Ask A Plumber – Answers To Your Top 5 Plumbing Questions

With over 50 years experience as residential plumbers, here at Whitehead Plumbing we have seen it all! Everything from blocked pipes, leaky taps and floods to broken hot water cylinders and more!
Over the years, one thing has remained the same, we have noticed that homeowners often have the same core questions about their plumbing systems and that getting the right answers to these questions can help you save money, prevent emergencies, and keep your home running smoothly! Here are the top five questions we commonly get asked, along with our professional advice.

1. Why Is My Water Bill So High?

A sudden spike or unexplained rise in your water bill is a major red flag. This is because more often than not, a hidden leak is the culprit. The most common places to check for hidden leaks are:

• Toilets: The flapper seal can degrade over time, causing a constant, silent leak from the tank into the bowl. A simple dye test can confirm this. Just put a few drops of food colouring in the tank and wait 15 minutes. If colour appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
• Faucets/Taps/Shower Heads: A dripping faucet can waste hundreds of litres of water a year. While it seems minor, it does add up.
• In-Ground Irrigation Systems: These are notorious for hidden underground leaks that can go unnoticed for weeks or months. Look out for unusually green or lush patches on your lawn – this is always a telltale sign.

Our Expert Advice – If you’ve checked these common spots and still can’t find the source, it’s time to call in a professional. Plumbers have specialist tools to detect leaks behind walls and underground that you can’t see on your own.

2. Can I Use Chemical Drain Cleaners To Unclog A Drain?

While in some instances, drain cleaning chemicals can be of use, we strongly advise against using them on a regular basis. While they may seem like a quick fix, chemical drain cleaners are incredibly harsh, they can sometimes damage pipes and even make the problem worse!

The corrosive chemicals in drain cleaners can eat away at the inside of your pipes, especially older ones, leading to leaks and bigger problems down the line. Plus they often don’t remove the clog and can even make it a stickier, gunkier mess over time that is much harder to clear. Not to mention they are not exactly good for the environment and can be toxic to the local water supply.

Our Expert Advice – For simple clogs, start with a plunger or a simple hand-held snake. For tough blockages, it’s safer and more effective to call a plumber. They use professional-grade tools like a hydro-jetter or a drain snake to clear the entire blockage without damaging your pipes.

3. How Do I Prevent A Water Heater From Failing?

In most cases, the average lifespan of a traditional cylinder-style water heater is about 8 to 12 years. However, you can aid in keeping it going and improving its efficiency with some basic maintenance and upkeep, including:

• Flush The Tank: Sediment naturally builds up at the bottom of your hot water tank/cylinder over time. This sediment tends to make your water heater work harder and it can even cause it to rust from the inside out. Flushing the tank annually is a good way to remove this buildup.
• Check The Anode Rod: What is an anode rod? The anode rod is a metal rod (usually made of a more reactive metal like magnesium, aluminium, or zinc, with a steel core) that is designed to corrode before the tank does. Because the anode rod is more reactive than the steel of the tank, the corrosive elements in the water are drawn to it instead of the tank’s inner lining. But for this reason, it does need to be inspected every very few years, and replaced when necessary.
• Insulate The Pipes: Insulating the hot water pipes coming out of the hot water tank helps keep the water hotter for longer as it travels across your home to the taps or showers. This insulation works to keep the water warmer, which reduces energy costs (theoretically, less hot water is needed).

Our Expert Advice – Regular maintenance is key to maintaining your plumbing. If your hot water heater is over 10 years old, it’s a good idea to start budgeting for a replacement. Getting ahead of a failure can save you from a major leak and costly emergency repairs.

4. Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

Low water pressure is a concern because it can be a symptom of a bigger issue, some simple and some more serious. In fact, a sudden and significant drop in water pressure is considered a plumbing emergency that should be investigated immediately. Some of the more common reasons for low water pressure are:

• Clogged Aerators: Sometimes, over time, the small screens on your faucets can get clogged with mineral deposits. Unscrewing and cleaning these is a quick and easy fix.
• Failing Pressure Regulator: Most homes have a pressure regulator to prevent water pressure from getting too high. If it fails, it can restrict the flow, leading to low water pressure site-wide.
• Clogged Pipes Or Leaks: A serious clog in your main water line or a hidden leak can significantly reduce pressure throughout your home. These types of issues often build up over time leading to sometimes unnoticeable drops in water pressure until they become more serious.

Our Expert Advice – Start with the easy fix, checking and cleaning the faucet aerators. If that doesn’t work, contacting a plumber to diagnose the issue might be more convenient and save you time as they can check your home’s water pressure in different places and pinpoint the exact problem.

5. When Should I Call A Plumber Versus Trying A DIY Fix?

A very common question a lot of people face is when to call a plumber. While it’s tempting to save money with a DIY repair, the reality is that plumbing is definitely one of those areas where some problems are best left to the experts. You should always call a professional when…

• You have no water in your home
• You suspect a burst pipe
• You have a sewer backup or a major clog
• You’re dealing with a gas leak. (This is an immediate safety hazard—call the utility company and a plumber right away). The repair involves a complex system like a water heater, main sewer line, or new installation.

Our Expert Advice – If the plumbing issue could cause significant water damage or a safety risk, this constitutes a plumbing emergency – don’t hesitate and call your local plumber right away. They have the right tools and expertise to handle the job safely and correctly the first time, saving you from a much larger and more expensive problem down the road.

Need a residential plumber you can trust in Christchurch? Don’t let a leaky faucet or a cold shower disrupt your day. Whether it’s a small repair, a major installation, or a plumbing emergency, you need a local plumbing team that’s reliable, experienced, and dedicated to getting the job done right! Give the friendly team at Whitehead Plumbing & Gas a call today, and let us take care of all your plumbing needs!