7 Plumbing Checks Every Homeowner Should Do
7 Plumbing Checks Every Homeowner Should Do Each Year
Most plumbing problems start small and give you plenty of warning before they become expensive emergencies. An annual check of the most common failure points takes less than an hour and can save you significant money. Here's what to look for.
1. Check All Taps for Drips and Leaks
Turn on every tap in the house — kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, outdoor taps — and check for drips, leaks around the base, or difficulty turning. A dripping tap wastes significant water and usually indicates a worn washer that costs very little to replace. Don't forget to check under sinks for moisture, staining, or slow drips from supply pipes and drain connections.
2. Test Every Toilet for Running or Leaks
Use the dye test: add food colouring to the cistern and check after 10 minutes whether colour appears in the bowl without flushing. Also check for movement at the base of the toilet (can indicate a failed seal) and inspect the floor around the base for moisture or staining. A running toilet can waste hundreds of litres per day.
3. Check Your Hot Water System
Look for moisture, rust, or discolouration around the base and connections of your hot water unit. Check the pressure relief valve — there should be a small drain pipe running from it; moisture or mineral deposits on this pipe can indicate the valve is weeping. Note the age of your system. If it's over 10 years old, budget for a replacement within the next few years.
4. Inspect Under-Sink Cabinets
Under-sink cabinets are dark, hidden spaces where slow leaks can go unnoticed for a long time. Open every under-sink cabinet in the house and look for moisture, water stains, mould, or soft cabinet floors. Check both supply pipes (which are under pressure) and drain connections (which are not, but can leak from loose fittings). These are quick to fix if caught early.
5. Check Your Water Meter for Hidden Leaks
Turn off all water in the house, note the meter reading, and check it again after 30 minutes. Any movement indicates a hidden leak somewhere on your property. If you confirm a leak but can't find it, call a leak detection specialist. The sooner a hidden leak is found, the less damage it causes.
6. Test Your Drain Speed
Run all your sinks, showers, and baths and observe how quickly they drain. Any that are notably slow have a partial blockage forming. Catching slow drains early means a simple jet clean rather than an emergency callout for a complete blockage. Pay particular attention to floor drains in laundries, which are often forgotten until they overflow.
7. Check the Hot Water Temperature
Your hot water should be stored at 60°C and delivered at no more than 50°C at the tap (controlled by a tempering valve). Too cool and bacteria like legionella can thrive. Too hot and there's a scalding risk. If your hot water seems too cool or too hot, have a plumber check and adjust the thermostat and tempering valve.
Found a Problem During Your Check?
Book a plumber and we'll sort it out before it becomes a bigger issue. Upfront fixed pricing, same-day service available.
