Wet areas can be the site of all sorts of household crises. From leaks to mould, regular maintenance is a must! We found a great article on realestate.com.au that goes through the signs and maintenance needed to keep your kitchen and bathroom in top shape.
1. Your sink is gurgling
One sign that there’s a block in your pipes is if your drains are making a gurgling sound.
Blocked drains in the kitchen often occur because food scraps, oil and grease build up in the drain — this results in poor drainage.
In the bathroom, common drain blockages include hair and soap scum — try to have a filter to catch hair.
The appropriate fix will include use of a plunger, a drain auger or a comprehensive hydro jet drain clean that breaks up stubborn blockages and washes the waste away to the sewer.
2. Suspicious spots on your walls
There are two types of spots or stains that you may discover on walls — removable scuff marks or those that set in over time.
If there are spots or stains forming on your walls, ceiling or floors, that’s a sign of moisture build-up — a potential sign that your pipes could be leaking.
One way to check if your pipes are leaking is to shut off the mains to your home and see if your water meter is still running. You might also receive a hefty bill that doesn’t match your water usage.
3. Chipping paint or efflorescence
Rising damp occurs when moisture from underneath a home seeps into the internal walls via the ground. It can be a costly problem that destroys foundations and leads to harmful mould and bacteria growth.
While the most common sign of rising damp is probably a stain that appears to be ‘rising’ up your walls from the floor, chipping paint or efflorescence are two other warning signs to heed.
Inside, rising damp may look like paint bubbling, flaking or chipping off your walls and the wall looking as though it’s rotting.
If you have a brick home, you might see it outside via a white, chalky powder coating your bricks. This is caused by moisture moving through the brick, leaching minerals out from within the material to form salt deposits. This is known as efflorescence.
Rising damp can be a costly problem that destroys foundations and leads to harmful mould and bacteria growth.
The best treatment for rising damp is to create a new damp-proofing course throughout the home. You have to stop the spread of moisture in its tracks. Modern processes include drilling into brick and masonry before filling the gaps with a damp course cream of fluid. It’s a strong watertight barrier against rising levels of moisture.
4. No hot water
No hot water could also be a sign something is wrong with your hot water heater.
Before calling a professional, make sure the hot water system is still receiving electricity or natural gas, that the pilot light is still lit and that the valves remain open.
Further issues warrant the aid of a plumber who can check that the hot water system’s thermostat works correctly and check for further malfunctions. A leaking system can also be the issue and this should be obvious through signs of pooling water.
Prevention is your best bet for a long-lasting hot water system. Have a plumber come out for an annual service and they can make sure it’s in tip-top shape so you can get the most out of your system.
5. Poor water pressure
There can be many reasons for poor water pressure, but David outlines a few of the more insidious ones:
Leaking or clogged pipes can reduce the pressure, so can corroded pipes and fixtures. The water pressure regulator could fail or possibly the old pipes are the incorrect size for modern fixtures and hot water systems. Or it might just be a cheap or water saving shower head that can’t achieve the desired pressure and so it might be time to upgrade.
6. Old, leaky taps
The common cause of leaking taps is attributed to the internal o-ring or washer failing — it’s likely that this seal has worn away and allows water to seep through.
But the problem could be any number of causes including loose parts from poor installation or years of use. The problem could also be excessive water pressure. Australian standards dictate that water pressure cannot exceed 500 kPa. The pressure can lead to serious damage if left untreated. Early warning signs include leaks and banging within the pipes.
Source – realestate.com.au
Image – The Property Co. Group
