FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

A gas leak in your home is a serious danger that requires immediate attention. If you fail to act fast enough, it may result in a fire hazard and cause damages to life and property. It is usually difficult to detect where exactly the leakage is occurring. However, you need to shut off the gas valve as soon as you smell the gas and avoid trying to light a fire. Contact a plumbing company that offers gas fitting services by licenced professionals and request an immediate check-up. It is recommended to go for a company that offers emergency services, as a gas leak repair should never be delayed.

A gas leak is likely to show a number of noticeable signs. The most prominent and common among them is the smell of gas in the air. In case if the leak has taken place in a pipe, you might hear a hissing sound as well. Following the sounds might also help you detect the exact location of the leak in your gas system. However, a gas leak is a hazardous situation and it is recommended to let the professionals take care of it. It is advisable to hire professional and licenced gas fitters to assess the leakage and repair it at the soonest.

In case if you smell a gas leak in your home, it is recommended to contact reliable gas fitters immediately to detect the leakage and fix it. However, you may also check for a leak yourself in the following ways:

• You may use a gas detector if you have one at home.
• Try to listen if the gas lines are giving off any hissing noises.
• Check the colour of the flame on a gas stove. Blue flame indicates that the air contains adequate oxygen. However, a yellow or orange flame would mean that oxygen levels are falling.

However, the safest way to deal with a potential gas leak is to shut off the gas supply and wait for the gas fitters.

Every locality isn’t provisioned for natural gas supply. You may visit the natural gas website to check if your street has natural gas connectivity. You may also simply check if your neighbours have gas meters. Once you know that gas connectivity is available, you would have to get a gas meter installed in your property by the utility company. After this, you simply need to hire a company that offers gas fitting services. Their gas fitters would bring the necessary equipment and extend the gas connection into your home. It is necessary to ensure that you get the job done by licenced gas fitters only, as improper installation of a gas connection can prove to be hazardous.

A gas leak is an emergency situation that needs to be handled with caution. In case if you smell gas in your home, follow the following steps:

• Shut off the gas valve, as an accumulation of gas in your home may not only cause a fire hazard, but would also turn the air too toxic.
• Open all the windows to allow the leaked gas to escape.
• Do not light any naked flame in your home.
• Call a plumbing company offering emergency gas fitting services and request them to take a look.

If you are careful enough, you would be able to avoid any major hazard.

Gas leaks aren’t too hard to detect, as they display a number of signs. The smell of gas in your property would probably be the first sign you would notice. Once you suspect a gas leak, you may confirm it in the following ways:

• Apply a solution of soapy water along the length of the gas pipes, particularly near the joints. A gas leakage would result in the formation of bubbles in the soapy water.
• If you have a gas leak detector or a carbon monoxide detector at home, you may observe the readings for changes.
• In case if there is a leak in the pipeline, you might be able to hear a hissing sound when close to it.

Unusually high gas bills are also a sign of gas leakage, in case if the leakage is too little to cause any smell in the air.

It is possible for you to get your gas meter relocated in case if you feel that it would offer better functionality if placed elsewhere. However, this is a job that requires trained and licenced professionals. You may get the metre relocated either by a utility service provider or a reputable gas fitting company in the area. The leading companies hire experienced has fitters who specialise in this field and would be able to get the job done safely. Gas meter relocation also involves a number of industry standards and regulations to be followed. Hiring a reliable company, would, therefore save you from unnecessary hassles in the future.

There can be a number of reasons why your water heater is not giving any hot water. You would first have to assess the exact problem- whether the heater is not heating water at all or if the heating is inadequate. Here are some of the common causes behind faulty water heaters:

• Water heaters generally have a lifespan of ten years and can start failing after that period.
• Heavy sedimentation inside the water tank would reduce the volume of water that can be heated.
• Inadequate insulation over the pipes can cause the heat to escape, especially during winter.

Once the cause of the failure is assessed, the heater can be repaired or replaced as necessary.

Whether you can use a leaking water heater or not really depends on the type of leakage. If it is just a minor leak near the TPR valve, you don’t need to get worried about it yet. It is quite a common issue and does not pose a threat. However, if it turns out to be a major leakage from the top of the water heater or any other part, you might want to get it fixed by a professional immediately. It is best to hire a licensed plumber from a reliable company as a water heater is a major electrical device and damages due to untrained handling can be quite expensive.

If multiple outlets are running at the same time, it might cause the water pressure to fall below the usual pressure. Other than that, several problems in the heater can lead to a low pressure.

• Water leaks in the piping would cause water to escape and lower the pressure.
• Clogged pipes can result in very low water pressure, as the volume of water flowing through them would be greatly reduced.
• When the fixtures, such as taps and showerheads get faulty due to ageing, the water pressure may fall.

Low water pressure in the heater can also result from the valve being partially shut off.

Usually, hot water systems from well-known brands have a lifespan of eight to ten years. This is why it is recommended to choose a good brand while getting the heater installed. However, you may keep the water heating system lasting for its entire life expectancy by taking good care of it and making sure that regular maintenances take place. For instance, you might want to check the TPR valve a few times every year to make sure that there is no sediment build-up. Professional maintenance services would prove helpful too. With adequate care, you can greatly increase the heater’s lifespan.

There are several brands that offer hot water systems. Some of the most reputed ones among them are Therman, Rheem, Everhot and Rinnai. Choosing the right brand is crucial, as the hot water systems from the leading brands have a long lifespan and would last relatively longer before they need to be replaced. A quality water heater would also require maintenance and repairs less frequently, thus helping you save money over the long run. A good plumbing company that offers water heater installation services would be able to guide you in choosing a good brand and the right model for your home.

Flushing a hot water system refers to the process of draining out all the water from the tank. This is usually done by a professional plumber, to wash out sediment which accumulates in the water tank over time. Usually, water heaters are to be flushed once every year. However, in case if the water supplied to your home is hard water, you might need to flush the heater more often. It is advisable to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and deviate from it only if a licensed expert suggests otherwise. Flushing the water heating system at the right frequency would prevent a variety of problems from arising.

It is a common occurrence for the water in the shower to suddenly heat up when a toilet is flushed. This is because, in most homes, all the taps, showers and flushes in a bathroom are connected by the same cold-water pipe. Now, the shower and the taps are connected by an additional hot water pipe and the temperature is balanced as both the pipes supply water to the shower. When a toilet is flushed, a portion of the cold water is diverted to refill it and this causes the shower temperature to shoot up. Similarly, turning on a hot water tap would cause in the water from the shower to get colder.

The frequency at which your hot water system needs to be serviced depends on the manufacturer and the model. Regular servicing can increase the lifespan of the heater up to twenty years, while they are usually expected to last between eight and twelve years. It is recommended to check every few months if the relief valves of the system are working properly. Usually, they need to be replaced every five years or so. Professional and experienced plumbers can check on your water heating system and let you know about any issues. Regular servicing from reliable plumbing companies can keep your water heater running without any problems in the long term.

The most common cause of a leaking tap is a broken washer. If water continues to drip out of the tap even after it is turned off, the problem is likely originating from the washer. Here are a few steps in which it can be fixed:

• Plug the sink.
• Remove the tap button, tap handle, tap skirt and tab body in this order.
• Remove the washer and the jumper valve.
• Replace the washer with a new one of the same size.
• Put back all the parts of the tap together.
• Check if the tap is functioning properly and if it is still leaking.

If the problem isn’t fixed or you aren’t sure about being able to do it properly, you may also hire a plumber to take care of it.

A constantly running cistern is a common issue among the ones related to toilets. One of the most common signs of a running toilet is the constant sound of flowing water even when the cistern is supposed to fill up already. It not only wastes large volumes of water, but may also reduce the cistern from flushing at its full capacity as it wouldn’t be able to fill up. This is a problem that you would need professional help to fix. Until it is fixed, you might want to shut off water supply to the toilet when it is not in use, or even permanently if you have an alternative toilet.

A plumbing leak is usually a problem that would need to be fixed at the soonest as leaking pipes may deteriorate fast. However, the leak has to be detected in the first place and here are a few ways to do it:

• Look for water puddles, under sinks, or appliances such as water filters, from which water could possibly leak out.
• If you notice a patch of grass in your lawn which looks greener than the surrounding grass, there might be a leak in the pipes running under it.
• Pour some food colouring into the cistern of your toilets and wait to see if the colour trickles into the toilet bowl.

Other signs of a plumbing leak include discolouration of walls, dripping sounds, bubbling wall paint, etc.

Leaky water pipes pose a significant threat to your property and hence they should be fixed as soon as possible. Thankfully, a leakage in the plumbing is likely to show certain signs to indicate that it might need repairs.

• High water bills: If your water bills are absurdly high even though there hasn’t been much additional use of water in your home, a leaky pipe might be the reason.
• Damp walls and ceilings: A leakage in the pipes is likely to result in the dampness of the ceiling and drywall.
• Puddles: One of the most obvious signs of a pipe leakage is constant puddling of water in places that should otherwise remain dry.

A major water leak in your house is certainly an issue that requires immediate attention. Usually, such leaks cause large volumes of water to flow out uncontrollably, which might lead to expensive water bills and damages to your property. In case of a major leak, first shut off the water supply immediately to stop the water from flowing out. Next, look for a reliable plumbing company that offers emergency services round the clock. Request a quick visit to your home, so that their professionals can assess the problem and start working on resolving it. A major water leak should certainly be treated as an emergency, without any delays.

The variety of reasons for which a plumbing leak may occur is practically huge. However, there are some of the common causes behind them:

• Blocked drains: A blocked drain would result in excessive pressure within the pipes, causing them to leak.
• Broken seals: While pipe installation, seals are attached at the joints to keep them watertight. These seals may get corroded over the years.
• Tree roots: Often, trees growing near pipelines have roots that break into the pipes, causing leakage.

Other than these, there are also factors such as fluctuating water pressure and frequent changes in temperature.

The most common reason behind brown tap water is the formation of rust inside pipes as they get corroded. The rust may either flow out with water automatically as a result of excessive accumulation, or get loosened by an increase in water pressure. Often, it also occurs due to corrosion inside the water heater. An easy way to test this is to turn on the hot water tap once and the cold water tap once. If brown water flows out of only the first one, the problem obviously lies in the water heater. In this case you might want to get the pipes or the heater replaced.

This is often a result of poor workmanship during the installation of the pipes. If the piping isn’t secured properly, the movements may lead to such knocking sounds. Another reason behind it might be compressed air bubbles trapped within the pipes. As the air pushes against the water and the piping in order to get out, it creates noise. These aren’t a major reason for concern as neither of the two is likely to cause any damage. However, you might still want to get rid of the knocking sounds. In this case a plumber can help you out by getting rid of the trapped air or securing your piping properly.

Pipe relining is a popular and effective method used by the leading plumbing companies to repair cracked or broken pipes. In this process, a textile liner is coated with resin and inserted into the pipe, in the broken part. Eventually, it hardens and turns into an inner pipe, sealing up the crack. This inner pipe is durable and long lasting, as long as the materials used are of good quality. The pipe relining technique is particularly used to repair drain or sewer pipes, where a replacing a damaged pipe would have required it to be dug out of the ground.

Pipe relining is actually one of the most economic yet effective ways to repair a broken underground pipe, where replacing it wouldn’t be easy. In the past, the damaged pipes needed to be dug out of the ground, resulting in additional costs. It was a time-consuming process and the surrounding locality required rehabilitation. Pipe relining is comparatively far more eco-friendly, economical and does not cause much collateral damage. This technique requires less materials and digging and this cuts down the costs greatly. The leading plumbing companies also offer affordable payment plans that would make it easy for you to get the job done immediately.

A major water leak in your house is certainly an issue that requires immediate attention. Usually, such leaks cause large volumes of water to flow out uncontrollably, which might lead to expensive water bills and damages to your property. In case of a major leak, first shut off the water supply immediately to stop the water from flowing out. Next, look for a reliable plumbing company that offers emergency services round the clock. Request a quick visit to your home, so that their professionals can assess the problem and start working on resolving it. A major water leak should certainly be treated as an emergency, without any delays.

In case if an underground pipe gets damaged, it might need to be relined. However, it is necessary to know when the relining is necessary and get it done at the soonest to avoid further damages. Here are a few ways to check if your pipes need to be relined.

• If the water quality deteriorates, the pipes supplying water to your home might need to be relined as they are likely damaged.
• A damage in the drain pipes may result in an unpleasant odour in your yard.
• If the pipes were placed a long time ago and you are aware of it, you might want to hire plumbing services to get them checked.

Bends and junctions in pipelines are prone to damage and often require repairing. While relining a pipe, it is possible to reline these sections as well. The leading plumbing companies use sophisticated technologies that allow them to specifically reline the bends and junctions that have been damaged. This makes the entire process economic, as the relining is carried out only in the necessary sections rather than having to reline the entire pipe. Relining a pipe is a process that requires considerable expertise and the right equipment. There are various relining techniques and only a professional plumber would know which one is perfect for the situation.

Brawoliner is a German manufacturer producing high-quality plumbing solutions. One of the world’s leading brands in pipe relining technologies, they have come up with a relining material with a lifespan of fifty years. Thus, once the pipe is relined using Brawoliner technology, it is quite unlikely that you would need it to be repaired again any time soon. The felt liner created by Brawoliner is also eco-friendly and does of cause any collateral damage to the pipeline when handled by trained professionals. Reputable plumbing companies deploy Brawoliner technologies to present their clients with long lasting and quality relining solutions as needed.

In the past, pipe relining required a large area on the ground over the pipe to be dug up. Digging up an entire sewer pipe can be quite a mess and can pose a threat to the environment, apart from the damages to the property. However, the sophisticated trenchless pipe relining technologies are much more convenient. Here, the relining professionals first send a robotic camera into the pipe to check out the exact location where relining is needed. A couple of holes are dug and hydraulic equipment is used to insert a deflated pipe coated with the relining material. Once in position, the pipe is inflated and the relining material hardens in place.

The durability of a pipe relining would depend on the materials and equipment being used. When leading technologies such as Brawoliner are deployed, you may expect it to last for a long period of time. The repairing materials created by Brawoliner, for example, can last up to even fifty years. This is why, while getting the pipes relined it is advisable to hire a company that uses such quality materials. The expertise of the relining professionals also plays an important role, as various types of equipment need to be used while relining a pipe. As long as the services you hire are reliable, you may stay assured of the durability.

More or less any type of drainage or water supply pipe can be repaired, thanks to the modern technologies. The sophisticated relining techniques can solve a wide range of problems, which may result from various causes ranging from ageing to ingrowth of tree roots. Well-trained professionals are capable of repairing everything from simple small pipes to complex sewer systems. Currently, a variety of relining technologies and materials are available. A leading plumbing company would be able to provide repairing services for any pipe, as they possess the necessary equipment and employ enough professionals. For instance, relining techniques can be used to repair the pipes supplying water to your home as well as those used for drainage purposes.

If your stormwater drain starts to run off, it is likely due to a blockage somewhere inside it. Stormwater drains often get choked up by an accumulation of debris, leaves, foreign objects, etc. However, if it starts to overflow, the water will no longer go down the drain, and would flood your property instead. If this happens, you need to call plumbing experts immediately to have a look at the issue and unclog the drain. The reputed plumbing companies offer round the clock emergency services, and would send well-trained professionals equipped with all the necessary tools. Any delays may lead to major damages to your property due to the flooding.

A burst water main is one of the plumbing issues for which you would want to hire emergency services. Unless brought into control immediately, it can lead to the wastage of a large volume of water, and in turn result in an expensive water bill. Moreover, a burst water main also poses the threat of flooding your property. Here is what you can do:

• Shut off the main valve if possible.
• If the burst is on the surface and easily accessible, try to contain the water by diverting it to a drain.
• Call a reliable emergency plumbing service provider.

The plumbers would use the necessary equipment to detect the burst if it is not on the surface and get it fixed as fast as possible.

In case if you are unable to turn off a tap or a shower and the water starts to flood your home, you would have to contact a plumbing company immediately. However, you can perform the following steps to bring the situation under control till the plumbers arrive:

• Isolate the leaking water, either by collecting it in buckets or diverting it to a drain. The isolation is especially necessary if your property is at the risk of getting damaged.
• If you live in an apartment, turn off the main isolation valve. If it is a house, turn off the water main.

This should prevent the flooding, but you would have to hire emergency services to get the issue fixed as fast as possible.