Your home plumbing health check
Most plumbing problems give warning signs long before they become expensive: a slow drain, a hose starting to rust, a hot water system that's getting old, a meter that creeps when everything's off. A regular health check catches these early, while they're small and cheap to fix. Here's what a good check covers, what you can look at yourself, and how often to do it.
What you can check yourself
- Meter test: turn everything off, note the water meter reading, wait an hour and check again. Movement means a leak. See our hidden water leak guide.
- Toilets: a few drops of food colouring in each cistern. Colour in the bowl without flushing means a leak.
- Under sinks: look for damp, swollen cupboard bases, rusty flexi hoses and dripping traps.
- Hot water: check the age on the label, water around the base, and whether the relief valve drips constantly.
- Drains: note any that are slow or gurgle.
- Outside: clear gutters, downpipes and stormwater pits, and check the overflow gully isn't covered.
What a plumber's health check adds
Water pressure test
High pressure wears out everything. A test shows whether a pressure limiting valve is needed. See PLVs.
Hot water system check
Relief valve, anode, tempering valve and bathroom water temperature. See safe hot water temperature.
Every flexi hose and valve
Checked for rust, bulges and leaks, and the main valve tested to make sure it shuts.
Drains and gas
Slow drains checked, and gas appliances and pipework looked over for safety.
How often?
Once a year is a good rhythm for most homes, and before winter is ideal, when heaters come on and hot water works hardest. Older homes with original pipes, homes with rainwater tanks, and homes with a history of blockages benefit the most.
The Priority Plan
Our Priority Plan includes a free annual plumbing health check, along with priority booking and a discount on work for the year. Any problems we find come with options and a fixed price before any work starts.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
What is a plumbing health check?
A check of your home's water, drainage, hot water and gas to find small problems before they become big ones.
How often should I get a plumbing check?
Once a year suits most homes, ideally before winter.
What can I check myself?
The water meter for leaks, toilets with food colouring, under-sink hoses, the hot water system and slow drains.
Is a plumbing health check worth it?
It often catches leaks, failing hoses and worn valves early, when they're far cheaper to fix.
Related help: Priority Plan, flexi hoses, hidden water leak guide, going on holiday and regular drain cleaning. Local pages: Matraville, Maroubra, Pagewood and Botany. Browse all our plumbing guides.