You’ve looked at your water bill, and something doesn’t add up. You know your household isn’t using this much water, and now you’re staring at the metre wondering what it’s actually telling you. What do the numbers tell? How can you tell if there’s a leak? This guide walks you…

Plumbing bills can catch you off guard when the final total ends up much higher than the hourly rate you were quoted. That’s because the hourly rate is only part of the story. The type of job, how easy it is to access the pipes, the materials involved, and the…

Gas and electric hot water systems differ in how they heat water, how much they cost to run, how quickly they recover, and what space and maintenance they require.  Understanding these differences helps you make the right choice. Because the system you choose directly affects your energy bills, whether you…

Whether you can repair your hot water system’s leak or not comes down to what’s actually causing it. Some issues, like loose pipe connections or a worn valve, are quick and affordable to fix. Others, like a corroded or cracked tank, mean the system itself is failing and needs replacing.…

An instantaneous hot water system, also called a tankless or continuous flow system, heats water on demand instead of storing it in a big tank. That means you don’t have to wait for a big 300-litre tank to refill and reheat; just turn on the tap, and the system starts…

In a normal flush, the cistern (tank) releases a set amount of water (typically 3 L for a half flush and 4.5 L for a full flush in modern Australian toilets). This causes water drops to fall quickly into the bowl, generating enough force to carry waste through the trap…

Most of us spend a lot of time keeping our sinks, showers, and benches clean, but what about the drains? Even when everything else looks tidy, hair, soap scum, food scraps, and grease can quietly build up inside pipes, causing smells that are hard to ignore. Fortunately, most drain odours…

A dripping tap, mostly caused by a worn washer – the small rubber disc inside your tap that presses against the metal seat to stop water flow – is one of the easiest plumbing jobs you can tackle yourself. It helps you conserve water, save money, and often avoid the…

Have you ever stepped into a shower only to be hit with a sudden burst of boiling water or struggled with a lukewarm stream when you wanted a hot shower? That frustrating or dangerous experience is exactly what a tempering valve is designed to prevent. It keeps your water flow…

There’s nothing more annoying than losing hot water in the middle of your shower.  Most often, the underlying cause is easily identifiable once you start paying close attention to the patterns. For example, does the hot water run out abruptly, or does the temperature slowly fade? Does it happen after…

Cyclone season in Townsville brings torrential rain, gusting winds, and flooding, which can severely damage your home, your plumbing, and your sense of safety. Knowing what to expect and preparing ahead can save you thousands in damage and give your family peace of mind.  This guide walks you through the…

Hot water is the second-largest energy expense for the average Australian home, typically making up around 15% to 25% of your total energy bill. So, choosing an efficient hot water system is one of the most effective ways to slash your living costs. But what works best for you will…

Pipe relining has become a popular solution for homeowners dealing with recurring drain and sewer pipe problems, and for good reason. Instead of digging up your yard, driveway, or floors to replace damaged pipes, plumbers can repair them from the inside using a trenchless method that is faster, less disruptive,…

A burst pipe can turn your day upside down in minutes. Water can damage floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture – and if it isn’t dealt with promptly, trapped moisture can lead to mould within 24-48 hours, which can cause serious health issues in the long run and further damage to…

When you’re buying a home, it’s natural to focus on what’s right in front of you – the layout, the light, the street, and the overall feel of the place. Plumbing rarely gets the same attention during inspections, simply because most of it is hidden, and problems don’t always show…

Hot water is the second-largest energy guzzler in the average Australian home, so picking the right system is important to make sure your power bills don’t spin out of control. To help you make the right decision for yourself, we have broken the process into eight simple steps: Let’s walk…

Replacing a hot water system in Townsville isn’t just about the unit’s price tag. Given the region’s high humidity, mineral-rich water, and the strict Queensland plumbing codes, a simple swap involves several technical and legal layers that affect your final bill. In this guide, we’ll share a transparent breakdown of…

Most toilet cistern refill issues are caused by a single internal component failing to do its job, so the key to fixing this issue is finding that part. Normally, after you flush, the cistern refills when the water flows from the home’s supply line through the isolation valve beneath the…

In this blog, we are going to look at 8 tips and ideas for unblocking drains. If you have a blocked drain and need an expert's help, call 1touch Plumbing!

In this blog post, our experts look at how much the average water bill is in Australia, what costs are included on a water bill and how you can reduce yours.