When the bathroom drains begin to emit bad odours, it might be time to call in a plumber. According to Stephen Mewett of the Master Plumbers Association of New South Wales, "If there's a smell, it means there's generally something wrong with the system, and it needs to be fixed."

Concealed cistern toilets: a popular choice

In keeping with the trend toward wall-hung or streamlined bathroom fittings, concealed cistern toilets have become an increasingly popular choice.Using the wall or ceiling cavity to hide the cistern, only the bowl of the toilet is visible, creating a modern, streamlined look. They utilise much less space, which is ideal for smaller bathrooms or spaces that may be awkward.

Find a plumber

Needless to say, drains and pipes are best when unblocked and functioning well. So, unless you know what you're doing, it pays to get an expert plumber to help install or renovate plumbing in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry.

How to unblock drains around the home

Blocked drains can create havoc on the home and knowing what is causing the issue can lead to frustration. Talking with a professional plumber can provide insight into unblocking drains. If water is taking longer to go down the plughole of your bathroom sink and shower, or there are gurgling sounds when the water tries to drain away, it suggests there's blockage somewhere to the home drainage system. These are the milder problems, while other indications include unpleasant odours and overflow from a grate outside.

Planning new home plumbing

When it comes to planning plumbing for a new home, it pays to be meticulous: consider the layout of the house and choose your products carefully.Though it's very much behind the scenes and only thought of when something goes wrong, household plumbing is one of the most important aspects of a new home design. And, like everything else related to building a new home, getting the best from your household plumbing requires a reasonable amount of planning. "In my opinion it is very important that clients, when choosing fixtures and tapware, not only get what they want, but that they understand what the item does and whether it is going to fit with the layout of their new home," says David, an experienced plumber.

Fixing the cause, not the symptom - good plumbing practice

Plumbing problems can be quite unpleasant and most people want them resolved as quickly as possible. Some plumbing issues present with minor symptoms, resulting in a misconception that the problem can be easily fixed. However, upon further investigation, the cause of the problem may indeed require more work than originally anticipated.

Close up of plumber servicing gas boiler.

Blocked toilets

A blocked toilet could be a simple problem such as a flushed toilet freshener or child’s toy; or the cause could be far more complex and expensive to remedy, such as a tree root or cracked pipe that periodically collects material, causing the toilet to block. Repairing a broken or damaged pipe requires a lot more work than removing an obstruction.

When to call a plumber

The home handyman often thinks they can save money and fix plumbing problems themselves. However, there is no point spending your time on unpleasant or potentially dangerous jobs that will require a professional to fix again at a later date. Any issues with gaslines or anything involving gas is potentially hazardous so always call a plumber or a gasfitter immediately.

A good plumber will take the time to investigate the issue thoroughly and will provide a quote that will fix the cause of the problem. Call your local plumbing service and learn more about best practice plumbing.

Sue Blatchford

03 October 2011

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Fixing the cause, not the symptom - good plumbing practice

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Avoid bad bathroom odours with a plumber

Concealed cistern toilets: a popular choice

Find a plumber

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Planning new home plumbing

Fixing the cause, not the symptom - good plumbing practice

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Blocked toilets

When to call a plumber