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While it may seem easy to fix a blocked drain at home with a little bit of DIY treatment, often the problem is worse, and you will need to call a plumber to come and sort the problem out. Plumbing problems can happen at all different times and not all plumbers work 24/7.


even a small leak can turn into something bigger within minutes and cause water damage to your home. Neglecting your plumbing is a problem that can lead to broken pipes. Water damage and bigger blockages. Don’t lose out in the long run and wait to call a plumber call one as soon as the problem is noticed. 

Here are a few reasons why you should have a plumber on speed dial:

Running water

Water problems are the biggest call-outs that plumbers get. You can get a leaky pipe anywhere in the home or office. You may think it’s only a small leak and it can easily be fixed however the drip can turn into a major leak fast which means you will need to turn off the whole water supply to stop it. Leaks that cannot be fixed easily will need to be handled by a qualified plumber.
If you see water everywhere then that is a big problem but then so is having no water. Sometimes you can have a leak and have water pouring out everywhere but then you can have no water too. You could have a variety of problems with your plumbing if you turn the taps on and get no hot or cold water. If this happens call a licensed plumber who will come to your home and find the problem and work out a plan to resolve it. Sometimes this might also turn out to be a big problem when the infrastructure is affected. In which case, you are advised to contact your local civil engineering body.

Frozen pipes

A homeowner’s worse nightmare is frozen pipes. If the water that is in your pipes freezes and then it expands it can crack the pipes if it is left too long which causes permanent damage. Do not procrastinate. Instead, contact a plumbing engineer straight away who will arrive at your home and carry out an inspection to see whether you do have frozen pipes or another problem within the pipework.
If no damage has occurred, then the plumber can get the pipes unfrozen for you and a solution put in place to avoid the problem in the future.

Gas leaks

Gas leaks are a serious problem that needs to be handled by a professional. Just one single small crack can cause a deadly explosion. You can have damaged pipelines for different reasons such as earthquakes, floods and construction. If you smell gas and no one has left anything on such as a stove, then you should get out of the home as soon as possible and call the right people. A technician will come and turn the gas off while they try and find the cause of the gas smell.

Most plumbing problems can be fixed quite easily with just a few tools. If you put drain cleaner down to fix the blockage but it doesn’t then you will need to contact a professional to deal with it. If you have lived in your home for years and years or even just recently built a home plumbing problems can occur at any time so ensure you have a 24/7 plumbers contact information on hand 

Why is having a plumber on speed dial important?

Another reason to hire a plumber is that they are equipped with professional equipments such as the drain camera. Below are some of the more common types of drain camera that is popular in the industry.

Vivax vCam-6

This drain camera from Vivax meglotech gives high definition resolution video feed with a daylight viewable screen measuring 9.7 inches with increased lighting. This gives you flexibility to be able to cover different rangers of inspections that are related to sewer inspections even in harsh conditions. This camera is built with increased profitability and productivity with accuracy, efficiency and reliability. It can be used for everyday use and is suited for contractors, maintenance supervisors, plumbers and inspectors. It is simple to work and is even easy to use for those that are new to the trade.

It has many different features from on the go charging to the four-hour battery life with both AC plus DC charging cables, HD video inspection with audio comments, text description, one-touch recording, levelling camera head and 1 TB hard drive. This drain camera has been designed with everything you need in mind and there is no way you will be disappointed.

Troglotech T804

This drain camera is designed to be fully portable, durable and reliable packed with many different features. If you need to carry a video recorder this drain camera comes with a high-resolution digital video recorder that comes all in the one display unit. It has a recording time of 8 hours with both touch playback and recording. A video recorder is a much-needed tool that can record directly to the CF card and has the option to transfer onto a DVD all onsite. The T804 is a self-levelling drain camera that is important when it comes to finding what is up and down the pipes, it can identify blockages and cracks. The meterage is shown on the screen so you can identify exactly where you are located in the pipes and where you can find the damage you can then make notes on the products typewriter. Yes, that is right it features a typewriter that allows you to write up to 9 pages of text and view in three different display modes. The text is autosaved so if you lose power the text is saved. This tool can also be used for insurances purposes also if you need to provide proof and video feeds. This is a tool that is packed with many different features that help to make your job that little bit easier. It might not be tough enough to handle surveillance inside a drainage infrastructure construction, but it will do the job for smaller tasks.

CCTV drain inspection camera

This is a drain inspector that is a good option for those on a budget. It does a good job and the camera is supplied with a new industrial class case. It has its own storage box that has an LCD screen, monitor and records the video footage all in real-time. Like the rest it even has the record video function then you can view it on a computer. There is plenty of choices here with options for a 40m drain camera or a 20m one also. This one-point camera is set at a good price and has a full inspection system that can cater for all the different types of drain inspections and needed.

When you are buying a drain camera you want to make sure that you buy quality and durability and a system that won’t let you down. The products above are different all in their own ways but still offer quality and reliability which is what you want when you are providing a professional service.

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We as people have a tendency to pay attention to plumbing when things are already going down the drain. While some of these problems can be fixed easily, they can reveal other problems you would not even know you had. Eventually, that can lead to bigger problems that can burn a hole in your budget. It is important that you know exactly what to look for and how to detect potential problems in your pipes. That little pitter-patter in the sink can turn into a scenario with water at your ankles. So, in an effort to pick up on the little things before it’s too late, here are some tell-tale signs to call the plumber. 

Low pressure

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you have to turn your bathroom or kitchen faucet all the way out just to get some water? This can be something simple as a clogged aerator that can be unscrewed and cleaned. If that doesn’t fix the problem, that means you probably have a pipe leaking somewhere in the house. It also helps to check with your neighbours because if they are having the same problem, it could be a major leak in the service line. The plumber would be able to come in, find the cause of the problem and fix the associated drains.

An unusual spike in the water bill

Every month when it’s time to pay the bills, you normally have a rough idea of what to expect based on what you use. All of a sudden, your next water bill spikes a few hundred dollars that leave you wondering how come, when the kids are at their uncle for the summer. That is more than a reason to give the plumber a call. 

Slow-draining sinks

In some cases, you might be doing the dishes and the water is taking a long time to drain away. This is one of the more obvious signs that your kitchen sink should be on the early stages of being blocked. Moving away from the sink, you could be having a shower and notice the water is up to your ankles when it should be running off. The problem could be something simple enough for you to resolve on your own, but in other instances, it could be a bigger problem. Calling the plumber here would be your best choice instead of experimenting and making the problem worse. 

How Do You Know When You Need A Plumber

Dripping faucets

I turned the tap off properly, so why is it still dripping water? This is just another reason to have a plumber take a look around because those small drops add up over months. Before you know it, a couple of hundred gallons of water got wasted. To make things worse, you still have to pay for that water even though it wasn’t used. This just goes to show that dripping pipes should not be taken lightly because that’s money literally going down the drain.

Toilet running non-stop

This particular sign is hard to detect because it doesn’t bring a lot of noise. So it can go on for weeks or even months before anyone realizes. Even so, you may have flushed the toilet and came back a few hours later to hear it still running. This simply means water is constantly coming in and your bill is constantly rising. Getting the plumber to clear it up that is the best thing to seeing that plumbing might not be too high on your list.

Foul odour

If you happen to turn on one of your pipes and get hit by a rotten smell, you need to call your plumber right away. This could mean there is a break in the sewage line and it’s affecting the clean water being sent into the home. Leaving piping issues such as this one unattended will spell trouble for both you and the environment at large.  

Now, let’s talk a bit more about plumbing engineers and how they differ from a regular plumber. Although the term can be interchangeable, there are actually noticeable differences between regular plumbing services and plumbing engineering companies in Australia.

A lot of men and women are knowledgeable about the word "plumber", but whenever the words “plumbing” and “engineer" are thrown into the mix they don't realize there's a gap. If you require a repair on something like a bathroom, sink, tub, etc. then the plumber is that you wish to call. A plumbing engineer may perform each the things which a plumber does, however, the plumbing engineer offers the next level of professionalism in the plumbing industry.

A plumbing contractor is trained to look at the various pipes systems that operate throughout your home. Plumbing engineers are responsible for the safety of all the pipes while your house is being designed and then constructed. They are also in charge of making sure that the construction is completed as efficiently and quickly as possible. These engineers pick out the best products for your residence. The products they select are of the highest quality and durability. They are responsible for making certain the systems set in place will last long term. If you have a house that is heated using natural gas, then they were most likely in charge of putting that into place as well. If you are serious about your plumbing, contact your local plumbing engineer to book the latest engineering consultation for your coming construction.

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Do you know when it is the right time to sell your own home? You may have heard people saying that spring is the best time to sell but how true is this? Is it just an old wives’ tale that you will get a higher price for your home when you sell at a certain time?
When really is the best time to sell?

What’s the news with selling in spring?

Spring is known as the best time to sell a home, especially without an agent. The premise here is that after the cold of winter there are plenty more buyers getting out and looking around for properties. This means there is more competition for the houses which then drives the price range up. Gardens look their best in spring so if the garden is one of your features then you want a nice sunny day that will bring you the lightest possible.
People tend to be more active during the spring months as it is warming up and the sunshine seems to motivate people. If your home is fairly basic then it can backfire if you put your home up for sale in spring as there are so many being listed in spring it can get lost among the ones that have bigger features.
Autumn can also be a good time to look at selling as there isn’t a hugely competitive market like there is in the springtime.  Buyers tend to take time off in the summer holidays which is when they spend time researching the homes on the market. This will be the ideal time for you to take action on the home decision you had locked up. If you act on it now, chances are that you get what you’ve been eyeing on before it gets competitive in the market.

Homes and cars

Where the market is: You need to know whether it is a seller’s or buyer’s market. You need to research the market and research the number of listings as to how much the houses similar to your home are selling for. Is the market undersupplied or oversupplied?

Your own requirements: There is more to it than just the season that you need to think about when selling your home. Do you really need to sell yet? If the market doesn’t seem good atm then can you put off selling?  Sometimes for reasons like divorce, baby on the way or financial reasons you may not be able to hold off, but it is a good idea to check the market is perfect before listing.

The location: Beach homes should be advertised during the hotter months whereas a home full of gardens and plants should be advertised during the springtime. Homes will present better at certain times of the year. If your home tends to puddle water and the backyard looks like a pig pen during winter rain days, then avoid advertising during this time and aim for summer when everything has dried. Know when your home feels most fresh and looks its best before you advertise. Spring still remains a popular time as people love to advertise when flowers are in their full bloom and the weather is nice and encouraging. Make the most of your outdoor area in the springtime and ensure it is up to scratch before the open house. If your home has a fireplace and your advertising in the winter light the fire and gives people, the sense of warmth and comfort.

 

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How to Make Your Home Safer

 

Burglaries happen every 15 seconds in America. Even more, Stressing for new homeowners is that 73 per cent of these robberies happen to residential properties.

One of the top priorities when going into a home, so here are the first ten things you ought to do to help secure your new home.

 

  1.    Secure the doors.

Perform a review of not just your front door but doors around your dwelling. Ensure the frames are strong, the hinges are protected, the timber isn't hollow, and, if your door has a mailbox, that someone cannot reach through it to unlock the door. The front door may be a nice focus of your house but do not sacrifice safety for a pretty view. If your door does not have a peephole or a deadbolt, you should install those immediately to make the door even more protected.

 

  1.    Lock the windows.

The latches on windows is not effective every time, some time they prove to be very flimsy. Replace them or key-operated levers to help beef up your security. You might also think about inserting tempered or laminated glass for a stronger hold. Out of all burglaries, about 23% occur from the first story window, but don’t forget about the cellar windows and second story window.

 

  1.     Buy a security system.

Some kind of security system, whether it is a fundamental DIY installation or a fully monitored smart system. Assess the needs for your region and pick a system you are comfortable with. A few of the fundamentals to consider including an alarm, motion sensors for the doors and windows, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

 

  1.    Meet the Neighbors.

A useful first line of defence against a house invasion. They know the area and will keep an eye on your home when you're away -- but they cannot do that if they do not know you. Make an effort to meet your neighbours and form good relationships so you will have people to rely on. If something fishy is happening in your town, a fantastic neighbour will call and let you know.

  1.    Perform a Mock Burglary.

Now that you have made Friends with the neighbours have among these walks around and through your home to search for things that are not secure. A mock burglary can give you great insight into areas of your safety program which may need tightening up.

 

  1.    Find your Resources.

Find information on Contacting the local authorities, check for a neighbourhood watch program, and see what other sources your neighbourhood has available to help in home safety? Some local police forces will send an officer over to offer you tips on securing your home for your loved ones.

 

  1.    Light up the Landscape.

The FBI states the majority of burglaries occur during the day, probably when you are on the job. But that does not mean that you do not need to secure your house at night. Place lights around your front and rear yard. Use lights which come equipped with motion sensors for more protection. An intruder may be less likely to break in if there's a spotlight on them.

 

  1.    Eliminate hiding places.

Offer your home curb appeal, but they also provide burglars with a convenient place to hide. Trim down plants and trees near your home that may be used for cover and opt for smaller flowers instead.

 

  1.    Add security signs.

Many security Providers also have yard signs and window stickers with safety bundles to help deter potential thieves. If you've got them, put them up. If you do not have a security program, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of bogus signage. Sometimes the belief that there is a safety system inside can be as powerful as actually having one.

 

  1.    Make a plan.

It is not enough to Have security measures in place -- you need a plan if they fail. Home. Establish rules for opening the door for strangers, locking the doors and ensure your kids Know what to do if a break-in happens and have an exit strategy in case of a fire or other catastrophe.

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If you are planning to do a bathroom renovation, it is vital that you get the details right. So, if you're looking for a range of handy tips and techniques that will assist you to turn your tired and glistening bathroom into a relaxing and luxurious retreat, you have come to the perfect location.

Before You Begin thinking about designing ideas, colors and picking shower heads and tiles, you want to sit down and work out precisely what you would like to achieve with your bathroom renovation. What the bathroom is going to be used for any features on your own list. Once that is done you can begin to plan the finer details.

 

There Are Lots of features and variables you'll need to think about when planning your bathroom renovation, such as:

 

Layout

The Ideal design is essential to make a Functional and comfortable space, so think about ambience, restraint and flow when choosing your bathroom layout. Speak to an architect or a builder about the operation and design of the space. There are numerous floorplan options available, but the existing plumbing may minimize the options. When designing the layout just consider the qualities you want in your toilet, such as maximising natural light.

Shower

A bathroom that will find the most use. From picking a display for privacy to deciding on a shower head to sourcing the ideal water flow, there is plenty to consider when selecting your shower. You may choose a hand-held or fixed shower head, massage showers, waterfall showers and large - and low-pressure jets. Concerning shower screens, would you like a framed, frameless or semi-frameless screen or maybe no screen in any way?

 

Bath

A modern bathtub is a must -- and there is a seemingly limitless assortment of beautiful designs to select from. There are freestanding tubs which are statement bits in their own right, recessed bathrooms that use minimal distance, easy-access baths for the elderly or people with a disability, in addition, to complete jacuzzi setups for a bit of luxury. However, if you reside in a second-storey home, be cautious of having a bath on the second floor as the burden of a complete bathtub may put pressure on the top floor. The quantity of space available is going to have a large influence on the tub you select.

 

Vanity and basin

Your spouse is usually getting ready at the same time, could the distance benefit from his and hers sink? Ample storage space is vital for any vanity, while looks shouldn't be neglected in order to guarantee that the dressing table you choose matches the rest of the toilet. The ideal vanity will combine great looks and convenient storage options with loads of usable bench space. From wall-mounted vanities to cupboard vanities and even minimalist vanities using an easy shelf system, there is an enormous variety of choices available.

 

Tiles

Specifying the appearance and ambience of your toilet. From flooring tiles to wall tiles and even special feature borders picking the ideal tiles is imperative to the success of your bathroom renovation. It may also be an overwhelming process. You will need to take into account the ambience you want to create in your bathroom, your color scheme, the size of tiles you need and how they'll be laid out. By way of example, do you wish to use mirrored tiles to bring a sense of space into a small bathroom, or do you need tiles using a textured surface to make a unique and interesting feature? Tiles come in ceramic, glass, natural stone, porcelain and clay, so research the appearances and advantages of each choice before making your selection.

 

Storage space

Vanity cabinets, drawers and shelves are the obvious areas to keep your things, so they do not clutter up the rest of your bathroom, but there is a lot more you can do to increase storage space. There are several internal hardware options available to use up the available space. Even installing a straightforward ledge-style shelf can keep the dressing table top free of clutter.

 

Lighting

Last but surely not least do not overlook the significance of light in creating a refreshing and welcoming space. The bathroom is 1 area of the house where it is important to be able to see Clearly, but where you can also unwind in comfort if that is what you feel like doing. Whether you're looking for soft LED downlight, a characteristic pendant That stands out or the heat of natural lighting, include lighting Considerations in your primary renovation plan. While you might also want to think about heating bulbs if you live in a cold location. The other thing to remember when choosing lighting is energy use.

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Though trees are dormant through the winter, they are not shielded from the elements such as a hibernating animal that pops in for a cozy place. Trees fully experience the raw condition of the chilly season.

Wintry conditions are stressful for trees, particularly the ones that have just been recently planted or the younger trees which lack the necessary defense mechanisms like a good root system or strong, thick bark. Discover how to protect trees and let them survive the winter in Melbourne and flourish in years to come.

Why is pruning significant?

Long-term pruning management will guarantee your trees continue to present the aesthetic worth and function they planned. Proper pruning, when done carefully, can improve the attractiveness and health of your trees, while reducing the possibility of loss of limbs or other problems during winter storms.

Pruning trees and shrubs is a yearlong commitment for us at Beaver Tree Services, as well as every passing month, the approaches we use to prune trees safely and efficiently experience changes. As you probably know, Australian climate could be very stressful. However, just how and when exactly should we approach our trees' midyear pruning?

After the Cold Leaves

In other words, late winter is the ideal time for pruning for the reasons individuals may not normally expect. This mid-August interval is not as concerned with shearing branches and much more with all the prolonging of a shrub's survivability until the following winter season. It helps to diagnose the tree's disease following the four seasons have gone by, and pinpoint which portions of the tree require trimming the maximum, or those which need structural corrections.

Jeffrey Ward, a professional arborist had said that new expansion in trees starts in late summer. As sap starts to flow, there's hidden formation of fresh bark cambium and fresh vascular tissue at the tree.

Since the Leaves Spring

The existence of sap provides us with information concerning the tree's inner structure. The understanding of this is important because the plant preparing to flourish for spring is essential for individuals arborists to determine the way to prune the shrub, and also what additional weak points it can have.

It's simpler for us to identify and fix defects like cracked or crossed branches throughout late winter. As expansion resumes, trees start to develop the callus tissue, which gives us a clue of how to work with the tree's natural recovery process before spring starts.

Before winter finishes, we will need to have completed trimming the tree down to size. This enables them more space to grow for the months after. It also guarantees they are in best condition to endure the diseases and the unpleasant weather the subsequent three seasons will bring.

Safeguard

Rabbits and small rodents really like to gnaw the bark on young trees. Typically they will destroy the inner and outer bark, exposing internal timber. If gum damage happens halfway around the back, the tree probably won't last. Block rodents by protecting trunks with plastic tree guards, beginning from the base and working upwards. Remove the wrapping in the spring. Another option is to cage trunks with stainless steel wire mesh panels, which will also prevent people, deer or other larger animals from rubbing against the trunk.

Any cloth materials (eg old sheets, drapes, shade cloth) can do in a pinch, but for your information, there is a specialized material referred to as 'suspend fabric ',''horticultural fleece' or 'thermal controller cloth'. Draping frost cloth over trees or shrubs and fastening it to the floor with bricks helps to trap heat that is accumulated in the soil throughout the day and releases it slowly through the night, preventing frost creation. It may be left for extended intervals, night and day since it permits rain and roughly 70 percent of light in.

On a warmer day, the ground will accumulate warmth. Overnight, the soil will eliminate heat as air temperature drops. The concept of these covers is to trap the heat from the ground and keep warmer air down around the plant, thus preventing the rapid surface cooling conducive to frost formation. The second prong for this way is the cover itself becomes the surface where the moisture dissipates, in place of the plant cells.

'Upcycled' covers should frequently be folded back or taken off during the day-time so that light can get to the plant. This is also done to protect against overheating which could easily occur under vinyl or plastic. The benefit of this commercially available frost-cloth is the fact that it may stay over the crops for extended intervals if needed: it will offer an insulating coating whilst still permitting at least 70% light transmission; also, unlike vinyl, it allows air and rain to permeate through. These covers usually need frames for it. Opt for stronger frames made of steel, which are produced locally in a steel fabrication facility in Dandenong.

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NOISY BLIND OPERATION

On occasion, on larger shades, there’s a part which keeps the long metal strips rubbing against what’s called the head rail, moves out of its position. This piece is just a small plastic part that all the spears run through. All you have to do is push this plastic part to the end of the metal spears and this will eliminate the noise.

BLIND SLATS THAT WILL NOT GO LOWER

  1. Grab hold of your lift cords and hold level with the headrail and gently pull. This will release the cord lock. If by any chance this does not fix the issue, take the blind out of the window.
  2. Find the cord lock mechanism in the head rail. There you should see a pin. Use a flat head (be do not come in contact with the cording) screwdriver, turn the screwdriver perpendicular to your head rail.
  3. By pushing the pin in, this will disengage the cords. The second you release the pin, the slats will quickly lower.

 HOW TO REPLACE A TILTER

  1. Remove the blind completely from your window. If its a wand tilt, also remove the wand. Remove the tassels if it’s a cord tilt.
  2. Remove the metal end piece or plastic end cap located on the head rail. Then you need to slide the tilt rod out but only enough to clear the tilter. Replace the tilter and then very gently push it down until it snaps back into its original position.
  3. Test the tilter shaft until the flat part of it lines up with the flat part inside the tilter.
  4. And finally, push the rod back through the tilter and replace the end cap. If you have a cord tilt, the tassels should be even when the blind is in its open position. Only then should you attach the tassels after the cord tilter has been installed.

WHEN BLIND SLATS WILL NOT TILT

Often times the tilt rod will become disconnected from the tilt mechanism which is in the head rail. This can happen during handling at shipment. This can cause the tilt mechanism to move as the slats remain in place. A simple fix to this is: first remove the blind from your window. Look at the head rail and you will see a long metal rod that runs the length of your head rail. This is where the tilt mechanism is housed. By gently pushing the end of the tilt rod you can push it back into the space where the tilt mechanism is housed.