Maintenance Minute – Plumbing Perfection

Article by PropertyMe 28 July 2015

Let’s face it, any plumbing related issue is generally unpleasant and if not dealt with in a timely manner, costly as well. So how do you make sure that these issues are prevented? And what’s the best way to deal with situations as they arise?

Finding the perfect plumber 

Don’t get stuck with a dodgy tradesman, the best way to find a good tradesman is through asking friends and family for recommendations. Don’t just ask them for the recommendation though, ask them specific questions about what sort of work did they complete, such as:

• Were they on time?
• Did they do a good job? 
• Did they clean up properly after they were finished?
• How many jobs have you used them for?
• Were they consistent each time?
• Have you recommended them to anyone else and what was their experience like?
• How much did they cost? 

If you know other great tradesmen, they can be great sources of referrals. An electrician will probably know a great plumber for example. Plumbing supply stores can also be great places to call for recommendations for high-quality plumbers as they tend to know the best local plumbers that you might want to hire.

If you are struggling with a quality referral then it might also be worth looking at specialist industry sites. For example, Fair Trading is the regulator for NSW while the Victorian Building Authority is the regulator for Victoria. A quick Google search should enable you to find the right site for your state.

You should also check the tradesman is licensed for the work they are doing. You can check this here: https://www.licencerecognition.gov.au.

Asking other property managers in the industry can be helpful too. There are some great property management groups on Facebook that act as support networks for people in the industry.

NEVER hire a plumber that will quote over the phone without looking at the job!

Maintain water heating systems

While this sounds like a no-brainer, it’s alarming how many people do not check their hot water systems regularly. Setting up a reminder that will send you an alert to have a quick check over once or twice a year could save you hundreds if you spot a problem early.

Regardless, metal parts will rust eventually

Due to the elements in water, oxygen, salts and sulphates, metal parts will wear and eventually rust. Be sure your plumber has technology that will spot these issues such as video cameras that will pinpoint exactly where the problem is.

Dealing with plumbing emergencies 

How do you know if a complaining tenant is overreacting, or if it’s a bigger issue to deal with? Here is a list of what will need attention as soon as possible. Most other issues are probably not an ’emergency’, although service and customer satisfaction should still be high on your agenda.

• Flooding of any sort- bathroom, kitchen, laundry, garden
• Broken pipes
• Overflowing toilets
• Sewage leaks
• Gas line leaks

If you don’t deal with plumbing issues in a timely manner, it could result in very costly work down the line.