Here we will take you through a step-by-step guide on how best to manage a ‘home in crisis’ and get the best outcome.





Step 1
Turn off the water at your water meter. If you don’t know how to do this, watch this video to guide you through it.

Step 2
Call your plumber! No Doubt Plumbing offers a 24 hour service emergency plumbing in Melbourne and Geelong.

Step 3
Ensure that any hazards caused by the issue are minimised to yourself and your family. For example keep children away from raw sewerage!

Step 4
Call your home insurance company to notify them of the issue and check your coverage for emergency plumbing.

Step 5
Put some gloves on and begin working on the cleanup. You should make sure that any and all electrical appliances within the area have been turned off before you begin cleaning up to avoid any accidents.

Step 6
Take an inventory of any furniture and household items that are effected by the water. Water damage can be in insidious issue – showing up at a later date so be careful to take note of any furniture that has been saturated, along with any walls that may have had their integrity compromised by potential water damage.

Step 7
Once the job is complete, test your electrical appliances one at a time to make sure that they all work and that you do not need to add anything to your insurance claim.

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We have compiled a list of some of the highest WELS rated taps currently on the market in an effort to help you save money and the planet.

Water Saving Tap 1: Billi Sensor Tap 6 Star

The Billi Sensor Tap range offers stunning ergonomic styling and the latest in sensor tap technology. A clever spout-mounted movement sensor responds as hands move into the basin, ensuring accurate and trouble free operation. Designed to be fully disabled access compliant, the Billi Sensor tap range is an excellent washroom solution for home, office, commercial, medical or educational environments.

Water Saving Tap 2: Dyson AB09 Air Blade Tap Hand Dryer 6 Star

With Airblade™ technology in a tap, hands can be dried at the sink in 12 seconds. There’s no need to move to a separate hand drying area. The latest Dyson digital motor was seven years in the making – it’s one of the world’s smallest fully-integrated 1600W motors. It’s the only hand dryer motor powerful enough to draw in up to 30 litres of air a second through a HEPA filter, and then dry hands in 12 seconds.

Water Saving Tap 3: Enware Bib Tap 6 Star

Enware’s Australian-made self-closing drinking fountains and bubblers are constructed from dezincification resistant (DR) brass and are WaterMark Licensed to AS/NZS 3718. Featuring a vandal resistant handle, a durable chrome plated finish and an integral adjustable flow regulator allowing onsite control of the flow of water from the outlet. The unique valve design provides an effective, low maintenance mechanism for a range of flow conditions. The tapware and bubblers are serviceable with all wearing components replaceable, thus providing a longer life.

Water Saving Tap 4: Markwik 21 Bib Mixer 6 Star

Pillar mixer tap with integral thermostat single sequential lever, single flow fixed horizontal nozzle. Sequential operation ensures both hot and cold water is drawn on each use, long lever gives precise control. Insulated technology keeps the ‘hot’ side of the mixer at a safe surface temperature. A safer alternative in refurbishments to older style swan neck versions.

Water Saving Tap 5: HANSACANYON 6 Star

The unpretentiously monolithic body of the HANSACANYON braces itself against the power of this primordial element – levelling its path in a quite spectacular way. The scenery is illuminated from within using light coloured to correspond to the temperature of the water, in a cool blue, a gentle violet or a warm red. Electronic sensor buttons provide the controls.

The post The 5 best Water Saving Taps for your home appeared first on No Doubt Plumbing.

When you take into account that around 25% of your homes energy bill is solely electricity, making changes to the types of light bulbs that you use around your home could have an enormous impact on both the planet and your budget. LED light bulbs are solid and super efficient lasting up to ten times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs which means your household waste is also minimised!

Tip 2: Recycle your waste

Recycling your household waste is also a great way to minimise your global footprint. By taking the time to separate your by-products into recyclables, compost, and general household waste you will also have the added benefit of being gentler on your home sewerage pipes. Did you know for example that baby wipes are not biodegradable meaning that any time you flush one down the toilet they end up floating whole in the sewerage network unable to be broken down naturally and needed harmful chemicals to be applied in order for them to disperse? The more you know!

Tip 3: Use a Programmable Thermostat

For those of us who use internal heating and cooling systems in our homes, using a programmable thermostat to keep you from needing prolonged bursts of hot/cold air to get your home to the desired temperature quickly can have a massive impact on both our power bill and the environment. Try setting the desired temperature to begin an hour before your family arrives home which will ensure that there is plenty of time for the system to bring the house to your needed temperature without needing to blast it on high.

Tip 4: Fill in gaps and draft spots around your home

Taking it easy on your homes heating devices is not only a much better choice for the planet, it also has the added benefit of taking dollars off your electricity bill. Set aside some time during a windy day and check the home for drafts and gaps between doors, under appliances (such as dishwashers and washing machines) and any other areas that allow wind to flow in from outside and through the home. Plug these drafts with door stoppers where you can, and when needed make changes to where your appliances sit in your home.

Tip 5: Use water saving taps

Use the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) to identify what taps are the most water efficient. 5 Star being the best and one star the worst. By 2021, Australians could save more than one billion dollars through reduced water and energy bills by simply choosing more efficient products not to mention the knock on effect of saving our most precious resource – water!

For more helpful tips, visit our blog.

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Myth 1: Plumbers are untidy and unprofessional in their presentation.

Myth Busted: In fact plumbers are highly trained professionals who have spent years training to get to their level in the business. No Doubt Plumbing has a zero ‘Plumbers Crack’ policy. We are sure if you hire someone who is not highly qualified and part of a reputable plumbing company you may see the odd hot mess turning up to test your pipes so stick with us!

Myth 2: Plumbing work is overpriced.

Myth Busted: Plumbing services can be something that puts a solid dint in the family finances if something like your hot water system breaks down. When you are hiring a plumber to fix a plumbing service at your home you could be forgiven for thinking that this large price tag is due to an overblown hourly rate. It is in fact predominantly due to the high cost of the supplies that are needed in order to fix your essential service. For example a single thermostat replacement for home hot water system can be in excess of $60 dollars. If you take into account the travel, purchasing the part, installing it, and the initial quoting time that $100 final charge might have you asking yourself how we manage to keep our services so affordable!

Myth 3: It’s cheaper to do a home job that to call a professional.

Myth Busted: With the rise of the home handyman, supported by TV shows like The Block sprucing the DIY sections of megastores like Bunnings, people are running the gauntlet of unsupervised works on their homes at an alarming rate. Did you know that if you get caught undertaking plumbing work in Australia you can risk fines in excess of $10 000 per citation? What about the fact that you could end up having you roof cave in on top of you if you missed a step in your roof piping? What about a sewerage surge into your back yard that would see your little ones tip toeing over rivers of poop due to because of incorrect installation of the overflow relief gully? If fines, backyard poop, and caving in ceilings have you shrinking back from your brand new tool belt we suggest you stick to the non essential services to get your weekend warrior fix and give us a call instead.

Myth 4: That plumbing is all about poo.

Myth busted: It’s a common misconception that those in the plumbing trade spend a fair percentage of their day surrounded by sewerage. In actuality the direct contact with this part of your plumbing is minimal. The average plumber spends most of their time installing new pipes and connections where there is no current water connection, along with replacing tap washers and roofing issues.

Read more Plumbing Tips.

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Apart from the real chance of accident or death if you take on a DIY job that requires hazardous tools and chemicals, and the subsequent fact that your personal health insurance may also exclude you from cover if you engage in high risk behaviour of the home handyman kind, you are dicing with some serious legal implications should you sell your most valuable asset with dodgy plumbing work hiding behind the walls.

As a broad brushstroke, any plumbing upgrades that have the capacity to affect the drinking water supplied to the home or the sewer line have to be done by a licensed plumber. You can double checking the specific laws relating to DIY work in your state and confirm that you are legally approved to carry out works like replacing a jumper valve or washer in your tap (approved in all states) or change your shower head (also cool across the board) by jumping onto the relevant info site.

You may now be asking yourself why large chains like Bunnings sell you all the goodies to get the job done if you aren’t supposed to be carrying out the work yourself, and how shows like ‘The Block’ can place such a big focus on the contestants being able to carry out the brunt of the work themselves.

Well, the answer is simple – tradies also use these chains for lots of items so selling direct to the public isn’t a big stretch for them.

In terms of The Block, unless they are licensed before they get on the show in the particular trade they need for the job at hand, there is no way they are installing that hot water system themselves!

You can look to save a little bit of money by working alongside your plumber if you strike up a great relationship with them. There may be some grunt work you can do in supervised capacity on the day, like digging a trench, that the boys would happily watch you carry out. This may be enough to satisfy your DIY tendencies (and probably cure you of wanting to get your hands dirty for quite a while).

Save yourself real insurance worries by checking with us before you do any handy work that you may be better off having us carry out on your behalf.

The post Does DIY plumbing impact your home insurance? appeared first on No Doubt Plumbing.

What’s blocking the toilet?

It’s a good idea to determine what’s actually blocking the toilet before going ahead and clearing the way. After all, different blockages need different measures!

1. Toys

Have little ones roaming the house? Quite often, these curious creatures want to find out if what goes down, will in fact come back up. Water is for playtime right? Kiddies quickly learn that when they throw their favourite toy down the toilet, it ain’t coming back up in a hurry. Or else, you could keep the bathroom door closed.

Remedy #1

How do you unblock a toilet stuffed with toys? Okay, hopefully it’s not actually stuffed with toys and it’s just a few. (Phew!) Employ the aged old classic: coat hanger trick. Not a party trick, but a clever way of getting things outta there that do not belong.

Just unravel into a very long snake and bend one end into a circular head, then try scooping the toy/s out. Best to tie a bit of fabric at the end to avoid scratching the toilet bowl.

2. Other foreign matter

Just when you thought life was easy peasy, handfuls of hair, too much toilet paper or other unmentionables get in the way. As we all know, the throne is a sacred place and should be as clear as a whistle. Having your toilet blocked up and stinky can really cause unforgettable nightmares for everyone in the household.

Remedy #2

How to unblock a toilet with any one of these foreign matters you ask? Another classic. You guessed it. The plunger. Not as straightforward as you might think, but great if you have one handy.

Unfortunately, the typical, simple suction cap plunger won’t work as well as a heavy duty one. You’ll be wasting more energy than it’s worth if you’re using the wrong plunger. Afterall, keeping the right plunger on standby is an investment you won’t regret.

I don’t want to deal with a stinky blocked toilet

We don’t blame you. Customers call us everyday when there’s something iffy going on in the private room. We understand it’s not the easiest situation to deal with, and certainly not the most pleasant.

At just $175 with no hidden extras, No Doubt Plumbing will relieve you of any smelly plumbing emergency. No one expects you to know how to unblock a toilet the way we do, that’s why we’re the experts.

The post How to Unblock a Toilet yourself appeared first on No Doubt Plumbing.

Step #1 The trusty plunger

1. Whether it’s the bathroom basin or kitchen sink, if it’s a double basin, then you will need to plug one side up before you start.
2. Start thrusting the plunger using an even up and down movement. Once you get momentum it will make it easier. Don’t forget to use your core muscles! Tensing your tummy will give you more strength than you can imagine.
3. Tub of petroleum jelly lying about? If using the plunger poses to be too difficult, try applying a bit of this slippery stuff to help you plunge.

Step #2 The natural way

Don’t be disheartened if the classic plunger method didn’t work. Here’s a brilliant age-old recipe for drain-cleanse without all the nasty and dangerous chemicals. This should work for basic everyday blockage like hair, toothpaste, shaving cream and kitchen oils.

1. Place a cup of baking soda down the drain and leave for 20 minutes.
2. Pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and leave for 30 minutes.
3. Then pour down a kettle-full of boiling water. Repeat last step after 10 minutes.

Step #3 Dial the professionals

If these two simple solutions fail, then there could be something more serious going on. Although there are other, stronger corrosive products on the market, as well as professional electric snakes that you can hire, unless they are used by a professional, they may be harmful to you or cause damage to the lining of your pipes. Trust No Doubt Plumbing awesome team to get your drains on the right path instead.

Don’t suffer any longer. Avoid the ghastly stench and inevitable stinky mess by getting the experts in.

We’ll do the job right the first time. No Doubt Plumbing will come to you anywhere in Melbourne at a flat fee including inspection and clearance with no hidden extras for only $175. You can trust us to be the most affordable plumbers in Melbourne.

The post 3 Simple Tips on How to Unblock a Drain appeared first on No Doubt Plumbing.

Nobody likes blocked pipes. Nor does anyone fancy leaking taps or clogged sinks, which is why it’s useful to have a local plumber you can trust on your speed dial. But finding a good plumber in Geelong isn’t always an easy feat.

Although many people will just Google ‘Best Plumbers in Geelong’ the results won’t all genuinely be the best. So how do you know a great plumber from a dodgy one?

Some people may get a couple of quotes and pick the cheapest one, but that isn’t always the best option. If you are comparing purely on price then make sure you are finding out the specifics of each quote so you know exactly what you’re getting. The cheaper option may be doing less work or taking shortcuts so they can offer you the lower price. It goes the other way also, just because one company is really expensive, it doesn’t mean they are the best. Another thing to keep in mind, is it may not be wise accept definite quotes over the phone. If they haven’t seen the issue but can still give you an exact amount then they might just be throwing a number at you to get you to make a quick decision. Phone estimates are fine but an actual quote has to be done in person.

Price is one comparison option but there are many other things that people forget to find out about. Here are a few questions to ask so you can find the right person for the job.

How long have you been in business?

It’s human nature to trust longevity and that instinct isn’t wrong. A company that has been in business for a long time is less likely to leave you in the lurch compared to a newly established business without the experience and credibility to back them. That’s not to say that new companies are bad, but it’s a good idea to do a little extra research on newer companies.

Do you have insurance to cover my property and the ones next to it?

Whether it’s major plumbing work that you’re having done or something minor, it’s still important to make sure the contractor you choose has insurance to cover the costs if anything should good wrong. This will give you peace of mind that you won’t be out of pocket if there is unforeseeable damage done to your property or your neighbour’s.

Do you have references for previous work or can I see previous work that you’ve done?

The company may be able to provide you with a location that you can visit to check out their work or at least provide you with references and testimonials to back up their credibility. It’s also a good idea to take a look at their social media pages to see what feedback people write and look at any reviews that customers have written on third party websites.

Do you guarantee your work?

It is important to find out what kind of guarantee the company offers. Whether it’s a ‘money back guarantee’ or a replacement guarantee it’s a good idea to know what they cover and how long the guarantee is valid for.

These simple questions will help you distinguish between the professionals and the frauds. When it comes to things like plumbing, you want to get it right the first time so doing a little research goes a long way.

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