Contact the MLP Team to book your Gutter Clean!

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Servicing Ducted Heater

Safety

Energy Efficiency

Extend the Life of Your Heater

Maintain Warranty

Speak to one of the MLP team today!

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Get Peace of Mind this Winter with Our Gas Safety Check!

Why choose our Gas Safety Check

Send us an enquiry and one of the team will give you a call to arrange your check!

The post Winter Gas Safety Check appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

1. Clear Outdoor Drains, Gutters and Downpipes

During the winter, everything from dried leaves to sticks, twigs and other debris accumulate on your roof and in your outdoor space.

Now that it’s warm again outdoors, you can take the time to clear out debris from your outdoor drains, gutters and downspouts. Many problems in your plumbing can be avoided by making sure water can run freely down the drains.

 

 

2. Check Taps

While not highly likely in most parts of Melbourne, the occasional freeze may occur, causing pipe damage. It’s good practice to check all of your faucets for leaks anyway, but make it a special point to check outdoor taps.

If a leak seems to appear after turning on your garden hose, or the outdoor tap only drips rather than flowing normally, you may have a cracked pipe on your hands. In this case, you’ll need the help of a seasoned plumber. If this sounds like you, then Mark Leonard Plumbing are here to help!

3. Drain the Water Heater

Over time, sediment can accumulate in your water heater. This can cause corrosion and which may reduce the efficiency of your heater and also shorten its expected service lifetime.

To avoid this, remove the sediment by carefully draining a few gallons of water from the heater. While you’re at it, also check the water heater temperature setting. A good temperature to set it at is 60 degrees.   This will make the water warm enough for a hot shower, washing hands, dishes and laundry, while avoiding scalding. You’ll also save on your energy bill too!  

4. Check for Hidden Toilet Leaks

Toilet leaks you don’t even notice can make your water bill soar.   Find out if your toilet is secretly leaking with this trick: place a few drops of food dye in your water tank. Then, wait and see if it appears in the toilet bowl. If the dye appears within 30 minutes or so, you have a leak on your hands. Sometimes it’s a simple case of a broken or old seal you can replace yourself, and sometimes you may need additional help.

5. Exercise Water Supply Valves

On your toilets and at each sink, there are water supply valves used to control the water flow. These are awfully handy when you need to perform a repair on one of these items, as you can cut off water to the sink or toilet without turning off water in the whole house.

However, these valves need to be turned occasionally so that they don’t become too stiff to use. Turn them a few turns toward the “off” position and then back on so they don’t get stuck.

The post 5 Easy Summer Plumbing Maintenance Tips appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

There is no doubt we are all being impacted by the global Coronavirus pandemic. We felt it important to communicate to our customers a little about what Mark Leonard Plumbing is doing to protect both our customers and our team while trying to responsibly continue delivering essential plumbing services as recognised by the government to clients.

What we are doing:

• Plumbing work will be completed with no direct customer contact. Please don’t consider us rude, but we’ll be trying to work on your plumbing requirements without the need to shake hands and we will minimise the need for face to face contact. If the need to communicate with you arises, we will maintain social distancing or talk to you via phone from your premises while you are keeping your isolation to your personal requirements.
• Our team are being provided with gloves, hand sanitisers, soap & hospital grade disinfectant DET-SOL 500 https://www.eucalipgroup.com/ passed by the WHO and face masks & hazmat suits if required where they need to meet with other members of the public or clients (kept to a minimum), to support the reduced chance of transmission, and as always – will be washing hands thoroughly before and after each job.
• Rather than pay on-site, we ask that you please pay for your services over the phone by credit card or via funds transfer directly into bank account.

In summary, if you have a plumbing job booked in with us or would like to book one in, with these measures we expect to be able to complete the job as scheduled and ensure we are looking after you, and our team members.

We have implemented these measures with guidance from the relevant health authorities on the best approach to managing this serious problem and will be reviewing these daily.

We thank you for your co-operation and understanding during this difficult time.

Mark Leonard
Owner, Mark Leonard Plumbing

The post COVID-19 Update appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

Your best bet is definitely going to be to call in plumbers who can give you a professional assessment. If you are worried about there being a leak somewhere in your walls or in another sensitive area, then you may be concerned about their leak detection methods. You don’t want anything to be destroyed or harmed while the leak is being detected. Thankfully, the 21^st-century plumbing leak detection methods that will be used are very non-invasive.

There are now a plethora of different options available for detecting these leaks. Your plumbers have a lot of tools at their disposal that you may not even be aware of. Take a look at these leak detection methods so that you can better understand how they find the leaks that are threatening your home. It will be enlightening and you will be able to feel more confident than ever that everything is being handled with great care.

Acoustic Leak Detection

Acoustic leak detection equipment is very interesting to learn about. Basically, as the water is escaping your pipes through the leak, it will create a vibration. The vibration is something that makes a sound and this can be picked up by the sensitive acoustic leak detection equipment. This is a very advanced plumbing leak detection method that can offer you accurate results.

Being able to use this equipment will keep you from having to tear into your walls or other sensitive areas without truly knowing if there is a leak. It can be very convenient and it helps plumbers to pinpoint exactly where a leak is coming from. This leak detection technology is becoming more prevalent and it is undeniably useful. If your plumbers make use of this leak detection method, then you will be able to feel confident that they will find the leak in a non-invasive way.

CTV Camera Leak Detection

Cameras can also be used to help detect plumbing leaks. When a camera is placed into the drain itself, it can be snaked down the pipe to determine where the leak is happening. Similar technology is used to help figure out where blockages are occurring in your pipes. This is a tried-and-true method for discovering leaks and it gives your plumbers the right information about what to expect before getting to work on fixing your problems.

Infrared Leak Detection

Infrared leak detection is similar to the camera method mentioned above but it differs in the way that it works. This is an infrared imaging camera that is capable of seeing the infrared radiation that is emitted from objects. This is not something that you could see under normal circumstances but the camera is able to pick it up to help you determine where the leak is located. Plumbers can examine the data in the camera and look for abnormalities in order to spot where leaks are located.

This is a technology that is perfect for plumbing leak detection. It works excellently when you need to detect a leak that is in the pipes underneath your floors or in other difficult-to-reach spots. You can get the proper information without having to tear up the house to see if there is a leak. The best plumbing businesses will have access to this convenient technology.

Tracer Gas Leak Detection

Some plumbers will also make use of tracer gas leak detection equipment. This is going to involve pumping gas into the pipes in order to detect where the leak is coming out. The equipment is able to pick up the gas and will give you an accurate location for where the leak is occurring. It is a very simple method in practice and it works brilliantly.

Plumbers use the tracer gas leak detection equipment to help pinpoint the location of particularly hard-to-find leaks. It is actually going to be able to give you a really good idea of where the leak is so it can help you to get things taken care of more quickly. This is a common leak detection method that will be perfect for preventing unnecessary damage to your home. You will find that many of the best plumbers use this technology on a regular basis to make their jobs easier.

Get Your Leaks Fixed Today

Speak to the plumbers to get your leaks fixed up today. No matter what type of method your plumbers choose to use, your leak will be able to be detected fast. They will be capable of finding the leak and can then work to fix things up in a timely fashion. If your home has a plumbing leak problem, then you should take the time to call Mark Leonard Plumbing.

Waiting to get a leak fixed is never going to be a good idea. The plumbers will detect the leak for you and it will be easy for them to fix your problems from that point. They have advanced detection methods that are non-destructive so you will have nothing to worry about at all. This will be a good experience that will help to ensure the safety of your home so reach out whenever you are ready.

The post Plumbing Leak Detection in the 21st Century appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

Take a look at the advice below to get a better understanding of how to prevent having to deal with a blocked kitchen sink. These are all very useful methods that you will be able to implement with ease. It won’t cost you a lot of money and it can save you from having to put up with a truly headache-inducing situation. Examine all of the information thoroughly and you will have a much easier time preventing your sink from becoming blocked up.

Use a Sink Drain Filter

Simply installing a sink drain filter can make a big difference for you. If you have one of these filters installed, then it can keep a lot of debris from falling down into the drain. It will keep large items from getting into the drain so that you will not experience any type of severe clogging. Food waste buildup will be significantly reduced when you make good use of this type of filter.

One of the most common reasons for a blocked sink is due to food waste buildup. When you are doing the dishes, a lot of food debris is going to go down the drain if you do not have a filter installed. These sink drain filters are cost-effective and they work brilliantly to keep you safe from blockages. It is definitely going to be worth the small investment that you will have to make to get one of these installed.

Avoid Using a Garbage Disposal If Possible

It is true that using a garbage disposal can be convenient for some people. If you have been using one for a long time, then you might simply be in the habit of using it to dispose of food debris. The truth is that this can actually contribute to your blocked sink problems. Even if the garbage disposal does grind down the food debris, it is still contributing to blocking the sink drain over time.

You want to prevent food debris from becoming lodged in the drain of the sink. The best way to do this is to keep the food from going down the drain at all. Find other ways to dispose of your food waste instead of using a garbage disposal. One great idea is to make a compost station outside. You can throw old food in the compost pile and it will be turned into rich soil that will be great for your garden.

Whatever you decide to do, just know that it is imperative to avoid putting certain things down the sink. Avoid putting coffee grounds and fat down the sink. This can clog up your sink very quickly and will turn into a big issue. You need to dispose of these items in some other way that won’t cause you problems.

Don’t Pour Grease or Oil Down the Sink

Pouring grease and oil down the sink will cause you a multitude of problems so it is crucial that you avoid doing this. When you pour grease down your sink, it is going to congeal in the drain itself. This is going to cause clogs and your sink is going to start backing up. These types of blockages can be very serious and will be more annoying to deal with than you may have imagined.

If you cook regularly, then you know that cooking grease is something that you will have to dispose of regularly. You should do your best to collect this cooking grease in some type of a container. An old coffee can will work nicely if have one that you can use. Throw it out with the rest of your garbage when you get the chance and just be sure to avoid letting any cooking grease or oil go down the sink.

Call Your Plumber for Blocked Kitchen Sink Help

If you do have problems with a blocked sink, then you are going to want to call out the professionals for help. They have the right equipment to fix your issues and will be able to get your sink working again. This is something that can take some time when a blockage is severe. The preventative advice that is mentioned above should work well so do your best to implement it so that you can avoid issues.

You will always be able to count on Mark Leonard Plumbing when you are in need. If you need assistance in order to get a sink drain filter installed, then you can speak to us about that too. Just do your best to keep your sink in good working order by avoiding letting the food waste build up. You will have a much better experience and you won’t need to call us out as often for kitchen sink blockages.

The post How to Prevent a Blocked Kitchen Sink appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

As with most of your home’s systems, the sewer lines are out of sight, which means that you don’t often think about how they are doing or what is going on inside of them. What you can do, however, is recognise the symptoms of a blocked sewer pipe and respond to the situation as quickly as possible. The quicker you address a drainage issue, the easier it will be to resolve, but when you are dealing with sewer line problems, you will often need to call a plumber.

What Causes a Block?

Believe it or not, one of the leading causes of sewer line blockage is tree roots. Tree roots can creep in through loose joints and tiny cracks, and while they may not be big enough to block the drain themselves, solid materials will get stuck on the root rather than flow through the drain. The build-up of solid materials is what often creates the block.

Another cause for a block would be a broken or collapsed pipe, and in this scenario, you might notice flooding outside in addition to the indoor clog. Tree roots may also grow around your sewer lines and crush them.

Flushing the wrong things down the toilet and pouring the wrong things into your sink can also result in a blocked sewer pipe. Grease and fat can harden in your sewer lines, building up and collecting other material over time, but flushing things such as napkins, baby wipes, or facial tissues is bound to create a block as well.

Recognising a Block in Your Sewer Lines

A blocked sewer line can create problems and noises all around the house, so it’s important to take note of anything unusual. All of the following are some of the early signs of a sewer line block, and addressing the issue at this point will help you avoid more expensive repairs.

• Consistently slow drains are a sign of a sewer line block, especially when the drains continue to be slow after DIY attempts to clear them.
• If multiple plumbing fixtures are clogged at the same time, you most likely have a block in your main sewer line. In this case, the issue would begin at the toilet, but if the toilet flushes correctly while other fixtures are clogged, the block is probably somewhere else.
• When your sewer line is clogged, water will back up into the shower drains or floor drains, especially after flushing the toilet.
• If your toilet bubbles or gurgles when you run your sink or your shower, you may have a clogged sewer line.
• Lastly, watch what happens when your washing machine drains. If you had a clog, your toilet could overflow, or water could back up into the shower once your washing machine drains.

DIY Solutions for Blocks

Your DIY options for clearing a blocked sewer pipe are pretty limited. Your first instinct may be to pour chemicals down your drain, and while this could work, it isn’t something that you want to keep trying. Depending on the nature of the block, continuing to pour things down your drains could worsen the problem.

If you suspect that the issue is a tree root, you might be able to get your hands on some copper sulphate or a root-killing foam, both of which should kill the root after a while.

Another thing that you can do is release some pressure in your system. Your sewage system should have what is called a “cleanout line,” which is a pipe with a cap that plumbers use to access your sewer line. Sometimes, removing the cap releases the pressure in your system and allows your system to drain once again.

Why and When to Call a Plumber

If simple DIY remedies don’t do the trick, you will need to call a plumber before the situation escalates. Plumbers have far better tools and equipment to efficiently clear some of the toughest blocks, and they also have the technology to precisely locate the blockage, as well.

Keep in mind that all of the symptoms listed above are reason enough to call a plumber, and calling your plumbers early will reduce the amount of work that you need to put into the issue.

Plumbers use CCTV technology to inspect your sewer lines with a small camera. The camera manoeuvres through the pipes and allows your plumbers to see what’s going on inside. This allows them to locate the block with precision, and knowing where the block is reduces the amount of guesswork involved. They can target that specific location and remove the block as quickly as possible.

To clear out a blocked sewer pipe, Mark Leonard Plumbing might use a power-assisted auger or a water-jetting tool to force whatever is blocking your sewer lines down the drain. The auger is a metal cable that can tear apart roots and rip apart debris, thereby allowing the material to flow down the drain. Depending on what is most appropriate, our plumbers might also use their water-jetting tool, which sends high-pressured water into your drain to clear away any build-up of debris.

The post How to Know That Your Sewer Line Is Blocked appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

1 Leaking Taps

Leaking taps can wind up costing you a lot of money on your monthly water bills. If you have a tap that is constantly dripping, then you will want to get it fixed up. Sometimes it can be as simple as tightening up some pipes but it might involve needing to change out some parts. A dedicated plumber can determine the cause of the leak and fix your leaking taps swiftly.

2 Blocked Drains and Pipes

Blocked drains and pipes are very common plumbing issues that people deal with. If your sink or bathtub is blocked up, then it will not be draining properly. It could be happening due to hair getting clogged in the drain or it could even be due to grease being poured down the sink. Whatever the cause of the blockage is, a plumber will be properly equipped to take care of it.

3 Leaking Toilets

Leaking toilets are unsanitary and present a huge health risk. This is another one of the most common plumbing problems and you will want to call in professionals to help. A toilet leak could be as simple as a bad flap or it could be due to something more severe. If your toilet is cracked or if your wax seal is busted, then you will need to seek out expert help from a plumber.

4 Leaking Showers

A leaking shower can also cause you significant problems if you do not get it taken care of. The shower leak could be happening due to several reasons. You may not have things sealed properly or the wall may be leaking due to problems with the grout in the tiles. Either way, your plumber will be able to get to the bottom of these issues when you make the call.

5 Leaking Roof

A leaking roof is something that you will want to call roof plumbers for. They will be able to make the important repairs that you need in order to prevent water damage. Even a small roof leak can cause you big problems so you will not want to wait to get this fixed up. Try to reach out to the roof plumber right away when you notice a roof leak.

6 Hot Water Problems

If your hot water is not working right, then you are not going to be taking the most pleasant showers possible. People want to have access to hot water that is pleasant so it can be frustrating when things are not working well. This is among the most common plumbing problems that plumbers fix for people. They will be able to figure out what is wrong with your system and can make the necessary adjustments or repairs.

7 Backed-up Sewer

A backed-up sewer is going to be very detrimental to your home. This has the potential to get very messy and it could even ruin parts of your home if you are not careful. As soon as you notice a backed-up sewer problem, you need to call the plumbers out to start taking care of it. This usually occurs due to a blockage of some sort and your plumbers will be equipped to fix things expediently.

8 Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is one of the most common plumbing problems that you will encounter. It is an indication that there is something wrong with your plumbing system. Your plumber may need to replace your pipes or fix some other type of issue to get it back to an acceptable range. Both low water pressure and high water pressure are bad so you want your plumber to get things fixed as soon as possible.

9 Carbon Monoxide from Faulty Appliances

Sometimes faulty gas appliances will start to leak carbon monoxide. This is seriously dangerous and can even prove to be fatal if you are exposed to the gas for too long. Carbon monoxide is both colourless and odourless so it can be difficult to detect. You should get your plumber to perform regular CO testing maintenance on your gas appliances to prevent issues such as this from happening.

10 Gas Leaks

Gas leaks can cause the carbon monoxide issue that is mentioned above. If your gas appliances are leaking in any way, then you need to get things taken care of by skilled gas plumbers. They will be able to fix things up quickly to keep your family safe. This is a very serious problem that you need to address right away so call your plumber if you suspect any type of gas leak.

The post 10 Most Common Plumbing Problems appeared first on Mark Leonard Plumbing.

It is always going to be in your best interests to take care of the plumbing in your home. You need to have access to reliable and efficient plumbing so that your home can operate as intended. When you encounter problems with your plumbing, it can wind up putting you in a real bind. Serious plumbing issues can inconvenience your life and large repairs can sometimes take large chunks of time to complete.

A more effective way to go about keeping your plumbing in good shape is to look into preventative maintenance. Plumbing maintenance is crucial when you want to keep your plumbing working the best that it can. If you contact plumbers who can help you out, then you will be able to get all of your plumbing needs taken care of before any real problems arise. Preventative measures will be very beneficial to you so it is worth looking into more reasons why you should talk to the plumbers about preventative options.

More Efficient Plumbing

If you make use of plumbing maintenance methods, then it is possible to make your plumbing system more efficient. Being able to make the best use of the water in your home can help to save you money on bills. It also keeps things working in the best way possible, ensuring that your taps will have the right pressure at all times. It makes things more pleasant in your home and saving money on those monthly bills always makes a difference.

Avoid Big Problems

Perhaps the most important reason why you should look into preventative plumbing maintenance is that it can help you to avoid big problems down the line. If you do not look into preventative options, then you may wind up encountering big plumbing failures eventually. These larger plumbing problems are going to be more difficult for you to deal with. Things such as burst pipes or complete plumbing system failures will really be a huge inconvenience for you.

Being able to avoid these types of problems with regular maintenance is very nice. Simply having your plumbing checked out by professionals and replacing things when needed can keep things running smoothly. It is a much better option than waiting until something goes horribly wrong. Having your plumber perform regular preventative maintenance on your plumbing will be cost-effective and convenient.

Make Your Plumbing Equipment and Components Last Longer

Of course, having the preventative plumbing maintenance performed is going to help your plumbing equipment and components last longer. You will not have to replace things quite as often when they are being carefully maintained. This can keep you from having to make expensive purchases to replace failing pieces of equipment. Preventative plumbing care can make a huge difference for your water tanks, pumps, valves, and other related pieces of plumbing equipment.

Being able to avoid having to buy expensive plumbing items too often is quite nice. These pieces of plumbing equipment can really add up over time so you want to get the most use out of them that you can. A bit of maintenance on a regular basis can really extend the life of many things. It is worth your while to consider hiring a plumber to do preventative maintenance to keep things working for a long time.

Saves You Money

Simply being able to save money over time makes preventative maintenance a smart choice. You will be spending less money on buying new equipment or plumbing parts when you take care of things in a preventative fashion. Your monthly bills will be lower due to the system running more efficiently. All of your need will be met more effectively and it will translate to you keeping more money in your wallet. Spending a small amount of money on preventative plumbing services will prove to be a worthwhile choice.

If you have noticed that your water bills have been higher than usual lately, then contacting the plumbers will be very useful. They can check out everything that is going on and will find out what is going wrong. Their preventative maintenance methods can improve your water system and make sure that you are not wasting any water. They will fix any existing leaks, they can tighten things up, and your water bills will be as low as possible. Anyone who is conscious about his or her monthly bills will see the benefits of using plumbers in this way.

Contact Mark Leonard Plumbing

Contact Mark Leonard Plumbing to discuss how they can help you with preventative maintenance today. They will be able to come out and look at your entire plumbing system. You will be able to count on them to maintain the plumbing in the most professional way, ensuring that you will not encounter any severe problems down the line. They will keep things running great and will save you from many headaches.

If you have questions about preventative plumbing maintenance and what needs to be done, then you should discuss things with your plumbers in detail. They will be more than happy to discuss your needs and everything that they can do to assist you. Plumbing is such a large part of your home and you need to be able to rely on it. Keep things safe by seeking out preventative care today.

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