Plumbing Tips and Advice
Practical advice from our plumbers to help you avoid problems and know when to call.
What Temperature Should Your Hot Water Cylinder Be Set At?
In New Zealand a hot water cylinder should store water at 60°C or higher, so it kills Legionella bacteria. Water...
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Best Water Filter for NZ Homes: Town Supply vs Tank Water
The best water filter for a NZ home depends on where your water comes from. On treated town supply, such as most of...
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Low Water Pressure? How to Increase It in Your Shower and House
To increase water pressure in your shower, first clean the shower head and check that the toby and every isolation...
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How to Unblock a Drain: Kitchen, Shower and Outside Drains
The easiest way to unblock a drain is mechanical: remove the plug or grate, pull out hair or debris, then use a plunger...
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Grey Polybutylene Pipe in NZ: Should You Replace It?
Polybutylene is a grey or black plastic water pipe used widely in New Zealand homes from the late 1970s to the mid...
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Septic Tank Costs in NZ: Install, Replace and Pump-Outs
A new septic tank system in NZ typically costs $10,000 to $25,000 installed, according to Selwyn District Council, with...
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What Size Hot Water Cylinder Do I Need? NZ Sizing Guide
Most NZ households need roughly 50 litres of stored hot water per person, so a 180 litre cylinder suits two to four...
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Hot Water Cylinder in NZ?
The cost to replace a hot water cylinder in NZ depends mostly on the type you choose. A like-for-like electric swap is...
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Why Do My Pipes Bang? Water Hammer Explained for NZ Homes
Water hammer is the bang you hear when fast moving water in a pipe is stopped suddenly, usually by a quick closing tap,...
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What Is a Tempering Valve and Does Your Hot Water Need One?
A tempering valve is a small mixing valve on the hot pipe near your cylinder. It blends cold water into hot so bathroom...
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How to Unblock a Toilet (With or Without a Plunger)
To unblock a toilet, stop flushing, then use a flange plunger with firm push and pull strokes for 15 to 20 seconds at a...
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How to Fix a Leaking Tap: Mixers, Handles and Outside Taps (NZ)
To fix a leaking tap, turn off the water to that tap, work out whether it uses a rubber washer or a ceramic cartridge,...
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What Is a Gully Trap? Overflows, Smells and How to Fix Them
A gully trap is the small grated dish outside most New Zealand houses where the kitchen, laundry and sometimes bathroom...
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Leaking Hot Water Cylinder: Causes, Lifespan and What to Do Now
A leaking hot water cylinder is usually one of three things: a valve or fitting that has worn out, a relief valve doing...
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Hot Water Heat Pumps in NZ: Costs, Savings and Are They Worth It?
A hot water heat pump usually costs several thousand dollars more upfront than a standard electric cylinder. Consumer...
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