Gross right? Unfortunately, this skin-crawling situation isn’t as rare as you would hope. We often see cockroaches inside pipes of all kinds, from manholes to sewer systems. When left unchecked, this can turn into a big problem for homeowners. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid a full-scale infestation like the one in the video.

Let’s delve a little deeper into this creepy-crawly problem and uncover the best way to get rid of cockroaches.

Why are cockroaches attracted to pipes?

Cockroaches are nocturnal, and they love making themselves at home in damp, dark spaces with a water and food source nearby. Sewers, storm drains and other piping systems offer the conditions that cockroaches thrive in, as well as decaying organic matter that serves as their sustenance.

Their desire to seek out these conditions can worsen in certain weather. When it gets particularly hot, they will often take shelter from the elements within your pipes, looking for a moisture source. Rain can also affect the cockroach population in your pipes. Wet weather means cockroaches and other insects will take refuge within your pipes and drains. Plus, flooding can push rubbish into waterways, creating more food sources for these bugs and attracting higher populations to your piping systems.

Why should I be concerned? 

Aside from the ick factor, when cockroaches are left to run rampant, they may not stay out of sight and out of mind for long. They are fast-breeding, so the longer they’re left, the bigger their numbers grow and the higher the chances of a cockroach invasion. Plus, their exploratory nature means they might start taking up residence elsewhere – inside your home.

They can creep out of shower, kitchen and floor drains, laying eggs as they go and ending up all over your home.  And because cockroaches are so resilient, they can be very hard to get rid of when it gets to this point.

How do they get into my pipes in the first place?  

Cockroaches will invade your pipes through various access points, including cracks, holes and any disjointed pieces. These generally occur when your pipes are in reactive soil that shrinks when it’s dry and expands when it’s wet. Otherwise, because tree roots are attracted to moisture and warm, damp soil, they can intrude your piping systems and grow inside, offering an access point to cockroaches. In times of flooding, they may also be washed inside your systems.

Cockroach pest control in your pipes    

While there will always be some insects in your pipes, there are two main things you can do to minimise the number of cockroaches in your systems. One is to remove their food source, and the other is to seal off their entry points. By carrying out regular maintenance and timely repairs of your drains and pipes, you can make sure nothing is clogged and prevent the stagnant puddles they love to thrive in.

You should also keep an eye out for any signs of a crack or leak. Indicators include higher water bills, poor water pressure, loose fixtures, rust or mould. When you do notice something, get your pipes inspected and sealed. It’s also a good idea to get regular pipe inspections in general and keep your plumbing running smoothly.

Nuflow can help with this. We have quality CCTV pipe inspection technology (which you can see in practise in the video above) that we can use to make sure your pipes aren’t damaged. If we do notice any entry points and damage, we can get things fixed easily with our revolutionary pipe relining technology. This can structurally repair all sorts of water and sewage systems without you needing to replace your pipes. Not only is this less expensive, but it also reduces the amount of time your pipes are left open to invasion. The results will help limit bug access, and ensure your water flows at its maximum efficiency.

Reduce the risk of cockroaches in your house with Nuflow

Our experienced team is ready to help you get on top of your creepy crawly problem. For your peace of mind, we can inspect your pipes and show you the footage so you can gain some visibility of your piping systems. From there, we can fix any issues with your drains and pipes so your plumbing is optimised and primed for cockroach prevention. Get in touch with your local Nuflow team today.

The post Plumbing tips: avoiding cockroaches in your house and pipes appeared first on Nuflow.

To combat these issues and help protect homes and infrastructure, there are preventative measures that can minimise impacts and possibly prevent an emergency plumbing situation. When dealing with heavy amounts of rainfall, storm drains will be the saving grace of your local community. It’s important that you do what you can to ensure it’s working effectively.

What does La Niña mean for Australia?

This meteorological phenomenon is called El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and it has two opposite phases – El Niño (below average rainfall) and La Niña (above average rainfall).

La Niña occurs when east-to-west winds in the Pacific Ocean get stronger, changing ocean surface currents and increasing water temperatures. This pumps moisture into the atmosphere along the north and east coastlines. The right weather systems can tap into this moisture, resulting in cloudy skies, very heavy rainfall, and often storms, flooding, and coastal erosion.

While is it the north and east of Australia that is usually the most affected, this year climate drivers are also expected to bring heavy rainfall to the west.

The importance of a stormwater drainage system

During times of excessive rainfall like La Niña, stormwater drains will divert water away from properties or council land and back into waterways. This includes any runoff from roofs, streets, roads or even water flowing downhill.

Storm drains are designed to handle very large volumes which is why they’re so effective, but this also means it’s hard to tell there’s a problem until a heavy rain incident occurs. If things become blocked or aren’t working the way they should, the storm drain can overflow, flooding buildings and surrounding streets. However, by putting in effective preparation beforehand and performing maintenance on stormwater plumbing, you could help prevent or minimise costly damages.

How to ensure your storm drains are ready for La Niña

1. Clean your gutters 

The goal of your gutters is to provide a path for rainwater to flow away from the roof, channelling it so it doesn’t make its way beneath the foundation of homes, infrastructure, or public buildings and weaken their structural integrity. Often, there will be downpipes that connect to roofs and flow directly into storm drains.

A clear gutter allows this water to flow freely along the intended path, whereas build-ups from leaves, dirt and debris can cause things to overflow. This can impact the effectiveness of stormwater systems, and when debris makes its way through the downpipes it can even contribute to blocking stormwater drains.

You should ensure your gutters are being regularly maintained to prevent these build-ups. This can be done with pressure cleaning, or by hand. You can also call in the professionals if you want a thorough job done.

2. Check your storm drains for blockages

As part of your maintenance, you should call in a local plumber to inspect your storm drains. Using CCTV equipment, they can examine the interior of your pipes and locate anything contributing to a blocked stormwater system.  

Tree root intrusion is a common issue for inground pipes like the ones connected to storm drains. This is because roots are attracted to the moist soil surrounding the pipes, caused by condensation. The roots will enter the pipe through small cracks and grow inside, blocking them up without you even knowing. Other blockages might just be caused by general debris build-up over time.

Once professionals know what the problem is, they can perform drain cleaning that will leave your stormwater plumbing as good as new and ready to feed water away from your property.

3. Inspect the age of your storm drains and pipes

If a stormwater system is old and deteriorated, it will likely struggle against the intense rainfall La Niña brings about. Aging pipes can burst under pressure, which would be catastrophic in a flooding emergency.

Plus, the ground moves a lot over time which can cause cracks or even collapse part of the pipeline. It could even just be a matter of the stormwater system consisting of outdated features that don’t offer the same benefits as modern plumbing technology.

Knowing all of this ahead of time means you can help prevent a potentially dire situation. With the same CCTV pipe inspection technology discussed above, professionals can examine the condition of your pipes and assess how likely they will hold up in extreme weather.

In the event that your system is unexpected to hold up, the best course of action is pipe relining. This will prevent costly excavations and all the other things that come with a full replacement. Nuflow’s CIPP pipe relining even offers better features than the original pipe, like improved structural integrity, better flow rates, and a longer life expectancy. Our products also have all accreditations needed for use in public and council infrastructure. 

4. Ensure all sinks and drains are clear

While not connected to your storm drain, the sinks and drains inside your home should be kept clear. With the sudden, large amounts of water brought upon by storm season, you don’t want any of your plumbing lines to clog or overflow and add to the already significant volume your storm drains are transporting away from your home.

Nuflow can help you get set for La Niña season

Nuflow offers a range of premium plumbing and piping services that can help residential, commercial, or council properties prepare for the heavy rainfall expected to hit Australia over the coming months. Our top-of-the-line CCTV inspection technology will allow us to fully examine your pipes, and we can clear them with our high-pressure system. 

If you’re in need of a reline, our expert technicians will assess your circumstances and work with head office to identify the best pipe relining materials to fit. Contact us today to start preparing.  

The post Preparing your storm drains for La Niña appeared first on Nuflow.

Why give your plumbing a regular health check?

Your pipes, taps, toilets and drains get a lot of use year-to-year – especially during recent times, when many Aussies have been working from home. There are some great reasons to give your plumbing an annual check-up, like:

Leaky pipes can hike up your water bill
If you have a leak in your pipes, you could be using more water than you realise. Small leaks aren’t always apparent, but they can still add dollars to your water bill. A plumbing check can help you spot any leaks so you can get them sorted.

A sewer blockage could become a smelly problem
If your sewer pipes are blocked, due to debris or tree root intrusion, Or a sewer blockage could start to build up and cause a smelly problem. Giving you pipes a regular check can help you spot a crack or a blockage sooner, and could save you big time in the future.   

Help keep things flowing smoothly
When your pipes are happy, it helps your taps, sinks, washing machine and dishwasher all run as they should!  

5 plumbing health checks to do regularly in your home

Here are some things you can do to check for plumbing problems, and make everything is working as it should.

1. Check your plumbing for leaks
A good place to start is with your taps. When you turn them on, does water pool at the bottom? If your tap is dripping, replace any faulty washers. If there are any visible watermarks on your walls, that’s also a sign that you have a leak.

2. Assess your sewer
There are a few things you can do to see if you might have a blockage in your sewer. Try emptying all of the sinks and tubs in your house at once, and see if your floor drains back up, or if it takes a long time for all of the sinks to drain. This could be a sign things aren’t flowing smoothly.

You can also try turning on your bathroom sink tap, watching your toilet as you do. If the water in your toilet rises, it’s likely you have a block in your sewer.

Cast an eye over your backyard, too. If you notice any abnormally green spots, it might indicate that there’s a crack in your pipes, or that tree roots have started to infiltrate them.

3. Do the meter test
The meter test can help you work out if you have water running when it shouldn’t be. First, turn off all of the taps, dishwashers and washing machines in your home. Then, check your water meter and note down then numbers. Wait for about half an hour without using any water, and then check the meter again. If the number has gone up, it might mean you have an undetected leak.

4. Take a look under sinks in multi-story homes
If your kitchen or bathroom sink is on a top story, go downstairs and have a look at the ceiling below it to check for any visible signs of leaking or watermarks.

5. Look for a leaky loo
Is there any water leaking, either in the cistern or in the S-bend? To see if there’s a leak between the tank and the toilet, try dropping a few drops of food colouring into the water cistern above the toilet. Leave it for a few minutes, and then check if any of the food colouring has made its way to the toilet bowl.

What to do if you think you have broken pipes or a blocked drain

The easiest way to confirm if you’ve got a problem on your hands is to book in a drain camera inspection with your local plumber. They’ll be able to give you a full report on the health of your pipes. If you’ve just moved into your home, a drain inspection is a great way to give you a full view of your plumbing system.

Ready to see what’s happening beneath the surface? Our Nuflow pipe relining technicians can help. They’ll send a high definition drain camera down to get a clear view of what’s going on. You’ll receive a comprehensive report that shows exactly where your pipes are and any issues – and we’ll even provide you with a copy of the footage, so you can see for yourself. Talk to your local Nuflow team to book in for a CCTV drain camera inspection today.

The post How to do a post-holiday plumbing health check appeared first on Nuflow.

How to know when you have a broken pipe or blocked drain

In your home, pipe issues can result in a blocked toilet, blocked shower drain, blocked sink, or blocked stormwater and sewer drain. While pipes are usually hidden, signs that you have a blocked drain or pipe issue include water backing up, unpleasant smells, water discolouration, a gurgling sound, or visible rising damp or watermarks on your walls.

Another indication that you may have a broken pipe is a dramatic increase in your water bill when your water usage has remained the same. This could be because water is leaking somewhere invisible to the naked eye.

What can cause pipe blockages?

There are a number of reasons you can experience pipe issues within the home. Here are a few of the most common issues we see here at Nuflow.

Tree root intrusion
Growing underground tree roots can find leaking pipe joints or cracked pipes and enter, causing blockages and eventually clogging the pipe. It’s not unusual that roots cause the pipe to collapse and become unrepairable when ignored.

Faulty or damaged pipes from incorrect installation or repairs
Not all pipe installation is created equal, and pipes that weren’t installed or repaired correctly in the first place may experience issues even early in their life cycle.

Deterioration and breakdown of the pipes
Over time, pipes can break down and weaken due to the constant pressure. Some older homes have earthenware or clay pipes which have a limited life expectancy. These pipes crack and break due to various environmental factors and in time will need to be replaced.

Foreign objects in drains
It can be easy to accidentally drop objects down the toilet, like children’s toys, jewellery or keys – while flushing other objects like nappies or baby wipes can also lead to blocked pipes.

Fats, oils and hair deposits
The most common causes of blockages in bathroom sinks are hair and soap scum, while in the kitchen, food scraps and grease can cause clogs.

Movement in the building causing cracks
All buildings naturally move over time, and this can put pressure on pipes and cause them to crack, particularly older pipes.

When to call in plumbing services

Even if you might like to consider yourself quite handy, repairs for plumbing issues are best left to the experts. It’s best to stay on the front foot when it comes to pipe issues and at least get professional advice quickly.

If you think you may have a pipe issue, a great way to investigate is via a drain inspection. Some plumbing specialists have access to state-of-the-art drain cameras. They can attend your home and do a drain inspection of the relevant pipes using a CCTV drain camera. This allows access to the drains without the need for any excavation, and the high definition view means the plumbers can pinpoint the affected areas, and get an accurate diagnosis of the issue.

This process effectively gives the plumber x-ray of your pipes, so they can tell you not only precisely what the issue is, but also the exact location. From there, they can advise the best and most cost-effective solution for repairs and the most suitable plumbing services for your specific issue.

The solution for fixing a blocked drain or broken pipe

To repair broken pipes, the traditional method is to replace the pipe altogether. To do this, a plumber will need to expose the pipe which will likely require cutting through the wall or floor – or if the pipe is outside, it could require major excavation. The length of the affected pipe will then be replaced altogether with a brand new pipe. Once the pipe replacement is complete, you will then need to engage a professional to repair any damage to the surrounding areas, which can be a costly addition to the process.

Another pipe repair option is pipe relining. Innovative pipe relining technology allows a new pipe to be created within an existing pipe, using external access points.

Pipe relining involves expert pipe relining technicians using a hardy, specialist material to reline the pipe, sealing off any cracks and fixing the problem faster and with far less interruption than replacing the pipes altogether. The process starts with cleaning the affected pipes using a high pressure water jet, and then a hardy resin is used to reline the pipes, creating a pipe that’s often even stronger than the original.

Pipe relining not only allows cost-effective repairs that fix the problem the first time, but causes minimum downtime and excavation damage to your home, meaning that the pipe is fixed quickly and without fuss, and you’re able to get on with your day-to-day life.

Want to get an accurate picture of what’s going on inside your pipes and find the most cost-effective solution to any issues? Contact Nuflow to get a drain camera inspection today.

The post What causes reoccurring blocked drains and how to fix them appeared first on Nuflow.

If you’re not prepared, storms can lead to injury, or damage to your car, home, and belongings. It can also wreak havoc on your pipes and drains.

For a start, make sure you’re signed up to weather alerts, which you can do through a weather app, your local council or government – or, your insurer may even offer this service. This way you’ll know when bad weather is on its way. Although by this stage it’s often too late to fix any small issues which could lead to much bigger problems when combined with wild winds, torrential rain, or dangerous hail. So getting your home prepared in advance is key.

Four ways you can get your home ready for storm season

Here are some of the ways you can prepare your home for storm season.

1. Secure loose items

Take a look at your backyard or balcony and think about what isn’t secured. You may have outdoor furniture, swing sets, bikes, pot plants, garden tools, umbrellas, or kids toys. In strong winds during a storm, those items could become airborne, which has the potential to cause damage to a person, your home, or somebody else’s home. Even your garbage bins could be dangerous if they’re picked up by strong wind.

If you can’t tie them down or store them somewhere safely, try filling them with some water to weigh them down and keep them secure. If you have a swimming pool, it can actually be best to remove the cover during heavy rain and storms. And don’t forget about pets too—make sure they’re safe and secure during storms.

2. Clear your gutters

Throughout the year, gutters can gather leaves and other debris, and during wild and windy storms and rain, this can happen even faster. This debris can block gutters and drains, meaning they can’t do their job of diverting water from your roof and home. This water can actually flood your roof or worse still, enter the home, which can ultimately damage your property and lead to costly repairs. In the warmer months, excess leaves in your gutter can also dry out and create the perfect conditions for a fire to start, making them a fire hazard.

So during storm season, it’s important to clear your gutters every couple of weeks to avoid a blocked drain or broken pipe. Make sure you use a sturdy ladder and use the relevant safety equipment to keep you safe while cleaning out the gutters. You can also engage a professional to do it for you.

Also check for blocked stormwater drains near your house. These drains are responsible for taking away excess water during heavy downpours, so blocked stormwater drains could lead to flooding and water damage to your property. Your local council or government looks after fixing or unblocking stormwater pipes, so if you notice an issue, contact them to find out where to report it.

3. Get your roof checked

When storms arrive, your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home in terms of protecting you, so make sure it’s in good working order. When it comes to the roof, even a small issue can quickly turn into a major problem, particularly when you add wild weather to the mix, so schedule in regular roof checks. Also keep an eye on nearby trees and trim them back if they get too close to your roof, as they can cause damage too.

4. Check your pipes and arrange any pipe repair

With people at home more than usual over the past couple of years, the pipes in your home would be under more strain than they ordinarily would. So now is a great time to check them and ensure everything is in great working order, and get any necessary repairs.

You may think that plumbing services and fixing a pipe are invasive and costly, but modern technologies allow pipes to be inspected and fixed without the need for excavation, and with minimal downtime.

With most pipes hidden behind walls, underground, or under concrete slabs, it can be difficult to see what’s going on, and if there are any issues, with the naked eye. At Nuflow, we use non-invasive, advanced CCTV drain camera equipment to carry out a drain inspection. To do this, a drain camera is sent through the pipe from existing access points, allowing technicians to see inside the full length of the pipe, and diagnose any issues.

Then if there are any broken pipes, blocked drain, or a pipe blockage, our Nuflow technicians offer an innovative pipe relining service. Pipe relining technology is a modern solution that allows expert technicians to fix a broken pipe from the inside using just the existing access points, with no digging or excavation required.

A hardy, specialist material is applied within the existing pipes, essentially creating a new pipe within the pipe, and sealing off any cracks. Pipe relining is fast and less invasive than replacing pipes altogether, and can be used for any type of pipe.

The best way to ensure you don’t have pipe problems during storm season is to be adequately prepared, and ensure any pipe repairs are completed before the wild weather arrives.

Have a blocked drain or broken pipe? Or just looking for preventative plumbing services? Contact your friendly local team at Nuflow to get your home and your pipes storm-ready.

The post How to make sure your home and pipes are ready this storm season appeared first on Nuflow.

How to fix a broken pipe inside a wall?

Thanks to the local plumbing team who maintain the building, the source of the leak was located but it was impossible to reach within walls and floors of the building. A traditional plumbing repair would require large sections of floor and wall to be removed to access the pipe, which ran between the 4th and 5th floors.

As a very important venue on the coast, open 7 days a week and closing late, managing how and when the crucial maintenance was going to happen was proving to be a headache. When the potential noise and mess involved in accessing the broken pipe was also thrown into the mix, the facility manager was soon thinking about a far less invasive repair. The plumbing maintenance team recommended the Nuflow Gold Coast team for a non-invasive pipe relining solution.

Huge movement in the pipe was the suspected cause

The pipe itself was a special acoustic piping system called Raupiano plus. It’s a dense polypropylene material that’s designed to eliminate the annoying noise of flushing and running water within buildings. Raupiano pipes utilise a rubber ring joint assembly method for connection, and the leak was coming from a joint that had popped a rubber seal. This is normally a rock-solid system of joining pipes, but after being exposed to huge movement from expansion and contraction it had become an issue.

The leaking pipe was used to convey wastewater from a commercial kitchen, and to remove ice cold water from the chilled water system overflow. It was suspected that the pipe had been continuously expanding during hot water discharge from commercial dishwashers, and then rapidly cooling and contracting with the chilled water. Over time that movement had caused a catastrophic failure of the joint. This in turn began to cause a leak in the ground floor storage area.

Nuflow Gold Coast identified a non-invasive pipe relining solution

The pipe relining technicians at Nuflow Gold Coast knew that Nuflow’s Blueline relining system was the right solution for this job. Not only can Blueline reline PVC, metal, concrete, clay, and even asbestos – but it can also relining Raupiano plus, which was the problem pipe in question.

Pipe relining install completed overnight to minimise disruption

The Nuflow Gold Coast team arrived on site after hours at 10pm to minimise disruption to the building’s facilities and operations. First up, they used high definition CCTV drain cameras to clearly identify the exact problem joint in the 100mm trade waste pipe. The technicians then constructed the Patented Nuflow Relining system on site to suit the measured specifications exactly.

The installation itself was complicated. To start with, the only way to access the pipes was through a small opening within a kitchen cupboard. The problem joint was located a further 5 metres downstream through multiple joints that lead to the vertical stack pipe that ran down the 5 story building. This meant accuracy of the installation was crucial, or the pipe liner could have slid down 5 floors inside the pipe.

All up, the team relined a 3-meter section of the pipe, which included covering well past the problem in both directions in order to ensure the leak wouldn’t reoccur.

Quality inspection revealed significant grease build-up

After the pipe was relined, the team used a CCTV drain camera to inspect the finished job as part of the usual process. This footage revealed that a large build up of grease and fat deposits had grown inside the pipes over time and required additional work.

The Nuflow team jumped into action and employed Grease Grenade, a brilliant grease removal system. This clever additive is put directly into a pneumatic high pressure pipe cleaning machine (jetter). The Grease Grenade is then flushed through the pipe under high pressure, and it virtually melts the grease and fat deposits away after a few passes of the jetter nozzle.

After the cleaning took place the team inspected the pipe again. ”It just blasted the fat away with ease,” said Tom, the Nuflow Technician. “We only needed to run the cleaner through the pipe a few times to get the outcome the facility manager wanted.”

Back to business as usual after one night of works

The final result meant that the hazardous leak was repaired over one night, after causing an issue for weeks. Nuflow’s pipe relining technology helped the facility manager fix the problem fast, and without disruption to the building, the kitchen and the staff. The facility manager was also provided with a recording of the CCTV drain inspection for peace of mind that the job had been done right.

If you have an ageing facility or pipes hidden between walls, floors or architecturally made columns, Nuflow can provide the smartest and quickest permanent fix to even the most complicated jobs. Nuflow has teams across Australia and New Zealand, and we’re here to help. Contact your local Nuflow team to find out more about our non-invasive pipe repair systems today.

The post How pipe relining fixed a backstage puddle for Gold Coast building appeared first on Nuflow.

Pipes are usually hidden, buried behind walls or floors, meaning they’re not necessarily easy to access – so repairing them can be tricky, costly, and take a long time. But modern techniques such as pipe relining technology can take away the difficulty, excess costs, and time.

There are a number of things that can cause a pipe to break or block, such as tree root intrusion, certain materials passing through, or even just the pipe material breaking down with age.

Need to find a plumbing service to repair a broken pipe or blocked drain? Here we take a look at your options.

Pipe relining vs replacement

When it comes to fixing pipe issues, there are generally two options: pipe relining technology or pipe replacement. As the name suggests, replacement means literally getting the affected pipe removed and then replaced with a new pipe.

Pipe relining is a modern technology which involves fixing broken or leaking pipes from the inside using just the existing access points, with no digging or excavation required. Plumbing experts use a specialist material to create a new pipe within the existing pipe, and the hardy material seals off any cracks from the inside.

Finding the issue in the pipes

The first step to fixing a broken pipe, whether relining or replacing, is to figure out exactly what’s wrong. Given that pipes tend to be hidden and buried, this requires specialist plumbing equipment.

Most plumbers use CCTV drain camera equipment to see what’s happening inside pipes. This state-of-the-art technology allows a drain camera to be sent through the sewer lines to investigate and pinpoint exactly where the problem is. This completely eliminates the need for guess work, and gives plumbing professionals the exact information they need to best fix the problem.

Getting to the broken pipe

Once you’ve located where the problem pipe is, the next step in fixing it is to get access to the pipe to repair it.

For pipe replacement, the plumber will need to get direct access to the pipe, and this will often require some kind of demolition or excavation, through a floor or wall for an internal pipe, or through the ground outside, whether it’s under a garden bed, or maybe even a concrete slab. How big an excavation the plumber will need to do will depend on the size of the pipe, the issue, and how much of the pipe needs to be replaced. If there are multiple issues, this may require multiple sites of excavation.

With pipe relining technology, the plumber is able to directly access the broken pipe or pipes via existing access points, so no digging or excavation is required. Even for a broken pipe under slab, it means the pipe can be fixed with no digging required.

How long will it take?

To replace a pipe, the length of time taken will depend on a number of factors, such as how accessible the pipe is, how much excavation or demolition will be required, and how many areas need to be fixed. It could be as little as a few hours, up to more than a day. After the pipe is repaired, the excavated areas will then also need to be cleaned up and repaired, which adds to the project time.

Pipe relining technology tends to take a fraction of the time of traditional replacement methods, and depending on the size of the job, it can take as little as a couple of hours to complete. Once the pipe relining is complete, the pipes are back in full working order with nothing left to do, and everything will look exactly as it did before the repairs.

How much downtime will there be?

Pipe replacement requires water to be shut off to the pipes, which means all relevant services will be out of action while the repairs are underway. In a residential setting, this may mean residents will need to move out for a period while the repairs take place, and in a commercial setting, workers may need to move to a different location.

With pipe relining technology, there is zero or minimal downtime, meaning residents or workers can usually remain living in their property or working in their office while pipe relining takes place, with minimal disruption to daily life.

Looking for a non-invasive, no-dig solution for fixing broken pipes?

Contact your local Nuflow team today to solve your plumbing issues for good.

The post Pipe relining or pipe replacement? What you need to know. appeared first on Nuflow.

What causes cracks in homes?

Movement in soil through seasons

Across Australia and New Zealand we have active soils which can move substantially. Both countries experience long dry periods, and even drought. This causes soils to contract, and it’s not uncommon to see the ground cracking in extreme conditions.

On the opposite side, when we get weeks of rain the soil swells. When you go from a dry period to substantial rain, the soil and earth around your home can move up to 3cm or more.

Leaking pipes can cause cracks

One of the key causes of cracking walls or sinking homes is leaking plumbing. Generally, your plumbing and stormwater pipes run along the side of your house beside the foundations which are holding up your home. This can actually cause your home to sink, and require serious engineering to fix – which doesn’t come cheap.

The pipes that our Nuflow technicians see causing the most issues are earthenware clay or terracotta pipes, which are still commonly found in older homes. These old pipes were installed over 25 years ago, and at the time only a rubber ring and cement was used to seal the joint every 1 meter – without any sealant or special long lasting compression system. With earth movement these joints pop or become misaligned, and this allows tree roots to enter the pipe and sewage to seep out.

Modern pipes are joined using an adhesive that essentially creates a chemical weld when installed correctly. It’s hard to break and long lasting, but tree roots can still enter these pipes if they crack due to earth movement – so even modern PVC plumbing systems fail and can start leaking.

Drainage leaks are usually out of sight, and hard to diagnose. If you’ve noticed movement and cracks in your home, an issue with your drainage system could be the culprit.

Signs you may have a plumbing problem

Some of the signs you may have a plumbing issue are:
– there is cracking in your walls, floors, or ceiling
– your basement is leaking
– your toilets are regularly becoming blocked
– there is rising damp or mold in your home

Because your plumbing is beneath the surface and out of sight, the only sure way to see what’s going on is with a drain camera inspection. During a drain camera inspection, a qualified plumber will look inside your pipes with a CCTV camera. They’ll be looking for any cracks, tree roots, or other obvious leaks.

How to fix broken pipes under your home

With modern pipe relining technology, you can get your broken pipes fixed without digging or demolishing. Minor cracks and breaks are usually able to be fixed in one day, without damaging your most expensive asset – your home.

At Nuflow, we can provide a comprehensive CCTV drain camera inspection so you can see the exact location of any plumbing problems. We’ll share a copy of the footage with you so you can see for yourself.

Fix it for good with Nuflow

Nuflow’s pipe relining technology is designed specifically with the understanding of active soils and seismic activity in Australia and New Zealand. If you have cracks in your foundation or walls, contact your local Nuflow to get to the bottom of the problem, and fix your broken pipes for good.

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If you own or manage a heritage listed building, it’s up to you to make sure any changes are within the regulations of your council, and that you’re doing everything possible to uphold the stylistic integrity of the property.

Properties on heritage lists are unique, and if you’ve ever restored, renovated or repaired one you’ll know they can be more challenging and expensive than non-listed properties.

Here are some of the things you need to know before you make any modifications.

What are the different types of heritage classification?

Across Australia there are local, state or territory, national, and world listings. Each council has their own regulations and requirements, but generally there are two kinds of categories that mean you’ll need to be cautious before making changes.

Heritage listed properties

If your property is heritage listed, there are usually very specific requirements to follow for making repairs or renovating. In most cases, if a building is state listed there will be stricter regulations than if it’s locally listed. You’ll need to liaise with your council to get approval on any changes.

Heritage or character conservation areas

If your property is in a heritage conservation area, the main consideration you’ll likely need to make is if your changes will impact the streetscape.

What are the rules for renovating heritage listed homes?

Before you start drawing up plans for your renovation or repairs, there are a few things to consider. A heritage advisor can also help you work through all of the rules and regulations for your specific property.

Apply with your council for approval of changes

Check in with your local council for guidance on any applications you’ll need to make and the process for working with them.

Preserve your property’s heritage features

If there are specific heritage features in your home, these will need to be preserved. If they are damaged and need repairing, it’s important that the details are restored to match.

Choose heritage colour schemes

Many heritage listed properties have designated colours to choose from for the external facings. Your local council or heritage advisor can help you with guidance on the colours you can choose from.

How pipe relining helps historic building restoration

The beauty of pipe relining is that you don’t need to dig up any pavers or knock down any walls to fix your broken pipes. For heritage listed buildings, this is a game changer, because you don’t need damage your property’s heritage features – which would take time and money to replicate and restore.

At Nuflow, we use high-definition CCTV drain cameras to find the exact location of the problem. Following a drain inspection, we use our patented pipe relining technology to repair the broken pipes from the inside.

We pull the pipe relining solution into place using ropes and your existing access points – so no digging is needed. If you have a heritage listed home, this could save you thousands as you won’t need to destroy and rebuild parts of your property.

Our pipe relining technicians have helped repair pipes in many heritage listed properties, including the nationally listed Old Parliament House. See how we did it.

Fix it for good with Nuflow

If you’re experiencing plumbing problems in your heritage listed property, Nuflow can get it sorted without excavating or demolishing . Our teams across Australia and New Zealand are here and ready to help. Contact your local Nuflow team to find out more about non-disruptive pipe repairs for your heritage listed property today.

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Below are some examples of the common causes that can block and eventually break your pipes, the preventative measures you can take to keep your pipes well maintained, and tips on when you should call your plumbing professionals for help. 

What causes broken pipes? 

Some of the most common causes for broken household pipes include:

Blockages 

Our household plumbing systems are an integral part of our day to day lives. We use our drains every day, and as such, an excess build-up of hair, fats, oils, grease, food and more can create pipe blockages. As your plumbing and sewerage systems block-up overtime, they can eventually clog entirely, leading to broken or bust pipes. 

If you notice foul odours coming from your drains or sinks, or that water is slow to drain down sinks, baths or showers, you may be experiencing blockages from day-to-day debris getting caught in your pipes.   

Corrosion 

If your pipes are constantly exposed to harsh chemicals, high water temperatures, water oxidation causing rust, or are simply suffering from years of wear and tear, it can eventually lead to pipe corrosion and breaks. While older plumbing systems are more likely at greater risk than newer systems, even new pipes can show signs of corrosion as soon as two years after installation if the right conditions exist. 

If your water is discoloured (usually brown), or you have low water pressure, or you are finding signs of leaks, you may have failing pipes due to pipe corrosion. 

Tree root intrusion 

The flow of warm water inside pipes can cause water vapour to seep into the surrounding soil creating damp, fertile conditions that tree roots are drawn to. If your pipes have even the tiniest of cracks or any leaks, they can create the perfect conditions for tree roots – particularly if the cracks are in your sewer pipes where there’s prime fertilizer for plants!

If tree roots are not disturbed after penetrating the pipe, they will grow and expand, putting pressure on the crack or joint where they entered the pipe. If you notice that your sinks are slow to drain and make a gurling sound, or there a soft sinkholes appearing in your yard, or your lawn has unexpected green patches, you may have tree roots growing in your pipes. 

How can you fix broken pipes?

If you begin to notice any of the signs listed above, it’s important to take prompt action before a small inconvenience such as a slow draining sink becomes a burst water pipe when nobody’s home. 

While some blockages and breaks are difficult to locate, or the damaged pipes may be impossible to access yourself without digging up your yard, there are a number of preventative and DIY solutions to keep your plumbing system functioning well. 

What you can control 

Preventing blockages: 

• The best way to keep your drains clear is to control what you put down them. Limit the amount of food and grease you put down kitchen drains. Dispose of waste in the bin instead. 
• Keep hair out of bathroom drains. Brush your hair before showering or taking a bath, or cover your shower or bath drain with a mesh screen or a perforated shower drain hair catcher. Either option can help catch the hair and let the water run through. 
• If you bath your dog in the shower or bath, place a washcloth over the drain. The amount of hair a dog sheds during a bath can even clog your regular shower drain hair catcher.

Preventing tree root intrusion:

• Consider what you plant near sewer lines. If you’re planting trees near sewer lines, select slow-growing trees with a small root area. Larger, maturing trees should be kept well away from the sewer line.
• Sewer line barriers are also available to prevent root growth. Chemicals like copper sulphate and potassium hydroxide are often spread near sewer lines to inhibit root growth. In addition, metal or thick wood barriers buried next to sewerage systems will also prevent tree roots from reaching pipes.

Preventing corrosion:

• Similar to preventing blockages, limiting what you put down your drains can help minimise bacteria. 
• Book in regular pipe inspections and maintenance approximately every 2 years to keep your pipes in good condition. 

Call in the experts

If you think your pipe break or blockage is too much to fix yourself, you cannot locate the problem area, or you cannot access the break, it’s time to call in the experts before any more damage is done. 

Fix it for good with Nuflow

At Nuflow, our CCTV pipe inspection and drain camera allows us to pinpoint the exact location of the break so you’re not left wondering where the problem pipe is. Using Nuflow’s pipe relining technology, we can fix your broken pipes from the inside, without the need to dig or knockdown walls. This innovative and environmentally-friendly technology allows our pipe relining technicians to get to the bottom of your problem and fix it for good. 

Contact your local Nuflow team to find out more about long-lasting, cost effective plumbing repairs today.  

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