Bendigo Plumbing and Gas
Water and Gas Emergency Tips
BURST WATER PIPE
TURN OFF THE WATER METER: To isolate water to the property turn the tap handle on the water meter clockwise. The water meter is most often found at the front boundary of your property near your garden tap.
In units, the water meter to your dwelling is at the front or rear of your unit. There may also be a meter at the front of the complex which will turn off the water to the entire block of units.
Below ground water meters may require a screwdriver to open the lid to gain access to the water meter.
Most water meters have a tap on the inlet side and more recent styles have a ball valve isolation.
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Tap Style: Turn tap clockwise to isolate incoming water to the property.
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Ball Valve Style: Turn clockwise until handle locks off, typically it’s a ¼ turn.
Turning off the water meter will stop water flow to burst pipes on your property and eliminate the immediate emergency.
Bendigo Plumbing and Gas will locate and repair the issue.
SUSPECTED WATER LEAK
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Make sure all taps are turned off
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Go to the water meter and check if it is still ticking over - this could indicate a large leak.
For a smaller leak - read the water meter before you go to bed (making sure all taps are turned off), then read the meter again first thing in the morning (before flushing toilets or turning on any taps) to check if there has been an increase in the reading.
At Bendigo Plumbing and Gas we have the latest in leak detection technology to help locate any leaks underground or in walls.
We assess the plumbing throughout the premises, and perform a pressure test to confirm a leak.
Our acoustic listening device will help determine the location of the leak, without digging or dismantling walls or floors.
If you believe the water leak requires further investigation, call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
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LEAKING TOILET
If your toilet is leaking or running this can often be annoying and messy.
If the leak is severe, turn the cistern off via the cistern stop tap by turning it clockwise. This tap is usually located below the cistern on the right.
If the toilet is leaking waste, call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas immediately.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
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BLOCKED DRAINS
Blocked drains are usually only evident once the drain becomes entirely blocked and begins to overflow outside or the toilet bowl doesn’t drain properly.
A gurgling drain is typically the best indicator that your drains are beginning to block and should be acted on immediately to prevent emergency situations from occurring.
If you are experiencing blocked or overflowing drains, cease using any water in the property and call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas immediately.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
If your blockage is minor and is not posing any health or safety risks, try to identify what fixtures in the property cause the drain to backup or gurgle and avoid using them until the drains have been unblocked.
If you have multiple toilets identify which toilet (if not both) is contributing to the blockage and avoid using it until the blockage is rectified.
A clogged sewer drain is a very serious problem that can be considered a plumbing emergency.
Since the water has no place to go it will all come back up into the household plumbing in one way or another. When you have a sewer drain clog you should not use any of the plumbing in the home until the stoppage is cleared.
A very obvious sign of a sewer drain clog is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time. Most of the time toilets are affected by this but other fixtures can also be involved. If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog start by checking all fixtures in the home.
All homes should have an ORG (Overflow Relief Gully – see pictures). If water is flowing up and out of the ORG this confirms that you have a blocked sewer drain. Call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas immediately, if you are renting please contact your property manager immediately and advise them of the situation.
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SUSPECTED GAS LEAK
If you smell gas in your home or property and suspect you have a gas leak, immediately locate your gas meter and isolate the entire gas service.
TURN OFF THE GAS METER: All gas meters have an isolation valve located on the incoming gas main pipe.
The gas meter is usually located at the side of your house or building.
The isolation valve usually has a red or yellow handle but can differ, and is generally a ¼ turn valve. Turn the lever or handle 90 degrees from its original position or for LPG cylinders, turn the tap clockwise then call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas immediately.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
IMPORTANT: If you suspect that your leak is coming from your gas meter, you need to contact your gas provider to attend to the leak prior to contacting Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
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NO HOT WATER
Let's troubleshoot your hot water issue.
Is your Hot Water Service - Gas, Electric or Solar?
Gas Hot Water Service:
Is the pilot light to the unit on?
Are the other gas appliances working?
If the pilot light cannot be re-lit, call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
If the pilot light is lit and there is still not hot water call Bendigo Plumbing & Gas.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
Electric Hot Water Service:
Is the power connected and turned on?
If the unit has power and is not delivering hot water, call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
Solar Hot Water Service:
We recommended that no adjustments are made to solar hot water services, please call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
Gas boosted HWS – wall mounted
Gas boosted HWS – tank mounted
Water coming directly out of the unit:
If water is coming directly out of the unit, immediately turn off the water supply at the meter and call Bendigo Plumbing and Gas.
If you are renting, please contact your property manager and advise them of the situation.
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