Say Goodbye to Leaky Showers with Reno Transformer Tapware

The ever popular Gas instantaneous hot water unit; offering on-demand hot water and energy efficiency for households all over Brisbane. However, like any appliance, they can sometimes encounter issues that require troubleshooting. The pilot light going out is a frustrating but surprisingly regular occurrence, and stops the production of hot water instantly. In this guide, we will explain why this happens and how to safely relight it, along with other handy troubleshooting tips.

 

Understanding the Pilot Light

The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner in your hot water unit, which in turn heats water as it flows through the system. When the pilot light goes out, your unit won’t be able to heat water, leaving you with cold showers and discomfort.

Why Does the Pilot Light Go Out?

The below factors can cause your pilot light to go out.

Wind:

If your unit is in an unsheltered location, gusts of wind can blow out your pilot light. A sheltered location should be determined by your gas-fitter upon installation to prevent on-going issues.

 

Dirty Pilot Tube:

Dirt and debris can accumulate in the pilot tube over time, blocking the gas flow and causing the pilot light to go out.

 

Faulty Thermocouple:

The thermocouple is a safety device that shuts off the gas supply if the pilot light goes out. If your thermocouple is faulty, it might shut off the gas supply in error, even when the pilot light is on.

 

Low Gas Pressure:

Uneven gas supply or low pressure can prevent the pilot light from staying lit, a pressure test is one of the measures gas-fitters undertake when assessing gas problems.

 

Age of the Unit:

Older units may experience more frequent pilot light issues due to worn-out components. Over time the maintenance expenses will outweigh new installation costs and this is when its time to install a new unit.

How to Relight the Pilot Light

Before attempting to relight the pilot light, follow these safety precautions:

 

Turn Off the Gas:

Locate the gas shut off valve on your unit and turn it to the “off” position. Wait about five minutes to allow any residual gas to dissipate.

 

Read the Manual:

Refer to your unit’s manual for specific instructions on relighting the pilot light. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, it’s best to call a professional. We are happy to take phone calls or facetime video calls to talk you through this process.

Here’s a general step-by-step guide to relighting the pilot light:

Turn the gas back on to the unit.

Locate the Pilot Light Assembly:

This is usually near the bottom of the unit. You’ll see a gas valve, a knob, and the pilot light itself.

 

Turn the Gas Valve to “Pilot”:

Rotate the gas valve to the “pilot” setting. This allows gas to flow to the pilot light but not the main burner.

 

Press and Hold the Reset Button:

You should see a button labeled “reset” or “pilot.” Press and hold this button while you proceed to the next step.

 

Light the Pilot:

While holding the reset button, press in the piezo ignitor, If this does not function correctly carefully use a long lighter to ignite the pilot light. Continue holding the button for about 30 seconds after the pilot is lit to ensure it stays on.

 

Turn the Gas Valve Back to “On”:

Once the pilot light is burning steadily, release the reset button and turn the gas valve to the “on” position.

 

Check the Burner:

Turn on a hot water tap to check if the burner ignites and the water heats up. If everything works as expected, your unit should be back in operation.

When to Call a Professional

While relighting the pilot light is a task some homeowners can handle, other issues with gas instantaneous hot water units might require professional assistance. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to call Adept Plumbing and Gas on 3520 7195:

Frequent Pilot Light Outages:

If your pilot light failing is a recurring problem, there might be a deeper issue with your unit that needs attention from a professional.

 

Gas Smell:

If you smell gas at any point, turn off the unit immediately and contact a professional. Gas leaks are hazardous and require urgent attention.

For any concerns or to schedule a service, trust Adept Plumbing and Gas to handle your queries with professionalism and reliability.

 

Water Filtration Systems: Ensuring Clean Water with Adept Plumbing and Gas

These days, clean and safe drinking water is becoming increasingly sought after. We are finding more and more customers are making the investment in a reliable water filtration systems. Here in South East Queensland, we have customers living both in the city and in rural areas, and all are faced with different reasons to seek water filtration for improved water quality. Adept Plumbing and Gas offers a wide range of water filtration systems designed to cater to these various needs. To help you decide on what is best for you, we are going to discuss the different water filtration systems available to our customers, and outline their individual uses. Read on to take a step towards pure, clean and safe drinking water.

 

Sediment Filtration Systems:

Sediment filtration systems are used to filter out the most common foreign bodies, in water, such as silt, rust, sand and other debris. Filters with different pore sizes are used to remove the larger
particles, preventing clogging in downstream filters such as aerators and tap filters, and to protect your appliances. Usually, they are used as the first stage in combination with
other filtration methods to enhance your water quality.

Carbon Filtration Systems:

Don’t like the taste or smell of your water? This is where carbon filtration systems come in. These are effective in removing organic compounds, chlorine, and unpleasant odors and tastes from water. Activated carbon filters have a large
absorbable surface area capable of catching impurities. Carbon filters come in two main types: granular activated carbon (GAC) and carbon block filters. GAC filters are commonly used in whole-house systems,
while carbon block filters are ideal for more isolated applications such as under-sink filters or refrigerator water dispensers.

Reverse Osmosis Systems:

Worried about water safety? Heavy metals, dissolved solids, bacteria and viruses are removed with Reverse osmosis (RO) systems. These systems employ a semi-permeable membrane that allows water
molecules to pass through while blocking impurities. The purpose of these systems is clean and purified drinking water for both residential and commercial settings. However, it’s important to note that RO
systems also remove beneficial minerals, so remineralization may be necessary.

UV Sterilisation Systems:

UV sterilisation systems use ultraviolet light to disinfect water by killing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. UV sterilization is a chemical-free and environmentally friendly method, ensuring
safe and reliable water without altering its taste or odor. They are often used in conjunction with other filtration methods, as they do not remove chemicals or physical impurities.

Ion Exchange Systems:

Have you ever heard of ‘hard water’? Ion exchange systems are typically used to soften water by removing excessive calcium and magnesium ions – the cause of hard water. These systems use ion exchange resin beds
to replace the hardness ions with sodium or potassium ions. The result is reduced scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures, prolonging their lifespan. These are more commonly used in areas where water is found to be hard.

 

In Brisbane and its surrounds, having access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial for maintaining good health and keeping your family safe. Adept Plumbing and Gas can advise on and design the best water filtration system for your property, based on your needs and desires. There truely is a solution available for everyone to ensure your water is of the highest quality.

Water quality can vary depending on the source and location, so it is highly beneficial to talk to professionals before selecting the right system for you or your business. Invest in clean water today
and experience the numerous benefits it brings to your health and daily life.

There is nothing worse than a leaking toilet for making a trip to the bathroom unpleasant, or a faulty flush for keeping toilets at the forefront of your mind when you would rather be thinking about something else!

If your toilet has a leak or a faulty flush, it will usually be down to one of the below parts needing fixing or replacing.

 

Fill valve

To get the toilet bowl and tank to refill to the right levels after flushing, a toilet fill valve is required. The fill valve lets the water into the tank and then closes off at the appropriate moment.

Common Problems

1. A slow to fill tank, or tank not filling up
2. A constantly running toilet, meaning the fill valve isn’t closing off and stopping the incoming water flow.

Flush valves

These release the water from the tank to the bowl during a flush.

Common problems

1. Constantly running toilet
2. A build-up of mineral deposits which restrict water from flowing into toilet bowl

Flush valve washer (flapper)

Being the leading cause of leaking or running toilets, these provide a seal for the flush valve and control the volume of water released into the bowl

Common problems

1. Constantly running toilet
2. Toilet intermittently refilling – meaning that the toilet is losing water internally or externally or the valve is opening from time to time

Braided hoses

These connect the toilet to your home’s water supply.

Common problems

1. Faulty seal causing external leaks
2. Overtightening leading to potentially extensive flooding
3. Poor quality product installed. Adept Plumbing can supply and install burst proof braided hoses

Toilet seals

These seal the toilet to the floor, where the toilet water will flush down the drain.

Common problems

1. Seal broken or cracked, causing external leakage around base of toilet

Rubber Flush Cone

This seals the flush pipe to the toilet pan.

Common problems

1. These can also cause leakages as the rubber can perish over time
2. A lack of proper seal caused by a faulty pan

Pan Connector (for a pan seal toilet)

This connects the ceramic toilet pan to the PVC drain

Common problems

1. This also relies on a rubber seal, which can allow foul odours to escape if it is perished
2. Incorrect application of off-set pan connector can cause blockages, as these fittings restrict the flow of waste

If you are having an issue with any of the above toilet parts, Adept Plumbing and Gas are able to help. Give us a call on 0425 706 949.

 

1. Make sure you know how to turn your water supply to your house off in case of emergency. You will be amazed how many people don’t know how to carry out this simple money saving exercise. If you have to wait for a plumber to arrive to isolate your water the burst pipe could cause thousands of dollars of damage to your property.
2. When going away for an extended period of time, isolate the water to your property. We have been called out numerous times to people arriving back from holidays to find three inches of water through the lower levels of their house.
3. Periodically check all stainless steel braided hoses that are connecting your mixer taps and toilets to the mains supply. If there is any sign of rust or sharp wires protruding from the hose contact us to replace as these can cause damage if they were to blow.
4. Buy a wet-vac. For the price of a plumbing call out you could purchase a good quality wet-vac. You would be amazed at the versatility of this appliance, from preventative maintenance to emergency clean ups. Once you have bought one you would never go without again.
5. If you have a tile roof with valleys, you may have problems with tiles slipping down. The problem then is that any debris will get caught up on that tile stopping the flow of rainwater and causing roof leaks. The simple solution is to use a bead of silicon down the side of the tile to hold it in place.
6. How to unclog a drain with pantry items:
   Ingredients:
   • 1 box of baking soda
   • A bottle of vinegar
   • A rag big enough to put intodrain hole opening to clog it up
   • A kettle full of boiling water

   Method

   1. pour half a box of baking soda down the drain.
   2. gather up the rag, having it ready at your side.
   3. pour half a cup of vinegar down and immediately after plug the drain with the rag so that nothing can escape. The interaction of the two ingredients will cause a mini volcano and they will want to come up and out of the drain.
   4.  leave this concoction in the drain for 30 minutes, and while you are waiting boil a kettle full of water
   5. after 30 minutes remove the rag and slowly pour the boiling water down the drain.
   6. all done, your drain should flow smoothly now! This process can be repeated as necessary.
7. You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odour removers in your toilet cistern. They may get rid of the toilet odours but they can erode the rubber in the toilet, which may cause it to stop functioning over time.  You would be better off with the toilet duck deodorising duck discs.
8. How To make sure your waste disposal last longer, clean it regularly. Throw two lemon wedges and a cup of ice in the disposal. Turn on the cold water and turn on the disposal. The lemon will help with the bad odors and the ice helps to get those blades sharp! When running your waste disposal, use a lot of COLD water. Hot water can liquefy grease and cause it to get stuck in the drain and clog the pipes.
9. Try to never pour any grease fat or oils into your drains. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. Pour the grease or oil into a can to cool and put it in the rubbish.
10. Pump your septic tank out every five years to keep it in good working condition. While it may cost a bit to have this pumped out, the cost is much higher to have sewerage and back ups cleaned up and your septic tank replaced.