Essential Home Water Supply Maintenance Guide

A Guide to General & Seasonal Maintenance

A well-maintained plumbing system is essential for avoiding costly repairs and saving water. This cheat sheet provides simple, practical tips for residential homeowners to keep their water supply running smoothly all year long.

General Maintenance

(Perform these checks quarterly or as needed)

  • Check for Leaks: A small drip can waste thousands of litres of water per year.

  • Toilets: Listen for the sound of running water when the toilet is not in use. A simple flush can help you identify if the inlet valve is working properly.

  • The Meter Test: Turn off all taps and water-using appliances. Read your water meter. Wait 30 minutes, then read it again. If the numbers have changed, you have a hidden leak.

  • Visible Pipes: Look for rust, corrosion, or water stains on exposed pipes under sinks, near the water heater, and in the laundry.

  • Maintain Taps & Drains:

  • Check taps and showerheads for drips or low pressure. Cleaning the aerator (the small screen at the end of the tap) with vinegar can often resolve low pressure caused by mineral build-up.

  • To prevent blockages, never pour grease or coffee grounds down the sink and use strainers in all drains to catch hair and food scraps.

  • Water Heater Care:

  • Annual Tidy Up: Ensure the area around your storage tank is clear of landscape, especially wet sand around the base of the unit.

  • 6-Monthly Pressure Relief Valve Check: This is a critical safety component. Test it every 6 months by lifting the lever and releasing a small amount of water to ensure it's not stuck. This applies to both the hot and cold water relief valves.

  • 5-Yearly Service: Book a service with a licensed plumber every five years. This service should include replacing all valves and the sacrificial anode rod inside the tank to prolong its life.


Seasonal Maintenance

Summer/Early Autumn (Hot & Dry Season)

  • Inspect Outdoor Plumbing: The intense heat and sun can make hoses and seals brittle. Check all garden hoses, taps, and irrigation systems for leaks.

  • Tree Roots: During prolonged dry spells, tree roots can grow towards moisture sources and may intrude on your pipes. Watch for slow drains, gurgling sounds, or unexplained wet patches in the lawn.

  • Efficient Water Use: If you have an irrigation system, set it to water in the early morning or late evening to minimise water loss from evaporation.

Winter/Early Spring (Cool & Wet Season)

  • Mandurah, WA Residents: Your Reticulation System

  • Every July, as the winter rain sets in, you must physically shut off your reticulation system at the main manual isolation valve. This valve is typically located within a metre of your main water meter.

  • Do not rely solely on the electronic control box. Simply turning it off only shuts off the solenoid, which is often buried underground in a wet environment and can fail.

  • To ensure there is no water pressure on the system during the three months of damp weather, physically turn the manual isolation valve to the "off" position. This will protect your system from potential leaks and failures.

  • Clear Gutters and Drains: Clean leaves and debris from gutters and downpipes to ensure proper stormwater drainage during heavy rains. Blocked gutters can cause water to back up and damage your home's foundation or plumbing.

Going on Holiday?

  • Turn off your water mains: For an extended period away, turn off the main water supply to prevent major water damage in case a pipe bursts while you're gone.

  • Disconnect Hoses: Remove and drain all outdoor hoses.

  • Adjust Water Heater: If you have a storage water heater, you can turn it to "vacation mode" or switch it off to save energy.

When to Call The Wizard

While this guide covers general maintenance, it's always best to call a licensed professional for:

  • Persistent leaks that you can’t find or fix.

  • Strange noises coming from your pipes or water heater.

  • A sudden and unexplained drop in water pressure.

  • Water that smells or looks unusual.

  • Any complex repairs or installations.

Wizard Leak Detection Mandurah is here to help!