Home Plumbing Tip #1: How to Prevent a Bathroom Flooding Catastrophe

Don't learn the hard way!

Recently, one of our clients contacted us to do an insurance quotation. They experienced water damage when a flexi connection (I'll explain in a little more detail what this is below) burst underneath their vanity on an upper level ensuite bathroom.  And by damage I mean major flooding catastrophe damage!

It's mid-morning and our clients have already left for work  when the flexi connection under their custom-made vanity bursts.  With water freely pouring from beneath the vanity pipes for many hours from an upper floor level, the damage wasn't confined to just the bathroom, but overflowed onto a carpeted bedroom floor, penetrating the carpet, the sheet flooring of the bedroom and the ceiling of the kitchen below. This caused a considerable amount of damage and the repair bill was in the many thousands.

But what many home owners don't know is that this scenario was is  totally preventable.

What is a flexi connector?

It is a connector used in plumbing to connect points in a water piping system that may compensate for pipes that are not in alignment and sometimes to reduce vibration in the pipes.

There are many flexible water connectors in the home. Because they can be subject to wear and tear, they should be checked regularly to ensure they are still sound and have no leaks. These flexible plumbing connections can be located in many places in the home and you may have a flexible plumbing connection:

• under basins in vanities
• under kitchen sinks
• toilet suite connections, and even 
• tap connections where flexi’s are in constant use.

 White vanity unit with its flexi connectors shown below:

  

 Here's another example of a modern bathroom vanity, with a different style of flexi connector:

Modern grey and white bathroom vanity*

 

And here's a flexi connector used for the toilet suite:

How To Check Your Flexible Plumbing Connections

1. Feel the flexi connection with your hand to see if there are any cracks or tears in the outer casing of the woven mesh connection.
2. Check inside vanities, kitchen cupboards under the sink as well as the toilet suite, and look for any signs of leaking water and ensure the flexi connector is not coming loose.
3. If in doubt, contact your licensed plumber and have your flexi connections professionally checked. 

 Three simple checks that can save you a lot of damage, stress and money.   It's better to be safe than sorry. 

I hope my first in a series of Home Plumbing Tips has been helpful.  Head to the comments below and let me know if this has been a useful plumbing tip for you.

Because there's no place like home...a well cared for home!

*Image Source: homebound.com

First published http://www.buildingworksaust.com.au/

Builder Based In Dural NSW

Building Works Australia is based in Dural NSW and we can help you with your building project in Sydney including all of these locations:

• Sydney Eastern Suburbs
• Sydney North Shore (lower and upper areas)
• Sydney City
• Inner Western Sydney
• Inner Southern Sydney
• Hills District of Sydney

Whether you are looking to build a new home, renovate an existing home or plan an addition to your home we can help. 

New Homes & Custom Design

Home Extensions and Renovations

Heritage renovation and interior features

 

Kitchen Renovations

Bathroom Renovations

But we don't just build homes! 

We undertake work on residential homes, but also apartments, flats/units and commercial sites right across Sydney.

 Commercial Building 

Retail and Services Building Projects

Commercial & Heritage Renovations

Industrial Building Projects

Talk to us today to schedule your free in-home quotation

Know These 13 Things Before You Commit To Build Anything

When building a new home or undertaking a home renovation it is important to get a reliable builder for the project, and to undertake some due care and diligence at the start, to ensure things go as smoothly as possible during the build. 

Building is a fantastic way to get the home that you want but there are many elements to getting that dream home that are not just about choosing paint colours and tiles for the house.  The legal side is just as important to get right in what can be the most expensive purchase we ever make. Your job is to ensure that you choose the builder who can deliver what is promised, and is on your side. Having a checklist to identify these tricky areas will help you to make a good choice. 

Here are some items that you can verify at the start of your project to help you achieve a good result for your home building works. 

1. Has the Building Professional/Building Company or Licensed Contractor shown me their current NSW Fair Trading License for NSW?
2. Has this License shown to me on arrival the actual license for the Building Professional/Building Company or Licensed contractor?
3. Have I taken a note of this name and number & expiration date of the license?
4. Do I know how long the Licensed Building Professional, Licensed Contractor or Building Company has been in business?
5. Has this License a number on it, which I have checked with Fair Trading, either on line (www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au) or by phone (133220), to see if any actions are or have been taken by Fair Trading of this Licensed Building Professional, Licensed contractor of Building Company?
6. Does the License have restrictions on it?
7. Does my Domestic project exceed $20K? (as of 1.2.12) If so, remember, a Licensed Building Professional, Licensed Contractor or Building Company must have Home Warranty Insurance. Some Licensed contractors only hold a license from $200 up to $5K.  All contractors must be licensed and Insured.
8. If I engage a Licensed Building Professional, Licensed Contractor or Building Company, then that License, to be eligible for Home Warranty Insurance, should have no restrictions on it.
9. If the Licensed Building Professional, Building Company or Licensed Contractor is not eligible for Home Warranty Insurance, the License should state, “Not Eligible for works requiring Home Warranty Insurance”.
10. The law states that any domestic building works over $20k (as of 1.2.12) must have Home Warranty Insurance.
11. Have I received professional service, such as a typed quotation followed by a lawful contract, outlining conditions and Guarantee/Warranty?
12. Does the Licensed Building Professional, Building Company or Licensed Contractor have their current O.H&S Card (Workplace Health and Safety)?  This is binding by law from 1 September 2003. They have shown me a current O H & S card for proof? Have I seen their current Insurance Certificates?
13. When comparing quotation/s for my building project/s, have I taken each quotation/s into consideration and that each quotation/s issued has exactly the same requirements stated and asked for by me.  Allowances for PC’s must also be taken into consideration with regards to the final price.  

Some clients are reluctant to ask to see proper and current documentation from the builder. This is your right and your responsibility to know that you are dealing with a reputable company. Good paperwork is a good indication of the building company and their attention to detail. 

Building or renovating a home is exciting! Good planning will make it a more satisfactory and pleasant time too. 

If you would like more information or get a quotation on your building project please call us on 1300 36 38 36 to arrange an 

in-home consultation. 

GreenSmart Accredited Sydney Building Company

Did you know? Building Works Australia is also GreenSmart accredited.

For some clients looking to build, sustainability is a high value priority for their new home build or home renovation.

Calypso Display Home – Newcastle - #GreenSmart 

Here How The HIA Describes GreenSmart. 

HIA GreenSmart homes choose to voluntarily go beyond current building regulations for energy and water efficiency, along with looking at the way the home is built to make sure the impact on the environment is reduced.

• Only HIA members can be registered as HIA GreenSmart professionals. They may be building designers, builders, contractors or suppliers of environmentally responsible building products. HIA GreenSmart professionals have completed training on sustainable building practices.
• HIA GreenSmart training is based on the Your Home Technical Manual, published by the Australian Government. The manual covers a huge range of options and provides a wealth of information to help you find out more about environmentally responsible housing.
• The HIA GreenSmart house requirements have been developed over the last seven years, and are an evolving set of ideas that homeowners can choose to incorporate into their new home design.
• Working with your HIA GreenSmart professional, you can choose the best options to meet your needs and the block you’ve selected. Not everything may be right for your situation or your budget. You might want to focus on energy or water, rather than upgrading all aspects of the home.

If green and sustainable building practices are important to you, make sure you choose a builder with all the proper licences and insurances - and the GreenSmart accreditation for your next home project.

Some more examples of GreenSmart homes already completed.

Greensmart homes look just like regular homes and can be built to a style that you love.  Click through to see more pictures and inside each of the homes. 

CSR House - NSW

Vista 363 GreenSmart - Vic

Greencycle Home 

Beaumont Concepts Vic

Call us on 1300 36 38 36 to discuss GreenSmart building for your home construction or arrange a quotation, or find out more. 

Home Renovation Style: Decks, Outdoor Rooms & Verandas

Decks, patios and verandas are a great way to add casual living space to a home and provide entertainment areas to use for when you have numbers of visitors which don't easily fit inside the house. 

That transition between the indoors and outdoors is an opportunity to really enhance the functionality and value of even a small home Likewise for a large home it can add private spaces for relaxing and opening up the adjoining rooms. 

Here are some examples of how this can work.

French doors leading to the veranda add a classic look with this bullnose veranda that wraps around the corner of this charming house.

Who wouldn't love a big deep porch with a swing so reminiscent of the deep South. Just the place to spend a warm afternoon and enjoy a cool breeze. 

This covered porch catches all the breezes but cleverly keeps out the bugs, with the insect screens built in. An important factor in Australian summers! 

This deck leads to a gazebo that works as a summer house or outdoor room. Just the thing for a shady retreat or a cool drink and a book to read. 

This simple stepped deck with contemporary freestanding pergola adds a private living space away from the main house and allows the garden to be fully developed as usable space 

With built in seating this traditional deck transforms into a wide area where people can assemble and brings the deck together with the garden in a seamless way that looks like a natural garden planter. 

This outdoor room can be used summer or winter for the perfect hideaway.

Clever use of oversized counter and stacker windows turns this deck into a servery area with access from the kitchen. Perfect for entertaining. 

Decks and outdoor entertaining areas really open up a home and improve our living spaces.  If you would like to arrange a quote for an outdoor area or deck for you home in Sydney, or you would like to remodel an existing patio, call us on 1300 36 38 36 for an in-home quote. 

Australian Heritage Style Building For New Or Old Homes

Australian homes throughout history have had a distinctive look to them that we can look back at fondly.  These homes shown here are some classic Australian heritage style designs that really stand out as individual with lots of character and grace. 

While new homes often have that 'sameness' about them in many new estates, building to the old style and using heritage features in your home is still possible.

New homes and renovation of older homes can be done in the style of our old Australian heritage houses and at Building Works Australia we love doing this kind of new building and renovation project. 

Heritage lacework adds real class to this home and though it has simple lines the use of custom windows and lights makes for stunning presentation

When building in established suburbs, being able to build new to old design styles means that your home is a perfect fit for the neighbourhood but with all the modern convenience. 

Queenslander homes were built to work well in the climate. These building principles can still be used in building new homes or when renovating to add extra living area as in extensions and house remodeling.

Even a modest and small home on an inner city block can have heritage charm

New homes with old style verandas and detailing are contemporary and classic 

Colourbond roofing, verandas and dormer windows together with ornate timber finishes set our heritage homes apart and add grace to even a simple layout. 

A feature of old style heritage building was the interesting roof line with changes in pitch and gables that lend visual interest and allow for additions to match the original in a unique way to make a house that is distinctively yours.  

With traditional timber detailing this home offers a welcome reception to visitors and family and the good use of colour keep it fresh and charming. 

A dramatic use of paint colour and simple clean lines of this old style home with its sleek roofing gives a bold and crisp look to this home. 

Nothing says Old Australian home design like a return veranda with a bull-nose zincalume roofing overhead. 

If you are considering building a new house or extending on your existing home and would like to discuss how Building Works Australia can assist you to get the home of your dreams, 
call us now on 1300 36 38 36 for a quote. 

Home Renovating For Accessible Living

Making homes accessible means making homes easier to live in when there are mobility issues to consider, through architectural design, but also by integrating accessibility features such as modified furniture, shelves and cupboards and layout in the home.

While we tend to think about modifying homes to accommodate someone with a disability or as part of aged care needs, the truth is that many home modifications can be carried out just to make life easier for the owner and visitors. 

Here are some ideas we liked! 

Counter top lifts systems for the kitchen put everything in easy reach

Finally a dishwasher at a height that is useful for everybody

Modern kitchen has benches accessible with leg room  and just the right height
for someone who needs to sit down to cook

Sill ramps allow for easy access for wheelchairs but also reduce chances of trips and falls
for those with visual impairment

Open plan bathrooms allow for easy access and so easy to clean! 

A grab rail and a towel rack! Double duty anyone could use

Accessible bathrooms make life easy for the aged and look stylish too

This beautiful timber interior ramp looks like it belongs to the house

This attractive ramp allows for easy access to the outdoor entertaining area for those with mobility concerns -
and works well for anyone carrying plates and supplies for the party, too! 

Everyone has a different need when it comes to modifying their home to accommodate practical changes for the residents of a house. 

If you have been considering home modifications or renovating to to make living easier, call us now to discuss your needs. 

Building Works Australia builds new homes, home extensions and modifications, and also provides a reliable home maintenance service for customers in the Sydney area.  1300 36 38 36