Plumbing FAQs

Signs of a hidden leak include:

• Unexpectedly high water bills
• Damp patches on walls, ceilings, or floors
• Soggy or unusually green patches in your lawn
• Low water pressure throughout the house
• Mould or mildew appearing in unusual areas

If you notice any of these, call a licensed plumber to investigate before the damage gets worse.

Low water pressure can be caused by a partially closed stopcock, clogged tapware or pipes, a faulty pressure regulator, a hidden leak, or an issue with your local water supply. If the problem affects your whole house rather than just one tap, call a licensed plumber to diagnose the cause.

First, check if there is water in the cistern. If yes, you may be able to manually activate the outlet valve at the bottom of the cistern. If the cistern is empty, check that the isolation valve is turned on.

As a temporary measure, you can pour a bucket of 5-10 litres of water directly into the bowl to simulate a flush. For a proper fix, call Sedcon Plumbing.

Slow drains are almost always caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum, or grease. Try pouring a kettle of boiling water down the drain, or a mixture of baking soda followed by vinegar. If the problem keeps returning, there may be a deeper blockage that needs clearing with a drain machine — give us a call.

Yes — a constantly running toilet can waste thousands of litres of water per day and significantly increase your water bill. The cause is usually a faulty outlet or inlet valve inside the cistern. Turn the isolation valve off when not in use and call us to fix it properly.

Use a toilet plunger — place it over the drain hole to create a seal and push up and down firmly several times. Avoid flushing repeatedly as this can cause an overflow. Do not use chemical drain cleaners in a toilet as they can damage the bowl and pipes. If plunging doesn't clear the blockage, call us.

A dripping tap is usually a worn washer, O-ring, or ceramic cartridge. It's a small repair but worth fixing promptly — a single dripping tap can waste over 2,000 litres per month. A licensed plumber can replace the internal parts quickly and affordably.

Drain odours are usually caused by a buildup of organic matter or a dry P-trap — the U-shaped pipe under sinks that holds water to block sewer gases. Try pouring baking soda followed by vinegar down the drain, wait 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. If the smell persists, call us to inspect for a blocked or damaged drain.

Electric systems: Check your circuit breaker hasn't tripped.

Gas systems: Check your gas supply is on and the pilot light is lit.

Solar systems: Check the booster switch.

If none of these fix it, call Sedcon Plumbing. Do not attempt to repair a hot water system yourself.

In Australia, all plumbing and drainage work must be done by a licensed plumber. This includes replacing taps, fixing leaks, unblocking drains with a machine, repairing hot water systems, and any work involving pipes inside walls or under floors.

You can safely pour boiling water down a slow drain or use a plunger on a toilet — but anything beyond that should be handled professionally to avoid voiding your home insurance or causing further damage.

Costs vary by job. A standard callout is typically $80-$150, with most common repairs (leaking taps, blocked drains, toilet repairs) ranging from $150-$400. Hot water system replacements range from $900-$2,500 depending on the unit type.

Sedcon Plumbing provides upfront quotes before starting any work. Contact us for a free assessment.

Yes. Sedcon Plumbing provides emergency plumbing services across Melbourne. Whether it's a burst pipe, blocked drain, or no hot water, our licensed plumbers respond quickly. Contact us for emergency callouts.

In most cases, tenants are responsible for blockages caused by misuse — like flushing wipes, sanitary items, or food scraps. Landlords and owners are generally responsible for blockages caused by tree roots, ageing pipes, or structural issues. For property managers, the safest approach is a professional inspection to confirm the cause before allocating cost. Sedcon Plumbing provides clear, written assessments property managers can use to determine responsibility.

Generally, the owners corporation (strata) is responsible for plumbing on common property — shared stacks, mains, and pipework outside individual lots. Lot owners are typically responsible for plumbing within their own unit, such as internal pipes and fixtures. Exact responsibilities can vary by state and by your owners corporation rules, so it's worth checking your strata plan for specifics. Sedcon Plumbing works directly with strata managers to identify whether an issue sits on common property or within a lot.