Maintenance Plumbing.Done Right.

Why maintenance matters

Most plumbing emergencies start as small faults that nobody dealt with: a weeping valve, a slow drain, a hot water relief valve that drips, a tap that never quite shuts off. Looking at them on your terms costs less than dealing with them in the middle of the night, and it gives you a chance to plan replacements instead of reacting.

What a maintenance visit covers

A visit usually includes checking taps, toilets and cisterns, looking under sinks, testing isolation valves, checking water pressure, inspecting the hot water system and its relief valve, running drains and looking at gutters and downpipes. You get a list of what is fine, what needs attention soon and what can wait.

A simple home plumbing checklist

Once or twice a year, look under every sink for damp, watch the toilet for running water, turn each isolation valve to check it moves, look at the hot water unit for leaks and rust, clean gutters and check that downpipes drain away from the house. Write down anything you cannot fix, so you can book one visit for several jobs.

Seasonal checks

Before winter, check gas heaters, hot water and exposed pipes. Before storm season, clear gutters and pits and check roof drainage. Before summer holidays, check outdoor taps, hoses, irrigation and tanks, and know how to turn the water off if the house will be empty.

Small jobs done on the spot

Replacing a tap washer, tightening a loose connection, adjusting a cistern float or clearing a slow trap are quick when a plumber is already there. Gather them into a list and have them done in one visit, instead of booking separate visits.

For landlords, agents and strata managers

A regular schedule of checks reduces emergency calls. Keep a list of properties with the hot water system type, age and location, and the position of isolation valves. Fixing faults between tenancies is easier than arranging access during one. Our rental property plumbing page covers repair routines for rentals.

Keeping a record

Photograph the main tap, the meter and the hot water label. Keep invoices and compliance paperwork together. When the next plumber visits, they can see what has been done, and you can see how old each part is. The record also helps with insurance and with selling the house.

Ageing systems and when to plan

Hot water systems, pressure valves, flexible hoses and old galvanised pipes all have limited lives. Knowing the age of each lets you plan replacement over several years instead of facing several costs at once.

Questions people ask about maintenance

How often should I have a plumbing check?

Once a year suits many homes, and older homes or rentals may benefit from more often.

Can maintenance prevent a burst pipe?

It cannot guarantee it, but checking pressure, valves and old pipes can reduce the risk.

What should I do before a visit?

Write a list of faults and clear access to sinks, the hot water unit and the meter.

Do you check gas appliances?

Gas work is licensed work. Tell us what you want checked and we will say what can be done in one visit.

What to have ready for a maintenance visit

Write a list of every fault, however small, with the room and what you notice. Clear access to sinks, the hot water system, the meter and the gutters. Have any past invoices or compliance certificates to hand, and know the age of the hot water system. A prepared list means the plumber spends time fixing, not hunting.

In a rental, tell the tenant the date and the visit window, and confirm who will let the plumber in.

Common faults found during checks

Plumbers often find corroded isolation valves that will not turn, flexible hoses that are cracked, cisterns that run slowly, trap leaks inside cupboards, hot water relief valves that drip, loose tap spindles and gutters that hold water. Each is cheap to fix when found early, and much dearer when it fails during use.

Planning ahead for bigger jobs

Maintenance visits give you a view of what will need replacing in the next few years: a hot water system, old galvanised pipes, a tired toilet or a failing drain. Ask for a short written list, in order of urgency. You can then spread costs and choose the time, rather than being forced into a decision during a failure.

A simple routine for homeowners

Once or twice a year, check under sinks and around the toilet base for damp, run each tap and look for drips, check the hot water relief valve for continuous dripping, clear gutters and stormwater pits, and check the water meter for movement when everything is off. These small checks catch problems when they are cheap to fix.

Keep notes with dates. A record of what you checked and what you found helps a plumber diagnose faster and helps in any insurance claim.

Planned visits compared with emergency calls

A planned visit lets you choose the time, compare options and fix things before they fail. An emergency call usually costs more, may be at an awkward hour and leaves less room for choice. Ask the plumber to list issues by urgency, so you know what must be done now and what can wait.

Older homes and rentals benefit most. A short list of faults to fix over several months is easier on a budget than a burst pipe in winter.

What a maintenance visit usually covers

A maintenance visit typically includes checking taps and toilets for leaks and wear, testing isolation valves, checking the hot water system's relief valve and visible pipework, inspecting gutters and downpipes, and looking at drains for slow flow. Ask for a written list of what was checked and what was found.

The list becomes a record. If you rent out the home, it also shows the care taken. Ask the plumber to list faults by urgency, with a note of what is a repair and what is a replacement.

Guides worth reading

• How Often Should You Service Your Plumbing?
• Plumbing Tips for Landlords and Property Managers
• Winter Plumbing Checklist for Geelong and Melbourne

Related plumbing services

• Rental Property Plumbing: Plumbing repairs and checks for landlords and property managers.
• Commercial Plumbing: Plumbing for shops, offices, cafes and other commercial sites.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.