Welcome to Kovele's blog
We're talking all things bathroom renovations and plumbing related quick tips.
Everything you need to know about using a plumber during Melbourne’s stage four lockdown.
As we venture deep into another Melbourne winter, it's around now that we really rely on our heaters to keep us toasty warm. However, if you have a gas heater, which is what most homes in Melbourne have, it's important that you consider how long it's been since you had your gas heater serviced and tested for carbon monoxide leakage. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, invisible and poisonous gas that can be emitted from a gas heater. It's a silent killer and has lead to many avoidable and tragic deaths over the years. Now, this is obviously the worst-case scenario, but it's a real danger that surfaces every winter. If you experience the following symptoms around your gas heater, then this may be a tell-tale sign that your gas heater is leaking dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into your home. Tiredness Shortness of breath Headaches Nausea or vomiting Sleepiness Now, it doesn't need to get to the point where you are sick to realise that there's something wrong with your gas heater! At Kovele Plumbing, we offer a carbon monoxide test that we incorporate into a yearly service of your heater and other gas appliances. We handle the following when we drop in. Carbon monoxide test Gas fitting inspection on all home appliances Thorough clean of burners, fan and filters Ensure your pilot light is healthy Check gas inlet and burner gas pressures Ensure the safety of your appliances overall system It's a simple yearly service that will give you peace of mind, and make sure you stay warm throughout the winter. If you're worried about your gas heater and carbon monoxide poisoning then feel free to give me a call on 0411 701 078. Stay safe, stay warm. Steve Kovac - Director
Renovating your bathroom is an exciting process, and the feeling of the finished result never fades away. On top of this, a bathroom renovation a great investment that can dramatically boost the overall value of your home when it's done right. After personally renovating hundreds of bathrooms over the years right across Melbourne, here are three important considerations that often get overlooked in the design stage. 1 - Ventilation We may have a nice window to work with, and a sizeable vent in place, but is this enough to keep our dream bathroom mould free? We all know that mould can be a real pain in the neck - and a costly one too! In my experience, it's important that the ventilation system you install is adequate for the size of your bathroom. Having a window is a great bonus, but in winter we're unlikely to open it while we shower - this is also when we have the hottest, steamiest showers. You can get away with an unventilated shower here and there, but over the years, if you don't invest in an adequate ventilation system from the get-go, you'll be kicking yourself when the mould starts to grow! Now, I'll advise my clients down the right path when it comes to bathroom ventilation, but it's important to consider and budget for these things early. I know picking fixtures and fittings is a real buzz, but a mouldy ceiling is a buzz-kill... 2 - Storage It's common knowledge, but storage counts. Not just for you, but for the resell value of your home and the overall ROI on the investment of your bathroom renovation. Adequate storage space in a bathroom, particularly in family homes is a massive plus for potential buyers, and it's always nice to keep everything clutter-free when you're using a bathroom for yourself. Even in small spaces, crafty design can incorporate ample storage space without intruding on the overall space in the bathroom. 3 - Usage Lastly, it's important to think about usage. Now, that giant bath looks appealing, but will you or your family use it? If yes, then go for it! Often a big luxurious bath takes precedence over the parts of the bathroom that are used regularly by multiple people. Lose the bath if you think you won't really use it, and replacing it with a nice big shower or a double basin might be a more practical option for your usage. There are so many awesome things you can do with your bathroom these days, and it's easy to get caught up in all the bells and whistles. However, it's important that we consider functionality first, then use it as a restraint when we pick our fixtures and fittings. Conclusion: These are three simple, yet important tips that sometimes my clients overlook when planning their bathroom renovation. Ensuring we have ample ventilation so mould doesn't grow, maximising our storage space and considering the overall functionality of the bathroom are keys to satisfying end of renovation results. Are you thinking of renovating your bathroom? I've successfully handled hundreds of bathroom renovations over the years and would love to help bring your dream bathroom to life. Free free to call on me 0418 340 501. I'm happy to drop in anytime for a free no-obligation in-home consultation about your bathroom. Or, we can call if we're still battling the issues COVID-19 has thrown at us!
In many cases, the simple tips below can help you fix a blocked drain on your own, without having to call in a professional plumber. However, if your blocked drain can't be fixed, it's always best to call in a professional to fix the blockage before it causes any damage or gets worse. 1 - Boiling Water It's a simple method, but it will work for minor grease blockages. Put the kettle on and give this a go. Another hack is to mix the boiling water with some vinegar and bicarb soda! 2 - Caustic Cleaner Caustic cleaner is a chemical available from most supermarkets and hardware stores. Caustic cleaner is a chemical that's capable of dissolving grease, hair, food and other common blockages. It fixes your blocked drain the same way our first solution does, only with more power. However, it's important to use caustic cleaner with care, and sparingly. It's understandably terrible for the environment and should only be used once on any given drain blockage - if the blockage keeps coming back, don't keep using caustic cleaner. Lastly, it's important to note that caustic cleaner won't work on solid blockages like roots. 3 - The Humble Plunger Just like it works on the dunny, the humble plunger can work on your blocked sink or drain. It's a great way to unclog more solid items like wet wipes or rubbish. However, it won't be useful on grease blockages. What do you do if nothing here unblocks your drain? If nothing here works, it's time to call in a plumber. It's important that you don't procrastinate on the issue, because there may be underlining water damage taking place. If the drain is still blocked, it's likely that the drain is blocked further down the pipe and has been compromised by a tree root or the pipe has simply eroded and caved in. Fixing a blocked drain may seem like a big costly job, but with modern CCTV blockage technology, plumbers are able to quickly locate a blockage in a drain and carefully target the troubled area. Gone are the days of digging up your entire yard to find a blockage! We're Melbourne based blocked drain specialists at Kovele Plumbing, and if you need a hand with your blocked drain, we're here to help anytime on 0418 340 501. Hope this has been helpful! Steve Kovac - Kovele Plumbing