Annual Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners

Most expensive plumbing disasters start small, a slow drip, a slightly slow drain, a hot water unit quietly nearing the end of its life. A little routine maintenance catches these before they become burst pipes, water damage and emergency call-outs. Here's a practical, homeowner-friendly checklist to keep your plumbing in good shape all year round.

What should you check monthly?

• Run water down rarely-used drains (spare bathroom, laundry tub) to keep traps full and stop smells.
• Check under sinks for any dampness, staining or musty smells around the pipes.
• Listen and look for running toilets: a toilet that keeps trickling wastes litres and signals a worn valve.
• Test water pressure feels normal at taps and showers; a sudden change can indicate a problem.

What should you check each season?

Autumn (before winter)

• Have your gas heater serviced and safety-checked before you rely on it, ideally every two years.
• Check outdoor drains and gully traps are clear of leaves before the wet season.
• Insulate or check any exposed pipes.

Spring

• Clean gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris so autumn/winter rain drains freely, blocked gutters cause overflow and damage.
• Check outdoor taps and garden irrigation for leaks after summer.
• Inspect the roof and stormwater drains before heavier rain.

Room-by-room checklist

Kitchen

• Never pour fat, oil or grease down the sink, let it cool and bin it. This is a leading cause of kitchen blockages.
• Use a sink strainer to catch food scraps.
• Check the dishwasher hose and connections for leaks.

Bathroom

• Fit drain covers to catch hair in showers and basins.
• Check taps and the toilet for drips and leaks, a leaking flush valve wastes water silently.
• Look at the sealant/grout around the bath and shower; failing seals let water into walls and floors.

Laundry

• Inspect washing machine hoses for bulging, cracking or perishing, a burst hose can flood a room fast. Replace ageing hoses.
• Clean the lint filter and keep the trough drain clear.

Hot water system

• Note its age, most last 8 to 15 years. Start planning a replacement before it fails on the coldest morning of the year.
• Check for leaks, rust or pooling water around the unit.
• Ensure the temperature and pressure relief valve isn't discharging constantly.

Outdoors and drains

• Keep an eye on drains near large trees for slow drainage or recurring blockages, an early warning of root intrusion.
• Watch for wet patches or unusually green lawn following the sewer line.

What are the signs it is time to call a plumber?

• Recurring or multiple slow drains
• Damp patches, water stains or musty smells inside walls, floors or ceilings
• A spike in your water bill with no obvious cause (a hidden leak)
• Gurgling drains or bad smells
• Any leak you can't quickly stop

What should Bayside homeowners watch for?

Bayside homes come with two recurring maintenance priorities: gutters and drains. The area's mature trees drop plenty of leaf litter that clogs gutters and finds its way into drains, and those same trees threaten ageing clay sewer pipes with root intrusion. Staying on top of gutter cleaning each spring and watching for early blockage signs near big trees will prevent a large share of the problems we get called out to. For older Federation and Edwardian homes especially, a preventative once-over saves money and stress.