It is raining again in Canberra and Queanbeyan and people are asking how to clear blocked stormwater drains. Given all the consistent rain we are experiencing, now is the time when you will learn what condition your stormwater drainage system is in.
The first sign of a problem is likely to be your roof gutters overflowing. These will need to be checked for the build up of leafs, sticks and bird’s nests. You can clean them yourself with a dust broom and garden hose. However, given that most domestic injuries are ladder falls, it may be prudent to employ professionals to do it for you. We use and recommend a company called Gutter Vac
Once your gutters are clean check to see that water is draining down the downpipes. If they are not draining, tap the down-pipe with a rubber hammer handle along its length until you hear a hollow metal sound. This will tell you how much of the down-pipe is holding water. If all of the down-pipe is holding water you will need to cut a hole about 50mm in diameter at the very base of the down-pipe.
This will allow the water to drain out. You can than push a hose up into the down-pipe flushing any rubbish out as you go.
Once your downpipes are clear check that the stormwater drains are clear also. You can do this by running a garden hose down into the drain. Do this for about 5 minutes for each downpipe. If water begins to overflow out of the hole you have cut in the base of the downpipe it means that you have blocked stormwater drains.
You can attempt to push the hose into the drain until you cannot go any further. When you hit something hard, push the hose backwards and forwards a number of times as this may clear the blockage. You will know when your blocked stormwater drains are cleared as water will stop overflowing out of the base of the downpipes.
If the stormwater drain remains blocked you will need a licensed plumber or drainer with an electric eel or jetter to clear the blockage for you.
If you need help with blocked stormwater drains in Canberra or Queanbeyan you can obtain a list of licensed drainers and plumbers from The Master Plumbers Website, ACTPLA or you can call 6 Star Hot water and Plumbing on 61619417 for immediate help and advice for Blocked Drains Canberra.
www.hotwatersystems-plumbing.com.au/blocked-drains/
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Solar Hot water collector panels.
If you live in a rural area with severe frost should you choose a solar hot water system with water filled flat panels or evacuated tubes?
This is a commonly asked question by nearly every person looking to purchase a solar hot water system regardless of whether they live in town or out of town.
At 6 Star Hot Water and Plumbing Canberra our experience has shown that there is no real difference between the water filled flat panels and the evacuated tube solar hot water systems.
Both types of hot water systems have an electronic frost protection function. This function is set to automatically turn on the small solar pump which normally circulates water from the solar collectors into the solar storage tank. This is based on the principal that flowing water will freeze at a significantly lower temperature than static water.
This circulating water protects the collectors and the solar circulating pipes between the collectors and the solar storage tank from freezing.
The electronic frost protection system also allows the warmer water from the base of the solar hot water storage tank to circulate through the pipes and collectors.
Because evacuated tube systems only have electronic frost protection the solar circulating pipes between the collectors and the solar storage tank are more susceptible to freezing. Freezing in the solar circulating pipes will occur if any one of the circulating pump, solar control pad or sensors malfunction. In particular, cockatoos like chewing through the sensor wire connected to the collector sensor.
However, this does not mean that evacuated tubes are less suited to rural areas than water filled flat panel collectors.
Water filled flat panel connectors require a secondary frost protection system as a backup for the electronic frost protection system. Though, this is does not always help.
The secondary frost protection system on a water filled flat panelled system relies on water pressure to prevent the panels from freezing and cracking.
The secondary system required for a flat panelled system in frost prone areas is called an anti frost valve. The anti frost valve opens to let water, which is pressurised by your domestic pressure pump, to flow through the panels and onto the roof surface when the water in the panels drops below 2 degrees Celsius. This is likely to occur if the circulating pump, solar control pad or sensors malfunction. The anti frost valve’s purpose is the based on the same principles as the electronic frost protection function.
However, if you live in a rural location and you rely on an electric pump for your domestic pressurised water, you could find yourself in big trouble. Especially if you get a heavy frost and a blackout at the same time.
While the anti frost valve may open during a blackout, your electronic frost protection will not work and your domestic pressure pump will not supply pressurised water to the panels. Therefore the water in the panels will be static. Not only can your panels freeze and crack so can your solar circulating pipes.
If you would like more information to help you choose a solar hot water system you can contact 6 Star Hot Water and Plumbing.
Just follow the links for installing solar hot water systems within Canberra rural regions.
Ask us for a quote on line or speak to a qualified tradesman now by calling 61619417
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Solar Hot Water system, what to look for
When choosing a solar hot water system always check to see how many Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) it has for the litres of hot water it stores. The higher the number of RECs the less electricity it will use and the more efficient the system will be.
Don’t be tricked into buying a small tank. When choosing a solar hot water system a bigger tank is best. Today the tanks are very well insulated. Therefore with a larger tank you can store more free solar hot water.
Many manufacturers print tables on the recommended size to suit your needs. Solar hot water should save you money. It should not cost you a bomb in ongoing repairs from the day it is installed. I frequently get calls to fix systems that are only a few months old. This is because they have not been installed properly.
When buying a new solar hot water system use an experienced solar hot water system installer. Too many things can go wrong if your new solar hot water system is installed incorrectly.
Solar hot water systems generate heat from sun light shining on panels or tubes. They can also capture the heat out of the air. These systems are called heat pumps and require no roof mounted panels at all.
When having a heat pump installed always insist that your new heat pump is installed on a level base outside on the warm side of your house. Heat pumps do not need sunlight. However, the warmer the air around them the cheaper they will be to run.
When having any hot water heater system installed try to put it as close as possible to the kitchen. The kitchen tap is the tap which you will use more frequently than any other in the house. This will reduce energy consumption and water consumption.
If you need more information about your Solar Hot Water System or immediate help in Canberra, Queanbeyan or Jerrabomberra just call 6161 9417 for Six Star Hot Water & Plumbing.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Electric hot water systems
Electric hot water systems. When is it not worth repairing them?
As a general rule I would say if the electric hot water system is older than 10 years and you have not had any parts replaced since it was new, it is probably not worth the risk of repairing it.
Your electric hot water system may also be called an electric hot water heater, electric hot water tank, boiler, electric storage system, off peak hot water heater or electric hot water cylinder.
Hot water heaters were once made using copper or bronze. Some of these have lasted more than 40 years. Unfortunately, they are not as durable these days.
If you live in areas like Canberra where the water is relatively free from minerals such as calcium, iron and salt you could expect 10 years or more from your hot water heater.
Some faults are leaks through valves or seals. These are easily fixed by a qualified plumber. However, if the inner cylinder is leaking it cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Finding and fixing a leaking valve or seal is relatively easy and should cost between $280.00 and $390.00 depending on the make and model.
Experience shows that when you have a problem with one part of the hot water heater another problem is not far away. In total a complete overhaul of all of the changeable parts on an electric hot water system should cost between $560.00 and $720.00. However, there are no guarantees on how long the inner cylinder will last. Remember if it is over 10 years it may not be worth repairing.
When choosing a replacement hot water system remember electric hot water systems are relatively cheap to buy and maintain. However, they are the most expensive to run and the most polluting.
Because electric hot water systems are so polluting the Federal government will phase them out from January 1st 2012
You may consider using the federal rebates to assist you to buy a solar hot water system. You may even consider a high efficiency gas hot water system as an environmentally friendly alternative to solar hot water and at a much lower installation price.
You can choose a new electric, gas and solar hot water system from manufacturers such as Dux, Radiant, Aquamax, Vulcan, Everhot and Rheem. They range in sizes from 11 litres all the way up to 400 litres in capacity.
Many electric hot water repair services will generally do a same day change over if your existing hot water system bursts. Some may even be able to change your electric hot water heater to a gas hot water heater on the same.
If you are looking for a hot water heater or hot water heaters, the electric hot water brands we service include Bosch hot water, Dux hot water and Rheem hot water. We can provide instant hot water through a new gas hot water system. We can supply and install a new solar hot water service and help you with your solar hot water rebate. For a list of brands that we support to go to www.hotwatersystems-plumbing.com.au/hot-water-system-canberra/hot-water-systems
If you need more information or immediate help with your electric hot water system in Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra just call 6161 9417 for 6 Star Hot Water & Plumbing
Friday, July 30, 2010
Continuous Flow Hot Water
Continuous Flow, Instantaneous hot water systems
Are they better than Gas storage hot water systems?
How to choose a hot water heater
When buying a hot water heater your choice will be based on a number of reasons specific to you. These will be energy efficiency, environmental impact, the size of the hot water system and its location, amount of available hot water, installation costs, reliability, serviceability and safety. We will compare these issues one by one
Consider the Energy efficiency
Over a year, for an average household a 5 star Gas Storage hot water heater is likely to use 5%-10% more gas than a Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system. However, a 5 star Gas Storage hot water heater system does not require any electricity to run its computing and standby functions as does a Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system.
Further, according to a paper delivered by Adjunct Professor Alan Pears at the National Plumbing Regulators Conference 2008, gas storage systems may be on par with Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system for gas consumption in houses using 150 to 250 litres of hot water per day.
The best way to determine how efficient the hot water heater will be is to ask the sales person to tell you the average yearly gas consumption of the various units they are selling to you. Don’t forget that a Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system also uses electricity which is not included on the gas consumption data plate.
What is The Environmental impact?
This can be broken into two categories
The Carbon Footprint
Both the 5 star Gas Storage hot water heater system and Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system have lower carbon footprints than an electric boosted solar hot water heater. The Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system will use 5 -10% less gas than a 5 star Gas Storage hot water heater system. However, a Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system requires electricity.
The Water Efficiency
The Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system has minimum flow requirements before it will start heating water. Some units range between 2 and 3L/minute. We have found that some of the more water efficient shower roses have to be changed or their restrictors removed so that the Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system will produce hot water. The minimum flow rates of a Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system means that you cannot be economical with water whilst doing things like shaving and rinsing dishes.
The 5 star Gas Storage hot water heater system will lose up to 2000 litres of water through its relief valve every year. This water is wasted if is not collected for the gardens.
The Gas Continuous Flow/Instantaneous hot water system will lose between 15,000 litres and 20,000 litres of cold water down the drain every year. This does not take into account the longer shower that also might be had.
You can learn more if you visit the websites listed below.
The full article about Continuous Flow Hot Water systems can be read at
If you need further information and /or assistance, 6 Star Hot Water & Plumbing will do its best and give you its best price when it supplies and installs any type of hot water system you want.
If you need more information about your gas hot water or immediate help in Canberra, Queanbeyan or Jerrabomberra just call 6161 9417 for Six Star Hot Water & Plumbing.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
About 6 Star Hot Water & plumbing, Canberra
We offer a genuine 24 hour plumbing repair service. We fix Blocked drains and all other types of plumbing problems. We can fix or replace any brand or type of hot water system immediately.
The owner of 6 Star hot water & plumbing, Canberra has worked in the plumbing industry since 1985. He has operated a plumbing repair service in Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra since 1991.
We are not a franchise and we are a locally owned plumbing repair company. Over the years we have replaced or repaired many thousands of hot water systems. We have cleared many thousands of blocked sewerage and stormwater drains. We have found and fixed hundreds of water leaks. We have installed the plumbing for hundreds of kitchens. We have also fixed more than 10,000 dripping taps and more than 5000 leaking toilets.
We are members of The Master Plumber’s Drainer’s and Gasfitters Association of the ACT. Our proprietor Robert Edwards has been a member of the association in Canberra since 1994. He is also a former president of the association.
6 Star Hot Water & plumbing does not undertake any new building work. We offer a plumbing repair service and minor installation service only. This ensures that we always have an expert maintenance plumber available to help you at very short notice.
6 Star Hot Water and plumbing has vehicles that are set up for plumbing repairs and small installations. We carry most spare parts to save you time and money. We also have access to a vast array of warehoused spare parts for domestic and commercial plumbing repairs.
Not only do we cater for home owners, we cater for real estate agencies. 6 Star Hot Water & Plumbing has carried out thousands of plumbing repairs in rental properties in Canberra and Queanbeyan. We provide a prompt service that aims to keep both tenants and landlords satisfied.
6 Star Hot Water & Plumbing also undertake commercial hot water and plumbing repairs. We have experience in plumbing repairs for hotels, motels, factory sites, office blocks, carwashes, restaurants and retail shops. We work around the clock so other business can stay open.
If you are a home owner, real estate agency or commercial property manager and you need a plumber in Canberra or Queanbeyan who can come today to fix your hot water system, blocked drain, leaking tap, leaking pipes, leaking toilets and gas pipes call 6 Star Hot Water & plumbing Canberra. We can look after all of your plumbing problems now.
It’s easy to reach us. We are just one phone call away on 6161 9417
Saturday, July 17, 2010
How to deal with blocked drains in your sewerage system
First and most importantly, you need to know that your sewerage drainage system deals with all black water from toilets and grey water from showers, sinks, laundries and basins. Your sewerage will contain some remnants of blood, skin, faeces, fat, food, detergents, chemicals, hair, tampons and semen. Yes it is gross I know!
A blocked and overflowing sewerage drainage system can be very messy and pose a very serious health risk. The first symptoms of a blocked sewer may be gurgling in the sink when you are using the bath or toilet or visa versa. The water in the toilet may rise up, you may notice that the water sucks out of the toilet when you flush it. You may also notice that water is overflowing from one of the gully traps outside your house.
If you think that you have a blocked drain you need to deal with it straight away. The longer you leave it the worse the possible consequences.
Normally when any of the above occurs it is too late for a root pellet or caustic soda.
To clear the blocked drain you could try a large plunger or mop. You will have to pump the mop or plunger into the toilet or gully trap very fast a number of times to get the blockage moving.
If this doesn’t work, you could hire an electric eel or jet rodder and try to clear the blockage yourself. However, I would not advise it as these are very dangerous to an untrained operator. If you have read above you would now know that they are covered in the infectious remnants of other peoples blocked drains, They have also been known to break bones and cause horrific wounds.
The best and safest thing to do when you have a blocked drain is to call an experienced licensed plumber. If you call a plumber and you have used pellets or caustic soda let the plumber know. Caustic soda and pellets can cause serious burns to bare skin and the plumber may have to stick their arm in your drain.
When the plumber arrives ask them to check the whole drain for any other potential blockages with their electric eel or jet rodder. This will keep the drain unblocked for longer and can save you a considerable amount of money in the future, as you are only paying for one call-out and you are not paying the plumber to set up and pack up his drain cleaning machine more than once. Our plumbers at Star Hot Water & Plumbing do the whole drain all the time.
Most importantly, remember don’t leave a blocked drain for too long. The longer you leave the drain blocked the more expensive it will be to deal with.
If you need more information about your blocked drain or immediate help in Canberra, Queanbeyan or Jerrabomberra just call 6161 9417 for Six Star Hot Water & Plumbing.
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