Month: September 2018

Kitchen renovations are as hard or as easy as you make them, but having a plan means any renovations, no matter how big or small, will definitely be on the easier side.

If you’re about to embark on a kitchen renovation, there are a few things it’s important to know.
Ask yourself:

• Why am I doing this renovation?
• What result do I want to achieve?
• And where will my plumbing, electric and/or gas go?

Knowing why you’re starting on the project and what result you’re after is a big step towards a seamless kitchen renovation. A plan will also keep you focused, especially when all the shiny things start catching your eye, or a ‘quick change’ to the plan looks like a good idea!

Budget, layout, process

If you’re budget conscious, set your limit first then plan your kitchen renovations to come within your set budget. Alternatively, create the vision of what you want your kitchen to look like and then cost it out. Either way, there are important things that need to be considered for accuracy to be guaranteed:

• Existing utilities:Your kitchen will have existing pipework, but will you need more? Every kitchen has a sink, but do you want to move the sink to another wall or island? Moving your existing services will be the most expensive option but is often worth it for a beautiful, user-friendly workspace.
• Going gas: A lot of people use the opportunity of renovating a kitchen to switch from electric supply to gas for cooking and water heating. Consult your plumber for advice.
• Tapware and appliances: There are so many different options when it comes to appliances – dishwasher or dish drawer – and taps – standard, mixer, multi-function? Multi-function taps combine your standard hot and cold-water functions with either boiling, filtered or sparkling water options – or all the above.
• Overall style: Consider colour, shape, and quality of tapware and appliances as cheaper versions may be better on your wallet in the shot-term but far more expensive in the long run. Cheap tapware can also cause problems with water pressure.

Tips for a smooth renovation

Take it upon yourself to know what is happening throughout the renovation process daily and be aware of any removals or installations that may interfere with your existing pipework. Damaged pipework can cause delays or problems down the line when leaks (big or small) wreak havoc.

Whether you’ve left it to the builder to bring in contractors or you’ve hired them yourself, make sure you’re dealing with a qualified tradesperson who has a current license. It will also pay to do your own research – check their website, Facebook and Google for reviews and evidence of the quality of their work. Kitchen renovations aren’t cheap, so you want to be confident you’re getting value for money.

The qualified team at iPlumber can advise you on your kitchen renovation or build and quote any work you may need doing.

Contact iPlumber now

A wood fire is still a great way to heat the home and everyone who has one will say that there is nothing quite like it. Read on to find out why you need a wood-burning fireplace and how you can get one.

While gas has become the in thing in recent years, advancements to clean burning technology for wood fireplaces means they can often be more efficient than a heat pump. In fact, some units can put out the equivalent of 16-18 Kilowatts – that’s more than two large heat pumps!

Benefits to having a solid fuel burner

• They work well with heat transfer systems
• If you have access to cheap firewood, it’s a cheap way to heat your home
• A wood fire burner is ideal for those rural properties with owners who don’t mind a bit of manual labour to get a roaring fire as a reward.
• If you’re unlucky enough to be out of power, the models that can boil a jug or fry an egg are a bonus!

Requirements for solid fuel burners in the Waikato:

Regulations around wood-burning fireplaces can be strict and there is a process to follow before installing that wood fire. An application for building consent will need to be lodged with the local council – for this you will require the following:

• A copy of the wood burner specifications
• Scale floorplan of the house (showing proposed wood burner and smoke alarm locations)
• Proof of title
• Letter of authority (only if the installer is doing the consent application), and a certified installer’s details (installer’s details can be supplied later if need be).
• The fireplace will need to meet NZ environmental regulations, which can be found on www.mfe.govt.nz (Multi fuel heaters are exempt from NZ Environmental regulations)
• Smoke alarms need to be installed within three metres of bedrooms and are a good idea throughout the house
• Flue drawings and roof flashing design and location

Consent costs sit at $350 for Hamilton City Council and $365 Waikato District Council (both are GST-inclusive) and can take around 20 days to process.

With the weather packing it in, there’s never been a better time to get the heating sorted in your home this winter. Wood fires are no longer the smokey old polluters they used to be and shouldn’t be ruled out for an efficient and rewarding way to keep the family warm.

Send us an email or give us a call – we can talk you through wood-burner options and get that home heating sorted once and for all.

From complying with the law to keeping your family safe, here’s why it’s important to get your DIY carried out by a qualified tradie.

One of the most common questions we get asked as certified plumbers and gasfitters is, do I need to use a licensed tradesman? Short answer – yes. Why? Here are the top five reasons:

1. It’s the law
   To become a certified plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Only the PGDB can issue a NZ Practising Licence, so if a tradesperson doesn’t have a card, he or she is not legally allowed to carry out work on your property. Ask to see their card before you hire them.
2. You’ll protect your insurance policy
   Insurance companies don’t need more help in denying your claim! Plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work done on your property by an unlicensed tradie can void your insurance policy. This means, if anything untoward happens in the future to do with, or as a result of, that work, you won’t have any financial recourse.
3. It’ll keep your home safe
   Home is supposed to be the safest place there is, and it will be if you have qualified tradespeople working on it. A potentially dangerous mix of high temperatures, pressures, gas, and electricity live in the pipes and fittings between the walls, in the roof and under the floor of your house. A certified plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer is trained and qualified to handle these things and does it with your family’s safety in mind.
4. It’ll ensure your property’s value
   A good portion of your home’s value comes from what you can’t see. That value can quickly decrease when the builder’s report comes back with rotten-this and dangerous-that and a question of ‘who the hell fitted the plumbing on this place?!’
5. You’ll get the latest knowledge
   To retain their license, plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers must attend annual training sessions. These professional development occasions ensure your tradie is up-to-date with current health and safety standards, building codes, best practices, laws and installation requirements.

Doing it yourself

As New Zealanders, that number 8 wire approach to doing things ourselves is well and truly in our DNA. It’s second nature to us Kiwis to see a problem and want to fix it ourselves. But there is a limit to what we can, and are allowed, to do.

Some of the more common DIY tasks around the house can be tackled by you – up to a point. But when you reach that threshold, it’s time to call in the licensed tradie. Here are a few examples:

Sanitary plumbing

The PDGB defines sanitary plumbing as “any work involved in fixing or unfixing any pipe, plumbing fixture or appliance, including any trap, waste or soil pipe, ventilation pipe, or overflow pipe and any pipe that supplies or is intended to supply water”.

You, your mate, or your father-in-law can undertake some DIY when it comes to sanitary plumbing, such as installing your dishwasher or washing machine, or replacing or repairing taps, ball valves and plugs, but not much else!

Gasfitting

Restricted gasfitting includes “installing, altering or repairing gas appliances” as defined by the PGDB. Anyone can carry out basic work to portable barbeques and patio heaters that have a gas bottle attached (although we recommend you know what you are doing). But, if you’re wanting to touch gas pipes, vents or a flue pipe, or build a gas appliance, you need to enlist a licensed gasfitter. This includes gas installation and any work on gas appliances that are fixed in buildings, transportable homes and vehicles.

Drainlaying

The PGDB defines restricted drainlaying as “any work involving the installation, alteration or repairs to a drain.” The drainlaying work an unlicensed person can carry out is very limited – think clearing a blocked drain, and only if that doesn’t involve altering or repairing the inspection or ventilation pipe.

Compliance is key

Everything else must comply with the building code and so must be carried out by a licensed plumber or gasfitter. Furthermore, if your work requires a building consent, it must be approved by a building inspector. A code of compliance certificate will only be issued once the inspector has signed the work off.

At iPlumber, our team of plumbers and gasfitters are all certified and experienced in carrying out work on your property. We’re also happy to give you a bit of free DIY advice if you want to get the job started.

Did you know the plumbing system in your home is constantly speaking to you?

Much like your car flashing its oil light, or the washing machine beeping mid-cycle, your plumbing has its own signals that need attention in order for it to survive.

The hot water system is like the epicentre of your plumbing, with its constant heating and cooling, pressure release, and high morning and evening activity. Most hot water systems are designed to last a long time (10-12 years minimum) but if neglected, it’s going to sting you when it finally goes ($2000-$4000, not including water damage to your home).

The most common water heating appliance in New Zealand is the traditional hot water cylinder. While they’re generally energy efficient, with a low upfront cost, there are a lot of components that need to be working harmoniously for your optimum hot water delivery.

Wondering whether your hot water system is trying to talk to you?

If you haven’t had your system serviced in the last 12 months, skip to the end and call us now. Otherwise, here are four signs to tell if your plumbing needs attention:

1. Do you see water running out a pipe on your roof, or outside wall, but don’t know where its coming from, or if it should be running or not?

Is your hot water running out quickly, or is constantly fluctuating in temperature?. No, burning hot to freezing cold and back again over and over is not normal. Not only will maintaining your water temperature ease your morning routine, it will also save you money.

2. Your hot water system is overly loud.

That popping, sizzling, whistling, clunking, or hissing is not normal. Take this as your hot water cylinder trying to tell you something is wrong.

3. There is rust around your fittings.

Corrosion around your hot water system fittings may be signalling a leak. They could just need tightening, or they could need replacing.

Also, over time, your hot water cylinder will accumulate sediment of all different types of minerals and metals which sit in the base causing corrosion and heating issues. If left in place this will ultimately shorten the life of your HWC.

4. There’s discoloured water coming from your taps.

This is never a good thing. If your water is brown or clouded or there is sediment coming through, your hot water system needs attention.

The rest of the system, being constantly under pressure, needs to be inspected often to rectify small issues before they escalate. If you take preventative measures to ensure your plumbing system stays sound, you’ll prevent a major catastrophe from happening in your home.

If your home’s hot water system is trying to tell you something, but you’re not sure what, one of our experienced team can perform a quick and easy check to make sure your home stays dry and operational.

Contact iPlumber now

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Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.

Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.Anyone can choose a plumber, but can you choose the right plumber that will do a great job, in a timely manner, at a reasonable price?

We’ve put together a handy guide to make sure your plumber meets all the criteria before they step foot on your property.