If you are thinking about a bathroom renovation but are limited by space here are some great tips from the team at Fixzit:
Less is More
Choose fixtures and fittings wisely, a uniform minimalist style of taps, door handles, light fittings will stop the room looking cluttered.

Storage
This is one of the most important features in the success of your new bathroom. Choose streamlined vanities and shelving allowing you to store all of your cosmetics and toiletries with ease. Floating shelves or glass shelving will look stylish and will give you somewhere to store larger items like towels

Choosing your tiles
Go against everything you would normally believe in a small space, with tiles, BIGGER is better. Simple tiles will make your bathroom appear larger, glossy finishes will also help reflect the light around the room. Laying your tiles horizontally will make the room look wider, and when laid vertically they will draw your eye upwards. There are some beautiful small tiles and mosaic tiles that you can use as spacers to add a unique feel to your room.

Mirrors
A simple large mirror will distribute the light around the room and create the feeling of depth. Even if you are limited on space, a decent sized mirror will make the space feel larger and more inviting.

Color
Stick to neutral shades of cream or pastels on the walls and a simple white ceiling. Make sure you use paint designed for bathrooms.
Small bathrooms can still be beautiful with the use of some clever planning in the early stages of your design. If you want to inject some colour into your room then pick one colour and the use of accessories is a great way to do this, things like coordinated bath towels, bath mats, soap dispensers will allow you to add some personality to your space.

Our team at Fixzit has helped numerous Brisbane families achieve their dream bathroom renovation.

If you’re reading this post, it’s highly likely that you have some plumbing work to be done in your home or office. If you’re in Brisbane, give Fixzit a call now; you’re about to discover three reasons why you should always leave plumbing to the pros.

Established in 1984, Fixzit is a trusted name providing many trade services including plumbing. Employing specialist Brisbane plumbers, we are equipped to meet all your plumbing needs.

Now, back to those three reasons. We know that finances can be tight in households and realise that it’s tempting to try the job yourself to save a few dollars, but it’s often a quick fix at best and not the ideal choice long term. Here’s why:

1. Safety
This is the most important reason to leave plumbing jobs to a professional. Regardless of dollars saved, the health and safety of all in your home is more valuable.

Professionals have the right tools and expertise to get the job done. They also have the insurance in case something goes wrong.

Remember, a lot of jobs can seem easy on first sight but thing can easily go wrong. Crack piped, cuts, lacerations or electrocutions are just examples.

2. Warranty
Imagine you’ve discovered a cracked pipe in your bathroom vanity. You’re pretty handy and can find the exact replacement pipe at your local hardware store. You decide to replace it yourself. It’s a struggle but you get it done.

Admiring your work over the next few days, you’re happy with your handiwork but notice a drop in water pressure. It’s not bad, so you don’t think anything of it.

It’s not until the insides of your vanity has rotted that you realise you damaged the tap fixings and water has slowly escaped. This work isn’t covered under warranty and you’re now looking at much higher bill including replacing your vanity.

3. Cheaper
We started this post saying many home owners attempt their own plumbing work to save money so it’s no surprise the third and final reason is that using a professional is actually cheaper in the long run.

Apart from paying for the goods and labour, you’re paying for warranties, insurance, expertise and peace of mind that the work has been done right.

Annual maintenance of your hot water heater keeps it working properly and reduces the risk of major issues down the track.

Very few people understand that hot water systems build up sediment, dirt and minerals that settle on the bottom of the tank and in the pipes. Depending on the quality of water where you live, this can happen over a short or long period of time.

At some point, without hot water heater maintenance, you will find that these materials will have an impact on the efficiency of your hot water system. If you don’t see to cleaning the tank, the issue will not only make your hot water heater work harder (which means that it costs you more), but it could also lead to rust issues which would ultimately warrant replacement.

If you leave these issues unchecked, the results can be costly, as well as inconvenient. However, annual maintenance is far less expensive and can be conducted by a professional.

What do the professionals do?
A professional will locate and access your hot water tank to drain the water, which removes the dirt, sediment and minerals from the tank. This is a dangerous job, as it involves water that is scalding hot. The professional will turn off the water as well as all electricity or gas, depending on the type of hot water system you have.

The flushing of the system takes over half an hour. After they have finished flushing the system to make sure that it is free of all sediment and dirt, they will turn all your utilities back on and refill the tank.

As they refill the tank, the professional will check for any leaks or faulty parts in the system.

Call Fixzit for professional hot water system service in Brisbane
Fixzit will perform maintenance of your hot water system, and provide advice on how to best maintain your hot water system for local conditions. Fixzit has grown from strength to strength since its establishment in 1984, and we now have service vans and trucks on central and suburban Brisbane roads.

For hot water system services in Brisbane, look no further than your local FIXZIT FRANCHISE on 1300 726 806.

There are a lot of plumbing and maintenance services around Brisbane and Ipswich, but if you want the job done right, then call us for the reliability of a name you can trust.

Part of what makes Queensland unique is the architecture that is mostly seen in residential properties, this style of property became known as the Queenslander.
With large sheltered timber verandas, and beautiful fret work or iron railings, they were built elevated from the ground to allow for natural ventilation to circulate under the property. It also allows for the properties to overcome difficult terrains such as being built on a sloping block of land, and for the natural flow of water in the event of heavy rainfall. Although first developed in the 1840’s, due to their simple construction, they were particularly popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s. This history has very much influenced the ‘style’ of interior that people aim for in this type of home.

Our team at Fixzit have helped many of our customers achieve ideally styled bathroom renovations in Brisbane properties. We will outline some key factors to achieving your dream bathroom:

Period Features
If you are lucky enough that your home has existing period features such as alcoves or a fireplace, you could use the alcove to create extra storage by adding shelving, or cupboard space in the lower half. You can mix and match old with new and modern shelves, and add a nice twist in a traditional bathroom.

Wood panelling is common in Queenslander properties; a simple white wash will make your room feel clean and bright. Bare floorboards would have been common place in a period home, however if yours are not quite up to scratch you can now buy high quality waterproof laminates that are suitable for bathrooms.

Fixtures and fittings
The furniture you choose is going to be one of the most important factors that will affect the finish of your room. Free standing roll top baths took pride of place in period homes; however you can get some modern versions with more streamlined fittings that will create a simpler look, more in keeping with a modern home.

Accessories
Raid antiques and charity shops for authentic token accessories, large mirrors, furniture and pictures that will tie the whole room in together.

When you start planning a bathroom renovation, there will be a number of trades you have to coordinate to keep your job running on schedule and budget. The advantage of working with the team at Fixzit is that we have a number of qualified tradesmen that work together, builders, carpenters and plumbers are all likely to be needed during your project.

Our experienced teams are passionate about working together and our key focus is to ensure all of our projects are completed to the highest level of workmanship. If you want to know more about what our team can help you achieve either call us on 1300 726 806 or email us here.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give the network of pipes between the walls and under your home much thought. But by paying attention to how you use the plumbing fixtures around the home, and a few inspections now and then, you can prolong the life of the system, and avoid costly repairs. From drain care, detecting water pressure, and detecting and stopping unnecessary leaks, these tips will not only help to save you money, they could also save a potentially costly callout to emergency plumbers.
Don’t turn off taps too tightly.
Every time you twist the hot or cold water taps as tight as they go, it wears down the washers. While these can be easily replaced at your local hardware store, this isn’t usually prioritised and taps leaks for days – even weeks – before washers are changed. If it’s a dripping hot water tap this can add a significant cost to your heating bill.

Beware what goes into drains
Grease, oils and fats might be in liquid form when hot, but as soon as they are return to room temperature, they become solids, and can clog up pipes. Also to avoid blocked drains, always scrape food deposits off the plate and into the garbage, and only ever flush toilet paper and sewerage.

Speaking of drains, to prevent foreign items entering, make sure to install drain screen over kitchen sinks, the bathroom or laundry floor, and the bathtub/shower. This will avoid stop hair and other small items like hairclips, razors and dental floss making their way into the drain system. Avoid using harsh drain cleaners since they often don’t remove the cause of the clog completely and can corrode drains. TO remove a clog, either call a plumber or purchase a drain snake from hardware stores and give it a go yourself.

Inspect Exterior Pipes for Corrosion
If you’ve ever heard the saying ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ this also applies to inspecting for leaks. The sooner a leak is detected and fixed, the smaller the repair will be, and the less cost. Check for grass which may be greener than other areas and damp soil to located the leak. Copper pipes with green coloured stains is a sign of corrosion so these should be monitored and patched up before corrosion gets worse and leads to a leak or ruptured pipe.

Understand How to Shut of Your Water Supply
If you suspect a leak, or you have a burst pipe, it’s a good idea to shut off the main water ASAP. We’re previously explained about reading and understanding your water meter, and this is important in a plumbing emergency and to detect if you may have a leak. It can also help solve the problem of banging water pipes.

Monitor Water Pressure
Finally, it’s also a good idea to take notice of water pressure. If you notice pressure seems too high it can add stress to your pipes and reduce the life of your plumbing. If it seems too low it can be frustrating for a decent show, but also could mean there is a leak somewhere on the property. The ideal pressure should be 40-85 psi, (pounds per square inch) and your plumber can adjust this and install pressure regulators on the property.

To arrange a plumbing inspection, routine maintenance or for a plumber to fix common plumbing problems around your Brisbane home, from Woolloongabba to Wynnum, call Fixzit today on 1300 726 806

For those building, renovating, or even those who are looking to upgrade their aging (and expensive electric) hot water system, one of the biggest questions is whether to choose a solar or a gas system. Considering that hot water can account for up to 25 per cent of household energy use, it’s a decision that’s worth some serious thought. Since both energy options are available in Brisbane and Ipswich, Fixzit’s plumbers explain some of the benefits of each to help you make the best choice for you.

About Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar hot water system are generally the most environmentally friendly option and have some of the lowest running costs but may be among the most expensive to install. They operate off solar connector panels and a storage tank.

Via a heat pump, instead of creating the heat itself, heat is transferred from the air to the holding tank. To compensate for rainy days or extended overcast periods, extra supply of hot water can be boosted with either gas or electricity. Electric boosted systems are typically cheaper to purchase than gas boosted systems

What to remember about solar systems:
For solar systems your roof should have good access to sunlight, and preferably face north for best exposure.
Most 4 person households need about 2 panels or 4 square metres of collector areas, plus a larger 360L tank. This will ensure there is adequate supply in times of greater use or less sunlight.
For systems where the tank and panels are mounted on the roof, the roof itself may need to be reinforced or strengthened – depending on the framing and roof type. If access to the roof is difficult this can increase installation costs.
Solar hot water may cost the most to install, but for busy family households it’s an option suited since they can quickly recover their costs more quickly, especially in warmer parts of the country like Queensland.
About Gas Hot Water Systems
Gas hot water systems are another popular option especially in areas where there is a direct supply of natural gas or where there is access to LPG (bottled gas.) While not as efficient as solar, gas hot water systems are around 30 per cent more efficient than regular electric systems. Like appliances in the home, a star rating system is used to measure their efficiency.

If natural gas is connected to your home, the installation costs are around the same as an electric system. Because gas usage doesn’t have time of day issues with heating, a smaller system can be used compared to solar or electric systems and the gas burner can operate as needed.

Instantaneous gas systems are also available which have no water holding tank. They work by heating the water from a gas burner as it flows through a coiled pipe when hot water taps are turned on.

What to remember about gas systems:
Gas systems replenish hot water quickly therefore smaller tanks can be used.
Look for systems rated 5 stars and above for best efficiency.
Indoor and outdoor systems can be used.
Installation is affordable when existing natural gas is connected to the property
May be not the best option when LPG must be used since cylinders gas is more pricey and need to be replenished.
Fixzit plumbers can provide the right advice on a range of different hot water systems to suit your needs and your household’s. We can supply and install a more energy efficient system to save you money in the long term. For questions or to find out more, call out plumbing team in Brisbane today on 1300 726 806.

Don’t neglect to inspect!

Most people are aware that before buying a home a thorough inspection of the home is essential to understand the condition of the building, and to be fully aware of what you may be buying. A building and pest inspection is normally carried out before settlement, since if there is any termite or structural damage to the building, this can help buyers negotiate a better price. One of the areas that people often overlook when buying a home however is the state of the plumbing. A pre-purchase plumbing inspection is recommended for homes more than 15 years old to determine the state of the plumbing systems and if repairs are needed, or will be needed in the near future.

Fixzit’s plumbers in Aspley and across Brisbane can look after all your pre purchase plumbing inspections and could save you thousands of dollars. As your most important asset, you home is more than a place to live and extensive damage could seriously undermine the value of your home.

Consider This Scenario:
First home buyers Jeremy and Alison* (names changed) purchased an older property in Ipswich in 2013 that had not been lived in for almost 12 month. Within just over a month of moving into the propery, and only 6 weeks after settlement, sewerage starting seeping though the walls in the garage, and out into the yard. A drain camera was used to determine where the damage was coming from and uncovered the sewer pipe and major drain line had leaks between the pipe seals which had deteriorated over time.

Digging up the pipes and repairing these was quoted as tens of thousand dollar repair job, a cheaper option however that still cost several thousand dollars was to reline the pipe with a drain relining technology. Unfortunately Jeremy and Alison were forced to wear the cost of this since they hadn’t organised a plumbing inspection of the property before purchase.

What to A Pre Purchase Plumbing Inspection Will Assess

Any leaks around the property which could result in high water bills
Drain inspection with CCTV camera.
Blocked, cracked or sewer pipes that may be invaded by tree roots
The age and condition of the hot water system
Water pressure issues and the cause behind these.
Faulty, broken or malfunctioning tap ware, toilets and other plumbing fixtures including showers
For as little as a couple of hundred dollars for an extensive report into the plumbing condition of the home, a pre purchase plumbing inspection gives you the peace of mind to completely understand what you are buying, and the power to negotiate repairs before purchase, or a better price if damage is found. A building inspection will not cover plumbing systems, and a licensed plumbing inspection should always be part of the due diligence taken by the buyer before purchasing a property.

To arrange your next inspection, or any other plumbing services in Brisbane, call Fixzit today on 1300 726 806

What causes banging water pipes?

It’s a familiar sound to many of us, especially in older homes. It’s the sound of banging, clanging, clunking or hammering pipes when you turn off a tap. Sometimes it isn’t even caused by turning of a tap and the pipes sound like they have a life of their own. But your home isn’t haunted, it’s called water hammer and it’s actually quite common. There can be many different reasons why pipes can bang, and the actual sound it makes can help diagnose the exact cause. Fixzit’s team of Brisbane plumbers explain more below.

What causes water hammer?
Water hammer (also called hydraulic shock) can occur when taps or valves are shut off suddenly causing a sudden change of water pressure in the supply pipe. Water pressure that is too high is also another cause of loud banging noises coming from the home’s pipes. Most home plumbing systems have some kind of mechanism to absorb this change in pressure. Most often air traps or strand pipes (also known as arrestors) are used which carry only air to absorb the shock but these can slowly fill up with water which will no longer absorb the shock over time.

If water hammer is extreme or left unchecked for long enough it can cause pipe collapse and broken fittings and valves, which can be an expensive plumbing emergency to fix. This often is an extreme case, but it can and does happen so it is well worth taking steps to correct banging pipes.

What can be done to fix banging pipes?
Purging your water lines of all water will replace water with air in arrestor strand pipes which can absorb pressure which causes banging pipes. To do this, shut off the water at the main pipe. This is usually done at the home’s water meter. Click here for more about understand your home’s water meter.

After the water supply is shut off go the furthest tap from the main and turn this on, then turn on all other taps in the home including showers, outside taps, basins and laundry tubs. When all the water is out of the system, turn off all taps and turn the main water supply to the house back on. This should eliminate the water hammer, although it may need to be repeated often.

If you still are having banging pipes, it’s best to call it the help of a licensed plumber who can diagnose and repair other causes of banging pies. This could be inspecting and replacing water arrestors if necessary and making sure pipes are correctly affixed in the crawl spaces and securing loose fittings. A plumber may also diagnose that your water pressure is too high as the cause of the problem and install a pressure regulator. A surge arrestor may also be cut into the main water line to act as another shock absorber mechanism.

For all your home water woes, Fixzit are you reliable, local, affordable and friendly plumbers in Brisbane. Call us today to book a plumber to come to your home on 1300 726 806.

Common Plumbing Issues

A reliable supply of water is something we take for granted in our homes, but without consistent plumbing our homes would not be liveable. Mostly our plumbing systems work behind the scenes, but as any frustrated homeowner would know, plumbing issues often occur at the most inconvenient of times and you need a quick solution.

Fixzit’s team of Brisbane plumbers travel to all corners of the city to repair, install, isolate and drain all kinds of plumbing predicaments to solve a range of water woes that homeowners experience. Here’s our run down of the most common plumbing issues and what needs to be done to fix them

1. Hot Water Problems
There are many reasons that can arise from hot water systems including a lack of hot water, bad smells and sometimes damaged dip tubes. Firstly, if it’s a gas hot water system make sure the pilot light is still lit before calling a plumber, and make sure the temperature on the thermostat is set high enough to provide an adequate supply of hot water.

2. Blocked Drains
Blocked drains are most often caused by putting food or items down the drain. Especially in the kitchen you should be careful about what goes down the drain – especially oil and food deposits. As plumbers we unclog blocked drains as one of our most common jobs in the home, but sometimes blocked drains can be caused by tree roots which will need a different approach.

3. Leaking Pipes, Taps and Toilets
Leaking issues in pipes can become a very costly problem and should be fixed as soon as possible before the problem gets worse. Often the problem is simple to correct, but a leaking hot water tap can add significant costs to your energy or gas bills. Leaking pipes can also damage roofing, flooring and walls so it’s a good idea to have these repaired as soon as possible to avoid water damage to the property.

4. Reduced Water Pressure
Overtime our aerators on taps and show heads can become clogged with mineral deposits and lime scale build up which can reduce water flow. These should be cleaned and replaced if necessary. There could be other causes of reduced water pressure in the home and could include cracked pipes, or replacing pressure regulators.

Need a fixin’? Call a Fixzit tradesman! We are the boys in the yellow van and Fix it we can!

The best and most fail safe solution to solving home plumbing problems is calling a licensed plumber.

We’re always available to take your call and if there is an urgent plumbing issue one of our plumbers can be there right away to keep things flowing. Call us today on 1300 726 806.

Not only is the smell of gas in the home an unpleasant smell, it also means you need to take action straight away since the health and safety of you and your family could be at risk. The smell of gas is usually evidence of a leak, and a team of plumbers who are licensed in gas fitting work will need to detect where the leak is coming from.

Fixzit Plumbing explain in this post some simple measures to identify a gas leak, what action to then take, where leaks originate, and how these leaks are repaired.

Do you smell gas?
If you smell gas from the street of your home, or before or including the location of your gas meter you should call the Orgin Energy Gas emergency supply number on 1800 808 526 who are responsible for repairing the leak if the leak due to piping that connects to your property. If the gas leak is coming from within the boundaries of your property, you will need to call a licensed gas fitter or plumbing contractor to investigate.

What to do if you smell gas in the home…
1. Turn off all gas at the gas meter or cylinder. Gas meters are usually located towards the front of the home in a metal box, or in the front garden in a meter box. For natural gas, the supply valve is off when it’s rotated horizontally. This will have the handles at right angles to the gas pipe.

2. Turn off all gas appliances at the control point or pilot light for a hot water heater.

3. Open doors and windows, especially near the gas appliances which can include gas heater, gas ovens, gas stove and gas hot water heater.

4. Don’t use any electrical equipment in the area of a suspected gas leak.

5. Contact a plumber who works in gas fitting to detect the leak, repair any escape points and relight any appliances.

How to test for a gas leak
If you suspect you may have a leak, but cannot or only occasionally smell gas you can write down the gas meter readings before going to bed and then check to see if the number has changed in the morning. If there is no leak and no gas appliances have been used in this time the number should not have changed. Even if there is only a small leak, the costs to your gas bill can be significant.

How we repair leaks
Here at Fixzit our plumbers use a specialised gas leak detection device which has a sensor determining the concentration of gas, which gets higher towards the site of the leak. Often this is close to the connection of a gas appliance itself, in a section of pipe, or near the gas meter. The best method of repair is then determined and this work carried out quickly and safely.

Don’t wait if you smell gas in your home. Not only can it cause your gas bill to skyrocket, it’s also a health and safety risk to your family. Call the Fixzit emergency plumbing team and licensed gas fitters today on 1300 726 806 for all gas leak repairs and installation of gas appliances around your Brisbane home.

Understanding Your Water Meter

Your water meter indicates much water your home consumes. As a compulsory instrument they are used to bill each household based on the readings recorded. It’s worth regularly reading and understanding your meter to give you an idea of how much water is being used on average, and to gain an understanding of consumption patterns.

Since many households don’t give their water use much thought, or know where they can find their water meter, our Brisbane plumbers at Fixzit answer some common questions about using your water meter in this post.

Where is my water meter located?
Your water meter is will be typically located towards the front of your home, generally on the nature strip close to the left or right boundary line. In multi-residence buildings including apartment and unit complexes there are often not separate meters for each residence. The stop tap to turn of the main water supply to the house is located next to the meter. If there is a burst pipe using this will stop wastage and possible damage.

How do I read my water meter?
Open the lid on your water meter to reveal a sequence of black and red numbers OR dials which show fractions of a kilolitres along with numbers on older meters. Reading from left to right, on meters with only numbers the black numbers (usually the first four digits) represent kilolitres (thousands of litres) and the red represent litres.

How to record figures on meters with numbers AND dials

With meters that have both numbers and dials, the important information is:

Numbers with one dial – Only the numbers are important
Numbers with 2 dials – All numbers are important and the information on the smallest dial.
Numbers with 4 dials. All numbers are needed and the numbers on the first three dials from right to left.
Note: For billing purposes only the black numbers are recorded.

How can I tell if there is a leak?
Water meters can be used to determine if there could be a leak. By monitoring the numbers while nobody is home, or overnight when everyone is sleeping (no water can be used – even toilets) you can reinspect the numbers shown. If they have changed, it’s likely there is a leak on the property and this is something that should be assessed by a plumber before the leak gets worse, and to avoid a costly water bill.

What are the homeowner’s responsibilities with water meters?
A water meter should be accessible for readings meaning that it shouldn’t be behind a locked fence or gate. If it can’t be easily accessed usage will be charged on estimates, which is unlikely to be in your favour.
If you think your water meter could be faulty you can contact Queensland Urban Utilities for an assessment. If it is found be faulty or inaccurate, the meter will be replaced along with the assessment charge and a review of the previous consumption charges for your home will be reviewed.
Fixzit plumbers can provide a comprehensive water audit of your home including an assessment of your water use, an inspection for any leaks and detailed recommendations of how you can reduce your consumption and save money. To find out more, call us today on 1300 726 806

Blocked Drains and Trees

Blockages in toilets and drains are about as fun as a hole in the head. Unfortunately what should go down, doesn’t always seem to. Sometimes things just won’t flush, disappear or drain away and the cause of this common problem isn’t always caused by common culprits like hair, food or toilet paper.

The root of the problem could be a lot further underground caused by pesky tree roots. Our Brisbane plumbers here at Fixzit explain how you can avoid tree roots coming into contact with sewer pipes, and what to do next if you’re having drainage problems.

HOW DO TREE ROOTS CAUSE BLOCKAGES?
A root’s tree system is a strong network or large and finer hair-like roots. Naturally seeking moisture these roots are able to get into sewer pipes by exploiting miniscule gaps in pipe joints or through cracks or fractures in the pipe. Once inside can grow into a wiry mass of roots since they have the conditions including humidity and a mixture of wet and dry areas which allows them to thrive. When root systems become big enough they will eventually block pipes and potentially cause costly damage if they cause a breakage in the sewer line.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
If your toilet or sinks are draining slower than normal it can be a sign of roots that are stemming the flow and it can mean there is a partial blockage. If toilets aren’t flushing with enough power it’s a sign that there is a blockage somewhere and it’s time to call a plumber. Don’t wait until sewage backs up and overflows into your toilet, bathroom or laundry – if you suspect there’s a problem call a plumber sooner rather than later. Plumbers have special high powered machine with mighty suction power to extract clusters of tree roots from drain lines.

HOW CAN I PREVENT THE PROBLEM?

It’s important to know where your sewer pipes are located on your property and avoid planting certain types of trees no closer than 2-4 metres of this pipe. It’s always a good idea before planting any type of tree to get professional advice on their root system and plan the location of your trees on your property. As a general rule tree roots will generally expand around one and a half times the length of the tree branches.

If you’ve got a problem with tree roots and blocked pipes in Brisbane call Fixzit Plumbing today on 1300 726 806. Our plumbers can also advise some other strategies to stop new roots re-entering your plumbing to future proof yourself against this problem.