Warning Signs Your Pipes Are Failing Before It's an Emergency

Most burst pipes and major leaks don't come out of nowhere. There's almost always a lead-up of smaller warning signs, whether you're in Nelson Bay, Medowie, Anna Bay or anywhere else across Port Stephens. Catching them early is the difference between a quick repair and an emergency callout.

Sounds Worth Paying Attention To

Banging or knocking when a tap shuts off usually points to water hammer or high pressure. A hissing sound near a wall or under a slab can mean a hidden leak, and it's worth acting on quickly since slab leaks get expensive the longer they run.

Visual Signs Around the Property

• Damp or discoloured patches on walls, ceilings or floors

• Unusually lush or wet patches of lawn with no obvious reason

• Corrosion, green staining or rust around joints and fittings

• Cracked or perished flexi hoses under sinks and behind toilets

Your Water Bill Is a Warning System Too

A water bill that's climbed without any change in usage is one of the clearest signs of a hidden leak. It's worth checking your water meter when nothing's running in the house. If the dial is still moving, you've got a leak somewhere.

Fittings With a Known Shelf Life

Flexi hoses generally last 5 to 10 years, and most storage hot water systems last 8 to 12. If yours is getting close to that age, it's worth having it checked before it fails on its own terms, usually at the least convenient time.

Spotted Any of These?

If something doesn't look or sound right, it's worth a call before it becomes an emergency. Wilkins Plumbing Works services Nelson Bay, Medowie, Anna Bay and right across Port Stephens, 7 days a week. Call Joel on 0427 533 643.

Wilkins Plumbing Works is a licensed plumbing and gas fitting business (Licence No. 227350C) servicing Port Stephens and surrounding suburbs. This article is general information and doesn't replace an on-site assessment from a licensed plumber.