Do you have any home plumbing repairs? Do you think you can do it yourself even if you are not a skilled plumber? Most people would rather do their own home maintenance than to hire the services of a professional plumber. The only problem is not all plumbing jobs can be fixed just by any person.

Peace of mind. That is one of the important things that you will get when a master plumber is the one who handles all your plumbling problems. Because what is your guarantee that your own handiwork is of the best quality and that no further repair would be needed? A minor drain clearing may be handled by any homeowner because a drain cleaner bought from the supermarket might be enough to do the job. But what about the bigger repairs like pipe leaks for example? It will simply be arrogance on your part if you will proceed with fixing plumbing problems that are clearly beyond your abilities.

Not everyone can be a rock star in the same way that not everyone can become a master plumber. It is a combination of skills and talent to effectively solve most plumbing jobs. The following are some of the plumbing repairs that are best left to the professionals.

1. Fixing drain pipes buried under concrete

This is one job that should be left in the hands of real plumbers. Jobs like clearing drain pipes and mainlines with tree roots is quite complicated and will usually require a set of tools. Before you can cause further damage, get a plumber to do the job for you.

2. Waterproofing your basement

This involves more than just filling up the cracks in the foundation. There is also the problem with molds and how these should be properly removed to avoid any serious health hazards for your family.

3. Replacing water heaters

Keep yourself away from danger by not installing new or replacement water heaters yourself. This is especially true if it involves gas. A professional can also best assess what kind of water heater is ideal for your home, including its capacity.

4. Tub and toilet installation

Cementing a toilet into place may not be that hard, especially if you have the right tools for the job. However, aligning the plumbing and the pipes for the toilet and the bath tub is a different matter. Save yourself from any frustrations and any possibility of toilets not flushing right or even leaking by getting a master plumber to do the installation for you.

5. Septic tank replacement and services

A septic tank is not that easy to replace or repair and it is definitely one of those plumbing repairs best left for the professional plumber. Also remember to have your septic tank checked once in a while especially if it has already been in use close to a decade already.

Again, while there are certain plumbing repairs that can be considered as do-it-yourself jobs, the majority of which are too complicated for the common homeowner. Unless you are a plumber in training, just let a master plumber do all of your home plumbing repairs.

You open your kitchen faucet and begin to wash your dishes. After a few minutes you are done with your chore, but the water on the sink is standing still and will not go down the drain. You have a blocked drain again and it is time to get out your arsenal of home tools to help you with clearing clogged drains. Now let us see some of the effective methods that you can use.

Plunging

This is perhaps the first method most homeowners would try when they are cleaning clogged drain. You can use either a bathroom plunger, which is bigger, or a more appropriate sink plunger.

Before trying this out, do not remove all the water in the sink because for the plunger to work, it needs a few inches of water to create a vacuum. It is this vacuum that will suck the blockage from the drain. Do a couple of stronge plunges at a time, making sure that the edges of the plunger is touching the base of the sink with the drain right in the middle of the plunger. Stop after a dozen of tries because it only means is not enough to clear the drain.

Snaking

Obviously the best tool for this is a plumber’s snake which is very effective especially if the blockage lies deep within the drainage pipe. But if you suspect that the blockage is not far from the surface, you can just poke around the pipe with a stick, a metal wire or anything that is thin enough to go through the pipe and dislodge any build up there.

Good old baking soda

You have probably read about the hundreds of uses of baking soda, and clearing clogged drains is one of these. Create a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and water. Pour the mixture into the drain, preferably with the water already removed from the sink. Repeat a couple more times until the blockage is removed.

Flushing with baking soda

This is another baking soda remedy with another twist. First, remove the standing water in the sink. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain. Then pour a kettle of boiling water into the drain. Keep on pouring more boiling water until the blocked drain has cleared.

Drain flushing

Again, this is achieved with a little help with some baking soda. Take out the water remaining in the sink. Open up the drain and toss around 1 cup of baking soda into the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Leave it for about 30 minutes to an hour and do not use the kitchen sink during this period. When the time has elapsed, pour a kettle of boiling water into the drain. Pour more boiling water until the blockage has been removed.

Call a master plumber

When all else fails, it is time to ask for a professional plumbing service. The reason could be the blockage is already too great for any home remedy to remove. This is why a regular plumbing maintenance is important to ensure the smooth workings of your home plumbing.

Becoming a skilled plumber is easy, becoming a master plumber is another thing. A plumber knows a little of everything when it comes to commercial and home plumbing, and can fix anything from a simple faucet leak to installing a kitchen sink. But the really good ones can do more than that. They work faster, can diagnose the problem immediately, and can work around different techniques just to solve a complicated plumbing problem.

That is because a master plumber knows more than how to use a wrench. He had to become an apprentice plumber for man years, perfecting his skills and craft before being able to proclaim himself a master plumber.

Many of these master plumbers start out at a very early age, usually around 17 years of age. Most get a high school diploma first while there are also those who just have basic education and rely on their apprenticeship to give them a bright future in the plumbing trade. Plumbing companies or master plumbers may even advertise offering an apprenticeship program. While this is a good opportunity for these firms to get cheap but skilled labor, it is more to the advantage of the young men to get themselves into one of these programs.

The great thing with an apprenticeship is that they get to do real plumbing work early on, although in reality the form of training or education is less formal compared to what one can usually get from a vocation school. At a technical or vocational school, the students learn more than the manual skills of plumbing but also about subjects like mathematics and drafting, just to name a few. Either form of training is a good way to get started in the plumbing trade.

When you have finished the apprenticeship program, the student can then start his own trade. At this stage he is not yet a master plumber but what is now called a journeyman plumber. In some countries this is the time to get a plumbing license or to join a major plumbers’ organization to at least get accreditation. Then after about 5 years or depending on the law of the particular state, he can then apply to become a master plumber. A series of tests, manual and written, are administered for this purpose.

Some of the skills expected of a master plumber:

1. Manual dexterity

Plumbing is still all about manual work and the ability to use every plumber’s tools and equipment effectively.

2. Math skills

There are some drafting and planning that are used in plumbing as well as some other mathematical calculations.

3. Problem solving

Fixing plumbing repairs involves a lot of problem solving especially when the repairs are too complicated. Some master plumbers also say that no two plumbing jobs are alike so the need to find the best solution for each situation is of utmost importance.

4. Can work in cramped areas.

Whether it is under the sink, the basement or a hole in the ground, master plumbers can work without any difficulties even if there is very limited space.

5. People skills

Being a master plumber means being in business and talking to clients, helping them with their plumbing problems. Remember, it is the plumber who usually go to the client and not the other way around.

Many homeowners would rather fix their plumbing problems rather than call a professional plumber. The reasons commonly are that one, they want to save money and two, and this is more true with men, they want to prove that they are the man of house and can fix anything.

But often, by doing it themselves, the problem worsens and they end up having to spend more to have it fixed by a master plumber. While it is true that many plumbing repairs does not require an actual plumber to be fixed, it is only to a certain degree that these are possible. For better peace of mind, it is always a good idea to let the professionals do the work for you.

Here are some of the common plumbing services you can expect from your neighborhood plumber.

1. General plumbing

What constitutes general plumbing? This can be the much easier repairs such as faucet leaks, non-working toilet flushes, minor clogged drains, and installation of taps, shower heads, and other plumbing related items.

This is where most homeowners would try their own hands on repairs, and in most cases these are the easier ones.

2. Drain clearing

After years of continuous use and abuse, drain pipes can be severely clogged that no amount of household cleaners can do the job. Master plumbers have the right tools and equipment to clear the drain pipes in no time. In some cases they might use a drain clearing camera to better see the amount of blockage that needs to be cleared.

3. Bathroom plumbing and kitchen plumbing

This is more than simple faucet repairs. It covers the installation of new sinks, bath tubs, and hot and cold water among others. It also includes major renovations where new piping systems need to be laid down.

4. Installation of solar water heating systems

For people who are very much concerned with the environment, having a solar water heating system installed in their homes instead of the typical electric types is a great contribution in doing their part in saving the planet. As the name itself suggests, it uses solar power to heat the water supply of the home, usually stored in a water tank.

5. Water tanks

In places where the water supply may not be constant or the water pressure fluctuates, having a water tank installed in your home is a good back up. Master plumbers can install water tanks of various sizes and recommend the right size for your needs.

6. Piping repair and replacement

Now this is one job that is best left in the hands of the professionals. While a minor leaking pipe can be fixed with a wrench, burst pipes or old and rusted pipes is a different matter. Replacing new pipes may involve excavation and other major works, making it applicable only for plumbers.

7. Emergency plumber

Most plumbers offer after hour service because you just never know when you will need their plumbing services. From minor leaks to severe pipe repairs, master plumbers are always ready to give you a helping hand.

How much do you know about plumbing? A typical homeowner maybe capable of fixing a leaking faucet, but other than that, almost any other plumbing service might be beyond his skills. There is a certain point where ego and reality must start to separate because with one small plumbing problem when tried to be fixed by someone lacking the skills, it can just get worse.

If what you are most concerned about is to save money on maintenance, keep in mind that you can do more harm than good when you do it yourself. Even if you know about some plumbing repairs, you must first gauge your own capabilities and accept when it is time to call for professional help.

Do you have the tools to do a pipe leak repair? Do you have the equipment to thoroughly clear a clogged drain? Only a master plumber will always have the right tools for any plumbing maintenance or repair work. He is also appropriately trained to use these tools. That is why it is not advisable for you to even consider just buying some professional level plumbing equipment thinking that you can save money by doing all the repairs yourself.

Again, if you do everything yourself, then what happens if instead of the plumbing problem being repaired, it worsens? Master plumbers are licensed and bonded which gives you better peace of mind that should something untoward occurs, all will still be repaired without any additional cost for you. So you will have less worries if any damage happens during the plumbing repairs.

An advantage with getting a professional plumbing service is that a master plumber will never stop until he was able to fix the problem. In rare cases that the repair may seem to be too complicated, the plumber knows what to do with it, even probably asking the assistance of a fellow plumber just to get the job done.

Here are two of the major plumbing jobs that are better to be left in the skilled hands of a plumber.

Water and Sewer Lines

Almost anything that has got to do with the mainlines should be performed by a licensed plumber. Most of these jobs require special plumbing equipment to fix them properly. Piping systems are more complicated than any homeowner can even imagine fixing himself. Sewer lines are no different especially when clearing the sewer lines with tree roots which could cause major damage to it.

Gas Lines

Working with gas lines is a dangerous thing and you certainly do not want to start a fire in your neighborhood. In most cities, only licensed plumbers or personnel are allowed to work on gas lines. These jobs include the laying down of the gas lines, finding and fixing any leaks, and the maintenance of the pipes.

So the next time you have a home plumbing problem, think seriously if you are capable enough to do it yourself or if it is the kind of plumbing service that a professional plumber should do. With a plumber the repair can be done quickly, thoroughly and without a big chance of causing further damages.

• Address: 175 Stanley Street, West Melbourne, Victoria 3003
• Phone: (03) 9326 6258
• Fax: (03) 9329 6650
• Email: info@worboys.com.au
• Website: www.worboys.com.au
• Services: Commercial and industrial plumbing, programmed maintenance services, waterless urinals, hot water service installation and repairs.

Worboys Plumbing, established in 1921 has been serving the city of Melbourne’s plumbing needs for over 80 years. With a 24 hour emergency call out service, we specialise in the plumbing maintenance of office buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, industrial preventative and programmed maintenance, domestic and high rise residential plumbing maintenance, tenancy fit-out, backflow prevention and testing, general plumbing and gasfitting, hot water service installation and repairs, roofing repairs, inspection and reports service, waterless urinals and glass pavement bricks.

Qualified and experienced Master Plumbers, Worboys is also an accredited Greenplumber, providing superior plumbing services.

Office Buildings / Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Worboys Plumbing, serving the city of Melbournes office buildings, high-rise buildings and commercial and industrial buildings offers a 24 hour emergency call out service.

Glass Footpath & Pavement Lights
Many of Melbourne’s older buildings with basements have glass pavement lights to provide natural light to below. Worboys Plumbing provides a specialised plumbing service in the installation, repair, replacement and resealing of the waterproof expansion joints in these glass footpath lights made from glass bricks.

Pavement lights are the building owners responsibility. The upkeep and repair are for the benefit of the building and also reduces the risk to public safety.

Inspections and Reporting Service
Have you got a problem with your building? Worboys inspection and testing services by a fully qualified Master Plumber will tell you what the problem is. Worboys Plumbing will provide a written report after inspecting and testing or locating a problem with your plumbing.

Programmed Maintenance Plumbing
Worboys Plumbing has developed an extensive programmed maintenance service for the city of Melbourne office buildings, high-rise buildings and commercial and industrial buildings and offers a 24 hour emergency call out service.

We will take away the worry and concern of your industrial preventative maintenance requirements. We have extensive experience in planned and programmed maintenance in some of Melbourne’s largest industrial sites.

Waterless Urinals
With a water-free urinal there is no need to waste valuable drinking water to flush anymore. Worboys is an agent for Watersave Australia – the distibutor of the Uridan waterless urinal systems.

To learn more about our services, please visit: www.worboys.com.au

Address: 35 Abercarn Ave, Craigieburn VIC 3064, Australia

Shawne’s Plumbing Services was established in February 1993 by Shawne & Connie Byrnes.  Shawne is a second generation plumber with almost two decades of experience specialising in the domestic/private market.

Shawne’s Plumbing Service is a second generation plumber specialising in all bathroom makeovers, hot water installations and replacements, blocked drains, sewer and stormwater drainage, installation of new gas appliances and all maintenance requirements. Over the last two decades we have established a large referral base ensuring a continuity of satisfied customers for all Commercial, Domestic and Industrial sectors.

We are a friendly and easy going business with a team of several employees dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality plumbing services. We also pride ourselves in treating our client’s property as if it were our own.

Complete Bathroom Makeovers
We offer free on-site quotes and provide bathroom designs and ideas. We will organise all tradespeople required to complete your bathroom project, or can recommend tradespeople that we use on a regular basis.

Hot Water Units
We install most gas and electric hot water units, such as:

* Rinnai – Continuous flow models
* Rheem – Storage units, continuous flow
* Aquamax – Storage units, continuous flow
* Dux – Storage units
* Vulcan – Storage units

Reconditioned storage units are as available.

Blocked Drains
We cater for several different types of sewerage blockages, such as:

* Blocked sewer drains under concrete slabs or underground drains
* Blocked toilets
* Blocked basins, baths, shower waste pipes

We also replace broken or damaged sewer drains and waste pipes.

Installation of New Gas Appliances
We install several types of gas appliances, such as:

* Gas hot water units
* Gas hot plates
* Gas wall ovens
* Gas heaters (space heaters or wall furnaces)

Maintenance Plumbing
Our maintenance department can cater for most of your plumbing problems, including:

* Leaking taps
* Leaking toilets
* Leaking water or waste pipes
* Broken or damaged water pipes
* Installation of broken fixtures (e.g. toilet suites, vanity basins, etc.)
* Installation of dishwashers, kitchen sinks, etc.
* Replacement of tapware

Find out how Shawne’s Plumbing Service can help you, visit www.shawnesplumbing.com.au today.

Fact.14, 50- 60 Lloyd St, Kensington VIC 3031, Australia

AB Property Services was established by Andrew Barrett and provides a full range of trade services to the commercial, industrial, retail and domestic sectors.

Andrew Barrett has over 20 years experience in the building industry and in 1985 commenced a career in cabinet making, followed as a wood turner, then an apprenticeship in fitting and turning and finally an apprenticeship in roof slating and tiling which culminated in an industry award for best apprentice.

In establishing the company in 1999, Andrew sourced a quality and dedicated team of skilled and licensed trade staff including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roof slaters and tilers and locksmiths who have now contributed in building the company’s strong reputation, leading most of their peers, if not all, in the area of reliability, service quality and commitment.   These appealing qualities are the reason AB Property Services is in constant demand by numerous property managers, corporate bodies and maintenance service providers and have driven them to a No. 1 rank as a preferred contractor to one of Australia’s leading providers of quality building and asset maintenance services.

AB Property Services provide a complete range of Commerial  and Domestic plumbing services by qualified and licensed tradesman. The list below provides an overview of some of our commonly provided services. If you have any plumbing requirements please call our hotline for prompt assistance.

* Thermostatic Mixing Valve Installation & Maintenance
* Gas fitting Installation
* Appliance Installation & Maintenance
- Heaters
- Hot Water Systems
Any Type A or Type B Gas appliances
* General Plumbing & Maintenance
- Bathroom Renovations
* Programmed Maintenance
* Leak Detection
- Pipes
- Taps
* Sewerage Blockages & Replacements
* CCTV Camera
- Sewer Machine
- Excavation
- Pressure Jetting
* Roofing
- Drain Pipes
- Guttering
- Harnessed Roof Cleaning
- Roof Repairs

Listed below are installations in Commercial

* 25mm to 150mm gas fitting lines
* Gas and water supply lines to die casting machines
* Gas service relocations
* Installation of fitting line to spray booth ovens
* Commercial kitchen appliance and fitting line installations
* Compressed air lines – Industrial compresses and moisture dense

We cater for a large scope of domestic works:

* Burst/leaking pipes
* Steel and colour bond roofing, spouting and gutters
* Gas and cold water services renewals
* Hot water units
* Gas
* Electric
* Constant Flow
* Solar powered
* All tapware and pipe work installations
* Kitchen and bathroom renovations
* Clearing and cleaning of sewer and stormwater drains
* Excavation of broken sewer and stormwater drainage systems
* Installation of fixtures, such as toilets, cisterns, showers and spas

To find out more about AB Plumbing & Roofing, visit www.abprop.com.au today.

• Address: 6 Carrick Pl, Berwick VIC 3806
• Phone: 04 2099 8007
• Email: m.e.plumbing@optusnet.com.au
• Website: www.melbourneeliteplumbing.com.au
• Services: General plumbing, blocked drains, gas fitting, hot water units, water tanks

Melbourne Elite Plumbing is a specialist 24 hour plumbing service providing high quality plumbing for Industrial, Commercial and Domestic properties across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

With a range of experienced gas plumbers and emergency plumbers, Melbourne Elite Plumbing can help manage all your plumbing needs, including hot water repairs, gas plumbing services, blocked drains, burst water and plumbing maintenance across Melbourne.

General plumbing
Melbourne Elite Plumbing can help with any domestic plumbing job, from fixing a leaking tap to fitting a new bathroom. And we are 24 hours, so if you have emergency plumbing problems don’t hesitate to call.

Maintenance
Melbourne Elite Plumbing, not only install plumbing, but also they maintain as well. If you can get a plumber who knows the history of your property then you have a much better chance of it being fixed properly and in a more cost effective way. Get an experienced professional to both install and maintain your plumbing.

Hot Water Systems
Old hot water systems cost you more money than it’s worth. Inefficient heating and constant maintenance can cost you more than it is to replace.

Blocked Pipes And Drain Clearing
If you have blocked pipes, drains, toilets, baths, showers or dishwasher drains Melbourne Elite Plumbing can help. We deal with blockages on a regular basis, and have the equipment and skills necessary to deal with them small or large. Plus with our 24 hour seven day a week call out we can deal with any time of the year. Our experience covers both domestic and commercial properties, so no job is too big or small, and we can work within almost any body corporate conditions.

Grey Water
Grey water is the domestic or household wastewater that comes from the laundry and bathroom. When treated properly this is safe for external use. Toilet water on the other hand is termed ‘black water’ and cannot be reused. Kitchen water is technically grey water; it is treated as black water as it often contains food and grease. Melbourne Elite Plumbing can help you recycle your household grey water for use on garden beds. It is an excellent way of saving water and saving money! Grey water is available every time you shower or wash with the average house creating up to 83,000 litres of grey water per year.

To learn more about our services, please visit: www.melbourneeliteplumbing.com.au

• Address: Ringwood VIC 3134
• Phone: (03) 9876 8686
• Website: www.taylorandsons.com.au
• Services: Leaking pipes, hot water units, roof plumbing, leak detection, blocked drains, gas fitting

Taylor & Sons Plumbing have over 25 years of experience in the residential and commercial sectors providing superior Plumbing and Gasfitting Services.

We have been working with home improvement companies, architects, builders and home owners for all their plumbing needs.

Our goals are to develop a long lasting relationship with our clients based on trust, honesty, reliability and satisfaction.
No job is too big or too small for us.

Servicing the Eastern and Southern suburbs of Melbourne.

Leaking Pipes
Hot Water Units
Leak Detection
Roof Plumbing
Septic Servicing
Blocked Drains
Drain Camera
Guttering
Gas Fitting
Renovations
Fire Services

To learn more about our services, please visit: www.taylorandsons.com.au