After years of attending call-outs across the Sutherland Shire, I've seen first-hand which small habits prevent big problems — and which common mistakes lead to expensive repairs. Here are the five most valuable things every homeowner should know about their plumbing.
1. Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is
This is the single most important thing any homeowner should know, yet many have no idea where it is until a pipe bursts and water is streaming across the floor.
Your main water shut-off valve is typically located near your water meter, which is usually in a covered box near the front boundary of your property. In some homes, there is also an internal isolation valve — often near the laundry or under the kitchen sink.
Action step: Go and find your water meter right now. Locate the shut-off valve and make sure you can turn it off quickly. Show everyone in your household where it is. In a plumbing emergency, getting to this valve quickly can be the difference between minor water damage and tens of thousands of dollars of repairs.
2. Never Pour Fats, Oils or Grease Down the Drain
Blocked kitchen drains are one of the most common call-outs I attend — and the vast majority are caused by fats, oils and grease being poured down the sink. These substances are liquid when hot, but they solidify as they cool inside your pipes, gradually building up until the drain becomes completely blocked.
Common offenders include:
- Cooking oil and olive oil
- Butter and lard
- Meat fats and drippings
- Dairy products including milk and cream
- Sauces containing fat
Action step: Allow fats and oils to cool and solidify, then scrape them into the bin. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing. Install a sink strainer to catch food scraps, and occasionally flush your drain with boiling water to help dissolve minor build-up.
3. Do Not Ignore a Dripping Tap
A dripping tap might seem like a minor nuisance, but the numbers are sobering. A tap dripping just once per second wastes over 30 litres of water per day — that is more than 11,000 litres per year, and a significant cost on your water bill.
More importantly, a dripping tap is always a symptom of something wearing out — usually a washer, O-ring, or ceramic cartridge. If left unaddressed, the wear accelerates and what was a simple washer replacement can become a full tap replacement. A leaking tap can also indicate rising water pressure in your pipes, which puts strain on all of your plumbing fittings and flexi hoses.
Action step: Book a plumber to fix dripping taps promptly. It is a quick and inexpensive fix when caught early.
4. Use Drain Covers and Clean Them Regularly
Hair is the number one cause of blocked bathroom drains. A simple drain cover or hair catcher costs just a few dollars and sits over the drain to trap hair and debris before it enters your pipes. Without one, hair binds together in the drain trap and quickly creates a blockage that requires a plumber to clear.
The same principle applies to your kitchen sink — a strainer over the drain keeps food scraps out of your pipes.
Action step: Install drain covers in every shower and bath if you have not already. Clean them after each use — it takes seconds. This one habit will virtually eliminate bathroom drain blockages.
5. Schedule an Annual Plumbing Inspection
Most homeowners only call a plumber when something goes wrong. But just as you service your car annually, your home's plumbing benefits enormously from a regular check-up.
A professional plumbing inspection covers:
- All flexi hoses checked for age, wear and corrosion
- Taps and cisterns checked for drips and leaks
- Hot water system condition and anode rod inspection
- Water pressure checked (high pressure damages fittings and appliances)
- Drainage flow tested in all fixtures
- Visible pipe condition assessed
The cost of an annual inspection is a fraction of what a single emergency call-out or water damage claim will cost. It also gives you peace of mind and lets you plan and budget for any upcoming maintenance rather than being hit with unexpected expenses.
Action step: Book a plumbing inspection once a year, ideally before summer when hot water systems are under the most pressure.
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