Open 24/7! Servicing all of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Our Average Response time is: 1hr 53min 47sec
Sydney is one of Australia's rainiest state capitals, with an estimated annual rainfall of 1044 mm. Of that, there are two distinct "seasons" of rainfall, a relatively dry period between July and December, and a much wetter January to June, with the highest monthly rainfalls occurring in February and April as the heat of summer begins to cool into the milder temperatures of autumn.
This weather pattern can bring incredible deluges, with 111 mm recorded in just 24 hours in April 2024 at Observatory Hill in the city's CBD. With such powerful wet weather systems increasing, the impact on Sydney's roofs has never been more intense. This makes the time leading up to the holidays and the new year the perfect opportunity to assess the condition of your roof and plumbing to make sure that wild weather stays where it belongs—outside.
Heavy rain, particularly from storms with high winds, has a way of finding any gaps in the shingles or roof tiles that milder rain events might not reveal. Most of us probably don't make a habit of going up onto the roof very often, so we're likely unaware of issues until the storm reveals them. However, by the time we do notice drips coming from the ceiling, that means rainwater has already invaded the ceiling space, causing wet insulation and electrical wiring.
There's no one reason why water finds its way inside the roof, but the most common roof plumbing problems exacerbated by heavy rain include:
The consequences of ignoring roof plumbing issues include inviting moisture into your living space, which can create a wide range of costly problems down the line. Water can damage your home's interior and compromise its structure, causing rippling in the plasterboard, flaking paint, and weakened joins. Over time, this can sharply reduce property values as potential buyers will see the cost involved in renovation and repair.
More than that, once inside the ceiling space or walls, the rain and moisture has a difficult time escaping again with little or no ventilation, creating a haven for mould growth, which comes with health risks, such as severe respiratory illness. Additional health issues arise from moisture coming into contact with your home's electrical circuits, causing corrosion and damage, and the risk of electrical shock when using appliances or taps.
While the presence of water dripping from your ceiling during a thunderstorm is the most obvious sign of roof issues, there are several more subtle signs that homeowners should look out for regularly, not just during periods of wet weather:
If you notice any of these signs in or around your property, it is best to organise a professional inspection with a qualified plumber, who can then diagnose the source of the leak and provide solutions to reduce and repair water damage.
Whether you need repairs or replacement depends on how severe the damage to your roof is and how long it has been allowed to accrue. Roofing materials are sturdy and can handle wear from Australia's harshest elements, but their longevity comes with a need for intervention and frequent inspections.
Roofing repairs include realigning tiles, using epoxy to seal minor cracks or holes, or removing clogs and debris from downspouts and drains.
Replacements, on the other hand, involve removing tiles to replace sarking, installing new skylight flashing, and the installation of new sections of damaged guttering or piping, broken tiles, or laying down new layers of weatherproofing materials.
Prevention and preparation for storm season increase the longevity of your room and the home sitting dry and comfortable beneath it. Taking advantage of the lower rainfall in Sydney from July to December means that repairs and replacements have a longer time to settle and sealant can dry more effectively in less humid air.
Being proactive about repairs helps you to avoid costly damage, both to the roof and inside the home when it is exposed to water. Maintenance also increases the roof's lifespan, by repairing or replacing minor parts before the damage has a chance to spread to require a full replacement.
Finally, you can enjoy Sydney's storm season without fear, enjoying peace of mind even during periods of heavy rain.
If you've conducted your own checks and found evidence of damage or moisture in or around your roof, it's now time to find a reputable and trusted plumber to help you solve the problem. But how do you know which plumber is best for you?
First, search for local Sydney plumbers, specifically those local to your area as they will have the local expertise of both local council regulations and compliance, as well as the specific drainage systems, roof styles, and common problems found in your area. Next, check their website for evidence of licences and insurance, while a quick online search can bring up a wealth of reviews from previous customers that you can peruse.
Another important note is to check the warranties offered on plumbing work to ensure any repairs that aren't up to the test will be fixed at no extra charge.
The plumbers at Plumberoo are local professionals with the knowledge and experience required to protect your home's roof and plumbing from the worst of Sydney's weather conditions. We are fully licenced, accredited, and insured, and are very proud of our five-star reviews from satisfied Sydney customers. We are also locals, based in Sydney's eastern suburbs, which means we can arrive at your home in less than two hours to attend to your roof plumbing issue as soon as possible.
Now is the best time to take action by booking an inspection or roof repair to avoid issues during the rainy season. Sydney's weather can get wild, and if your layers of waterproofing aren't up to scratch, the efficiency of the protection your roof should offer can result in costly repairs further into the future.
Pre-empt those issues and give yourself peace of mind to enjoy the rain without worrying about leaks or indoor flooding. Call the experienced local team at Plumberoo today for all of your roof plumbing inspection and repair needs.
It's easy to take functional plumbing systems for granted—until something goes wrong.
Facing emergencies like blocked drains, burst pipes, leaking faucets, plumbing fixtures and toilets, hot water system failures and sewer line blockages can be stressful, but with the right professional help, your pipes can get back to full health in no time.
Ongoing inspection and maintenance can also help reduce the chance of these issues, although even the most looked-after plumbing systems may face an unexpected turn of events.
Let's explore some of the most common emergency plumbing issues faced by properties in the Eastern Suburbs and how they can be avoided.
Blocked drains often occur when a build-up of foreign matter clogs the drain, reducing water pressure and flow in your pipes. Drains of concern include hair in shower and bathroom drains, fat and grease in kitchen drains from cooking, or dirty laundry room drains.
This build-up causes plumbing problems such as bad odour, caused by the bacteria released through backed-up sewage or stagnant water. This dirt and debris can lead to health risks and infestations by pests. You may also observe your toilet draining slowly.
Pipes with blockages are liable to cracks, leaks and potential bursts due to the increased pressure on their structural stability and integrity.
Fortunately, there are several simple options to prevent blocking. Using drain covers, both indoors and outside the home, will reduce the risk of your drains being invaded by foreign products that can lead to bursts and major damage if blockages and cracks form. Likewise, regular maintenance is a key prevention method. It's always recommended to treat any suspicious pipes before they become a big problem for you and your family.
If you suspect drain blockages, contact an emergency plumber as soon as possible to solve the issue before it has a chance to get worse.
Keep an eye on unexplained water on floors, drops in water pressure, water leakage, unusual sounds (like hissing or rushing water), discoloured water, unexpected rises in water bills, or damp and mouldy smells.
It may signal that your pipes have burst from erosion.
Regulating the average temperature of your plumbing system will reduce the risk of cracked pipes, particularly in cooler months.
Leaks are common and easy fixes for a plumbing issue, but ongoing water damage can have costly and serious consequences for your home.
Once a leak has been identified, a plumbing team can replace worn-out washers, corroded pipes, cracked sinks, bathtubs, or worn-out seals from appliances, tighten loose connections (causing flooding outside), or even unclog drain lines.
Your toilet has a plumbing problem if it is showing signs of:
Your taps need replacing if they are showing signs of:
Hidden leaks are a serious cause of sudden increased water bills. Possibly worse, however, is the physical damage leaks contribute to your home by promoting mould growth and rot.
Often, emergency plumbers are required to repair water leaks. However, Eastern suburbs homeowners can attempt DIY measures by regularly checking connections (including the water heater) and replacing washers when cracks and general wear and tear become obvious.
Hot water system failures are especially inconvenient and costly, particularly since the system remains out of sight and out of mind until something goes wrong.
Your hot water system needs professional inspection and potential replacement when there is no hot water, discoloured water flowing from taps, water temperature fluctuating, leaking hot water tanks and reduced water flow.
Several common reasons for malfunctioning hot water equipment include mineral and sediment build-up or faulty heating elements, such as a worn-out temperature pressure release valve, an expired, rusty anode rod, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
Plumberoo recommends an annual service to flush the system out, and a routine check in the interim to relieve the stress of any stressful and expensive headaches from sudden malfunctions.
A sewerage backup occurs when water is blocked through your home's main sewer line, causing an overflow in drains, toilets and sinks across the plumbing system.
This happens when old pipes start to corrode and clog, especially from hardened grease. Tree root invasion and shifting ground are other external factors that can impact your sewer system pipes.
Unfortunately, sewer backups are of high severity to your household's health and quality of life. Since sewerage contains harmful microorganisms, bacteria, viruses and protozoa, coming into contact with it can cause gastroenteritis. Practice good hygiene, wash your hands often and avoid drinking tap water until the blockage has been resolved.
It's important to practice proper grease and oil disposal to help prevent blockages (don't throw them down the sink) and organise regular professional inspections to review blockages.
If tree roots are the culprit, a necessary precaution may be root barriers, which are walls to prevent nature from growing into your water supply. For old, cracking sewer lines, pipe relining is a cost-efficient solution to help fix your pipes and extend their life, without disruptions to your day-to-day.
Indeed, plumbing failures can cause serious health, financial and maintenance problems for you, your family, any renters or tightly packed Eastern Suburbs neighbours. While ongoing checks of your pipes can catch many issues proactively, accidents and bad luck happen.
So, if you ever experience blocked drains, burst pipes, leaking faucets, plumbing fixtures and toilets, hot water system failures and sewer line blockages unexpectedly, contact Plumberoo for professional emergency assistance.