With some of the severe weather hitting Brisbane in recent times, it’s becoming increasingly important to prepare your family and home for the worst.

The volume of water that hits Brisbane during a storm is enough to put even the highest quality plumbing to the test. With as much as 150mm of rain falling within 24 hours and draining through your gutters, down pipes and other drainage areas – it’s important to be sure they’re up to the task.

Did you know that overflowing gutters is the number one cause of roof damage?

There are a number of things that can be done to limit and prevent the impact that extreme weather has on your home. First of all, for your gutters to maintain maximum effectiveness, ensure that there are no leaves and sticks blocking the gutter. This will mean that water has a much better chance of draining straight off your roof and into your down pipes instead of pooling and  putting an immense weight on gutters and mounts.

In order to make sure that your water is draining off the roof correctly it’s also crucial that your down pipes are free of any blockages and feed water unimpeded into the storm water drain.

The main other thing to consider with your residential plumbing is your drainage at ground level. Pooling and flooding around your house can have the potential to inundate your house and damage your possessions with little warning. A well-designed drainage solution for your home can save you thousands in damaged property when a storm hits.

For more information on how we can assist you, contact Crew Plumbing for service in the Greater Brisbane Area.

Why is my toilet leaking?

There are a number of reasons for why a toilet may leak. However, there are usually only three main reasons.

Cracked Cistern
The cistern is the component of the toilet that hold all of the water used for flushing. A crack in this part will certainly put a dampener on your day.

Rusted or damaged pipe
A damaged or rusty pipe leading to your toilet may be to blame for the water on the floor of your bathroom. This is an easy fix for a qualified plumber.

Cracked Bowl
A crack in the bowl, while it may seem like the most expensive thing to go wrong on a toilet is often a great excuse to get a new toilet and reinvigorate the look and vibrancy of your bathroom.

Does this explain your leaky toilet?
Whether this article has or hasn’t answered your question, contact CREW Plumbing today and get a qualified professional in to solve your plumbing issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When looking to hire a plumber, here are a few things that should be taken into consideration.

Use an insured plumber

Using an insured tradesman is vital when deciding which company to use. For instance, if you are shopping around for plumbers or gas fitters in Brisbane – always check that their website or directory listing confirms their insurance status. The need for insurance isn’t just to protect you as the home owner, but also the tradesman. If something goes wrong (it’s rare for us, but it does happen) both parties are covered for damages and injury. Although the likelihood of injury and damage is low, you’ll be glad you chose an insured plumber in the event of an accident.

Use a licenced plumber

When hiring a plumber, it’s imperative to choose one who is licenced. This will ensure that all work is up to code and that they actually know what they are doing. Also, in the event that something is not completed up to standard, a licenced plumber can be held accountable by the relavant industry association.

Use an experienced plumber

Even work carried out by licenced and insured plumbers can have it’s issues. For the best results, hire a plumber with a proven track record and long history, you’ll be glad you did. Especially in situations that require a solution a bit further outside of the box. A plumber with experience is likely to reduce hiccups, complete tasks more efficiently and provide an all-round painless experience.

With ample experience, insurance and licencing Crew Plumbing would love to work with you to provide excellent service for your plumbing and gas fitting needs.

What is the right service type?
When choosing a type of HWU, you need to consider what is available in your area.Do you have access to Gas or would a solar HWU get enough sunlight to stay hot? The 3 main types of systems are gas, electric or solar hot water systems and each have their own set of benefits and limitations.

How big is your house?
The number of bathrooms and taps in your house effects the level of system you’ll require. If you’re not sure, contact us to get a quote and assessment of the optimal solution for you.

What is your budget?
Both the upfront and ongoing costs need to be considered in finding your hot water solution. While solar might be a little more upfront, the ongoing costs are next to nothing as compared to gas and electric systems.

What are your usage patterns?
The frequency and length of things like showers, dishwashing and laundry may mean that you need a larger resovoir of hot water to ensure that you don’t run out of hot water.

Location of Unit
Making sure there is a suitable space for installing a hot water unit is paramount to cost effective install, maintenance and usage.Things like shade (for solar), building construction and distance to taps may effect the possibility and cost of installation. Choosing a good location will save you both time and money.

Your preference
Finally, and most importantly is your personal taste and preference in hot water units. You might have had an especially good
experience using a certain type of system and want that replicated in your home or you want something a little more aesthetically appealing if your system is in a visible place.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about different hot water unit options or to make an appointment to get one installed in Brisbane.

Dealing with Plumbing Emergencies

A plumbing emergency can occur at at time of the day or night and threaten to cause immediate water damage and create electrical hazards within your household. These situations are usually caused by blocked drains or drains that have sprung a leak and burst.

Before even calling a plumber, your first step is to turn off your water. If the problem is with a single fitting you may be able to turn off the water locally at the tap or even look for valves below the sink or behind the toilet. If that’s not an option, or if there’s a larger problem or potential hazard, you should turn off your water from the home water meter.

Once this is done take a breath and relax. Depending on the nature of the problem, your next step might be to check whether it is a local problem or neighbourhood-wide. If it is part of the external sewage or drain system it may not be your responsibility. You could even check with your water supply company if you can’t find the source of the problem. However, most problems are caused by household pipes or fittings.

If the plumbing emergency is your responsibility, you should call a licensed plumber who provides 24 hour emergency service in Brisbane. Give as many details as you can as you ask for a quote and check that your plumber is equipped with the right gear for the job, even without seeing the problem, we can usually do the work on the first visit.

Once you have found a trustworthy plumber in Brisbane, we recommend that you keep their number close so you have it in future… save it in your mobile and you will have it handy for future emergencies.

Call us 24/7 at Crew Plumbing on 07 3395 0440 to help out with any plumbing emergency!

It’s usually during storm season that major plumbing problems occur. We often get called out for blocked drains and gutters or leaky seals during storm season, but it can also be a lot worse!

During any type of storm, your home is vulnerable to some sort of damage. We’ve seen damage from falling trees and tree limbs causing structural damage, water damage and wind damage. Unfortunately, it is quite common to see water leaks from the roof appearing throughout the house, which can appear as though it is a plumbing problem. We recommend taking some preventative action to protect your home during the storm season. The more you prepare, the more chance your house has to survive. Follow these tips to give your house the best chance:

1. Store any Unsecure Items

Storms create strong winds, so be sure to remove anything that isn’t permanently fixed on the outside of your home. In preparation for strong storms, patio chairs and tables may need to be moved inside.

2. Remove Any Potential Threats

Take care to remove anything that could potentially fall on your property and cause structural damage. Make sure that the surrounding trees are sturdy and be sure to remove dead tree branches or anything that hangs too close to the home. You can also check that the roof of your home is in good condition, that the water sealing is still good and replace any missing or loose tiles that can allow water to seep in easily.

3. Prepare for Water Damage

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it’s best to evacuate before a large storm hits. However, if you have time you can also help prevent water damage. If you have any leaky seals around your basement or any lower areas of the home, you should get in early to have the problem fixed. You should consider putting sandbags in areas where water is known to rise as this can prevent it getting into your home.

Give CREW Plumbing a call to make sure that roof gutters and water pipes are clear with no build up, so water can run smoothly where it’s supposed to go.

Don’t leave your plumbing jobs until it’s too late. Give Chris and the team at CREW Plumbing a call to get the work done fast.

Whether caused by storms or not, in the event of any plumbing emergency, call CREW Plumbing on (07) 3395 0440. CREW Plumbing is your local, well priced plumber. Unlike the bigger companies, we don’t charge a fortune, have hidden expenses, or try to sell you on problems that don’t exist. We give you a straight forward, honest quote with the best quality service in Brisbane!

We look forward to your next call!