To discuss installation, repair or replacement, contact us with your property details and a description of the issue. FXD can explain the next step and provide clear pricing before work begins.
Should I Repair or Replace My Gas Heater?
That depends on the fault, age and overall condition of the heater, as well as the practicality and cost of repair. A professional assessment can help you compare the options.
What Should I Do If I Suspect a Gas Leak?
Stop using the appliance and treat the situation as a safety concern. Do not attempt to repair the gas system yourself. You can review our gas leak guidance and contact a licensed professional for the appropriate next step.
Do Gas Heating Installations Need a Licensed Gasfitter?
Gas installation and related gas work should be completed by an appropriately licensed professional. FXD provides licensed gas fitting services in Sydney.
Do You Repair Gas Heaters?
Yes. FXD can assess gas heating faults and explain whether repair or replacement is the more suitable option based on the condition of the system.
Can FXD Install Gas Heating in Sydney?
Yes. FXD provides gas heating installation support across its Sydney service area. The exact work required depends on the appliance, property and existing gas setup.
Why do water pipes burst?
Cold weather is often the culprit of burst pipes. When temperatures drop and rise very suddenly, this sometimes causes pipes to burst. The cold temperature causes the water to freeze and expand the pipes. This causes pressure build-up, which can split the pipe when too high. Owners of older homes are more likely to encounter burst pipes. Burst pipes can cause expensive damage to your property. If you suspect your pipes have burst, shut off your water and, if necessary, the electricity. You should then call a plumber. Costs will depend on location of the pipe and severity of damage. If there is a build-up of water, use buckets to remove as much as possible. Call a plumber to fully fix the issue.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Do all frozen pipes burst?
Not all frozen pipes burst, but older pipes are at a higher risk of bursting. Burst pipes can cause expensive damage to your property. If you suspect your pipes have burst, shut off your water and, if necessary, the electricity. You should then call a plumber. Costs will depend on location of the pipe and severity of damage. If there is a build-up of water, use buckets to remove as much as possible. Call a plumber to fully fix the issue.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do you know if your pipes burst?
Your home is at highest risk for burst pipes when temperatures are very cold and then ruse suddenly. Inspect your home for active dripping water, damp walls and unusual odours. Check all of the faucets by turning on and off, and look for discolouration and odour. Examine your yard for sinkholes. Call a plumber to fully fix the issue.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What happens if your pipes burst?
Owners of older homes are more likely to encounter burst pipes. Burst pipes can cause expensive damage to your property. If you suspect your pipes have burst, shut off your water and, if necessary, the electricity. You should then call a plumber. Costs will depend on location of the pipe and severity of damage. If there is a build-up of water, use buckets to remove as much as possible. Call a plumber to fully fix the issue.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What to do if there’s a gas leak?
Gas is highly flammable, and gas leaks are an extreme potential danger. Leaks can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Signs of a gas leak do not always have a smell, but sometimes the smell may be similar to sulphur or rotten eggs. Other signs include hissing sounds near a gas line, white dust or clouds near the gas line, bubbles in the water and dead houseplants. Gas bills may also be higher than usual. You will likely have breathing difficulties and may experience flu-like symptoms. If there is a gas leak, evacuate the house immediately. Leave the doors open and call 000. Do not make a call from within the house, as this action could ignite the gas. NEVER attempt to repair the leak yourself or allow the situation to go unreported.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do I find a leak in my shower?
In most cases, shower leaks are caused by cracks in the grout. Signs of a shower leak often are mould or mildew around the shower, water stains on the ceiling below the shower and peeling paint. If this is not a leak, it could be a simple case of not closing the shower door completely when showering. Check for any cracks or separation between the grout and floor. You can easily replace the grout yourself, or hire a plumber to do so.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How can I waterproof my shower without removing tiles?
You can waterproof your shower without the hassle of removing tiles following these simple steps:
1. Remove any silicone sealant strips and soap build-up. Clean mould off grout tiles.
2. Use a sealant you can purchase from your local hardware store. Test the sealant in a small area first to test for discolouration.
3. Starting from the top of the wall, brush the sealant down the tiles and grout. Finish with the base of the shower.
4. Allow at least 15 minutes for the first application to dry, and then repeat another application.
5. Allow at least 15 minutes for the second application to dry, and then wipe down the shower with a dry cloth.
6. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours before using the shower.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Can a shower leak through grout?
A shower can only leak through grout if there are cracks in the grout. A sign of a shower leak through the grout is often stains on the ceiling below your bathroom. The water can easily get through the smallest of cracks, and this needs to be fixed immediately. If not fixed, the cracks will continue to expand and the leaks will cause more damage. You can easily fix this problem by replacing the grout yourself, or by calling a plumber. The new grout will typically take three days to dry completely.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How much does it cost to fix a leaky shower?
Many factors can increase or decrease the fixing of a leaky shower and can range from $200 to $600 dollars
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do I know if my drains are blocked?
A blocked drain can eventually cause damage and costs. It is best to fix the problem as soon as it arises. A blocked drain can be identified from a few signs:
1. Odour
Blocked drains emit odour if food is the cause. Food debris can sometimes get stuck in the pipes, and eventually starts to smell.
2. Slow Drainage
Any blockage will cause slow drainage. This is always one of the best signs of a blocked drain.
3. Raised Water Levels
If you flush your toilet and the water level rises higher than normal, the drains may be blocked. If the water overflows, this is a more serious problem with your drains.
4. Gurgling Sounds
If any strange gurgling sounds are heard from the pipes, this is another sign of blocked drains. These sounds mean air is trapped in the drain and is escaping when you run water.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Does vinegar unclog drains?
Vinegar can be used in combination with baking soda to unclog a drain. Follow the steps below for help unclogging a drain:
1. First, use a bucket to remove as much as the standing water as possible.
2. Then, remove any items you may find in and around the clogged drain. This could be food scraps, hair or other objects.
3. Pour ½ cups of baking soda into the clogged drain. Follow up with 1 cup of vinegar. Let the clogged drain sit for 15 minutes.
4. Slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to help loosen the clog.
5. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly around the lip of a plunger. This will create a seal between the plunger and the drain.
6. Place the plunger over the drain and plunge away!
Lastly, run water into the drain to see if the clog is fixed.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do you unclog a drain with standing water?
Unclogging a drain with standing water is an easy fix and can be done quickly with the following steps:
1. First, use a bucket to remove as much as the standing water as possible.
2. Then, remove any items you may find in and around the clogged drain. This could be food scraps, hair or other objects.
3. Pour ½ cups of baking soda into the clogged drain. Follow up with 1 cup of vinegar. Let the clogged drain sit for 15 minutes.
4. Slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to help loosen the clog.
5. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly around the lip of a plunger. This will create a seal between the plunger and the drain.
6. Place the plunger over the drain and plunge away!
7. Lastly, run water into the drain to see if the clog is fixed.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do u unclog a toilet without a plunger?
If you have a blocked toilet but don’t have a plunger handy, there some simple ways that you can unblock your toilet.
Go into the kitchen and pull out the dishwashing liquid. Simply pour a generous amount of dishwashing liquid down the toilet. The liquid is heavier than water and will make its way down the base of the outlet and sit on top of the blockage. Over an extended period of time, the dishwashing liquid will work its way through the blockage to be pushed through.
If the dishwashing liquid alone doesn’t help, simply add some hot water (not boiling water) to the pan to help move the blockage along the hot water will help dissolve the blockage. Boiling water will crack the cold porcelain, so try to avoid that.
If none of the above is working, go to your wardrobe and find a wire clothing hanger (preferably one with a plastic coating so that the wire doesn’t mark your toilet). Simply pull the clothes hanger apart so that it straight and insert it into the bottom of the toilet. Wiggle and jiggle it around until you unblock the toilet. The wire will break down the blockage, allowing the water to pass through.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What to put down a toilet to unblock it?
Your toilet is blocked and you have guests on their way. You need this issue resolved quickly. There a number of different ways to unblock that toilet.
The first way would to use a hand plunger to unblock the toilet. Place the hand plunger onto the outlet of the toilet and plunge away in and out is the most common way to unblock that toilet. This will allow your friends to come over never knowing what chaos you went through before they had arrived.
The second way would be to purchase a toilet auger. It basically is a hand eel rod that you send down the toilet and manoeuvre around your toilet S or P trap by rotating the handle clock wise. This will then reach the blockage and break it down and move it along unblocking your toilet.
The third option if you do not have a toilet auger or a hand plunger would be trying a natural remedy of 1 cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar. This will cause a chemical reaction and dissolve the toilet blockage.
If all else fails, call a licensed plumber as this may be an issue that isn’t within the toilet and could be a problem further down the line.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What causes toilet wax ring to leak?
If you in 2019 onwards have a toilet wax ring at the base of your toilet and it is leaking, it’s time to replace it. Toilet wax rings are old, outdated and not very commonly used in Australia anymore. The most common causes of the toilet wax to leak is old age, or if the toilet base has come loose and broken the wax seal to the toilet. Replacing this wax seal with another wax seal is simple and easy to do, but toilet wax is very hard to purchase in most Australian hardware stores.
Replacing the ring with a new modern pan collar rubber is more advisable and easier for you find at the local hardware.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Why does my toilet randomly run for a few seconds?
That random sound of your cistern filling with water is a painful sound specially if happens over and over again.
This is caused by your cistern leaking silently and without your knowledge of it happening. The cistern is leaking water slowly into your toilet bowl and the height of the level of water in your cistern is then turning your inlet valve on randomly to fill up. It may only run for a few seconds, but that’s enough to annoy even the most patient man or woman.
Repairing the leak in your cistern will then remove that unwanted random running of your toilet. The leak causing your cistern to randomly turn on is your outlet valve rubber. Changing that rubber will stop the random run for a few seconds.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do you stop a trickling toilet?
A trickling toilet leak can keep you up at night, cost you lots of money in extra water bills and if left for long enough stain the inside of your toilet.
Luckily enough there are simple ways to stop a trickling toilet.
A trickling toilet is caused by either the inlet or outlet valve. Both of these valves control the water in your cistern. Inlet valves control water coming into your cistern and the height at which it fills up to. The outlet valve controls the water leaving the cistern once you flush it.
When you pull the cistern lid off and find that water level is too high in the cistern, you can adjust the height of the inlet valve. On the more modern inlet valves, there will be a cross head screw control that you can wind in or out that will adjust the water level. On the older style, it is a matter of bending the float valve arm down so that the water will then shut off at a lower height. Sometimes replacing the inlet valve is the easiest way.
A simple change of this washer is all you need to eliminate the trickling water.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What is a silent toilet leak?
A silent leak is probably something that you have no idea is there or will ever realise, as it is silent and you cannot see it as the water is clear.
A silent leak can be caused by one of two things:
One could be a faulty outlet valve allowing a small amount of water to pass under the base washer and down through your flush pipe and into your toilet bowl.
The second could be a faulty inlet valve. A faulty inlet valve can be over filling your toilet cistern and allowing water to pass over into the overflow pipe in your cistern. This then drains into your toilet bowl causing a silent leak. Your inlet valve will then keep on filling up and continuing to leak.
A simple test to find if you have a silent leak is to turn off the water supply to your cistern at night, and if in the morning you don’t have any water in your cistern you have found yourself with a silent leak.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Why does my toilet leak from the base?
A leaking in and around your toilet can be a daunting task to start with because it seems disgusting.
When you notice that you have a leak at the base of your toilet, you need to try and establish whether it is coming from the base of your toilet or coming from another part of your toilet (i.e. the cistern or even the water supply pipe or valve).
The leak at the base of the toilet can be caused by:
You have a leaking pan collar- a pan collar is the rubber connection that seals your toilet bowl to the pipe coming through the floor, back or side walls.
Another scenario is that it could be leaking from the cistern rubber that connects your cistern to the toilet, if you have a cistern that sits on top of your toilet pan.
If your cistern is fixed on the wall, your flush pipe rubbers could be leaking. They are located under the cistern where the flush pipe connects to the cistern and where the flush pipe connects to the toilet.
You could also have a leak on the cistern water supply pipe or valve.
These are all repairable and can be purchased at hardware to do it yourself, or you can simply call a licensed plumber to help you out.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do you change a washer on a tap Australia?
Changing a tap washer is a simple and easy task. Below is a simple 10 step instruction on how to do just that:
Tool Check List
– Multigrips
– Long nose pliers
– Flat-head and Philips-head screw driver
– Shifter
– Allen keys
– Bucket
Materials check list
– 2x 1/2’ tap washers
– 2x 8mm o-rings
– Tap grease
Steps
1. Fill bucket 1/4 full with warm water and detergent (used to clean the tap later on)
2. Turn off water supply at water meter or under sink or basin at mini stop valves. (This isolates the water so you can pull them apart without making a big mess!)
3. Turn the taps on to drain the water and remove tap handles and cover domes. These generally screw off. (Draining the remaining pressure out of the taps also prevents a big mess!)
4. Removed spindles with a shifter (Put the shifter on the heaxangle shape at base of spinal using and turn counter-clockwise).
5. Remove old tap washer and dispose of.
6. Pull apart spindle (Unscrew centre spindle housing and remove o-ring from centre spindle. Then was the centre spindle to remove dirt build-up).
7. Install new o-ring to centre spinal and apply grease around o-ring (this allows the spindle to seal and makes it smoother to turn on and off).
8. Screw centre spinal back to spinal housing. Once screwed back together install new 1/2’ tap washer.
9. Re-install spinal with tap washer installed back to basin or sink. Make sure you tighten clockwise to prevent leaks. Refit cover dome and tap handle to spindle. Turn taps into off position.
10. Turn water back on where you originally turned it off.
Now test out your new handy work for correct tap operation.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do I fix a leaking mixer tap?
Leaking mixer taps look as though they are more complicated than your average hot and cold water taps.
Mixer taps are designed to look nice and not serviceable. But rest assured, you just need to know how to fix it. Often when you purchase your new mixer tap, it will come with instructions on how to pull apart the tap. Mixer taps have a ceramic cartridge that controls the supply to turn on and off. It’s either 35mm or 40mm in diameter.
If you still have the instructions from your tap when you bought it, simply follow the steps to access the cartridge. Make sure you isolate the water before you attempt to pull the mixer tap apart. Purchase a new cartridge and simply change it and put the tap back together. Turn the water back on and check to see if you have repaired your leaking mixer tap.
If you cannot repair the leak, contact your local plumber for further assistance with your leaking mixer tap.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
What causes a leaky tap?
A dripping tap in your home can be annoying and can cost you lots of money over the years. Fixing these leaking taps can save you money and lots of frustration.
Taps are made from either rubber or ceramic. These parts over time wear out and fail, which causes the tap to leak. Think about how many times a day, a week or even a year you turn your taps on. They wear out, nothing lasts forever. Changing these parts when servicing the tap will eliminate the leaks.
Another contributor that causes a leaking tap is a crack or indentation on the valve seat. When the tap is turned off and the water meets the valve seat, a crack or indentation means the seat cannot do its job and stop the water. The water creeps into the indentation or crack between the washer and the valve seat causing it to leak.
In some cases, if you have a mixer tap and it is leaking, the ceramic disc cartridge may be worn out.
Another factor that contributes to leaking taps and mixer taps is water pressure exceeding 500kpa. The higher the water pressure, the more pressure it puts on your taps. This in turn speeds up the failure of these ceramic and rubber parts.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
How do you stop water pipes from banging?
Picture this, it’s the middle of the night and you wake up and all you want is a glass of water. But you remember that if you turn that tap on and off, your pipes will start to sound like you’re playing the drums for a rock band.
How do you prevent this from happening so you can turn on your taps at any time you want without waking up the house?
The most common cause is a water hammer. Water hammer occurs when turning off the water at a tap and the water vibrates back down the line, causing pipes to bang and crash against each other or the wall.
In some houses there may be water chambers installed on the pipework that should have air in them. These pipes are designed to absorb the water stopping, meaning the water will hit the air cushion and prevent the loud bang. Overtime these chambers fill up with water and you lose the air chamber. The easiest way to get that back is to simply turn off your main water valve, open all of your taps and once the water stops, turn all taps back off. Then turn your main water supply back on. This will give the air chambers some air cushion and eliminate the banging.
Another cause is loose pipework. These vibrate against the clips or walls when water is turned off. Simply re-secure the pipework to make sure no pipework is loose. This will eliminate the banging sound.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.
Is water hammer dangerous?
Water hammer within your pipes is common, but we wouldn’t say it is dangerous. While it can create fittings on your pipework to become loose and fall off, these are not life-threatening issues. The worst that could possibly occur is a water leak. If you have excessive water hammering, you are at a high risk of finding a leak. Most pipework is located in your walls and under your house, so when a leak appears it will then damage your walls or under your house. Our tip would be as soon as you notice or hear the water hammer, that issue should be addressed straight away as to prevent more problems happening later on down the track. Water hammers can cost you a lot of money in damages.
To find out more contact Scott at FXD Plumbing Sydney Inner West or Call Now on 0428 795 498.