By Matthew Baring-Gould, Kingscliff-based drainage plumber. Servicing Tweed Heads for 4 years. 5.0 stars across 173 Google reviews. Licensed NSW 383340C and QLD 15036450. ABN 74 605 392 348.
Called out to a Kingscliff property for a leaking toilet. Replaced both inlet and outlet valves. Did a preventative walk-through because the property sits vacant for part of the year and found the kitchen mixer flexi hose about to burst and no isolation taps on any fixture. Came back a second day, installed the new kitchen mixer the owner sourced, fitted eight new isolation taps across the property, tightened every mixer tap, replaced perished rubber seals on every flexi, pulled out an unnecessary flexi from under the ensuite, and found a slow bathroom trap leak that had been going for a while.
What the customer called us for
Owner called us out for a leaking toilet at a Kingscliff property that sits vacant for part of the year. Outlet valve top had snapped off when someone pulled the lid.
What we found when we got there
The outlet valve was snapped and the inlet valve was faulty and not shutting off correctly, so we replaced both. While on site we did a walk-through for the owner because the property is a part-time residence. Three serious issues: (a) the kitchen mixer flexi hose was bulging and about to burst, which would have flooded the house; (b) none of the fixtures in the property had isolation taps, so any single leak would mean shutting the whole house off; (c) all the mixer taps had perished fibro washers in the flexi joins.
Why we did it this way
A part-time home is an expensive flood waiting to happen. Nobody is there to hear the first drip. One burst flexi while the owners are away equals a six-figure insurance claim and 3-6 months out of the house. The right move is to visit the house like an insurance assessor: find every point of failure, install isolation taps everywhere so any future leak can be shut off at the fixture, replace any flexi that is bulging or has perished rubbers, tighten every tap. Costs a fraction of the eventual flood.
What we did on site
- Replaced the toilet inlet valve and outlet valve mechanism.
- Walked through the property and identified the bulging kitchen mixer flexi, missing isolation taps, and perished fibro washers.
- Advised the owner to source a replacement kitchen mixer with the correct thread.
- Returned on day two to install the new mixer (first mixer the owner bought had a faulty thread and had to be returned; second one came with the correct triangle sealing piece).
- Installed eight new isolation taps across the kitchen and both bathrooms.
- Tightened every mixer tap and replaced perished fibro washers with new rubbers to seal the flexi joins.
- Removed an unnecessary flexi hose under the ensuite basin on the left side.
- While pressure-testing, found and documented a slow leak from the main bathroom trap that had been running for some time.
The result
Toilet valves working. House now has isolation taps on every fixture, so any future leak can be contained to that fixture and shut off without turning the whole house off. Bulging flexi replaced before it burst. Hidden trap leak located for the owner to action.
If you have the same issue
If you own a holiday home or any part-time residence on the Tweed coast or Gold Coast, pay a plumber once a year to walk through the house and audit it the way we did here. Isolation taps on every fixture is the single biggest insurance-saving upgrade you can make. A burst flexi while you are away is the most common expensive claim in holiday-home ownership. Call Matty on 0447 188 394 or request a quote.
Customer names and addresses have been withheld. Individual results vary. Drain Masters Plumbing is licensed in NSW (383340C) and QLD (15036450).
Frequently asked
What is an isolation tap and why does every fixture need one?
An isolation tap is a small valve on the water line feeding a single fixture (toilet, tap, dishwasher, washing machine). It lets you shut water off to that fixture only, instead of the whole house. If a flexi hose bursts under the kitchen sink, you close the kitchen isolation taps and the rest of the house still has water while you fix it.
Why do flexi hoses burst?
Flexi hoses are braided stainless over a rubber inner. Over 8-10 years the braid starts to unravel and the rubber bulges through. Once you can see a bulge, it is going to burst, usually within months. Any flexi over about 8 years old should be replaced on sight.
Can I do the isolation-tap install myself?
No. Any work on the water supply line itself requires a licensed plumber in NSW and QLD, both to meet the Plumbing Code and because incorrect installation can cause the exact leak you are trying to prevent. The fittings are cheap but the job has to be done right.
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