The Adelaide plumbers of the 1800s

Needing a plumber at a moments notice can be quite the challenge in modern day Adelaide, however, just imagine plumbing over 100 years ago! The plumbing that we know today can have us frustrated, however, if we take a step back and realise what toilets were like, we can appreciate the toilets we have today! Living busy Adelaide lives we can face small but very annoying plumbing problems, however it is thanks to a few clever people in the 1800s that we have the toilets to begin with.

The modern toilet that we know and use in Adelaide today was invented in 1596 by Sir John Harington, and was initially designed for Queen Elizabeth, who also happened to be Harington’s godmother. The initial design released waste into cesspools, however, there were two elements in the design that made their way into modern designs we use in our plumbing in Adelaide today. These two elements include: a valve at the bottom of the water tank and a wash down system. This then developed even further in 1775 when Alexander Cummings designed a toilet with a water trap, which was placed underneath the bowl. However the most interesting development that has made its way into modern Adelaide plumbing, is the colloquial term ‘crapper’, which is actually the name of Thomas Crapper, who was a plumber who brought the modern toilet design and manufacturing technology together. This was a colloquial term created for the toilets when Australian and British troops came home calling toilets ‘crappers’. The 1800s however were the days where the largest development of toilet design occurred and when toilets were accompanied by the invention of toilet paper by American Joseph Cayetti in 1857. Some of the main toilet designs of the time include:

 • Hopper closet - This was an inexpensive design that featured an inverted cone as the receptacle, with a squirt of water released - which created a fairly weak flush. Due to its low cost, mainly poor people used it.

 • Wash-out or flush-out water closet - In this design water was used to seal the drain tube, and combined with a flushing mechanism and siphonic action, this evolved into the modern toilet which we use in plumbing in Adelaide today.

All these facts are interesting, however what they outline is the development of toilets and how much easier and convenient plumbing in modern Adelaide today. Although this is true and plumbing has become very convenient there are hiccups that are unavoidable due to day-to-day life. This is where we have to call in the professionals.

Best Plumbers in Adelaide are a friendly professional team that can help you with all your plumbing needs. If you own a business in Adelaide or just need help sorting out a plumbing issue at home, the professional plumbers and Best Plumbers can help you sort the issue out as quickly, professionally and conveniently as possible. So don’t stay stuck in the 1800s, visit the Best Plumbers Adelaide website at Bestplumbing.com.au.

LPG and Why we Should Hire Plumbers in Adelaide to Convert us to it

Converting LPG and Natural Gas appliances is commonplace but can prove risky if not done by an experienced Plumber. In Adelaide, all residential and commercial properties will have a different gas system, this is why it is important to hire a plumber in Adelaide who will be able to identify the type of system and convert it if necessary. 

There are two main differences in the way that LPG (Propane) and natural gas (Methane) are burnt. The first difference is in the energy content. LPG has a higher calorific value, or energy content, so less gas is required to produce the same amount of heat. The second difference is in the oxygen to gas ratio required for proper combustion. LPG requires oxygen to gas ratio of approximately 25 to 1. Natural gas requires a ratio of around 10 to 1. To achieve this difference, LPG is typically provided in a smaller quantity but at a higher pressure, drawing more oxygen with it into the burner.

This is why it is important that plumbers are the only professionals to deal with your gas appliances. Because LPG is delivered at higher pressures than the normal working pressure of a natural gas appliance, if would be very dangerous to try and use an LPG gas for instance through an unconverted natural gas appliance. It is also important to make sure that your plumber or gas fitter is licensed and has the proper certificates. Gas appliances must be certified for use by an organisation approved by the Chief Inspector of the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate. These (Type A) appliances may include gas stoves, hot water heaters and commercial catering appliances. Any existing Type A Gas appliances that are not certified for use on LPG will need to be certified for use by the gasfitter. 

Liquefied petroleum gas or liquid petroleum gas is made up of either propane or butane and most commonly a mixture of both. A highly flammable liquid, LPG is used as a fuel for heating appliances, cooking equipment and vehicles. LPG is prepared by refining petroleum or "wet" natural gas, and is almost entirely derived from fossil fuel sources, being manufactured during the refining of petroleum (crude oil), or extracted from petroleum or natural gas streams as they emerge from the ground. LPG provides 3 per cent of all energy consumed globally. Despite the fact that LPG still produces air pollution, it doesn’t contribute nearly as much to ground and water pollution like coal does. There are two main concerns with LPG systems. The first is the risk of explosion and the second is the risk of suffocation due to LPG displacing air, causing a decrease in oxygen concentration. 

Natural gas or Liquefied Natural Gas LNG is a fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants, gases, and animals are exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of years. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly includes varying amounts of other higher alkanes and even a lesser percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas is often informally referred to simply as "gas", especially when compared to other energy sources such as oil or coal. The Chinese used natural gas in about 500 BC. They discovered a way to transport gas seeping from the ground in crude pipelines of bamboo to where it was used to boil sea water to extract the salt.

Registered plumbers are not allowed to conduct gas conversions if any of the appliances are not sustainable. If nothing else, this should persuade householders from ensuring they hire properly certified and reliable Plumbers in Adelaide. To find out more you can contact Best Plumbing and Maintenance on 0411 783 681 or visit their website http://bestplumbing.com.au/.

Adelaide Plumbers say No to Blocked Drains

Drains make up the ugly, smelly but highly necessary plumbing systems in your home. Navigating these subterranean pathways can prove impossible for homeowners and renters alike, this is why you need an Adelaide plumber on hand. A plumber is one of the most sought after tradespersons, for their specialised skills in all kinds of domestic and commercial areas. From general plumbing maintenance, to cleaning, hydro jetting, repairs, guttering and roof maintenance and hot water replacement and repair services, plumbers can help in many a sticky situation. The term plumber comes from the Latin word plumbum, meaning lead, which makes reference to the lead used in roofs and drainpipes during the Roman Empire. A more recent colloquial usage of the term was in the early 1970s. The ‘White House Plumbers’ was the name given to the Special Investigations Unit established on 24 July 1971. The unit was tasked with plugging intelligence ‘leaks’ at the time of Richard Nixon’s US presidency. 
 

Professional drain cleaning services could mean the difference between an easily clearable pipe and a disastrous burst pipe. It is true that many chemical drain cleaners are highly corrosive and dangerous for the human sense. The last time I tried to clean my kitchen sink, I almost fainted from the toxicity of the chemical vapour steaming up into the air. 

Here are some preliminary tips for cleaning and deodorising your household drains, the natural way.

•  White vinegar, if left for 30 minutes can prove useful
•  Boiling water in conjunction with baking soda, 3 parts to 1 part should do it
•  Freshly squeezed lemons or lemon juice concentrate will prove effective if you leave the citrus in the drain for at least an hour
•  For grease blockages, wrap a heating pad around the trap pipe below the sink, turn on the hot water along with the heating pad and the grease should clear
•  The good old fashioned plunger can also do the trick, just be sure to fill the sink with just enough water to cover the drain before commencing the plunge

One professional service that truly makes a difference is vacuum drain cleaning. These machines are designed for more commercial and industrial use but can come in handy in the home. Vacuum drain cleaners are able to remove drill mud and stormwater debris and clear sewers, slurries, wood chips, sand, filtration media and dirt. The great feature of these machines is that the waste and debris is removed straight into a compact unit, a no mess process where no rubbish is left behind. In this way a professional service can do the messiest and most invasive of domestic and commercial jobs, without leaving a trace. 

Non-destructive drain cleaning is possible with a professional service, due to the experience and specialised machinery of any reputable plumbing contractor. From everyday hand tools to sink machines, drum, sectional and rodder machines, drain cleaning has never looked so easy. If you want to ensure that the water in your drains is able to flow freely at all times, the drain should be regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional crew. This allows detection of potential problems before they cause more serious issues, such as an overflow or blocked drain.

To learn more about a Plumber in Adelaide near you, give Best Plumbers a call on 0411 783 681 or visit their website http://bestplumbing.com.au/.

Get Your Water Measurements Right with an Adelaide Plumber

Water meters, just like any domestic device that measures your consumption data, is important to effectively assess your household’s consumption rate. Water meters precisely measure the consumed water and heat and cooling energy in your home. The proper installation and monitoring of water meters by professional Plumbers in Adelaide is an important investment in transparency, ensuring you are only paying for what you use in your home or office. 

The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is a worldwide, intergovernmental organization whose primary aim is to harmonize the regulations and metrological controls applied by the national metrological services, or related organizations, of its Member States. According to the OIML, a water meter is an instrument intended to measure continuously, memorize and display the volume of water passing through the measurement transducer at metering conditions. The Australian Government’s National Measurement Institute published a comprehensive guide into the intricate metrological and technical requirements of Water Meters Intended for the Metering of Cold Potable Water and Hot Water.

There are many types of water meters that you can use in your home. In Australia there are two sizes for domestic pipes, ½” or ¾”. Water meters should contain:  A measurement transducer, which transforms the flow or the volume of the water to be measured into signals, which are passed to the calculator. It can be based on a mechanical, or an electrical, or an electronic principle. It may be autonomous or use an external power source.  A calculator, which receives the output signals from the transducer(s) and, possibly, from associated measuring instruments, transforms them and, if appropriate, stores the results in memory until they are used. In addition, the calculator may be capable of communicating both ways with ancillary devices.  An indicating device, which displays the measurement results either continuously or on demand.

If you wish to digitally or remotely monitor and record your usage you will require a meter with a pulse output. These can be directly connected to a digital display or you can connect to data acquisition equipment. For hot water meters you are limited to multi-jet or other 'turbine-type' meters. P.D. meters cannot be used for hot water service. A typical cold water meter will have a bronze or plastic body with plastic internals. Digital display counters are a technological innovation to make reading your water meter easier. 

An ultrasonic flow meter measures the velocity of a fluid with ultrasound to calculate volume flow. Ultrasonic flow meters are affected by the acoustic properties of the fluid and can be impacted by temperature, density, viscosity and suspended particulates depending on the exact flow meter. Another method in ultrasonic flow metering is the use of the Doppler shift that results from the reflection of an ultrasonic beam off sonically reflective materials, such as solid particles or entrained air bubbles in a flowing fluid, or the turbulence of the fluid itself, if the liquid is clean. A good plumber will always recommend a filter to protect your meter from debris. They will also relate the important accessories you can include to optimise the efficiency of your device. The flow rate is the quotient of the actual volume of water passing through your water meter and the time taken for this volume to pass through the water meter. A pre-setting device permits the selection of the quantity to be measured and automatically stops the flow of the water at the end of the measurement of the selected quantity.

If you would like to talk to a Plumber in Adelaide about installing or checking your metering device, give Best Plumbers a call on 0411 783 681 or visit their website http://bestplumbing.com.au/.