Plumbing questions, answered.

For a minor blockage, try a plunger, a kettle of hot (not boiling) water, or a baking soda and vinegar flush followed by hot water. Avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners — they can damage older pipes and rarely fix the real cause. If the drain keeps blocking, gurgles, drains slowly across multiple fixtures or smells of sewage, that points to a deeper blockage that needs a plumber.

Recurring blockages usually mean the cause hasn't been fixed — most often tree roots growing into a cracked pipe, a partial collapse, a sag in the line, or built-up grease and scale. We use a CCTV drain camera to find the exact cause, then recommend a lasting fix like hydro jetting or pipe relining rather than clearing the same blockage over and over.

Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the full diameter of the pipe, clearing grease, sludge and root intrusion. A drain snake (or electric eel) punches a hole through a blockage but often leaves debris behind, so it clogs again sooner. For recurring or stubborn blockages, jetting is usually the longer-lasting option.See the hydro jetting price guide →

Yes. Roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside drains and work their way in through tiny cracks or joints, especially in older earthenware and clay pipes common in established Adelaide suburbs. Once inside they expand and can crack or block the line completely. Relining the affected section seals the pipe so roots can't get back in.

Avoid cooking fats and oils (they solidify and coat the pipe), coffee grounds, food scraps, wet wipes (even 'flushable' ones), sanitary products, cotton buds and thick paper. In the bathroom, a simple drain strainer for hair prevents a lot of the blockages we're called out for.

For an electric system, first check the switchboard for a tripped safety switch or circuit breaker, and that the unit's isolation switch is on. For a gas system, check the gas supply and, on older units, the pilot light. If you smell gas, hear hissing or see scorching, don't touch it — turn off the gas if safe and call a licensed plumber immediately. If the basics check out, the fault is likely a heating element, thermostat, gas valve or a failed tank, which we can diagnose and repair.

As a rough guide, if the unit is under about 8–10 years old and the fault is a repairable part (element, thermostat, valve), a repair usually makes sense. If it's older, leaking from the tank, or needs a major component, replacement is often the smarter long-term choice. We give honest, no-pressure advice on which is the better value for your situation.See the hot water price guide →

Most storage systems last around 8–12 years, and continuous flow (instantaneous) units often longer with servicing. Adelaide's hard water and, in coastal suburbs, salt air can shorten that life. Regular servicing and replacing the sacrificial anode on storage tanks can add years.

It depends on your household size, hot water demand, available gas or electrical supply, and budget. Continuous flow gas suits families wanting endless hot water; heat pumps and solar cut running costs and may attract rebates; storage systems are simple and reliable. We size the system to your actual usage so you're not paying for capacity you don't need.

Common causes are a failing heating element or thermostat, sediment build-up in the tank reducing capacity, a system that's undersized for your household, or a faulty tempering valve. We'll test the system and pinpoint the cause rather than guessing.

Treat it as an emergency and get everyone out of the building straight away — don't wait to see whether the smell gets stronger. Don't use any electrical switches, lighters, naked flames or phones inside. Once you're outside and it's safe to reach, turn off the gas at the meter, then call your gas emergency line and a licensed gas fitter from a safe distance. If there's a fire or immediate danger, call 000. Never try to find or fix a gas leak yourself.

Yes. In South Australia, gas work must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter — it's both a legal requirement and a serious safety issue. All of our gas work is done by licensed gas fitters and carried out to Australian Standards.

We generally recommend a service every couple of years, and before winter for gas heaters. Regular servicing keeps appliances efficient and, importantly, checks for carbon monoxide and other safety issues that aren't always obvious.

Yes — we install, connect, service and repair gas cooktops, ovens, heaters, hot water units and BBQ points, including running new gas lines and safety-checking the installation before we leave.

Burst or badly leaking pipes, no water, a suspected gas leak, an overflowing or blocked sewer, a hot water failure in cold weather, and major leaks that threaten your home are all emergencies. If water is actively causing damage or you smell gas, treat it as urgent and call rather than book online.

For a burst pipe or major leak, turn off the water at the mains (usually near the front boundary or water meter) to limit damage. For an electric hot water leak, switch it off at the board. If you smell gas, get everyone outside straight away — don't wait or investigate indoors — avoid switches and flames, and call the gas emergency line. Only turn off the gas at the meter if it's safe to reach on your way out. Then call us and we'll talk you through the next steps.

We're a local Adelaide team servicing Greater Metropolitan Adelaide, so for genuine emergencies we prioritise getting to you as fast as possible, often the same day. For the quickest response, call (08) 7534 5448 rather than booking online.

Our $0 call-out applies during normal business hours. After-hours and emergency attendance is charged, and we'll tell you the cost before we confirm the visit, so there are no surprises.

Every job is different, so we give you a clear, upfront quote before we start any work — no guesswork and no surprises on the bill. Once we've assessed the problem we'll explain your options and the price for each, and only proceed once you're happy.

During business hours, attendance, a visual inspection and a quote are at no charge. Any diagnostic work or repairs are priced before you decide. After-hours charges apply. Terms apply.

Yes. Seniors and pensioners (aged 60 or over, or holding a valid pension or concession card) and returning customers save 10% on eligible quoted work. Just let us know when you book. Offer terms apply.

For simple jobs we can often give guidance over the phone, but an accurate fixed price usually needs us to see the actual problem — the same symptom can have very different causes and fixes. Assessing it on site means the quote you get is the price you pay.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, bank transfer and cash. Your invoice also includes a secure online payment link where you can pay by card, and Apple Pay or Google Pay may be available depending on your device.

Warning signs include a water bill that's crept up, the sound of running water when everything's off, damp patches or mould, or a water meter that keeps ticking over with all taps closed. We use electronic leak detection to locate hidden leaks precisely, so repairs are targeted rather than tearing up walls or floors guessing.See the leak detection price guide →

Low pressure can come from a partially closed mains valve, a failing pressure limiting valve, blocked or corroded pipes, a hidden leak, or a mains supply issue. If it's affected the whole house at once, start with the mains valve; if it's one tap, it's often a blocked aerator. We can diagnose and fix the underlying cause.

A dripping tap is usually a worn washer, O-ring or, in mixer taps, a failed cartridge — an inexpensive fix that saves a surprising amount of water over time. It's worth sorting early before it wears the tap seat and turns into a bigger job.See the tap & toilet repairs price guide →

A running toilet is typically a worn inlet valve, outlet washer or float that isn't shutting off — all common, repairable parts. Beyond the annoying noise, it can waste a lot of water, so it's worth fixing promptly.See the tap & toilet repairs price guide →

The usual culprits are worn cooling pads, a faulty water pump, low or no water supply to the unit, or a blocked distribution system. A pre-summer service — replacing pads, checking the pump and clearing the water lines — keeps it running cold through Adelaide's heatwaves.

Service your evaporative cooling before summer and your gas heater before winter. A yearly check keeps them efficient, extends their life, and for gas heaters catches safety issues like carbon monoxide before they become dangerous.

Yes — our licensed team services, safety-checks and repairs gas heaters and heating systems, and services evaporative cooling. If a system is beyond economical repair we'll tell you honestly and talk through replacement options.See the gas heating price guide →

We service Greater Metropolitan Adelaide — plumbing, gas, hot water and evaporative cooling across Adelaide's western, southern, northern and eastern suburbs. Not sure if we cover your suburb? Call (08) 7534 5448 and we'll confirm availability.

You can book online in a couple of minutes using the Book Online button, or call us directly for urgent jobs. We'll confirm the details and a time that suits you, and keep you updated before we arrive.

Yes. Dowell Plumbing, Gas & Air (Dowell Network Pty Ltd, Licence PGE283543) is fully licensed and insured, and all work is carried out to Australian Standards, with compliance certificates supplied where required.

Yes. 20-year workmanship warranty on eligible work. View warranty terms.

Always. We protect the work area while we're there, take care around your belongings and leave the space tidy when we're done.