Dedicated Team of Expert to Deliver the Best Adelaide Plumbing Service

Professional plumbers in Adelaide usually curse toilet paper for clogging up drains. Many of their dirties jobs arise as a result of people stuffing copious amounts of toilet paper down the drain and expecting it to flush.

For regular people who don’t need to deal with these situations, toilet paper isn’t much of an issue. We use it on a regular basis and then go about our daily lives. Toilet paper only really becomes a concern when we are in a situation where we desperately need it. It is at these time when we don’t have access to toilet paper that we understand how important is in in our daily lives. This notion got me thinking about what it was like before toilet paper actually was invented. Not to be graphic, but obviously humans have always had the need for toilet paper.

Therefore, it makes me wonder what it was like back before we had toilet paper. After some research, it seems things were very primitive. Back in the cave man days, toilet paper was essentially anything you could grab, be it leaves or shrubs. 

It was only until the invention of paper that the notion of toilet paper came about.The first record of toilet paper, as we loosely know it, was used back in 1391 in China. At this time, only royalty were blessed with these types of luxuries, so the first person to use toilet paper was the Chinese emperor. Unlike the toilet paper we are familiar with these days, the emperor’s toilet paper was crafted from 2ft x 3ft sheets. 

By the 18th century in America, people still weren’t using toilet paper. Instead they used corncobs and leaves to wipe themselves. Thankfully, the invention of newspapers saw a softer option, with the Sears catalog and the Farmers almanac become popular. Over in France things were very different, with the French Royalty utilizing lace to relieve their royal derrieres.

It wasn’t until 1857 in America that the first package of toilet tissue was sold in the US. New Yorkers, Joseph Gayetty, who named the produce “Therapeutic Paper”, produced the product. Funnily enough, each sheet of paper has Joseph’s name emblazoned on it. At first, the paper served as a medical paper and featured aloe within the paper to help mend sores. A package of 500 sheets was sold for $0.50. In 1890, the Scott Paper Company introduced toilet paper on a roll in the US. It wasn’t long for this product to become the nation’s leading choice of toilet paper. By 1910, the Scott Paper Company built its own first manufacturing plant in Chester, where they began manufacturing large 72 inch sheets. For just $0.10 you could purchase a $1,000 sheets.

Continual advancements in the paper industry saw the toilet paper industry continue to evolve. In 1942, the St. Andrews Paper Mill in England introduced the 2 ply toilet paper, which brought welcome relief to bottoms. The toilet paper was much softer than the 1-ply variety. In 1954 a company called Northern introduced coloured toilet tissue and in 1955 the Scott Company began advertising it on TV.   

By the 21st century, toilet paper is a product that we cannot live without, with the annual toilet paper sales exceeding $19 billion. With toilet paper experiencing such a massive evolution across the centuries, you wonder if there will be any more advances this century. Seinfeld’s, George Costanza famously said during an episode in the 90s, that toilet paper will continue to remain the same in the future. He said, “Take toilet paper for example. Do you realise that toilet paper has not change in my lifetime? It’s just paper on a cardboard roll, that’s it. And in ten thousand years, it will still be exactly the same because really, what else can they do?”

While this sentiment may seem true, considering the way toilet paper has evolved, who knows what the future holds for it. With technological advances, it’s difficult to say whether something some primitive will change. One thing for sure is, we will continue to overuse this luxury product, causing blockages that our Adelaide plumbers will be forced to fix. If you ever need a Plumber in Adelaide to fix a toilet paper blockage, be sure to call the professional team at Best Plumbing, or visit their website at http://bestplumbing.com.au/. 

Toilet Etiquette from Across the World - Plumbers from Adelaide Dish the Dirt

The issues surrounding toilet etiquette, plumbing and plumbers in Adelaide is pretty lax. Most of the time, responding to a “call of nature” is pretty simple in the western world. However, I’ve always wondered what it was like on the other side of the world, where there are different cultures, traditions and religions. After coming across a squat toilet on a visit to Malaysia, it got me intrigued, so I decided to do some research into the Islamic traditions that surrounds the practice of using the toilet. With the help of professional plumbers from Best Plumbing I have managed to share the rules that govern toilet use in Islam.

• When a person enters the bathroom, they must say a pray. Upon stepping foot in the bathroom, they should say, “A’udhu (isti’adha)” and “Basmala”, followed by a full pray.

• It is important before entering the bathroom to put down the Qu’ran or anything featuring verses or the name of Allahu ta’ala. Furthermore, if you have a necklace or pendant featuring the name of Allah, it should be either tucked into a person’s shirt, or taken off. In terms of wearing an amulet, this is also ok if covered.

• A person must step forward with their left foot to enter the bathrom. They must then leave the bathroom with their right foot first, whilst reciting another prayer.

• People are advised not to take too long on the toilet and only take care of the intended business in there. There should be no reading, talking, singing, smoking or chewing gum.

• It is vital to immediately cover private areas once they have been cleaned.

• It’s important where to position yourself while on the toilet. A person not face their back towards Qibla, which is the direction of a sacred building at Mecca, where Muslims turn at prayer. Furthermore, they must not face the direction.

• It is a rule that women wash from front to back and men from back to front. This is to ensure, neither males nor females experience sexual arousal from the wiping. It also ensure genitals are properly cleaned and do not risk being wiped with unwanted matter.

• In instances were a person defecates, the anus should be cleaned with a finger. If fecal matter is still there following the clean, water should be used and the hand thoroughly washed.

• After a person washes their private area, they must dry it off with a cloth. In instances where a cloth is not available, on is allowed to use toilet paper. However, it is important to mention that no other paper matter should be used.

• A person must sprinkle water over their underpants after they have cleaned their private area. This ensures people will presume that if any wetness if felt, it is definitely the water used to clean and not urine.

• To ensure men do not have any drop of urine escape from their urethra, they perform what is known as “istibra”. This is a ritual of waiting an appropriate amount of time to ensure all urine has gone.

• When you are in the bathroom, you should not look at your own private area. Spitting in the toilet is also not allowed.

• A person must not stand while they are urinating, unless it is obligatory. To ensure urine does not splash on clothes, a person must wear separate pyjames and have their head covered whilst using the toilet.

If you do not have any water to clean yourself with after using the toilet, it is acceptable to substitute water with stone.  It is extremely important that a person washes their hands after using the toilet.   So, there you have it 15 rules you must follow if you are Islamic before, during and after using the loo. If you’re from Adelaide like me, you’re probably sighing a breath of relief that we live without as many rules. If you are interested in finding out more about interesting toilet matters, talk to the professional team at Best Plumbing in Adelaide. They are professionals plumbers with a passion for plumbing. For more information about them, visit their website at http://bestplumbing.com.au/.

Why do you Call a Plumber Out in Adelaide? The Top Four Reasons Exlpred

A plumber has a hectic work life in Adelaide. On a daily basis, they are called out to countless jobs to fix a myriad of problems. For installation, repairs, services and maintenance, there is always something to do. However, there are always jobs that are more prevalent. After talking to professional plumbers in Adelaide, we have come up with the top four jobs plumbers are called out to.  

Leaking taps

Is a dripping tap driving you insane? Have you lost sleep listening to the continual drip? Is a cup of water sitting in your sink, trying to soften the noise? Unfortunately, a leaking taps is extremely common. It is probably up there with the most annoying plumbing problems. To make matters worse, a leaking tap can also increase the price of your water bills. The best thing to do is to hit the problem on the head and call a professional plumber in Adelaide. A leaking tap is often caused by one of the three washers inside the tape being damaged. Therefore, the plumber will examine the three washers and replace the one that has been damaged. To prevent this problem happening again, plumbers advise that you do not over tighten your tap. Once the water flow has stopped, do not push your tap off any further. 

Toilet Issues

One feature that we cannot live without in our home is the toilet. We often take it for granted and only appreciate it when we are away from home and caught out. Similarly, we begin to realise how important it is when it becomes blocked and stops working. Problems with toilets are one of the main reasons plumbers are called out. Common problems include a blockage, leak, flushing problems or a toilet that is constantly running. In most cases, plumbers repair or reseal individual components of the toilet and do not have to completely replace the toilet. When it comes to blockages, you can easily prevent the issue occurring by limiting the amount of toilet paper that is flushed down. Also avoid flushing foreign objects down the toilet, as they will cause a blockage. 

Blocked drains

One of the most common reasons plumbers are called out is to repair blocked drains. Unfortunately for homeowners, plumbing issues are present in most homes and once they are bought they sprout their ugly heads. One troublesome problem that cannot be prevented is tree root problems. This type of problem can be a big job for plumbers, as the tree roots and pipes must both be removed. Many other drain blockages can be prevented though, with being vigilant about what you throw down your drains. 

Hot water heater repairs

When you experience a problem with your hot water heater is it vital you do not try DIY repairs. For safety reasons, it is integral that a licensed plumber carries out the installation and repairs. Plumbers usually get called out to repair hot water systems and in many cases end up replacing the system all together. As a guide, your hot water heater should last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. If your hot water systems begins pumping out water that is not the temperature required, has moisture around the base and produces rust coloured water, it’s time for a new hot water heater. 

If you need a professional plumber that you can rely upon in Adelaide, choose Best Plumbing in Adelaide. To learn more about their range of services on offer, visit their website at http://bestplumbing.com.au/.   

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/.