Wednesday 21 August 2013

Effective Relining - No Longer a Pipe Dream

If you're reading this, chances are that you're looking to fix a troublesome drainage system. Whilst complete pipe replacement may seem like a fantastic option, why not first consider the benefits of pipe relining? Here are five outstanding reasons to choose pipe relining over pipe replacement.

1.  Lower Installation Costs
Pipe relining in Sydney and NSW is easily the more economical option. Pipe replacement can leave you with unnecessary surface disruption and more restoration at your end than actually needed. No digging and destruction means you'll be able to rehabilitate more pipe for your buck and therefore extend your restoration efforts.

2.  Pipe Integrity
If your pipes are being slowly worn away by harsh chemicals like hydrogen sulfide, or are suffering from tuberculation - then pipe relining should be your first choice. Pipe relining provides excellent corrosion resistance and protection from root growth to ensure that your pipes are structurally durable for a sustained period of time.

3.  Go Green
Complete pipe replacement can cause heavy water loss from a drainage system (known as exfiltration). This is a serious environmental hazard, yet can easily be avoided by simply choosing to reline. Pipe relining not only prevents exfiltration, but also eliminates the need to dispose of removed materials, particularly in zones where asbestos cement was used. This makes pipe relining an environmentally friendly option

4.  Flexibility
More and more customers are choosing pipe relining for its flexibility as it leaves sewer segments decoupled from end to end. The materials used in pipe relining also provide an optimal Manning's roughness coefficient (as good as 0.010).

5.  Top-notch Technology
Trenchless technologies are in continuous development and have come a long way since their humble beginnings. The introduction of air and steam curing has led to huge advancements in plumbing, resulting in quicker installation times, and lower costs and energy for everyone involved.

As you can see, there are many benefits of choosing to reline instead of replace. Here at G.F. James Plumbing we offer not just one, but two types of pipe relining technology (Blueline & Redline) to assist in the treatment and repair of your blocked drains. Sydney-located and servicing NSW for over 36 years, we're just a call away so give us a ring on 02 9649 1099 today.

To learn more about the Author : Geoff James

Monday 19 August 2013

Saving Water Commercially

It is extremely important that every Australian is careful how they use water, and this includes commercial plumbing and industrial plumbing in Sydney. Over 1.4 billion litres of water is used in Sydney, with businesses, industries, and schools using 420 million litres alone. A lot of water can be saved when it comes to commercial and industrial sectors.

The Facts: Water is a vital resource. Without it there wouldn’t be life. So how do commercial buildings use commercial plumbing, like the thousands of businesses in Sydney, use this important resource?
  • 26% of the water used is actually leaking away out of taps, urinals, cisterns, pipes, valves, and pumps
  • 37% is used in amenities like toilets, showers, and kitchenettes
  • 31% is used in cooling towers, including those for air conditioners
  • 3% gets used in retail, such as in food outlets
  • 2% goes to cleaning
  • 1% goes to landscaping and watering plants and gardens
It is incredibly disturbing that the third highest use of water in a commercial building is through leakage and wastage. It is also quite scary to realise that amenities use the most water. So what can you do as a business to do your part in saving water and reducing those 420 million litres being used each year?



Education: Education is always a key step when it comes to changing habits and behaviours. Get everyone in your building to realise exactly what is happening when they leave the tap running or take a long time in the shower. Make sure that they’re aware that just because they aren’t paying for the water they use that this water isn’t a surplus or an additional to the water they use at home - it’s all from the same source, it’s all part of that 1.4 billion litres.

Water Saving Devices: There are plenty of commercial plumbers in Sydney, and all of them can install a number of water saving devices in your business. Water saving devices include:
  • Dual flush toilets
  • Timer flow taps
  • Waterless urinals
  • Flow controllers
Any one of these devices can save water, and save you money in the long-term.

If you’re looking for commercial plumbers in Sydney, call G.F. James Plumbing on (02) 9649 1099, or enquire online at www.gfjamesplumbing.com.au.

To learn more about the Author : Geoff James

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Rainwater Tanks

Many plumbing services in Sydney can help you make sure that your water use is environmentally sound. These plumbing services may install water saving devices in your home, like low pressure shower heads, or even rainwater tanks so you can water your garden or wash your car without needing to use mains water.


If you are considering having a rainwater tank installed at your home, here are a few key things to consider:

  • Benefits: There are many great benefits you will receive when you choose to have a rainwater tank installed on your property. These are just a few of those benefits:

              -    Reduce your water consumption
              -    Potential exemption from Water Wise Rules
              -    Reduce water bills
              -    Reduce impact of stormwater on drainage infrastructure and roads
  • Uses: What exactly can you do with the rainwater you collect in your tank? These are a few of the more common uses:

              -     Topping up the pool
              -     Watering the garden
              -     Washing cars
              -     Cleaning pavements
              -     Washing pets
              -     Flushing toilets
              -     Washing clothes

It is important to note that with the latter two, you will need to get in touch with a Quick Check agent working on behalf of Sydney Water to ensure a smooth transition between water supplies.

  • Regulations: To ensure everyone's safety before you get in touch with any Sydney plumbing services to install your rainwater tank, make sure that you:

               -    Get in touch with your local council to find out if there are any                           requirements you need to meet, or rules you need to follow
               -    Have a look at the NSW Planning and Infrastructure’s NSW 
                    Housing Code to see what rules you and your rainwater tank need 
                    to comply with

It can seem like a lot to take in for the seemingly simple act of installing a rainwater tank, but all regulations are created and maintained as a means to keep everyone safe and to ensure that your rainwater tank really is saving water, and therefore saving your money.
If you are looking at plumbing services in Sydney, call G.F. James Plumbing on (02) 9649 1099 or enquire online at www.gfjamesplumbing.com.au.


To learn more about the Author : Geoff James

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Preventing a winter plumbing emergency

Winter plumbing emergencies occur every year to Sydney homes that are unprepared. Not only is this an inconvenience to those living in your home, but the constant pressure of the frozen pipes could cause damage and require the attention of the plumber. Here are some simple ways to take care of your pipes as the temperature outside drops.


While not a common occurrence in central Sydney, pipes can freeze during the cold winter nights. This generally happens when sink pipes are installed on the outside wall of the home so that there is more room for people to move around the kitchen with ease. A simple way to counteract this problem is to open your cabinet doors. This will to allow the room temperature flow through the walls and will prevent the pipes from freezing up. If freezing pipes is a concern in your Sydney home then space heaters can also be placed next to the open cabinet doors. This way the kitchen will stay somewhat warm and the area under the sink will too.

Another method of preventing your pipes from freezing over is pipe insulation. Available at most property and hardware shops these pipe insulations are easily applied and wrap right onto the pipe. This causes the water inside to stay at an above freezing temperature. Washing your dishes late at night is another measure to make sure your pipes stay nice and cool. The logic behind this is that lakes freeze over but waterfalls never do.  

Making sure your pipes function properly is a great way to prevent an unexpected plumbing break down. Regular maintenance ensures that your pipes and appliances, such as your water heater and metre are all in working order and will work to the best of their abilities. Broken pipes can wreak havoc especially in winter when the air is not warm enough to evaporate moisture. Not only would this result in mold but unforeseen health issues from inhaling the mold.

If you’ve located your leak and have placed a temporary patch, or you have tried locating your leak but are unsuccessful, give GF James Plumbing a call on 02 96491099. We’ll be happy to walk you through this process over the phone or arrange for a professional to come repair your leaking pipe. .

To learn more about the Author : Geoff James

Wednesday 10 July 2013

How Commercial Plumbers Accomplish Vertical Pipe Relining

Relining a pipe laid under the ground or those found inside the home looks fairly simple. But have you ever wondered how commercial plumbers in Sydney reline the pipes of high rise buildings?


High rise buildings, naturally, have vertical plumbing systems. This makes it quite a challenge for commercial and industrial plumbers to fix a pipe in this set up. This is especially true for plumbers who don’t have the right set of tools and equipment to do the job.

But with the more experienced and more well-equipped plumbing contractors, such as G.F. James Plumbing, no task is too big or small. With G.F. James years of experience in the business, they’ve got it all figured out. They have the latest technologies and employ the latest techniques in getting the job done right, even under difficult circumstances.

Vertical relining, or relining a high rise building’s damaged pipe, requires no walls or floors to be torn down, not even to locate the damaged pipe. What it offers is convenience and peace of mind for everyone in the building.

Vertical pipe relining faster, costs far less and involves lesser demolition and destruction
In a nutshell, relining a pipe starts from the roof of the building. No wall needs to be excavated and no drywall needs to be replaced. The occupants don’t even need to move around their belongings, and in many cases, there isn’t even any need for the plumbers to enter any of the units.

Here’s how commercial plumbers do vertical relining:

After determining which pipe needs to be relined, it is thoroughly cleaned with water jetters. Flooding inside the building is prevented with the use of mechanical wire brushes.

Every bit of debris is removed and collected from the top to the bottom of the pipe. A plumbing CCTV camera is inserted into the pipe for measuring and to ensure accuracy when relining. A lining sock is cut according to the measurements taken by the camera.

An epoxy resin is applied on the lining sock. It is then inserted into the pipe. The sock is then inflated against the pipe’s inner walls where it is left to dry for about three hours. When dried, the sock is removed, leaving a brand new lining that is now much stronger and durable.

All this without tearing down walls.

For enquiries, visit G.F. James Plumbing at www.GFJamesPlumbing.com.au or call 02 9649 1099.


To learn more about the Author : Geoff James


Monday 24 June 2013

Plumber in Sydney Offers Basics for Residential Plumbing

Owning a home calls for knowing some basics on how to repair or make utilities run more efficiently, such as the home's plumbing. You don't need to learn how to fix everything. Sometimes, understanding how things work is sufficient to help you determine what needs to be done when plumbers do their repair work.

As the leading plumber in Sydney, we are happy to provide you with the basics of residential plumbing.

Exterior plumbing
This refers to the network of pipes and plumbing systems within the backyard. It includes irrigation, drains and water supply hookups. The materials commonly used for these plumbing components are PVCs and flexible polyethylene. Both materials support a number of other plumbing components such as drip fittings and sprinkler heads.

The pipes that run from the town's main water supply are also crucial plumbing parts found within the backyard.

Interior water supply
During the construction of the home, plumbing contractors lay a water supply network in a process called rough plumbing. The home's interior water supply network are made of materials that include cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and coppers. The water pipes are connected with fittings.

Also, found inside your home are other plumbing networks that deliver gas for heating, those for garbage disposal and for laundry purposes.

The drain, waste and vent systems are also found mostly inside the home. They are also known as the DWV systems. The DWV systems connect the drains to municipal sewers, as well as provide ventilation to the home. It helps maintain the pressure that is used to prevent sewer gases from dissipating inside the home.

Tools and equipment for plumbing
Plumbing contractors use other tools beyond the usual screwdrivers and wrenches. They use specialised equipment to route and join sewer lines. They use circular saws and power drills to route and cut pipes to appropriate lengths.

For pipe fitting, plumbers use soldering torches, pipe cement and pipe cleaning supplies. To determine the pipe's angle, they use layout tools like plumb bobs.

For more information on plumbing maintenance, contact the top plumber in Sydney GF James Plumbing on 02 9649 1099 or visit www.GFJamesPlumbing.com.au.


To know more about the Author : Geoff James