We have all probably asked the question at least once in our adult lives – why are plumbers so expensive? While many think a toolbox and a bit of Googling is all it takes, plumbing is much more complex than you might think. So what are you paying for?

Specialised skill set

Just like any career, plumbing requires a specialised set of skills that not everyone can master. Plumbers are trained professionals, with two years of apprenticeship followed by multiple certifications. These licensed professionals know how to diagnose problems and use various tools to fix them safely and effectively.

They have the skill set to ensure that when a job is done, it’s done right. If you cut corners and choose to DIY or use an unlicensed plumber, you risk causing further damage and end up having to pay double what you would with a licensed plumber.

Available 24/7

Say a pipe burst in your upstairs bathroom at 10 pm and is on the verge of flooding your bedroom and the rooms below. You can’t wait until 9 am the next day to call a plumber. You need someone to come and fix the problem ASAP.

Plumbing is one of those things that are essential in the home but can break at any time. Plumbers need to be prepared to drop everything and tend to emergency calls 24 hours a day. The cost for on-demand, high-quality services will naturally be higher. Also, when it comes to plumbing, the demand is high and the supply is low, so the prices are increased to balance this.

Plumbing parts

Plumbing repairs often include replacing parts, which you’ll also have to pay for. There are also high overhead costs in vehicles and travel, equipment, training and stock. This is included in the price you pay to ensure plumbers provide the best quality solutions for your home.

You save money

Many people have tried to fix a simple plumbing problem and made it into a full-on catastrophe. Plumbers often say a lot of their work is just fixing someone else’s mess-up. Hiring a plumber from the get-go will save you money on the multiple repairs you might need if you try to do it yourself. It’s just not worth it. The quicker you address the problem with someone who knows exactly how to address it, the better off you’ll be. You won’t have to buy new parts every couple of months because a plumber will provide you with a long-term fix.

Looking for a quality plumber you can trust? Sydney Premium Plumbing has your back. For 24/7 emergency plumbing services, contact us today.

If you’re looking to increase the value of your property, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms to look at. Buyers see value in a bathroom. They understand it’s a high-traffic area of the home that should look great and function well.

While other areas like an overgrown lawn or rickety floorboards are fairly low-cost fixes and can be often overlooked, an outdated bathroom carries much more weight when buying a house. Buyers either see it as a reason to pay more or dismiss the property entirely. Depending on the quality of the renovation, a renovated bathroom can add up to 10% to the value of a property.

Although it can be an expensive project, the bathroom is one of the most profitable rooms to renovate. According to LJ Hooker, owners can potentially get $4 for every $1 spent on renovating the bathroom, if done right. While it can be expensive and scary to invest time and money into, there are ways to conduct successful bathroom renovations that see a return.

How to get the most out of your bathroom renovation

To get a good return on investment, keep the costs of your bathroom renovation to 1.5-2% of the property value. Of this figure, 50% should be spent on labour and 50% on materials. Of course, this budget will change depending on whether you want a simple, minor or major renovation so ensure you know exactly what you want and how much you can afford to spend on it.

To add more value to your home, make sure you consider your target market. Will heated flooring or towel racks add extra value in the eyes of your buyers? Will you need the ultimate spa-like luxury bathroom? Will you need to reconfigure the whole layout?

In general, shiny surfaces are perceived as having a higher value than matte or satin surfaces. Other features that are perceived as luxury include stone counters with vessel sink vanities, free-standing bathtubs, herringbone pattern tiles, and frameless glass shower doors. Other than aesthetics, buyers often look for practicality. Ensure that in your renovation, you upgrade to water-efficient showerheads and provide sufficient storage.

With DIY renovations, you can save money but might be limited in design prospects due to waterproofing and water fixtures. You also need to be honest about your abilities. If you cannot do a good job with things like tiling, regrouting, or swapping out fixtures, you might be lowering the value rather than increasing it. Investing in a professional is a smart choice. Not only can they do the job to a high standard, but they can also do it quickly.

Sydney Premium Plumbing provides professional bathroom renovation services to help you increase the value of your home. With our experience, we’ll deliver what you want with the highest quality workmanship. Enquire about our bathroom renovation services today.

Many people put off cleaning their roof and gutters until it’s too late. As we reach the middle of the hot summer months, now is one of the most crucial times for you to get someone up there and clean it up. Here’s why.

The dangers of debris

The changing seasons have left behind a lot of debris. By the end of spring, your roof and gutters are sure to have been riddled with dirt, leaves, and other debris. Cleaning your gutters at this time is ultimately a preventative measure, and a critical one.

One of the most important reasons for cleaning gutters in summer is that dried-up leaves, stuck in gutters, are prone to catching fire in bushfire season. If you have a lot of trees surrounding your home, you must pay close attention to your gutters in summer.

When not cleaned regularly and properly, debris can cause major damage to multiple parts of your home. The most obvious damage is debris blocking your gutters, stopping rainfall from draining properly and instead, overflowing into your home.

Debris also makes gutters heavier. If not cleaned often, the gutters will sag or pull out the fasteners, damaging the drainage system and your home.

Not to mention, gutters full of debris and water are breeding grounds for unwelcome guests like mosquitoes, cockroaches and even rats!

Preparing for summer storms

Recent summers have brought some heavy rain and thunderstorms. If your gutters are heavy with debris, the summer winds will easily break your gutters. They’ll also be prone to rust and erosion, meaning summer rains won’t be diverted to the downpipes, it will simply leak through the holes. Water damage can lead to a cracked foundation, which can deepen overtime and cost you either a lot of money to fix, or to move out.

Protecting your roof

Clogged gutters mean rainfall has nowhere to go and will begin to pool around your roof. This pooled water will start to seep through the cracks of your roofing, weakening its hold and damaging the underlayer. Over time, you’ll start to see water damage, mould and mildew in your ceilings – a costly and dangerous consequence of neglecting your gutters.

Cleaning your roof and gutters is extremely important as we reach the middle of the summer season. Neglecting your gutters is a risk that’s not worth taking.

Luckily, roof and gutter cleaning can be cost-effective and convenient if you find the right provider for you. Getting a professional to clean your gutters will effectively prevent these dangers from happening and they’re a lot cheaper than repairing and replacing your roof and gutters when it’s too late!

Sydney Premium Plumbing offer professional roof and gutter cleaning services carried out by licensed experts. Roof leaks and gutter blockages are an urgent matter, which is why Sydney Premium Plumbing is available 24/7 to help.

Don’t risk your safety and money by leaving it too late. Contact one of our professionals to do the hard job for you now.

While people often try to save money by unblocking pipes themselves, the easiest and most effective way to clear a blocked drain is to call a professional. They have the expertise and equipment to unblock pipes and ensure they stay clear for a long time. But how do they do it?

Licensed plumbers use a variety of equipment ranging from chemical cleaners to drain snakes and cable cleaners. At Sydney Premium Plumbing, we use a combination of the latest camera and jetter equipment to detect and unblock pipes successfully.

CCTV cameras

Sydney Premium Plumbing performs drain inspections using the latest available CCTV equipment. This involves using a specialised camera and cable that is snaked through the property’s pipes. The camera is connected to a screen allowing plumbers to inspect an almost 360-degree view of the pipes through a live feed. Once the plumber sees the problem via the screen, they can decide how to fix it.

CCTV inspections are great because there is no need to excavate, which is disruptive and time consuming. CCTV can easily detect not just blockages, but problems such as faulty joints, root invasions, leaks and debris. The camera is also used to confirm drains have indeed been successfully cleared of blockages and identify any risk of other blockages occurring in the future.

A CCTV inspection is a cost-effective and non-invasive way to find out what’s wrong with your pipes and where the problem lies exactly. CCTV is typically coupled with hydro-jetting.

Hydro-jetting

Hydro-jetting clears drain blockages through the use of a high-pressure water machine. It comes with various nozzles – ranging from around 1500 to 5000 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Unlike traditional methods, hydro-jetting is strong enough to cut through tree roots, hair, and grease build-ups while flushing them out at the same time. This is helpful to ensure there is no leftover debris to cause build-ups in the future.

Hydro-jetting is an extremely effective method for clearing out residential and commercial pipes. Traditional drain-clearing machines like cable cleaners use spinning blades to cut through blockages. This means CCTV can’t be used at the same time as the blades would damage the camera cable. With hydro-jetters, it’s possible to use CCTV cameras at the same time, saving time and money.

Sometimes hydro-jetters can work too well and the pressure can be too much for old and fragile pipes. Luckily, plumbers are experts in determining what strength will work best for each pipe.

Let the professionals at Sydney Premium Plumbing help with the latest most innovative equipment available. Our CCTV inspections and hydro-jetting services will ensure your drains are cleared and stay clear for years to come.