; repiping a house is a bigger job. We give you a fixed price once we have found the burst.

Water can pool in the subfloor, raising damp and damaging stumps, timber floors and wiring. You may notice a hissing sound, a damp smell, a high water bill or the meter moving with all taps off. Turn off the water and have it repaired quickly, then make sure the subfloor dries out.

A worn inlet valve that lets the cistern overfill into the overflow, a worn outlet valve or flush seal that lets water trickle into the pan, and a faulty button or flush mechanism. All three are usually fixed with the right replacement parts.

Yes. Most toilet faults are repairable. If the pan or cistern is cracked, replacement is the safe option, and we can usually do it the same day.

We cannot quote for retailers' installers. Whoever fits your toilet should be a licensed plumber. We supply and install toilets for a fixed price and test the job before we leave.

Turn off every tap and appliance, read the water meter, then check again an hour later without using water. If the reading has changed, there is a leak somewhere.

Usually only a small area once the leak is pinpointed. Sometimes rerouting the pipe avoids opening the floor at all.

Some policies cover the cost of finding a leak that caused damage. Check your policy; we supply a written report.

Not always. It suits lines under hard surfaces or where digging would be disruptive. In open ground, excavation can be simpler.

Quality liners are designed to last for decades.

Most can, but badly collapsed sections may need to be dug up first. The camera tells us which.

No. Stormwater must be kept out of the sewer in Victoria. It goes to the legal point of discharge, usually the street kerb or an easement drain.

Usually silt and leaves in the channel or a blocked outlet pipe. We clear and test it.

Yes. Stormwater drainage is licensed plumbing work in Victoria.

Rust holes, sagging sections, leaks at joints and water running down walls are the usual signs.

In streets with large gum trees it can cut cleaning and reduce overflow, but gutters still need an occasional check.

We can often make it safe with a temporary fix and complete the repair once the roof is dry.

Yes. Moving or installing water and drainage pipes is licensed work, and a compliance certificate is needed.

Yes. We coordinate rough-in and fit-off with your tiler or builder.

Rough-in usually takes a day or two and fit-off around a day, depending on the size of the room.

Yes. We connect the water supply, waste and isolation valve and test it for leaks.

Check them every year and replace them every five years or so, or sooner if they bulge or crack.

Yes, under-sink and whole-of-house systems, plus cartridge changes.

Check whether the whole house is affected. If it is, the stopcock, pressure valve or a leak may be the cause, or there may be work in the street.

Homes with tanks connected to mains or irrigation systems often do. We can tell you.

Testable devices usually need testing every year.