Quick answer: Once a year, check taps, toilets, under-sink connections, flexible hoses, shower drains, the hot water system, the gully trap and the water meter. Small faults found early are far cheaper than water damage.
Most expensive plumbing jobs in rentals start as small ones nobody reported. Here’s the checklist I’d run through once a year, or between tenants.
Inside
- Taps: any drips, loose handles or leaks around the base
- Toilets: running water after flushing, wobbling pans, leaks at the base
- Under sinks: damp cupboards, swollen board, corroded connections
- Flexible hoses: bulging or rusty braided hoses should be replaced before they burst
- Showers: slow drains and cracked grout or silicone that lets water into walls
Hot water
- Age of the unit. Over 10 years, budget for replacement.
- Rust or water around the base
- Relief valve dripping constantly
- Tenant complaints about water running out or temperature changes
Outside
- Gully trap clear and its grate in place
- Signs of tree roots near the sewer line, such as slow drains or gurgling toilets
- Downpipes and stormwater pits clear of leaves
- Water meter: turn everything off and check it isn’t moving
Why it pays
A quick yearly check costs far less than one flooded floor or a burst flexi hose under the kitchen sink. It also helps keep tenants happy, and makes sure urgent repairs are dealt with before they turn into a dispute.
We do maintenance for agencies and landlords around Ryde, Epping, Eastwood and the North Shore. Call 0451 001 503 to set up a check.
Quick questions
Once a year, or between tenants.
Burst flexible hoses and slow hidden leaks under sinks and showers.
