To be completely honest, I’ve never been interested in bidets. And hand sprayers? They gave me the ick. Working in plumbing, I’d seen them, heard about them, and even written about whether you can install a bidet yourself. But I never felt the need to...
How to get a plumbing apprenticeship in 2026 It’s the beginning of the year, and secondary school is over for good for many young people, coinciding with an entrance into adulthood. Opportunity. Growth. Responsibility. It is also the time many Apprenticeships become available as companies pounce...
“Do your best, silicone the rest”. A common catchphrase in our industry. If only that was the case with all roof leaks. One of the most important things we try to educate our clients about roof leaks is that they are rarely straightforward. Water does not...
The decorations might not be up yet (or are they?....), but November is the time to get your properties holiday ready. Every year, as December rolls in, plumbers across Victoria are inundated with “just before Christmas” requests; dripping taps, roof leaks, blocked drains, no...
We’re incredibly proud to share that McCarthy Plumbing Group was featured, and on the cover!, of the latest edition of Australian Plumbing magazine, published by Master Plumbers. The article, “Know how to find stability”, highlights how being part of a professional network like Master Plumbers...
Most people don’t think about preventative maintenance plumbing until something goes wrong, and it often happens at the worst possible time. A blocked toilet on Christmas Day, a leaking roof on book week parade morning, or no hot water on a freezing winter’s day....
There is no such thing as a $0 callout fee plumber. It’s a marketing gimmick and I’ll happily die on this hill! We’ve all seen the ads, they usually sit at the very top of a google search results page; $0 callout fee $50 off your...
Accessible Bathroom Modifications for Seniors As we get older, our home needs to evolve—and the bathroom is one of the most important spaces to adapt. At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we specialise in Retirement Bathroom Renovations in Melbourne, designing stylish, functional, and safe spaces tailored to...
March 11 is World Plumbing Day, a time to appreciate an industry that often works behind the scenes but is essential to our daily lives. Without plumbing, we wouldn’t have clean drinking water, safe gas connections, or reliable hot showers—and let’s be honest, life...
We had a client call us up last week asking for instructions on how to read her water meter to check if she had a leak, which had us thinking how many people actually know how to read their water meter correctly? Your water meter...
As the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to make essential services accessible for people with disabilities, plumbing modifications play a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and safety of participants' homes. If you’re searching for an NDIS plumber in Melbourne, you likely have...
2025 Plumbing Trends In our 11 years of owning a plumbing business in Wyndham, I have seen some of the most luxurious fixtures and fittings that I didn’t ever need but now really, absolutely want in my life. Our plumbing work on high-end boutique builds...
Picture this; you’ve just finished watching Duchess Meghan’s new Netflix Christmas special, the ham’s just been carved, roast potatoes are out of the oven (those yummy, crispy, half-smashed Jamie Oliver kind) and the trifle is in the fridge patiently awaiting its big reveal (because, let’s face...
What are flexi hoses? A flexible hose, commonly known as a flexi hose, is a stainless-steel braided hose that encases a rubber pipe. They are extremely common and found in almost all suburban homes across West Melbourne. Flexi hoses will be installed beneath your kitchen...
Hot water is an essential part of any home, especially during a Melbourne winter, but did you know that without temperature control, it can pose serious safety risks? In Victoria, tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are required by law for specific installations,...
How Much Does a Plumber Charge in Melbourne? 2025 Melbourne Plumbing Cost Guide Whether you're dealing with a plumbing emergency or planning a renovation, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to plumbing costs in Melbourne. Understanding typical rates and factors that...
Do you need a plumber and are confused by the legitimacy of the search results when you type things like find a Plumber Near Me or find a local Plumber? Many of those who appear at the top of search results have either paid...
I love cats. I’m a self-described crazy cat lady. I’m even named Cat. I love everything about furry, fluffy felines. Well, I don’t love cleaning the kitty litter out. But all you need to do is bag it up and bin it, right? Isn’t...
As we age or face mobility challenges, everyday tasks can become more challenging. Simple bathroom and kitchen routines may need a bit more support and, thankfully, with the right plumbing modifications, these spaces can be made more comfortable, safe, and accessible. For the elderly,...
We’ve spoken at length about who can legally complete plumbing tasks in Victoria; including the difference between licensed and registered plumbers, and what tasks handymen can complete. What we haven’t talked about is what DIY plumbing tasks can be completed without the use of a...
Will we or wont we enter into a recession in Australia this year? Whether we do or not, one thing is certain; the cost of goods and services has increased significantly this year and everyone is trying to reduce their spending and DIY as...
Frost protection valves in West Melbourne In most homes in West Melbourne that have solar hot water services, frost protection valves have been installed. If they don’t have these, we always suggest that frost protection valves be installed. Frost protection valves are designed to protect...
Backflow Prevention Plumbers Melbourne - Reduced Pressure Zone Device When it comes to maintaining a safe and clean water supply, backflow prevention is of utmost importance. Backflow occurs when water flows in the opposite direction, causing contaminants to enter the water system. To prevent this, the installation...
What are the main causes of a blocked toilet? A toilet blockage can disrupt your daily routine and cause unnecessary stress; it usually occurs when you are heading out for the day, or on a weekend just to test your patience. My intention of writing...
Bathroom Renovations in Melbourne Does your bathroom need a makeover and you don’t know where to start? Click on this link for a read of our bathroom renovation e-book which is full of handy hints on the first stages of a renovation, budgeting, styling, planning and fixture and fitting...
Save this Postcard for Later How do I turn my gas off at the mains? Follow these steps: Find your gas meter. In suburban homes, it will almost always be near your front boundary line. For apartments, it may be in a bank of meters at...
Save this postcard for future use. How do you turn your mains water supply off? Follow these steps: Find your water meter. For detached suburban homes, it will be in your front garden near the boundary line. For units, the water meter may be out the...
What are bidets and hand sprayers? Bidets and hand sprayers are becoming increasingly popular in Victoria, particularly in municipalities high in residents from diverse cultures and backgrounds such as ours in Wyndham. Bidets are a French invention, dating back to the 1700’s and throughout history...
As the owners of a plumbing and gasfitting business, we've spent years helping homeowners make informed decisions about their energy options. Earlier this year, Dave and I had the privilege of completing a study tour of the UK, funded by the Wylie Trust Scholarship....
Save Fact Sheet for later use What is a Pressure Reducing Valve? Pressure Reducing Valves, also known as PRV’s, are engineered to lower the incoming water or steam pressure to a safer, consistent level downstream. The downstream pressure is determined either by an adjustment setting on...
Save this Postcard for Later Instructions for How to Isolate a Leaky Tap Step 1: Locate the Isolation Valve (Mini Stop Valve) Each major plumbing fixture in your home—such as sinks, toilets, and washing machines—should have its own isolation valve. This valve, also known as a mini...
Hot water is an essential part of any home, especially during a Melbourne winter, but did you know that without temperature control, it can pose serious safety risks? In Victoria, tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are required by law for specific installations,...
Save this Postcard for Later What do I do if my roof is leaking? Don't panic Clear the area (move children, pets and important belongings) Contain the water (protect floor damage with buckets, towels, bowls) Relieve water pressure (if required, poke a hole in any small sagging ceiling bulge...
Gas Safety Checks in Melbourne Since the Victorian Residential Tenancies Regulations came into effect in 2021, all rental providers in Victoria must conduct regular gas safety checks in Melbourne to ensure the safety of their tenants. Whether you’re a rental provider, homeowner, property manager, or...
As proud members of the Master Plumbers Association, we are excited to announce that we’ve been approved as a trade panel partner for the Gas Priority Services Program, launching in Victoria on Thursday, 19th September 2024. This initiative, in collaboration with the Australian Gas...
When you get your water bill, it looks like a complicated matrix of numbers, fees and charges. Your bill (if you live in West Melbourne, its from Greater Western Water) is made up of both water usage charges and other fees. You can’t do...
How to Read Your Gas Bill in Victoria In Victoria, your gas bill will come from a chosen retailer, such as Tango, GloBird, Lumo, AGL, Origin, Red Energy or Dodo for example. Here’s how your gas bill is typically structured: Site/Account Details – This shows where the energy is supplied (i.e. your home address). It has a...
Dealing with a leaking pipe or plumbing fixture can feel overwhelming, but the good news is that you don’t always have to turn off the water supply to your entire home (if you have a burst pipe scenario, and need to turn off your...
As the chill of winter gives way to the warmer, breezier days of spring, now is the perfect time to check up on your home’s plumbing. The winter months can be tough on pipes, and roofs, so a thorough inspection helps prevent any unwanted...
It may have been 30 odd years ago but I still remember my primary school social studies lesson in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (kudos to Mrs. Farrer!). At the bottom of this pyramid lies our very basic physiological needs of air, water, food, and...
Tradies often get a reputation for the unnecessary upselling of products when they get their foot in the door of your home; their standover tactics can be intimidating for homeowners who have lay knowledge of the trade and feel pressured to say yes to...
What is a Qualified Plumber? In Victoria, the plumbing industry is regulated by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), formerly the VBA (BPC). It does this to ensure the health and safety of Victorians is protected, and also the integrity of our water supply and...
I’ve mentioned in a previous article that I like to prepay my utility bills to avoid bill shock; I divide what my usual bimonthly bill is into a weekly amount and then set up weekly automatic direct debits to my energy provider for that...
Preventative Drain Clearing Melbourne Albert Einstein once suggested that “intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them”; given he famously stated that if he had chosen a career all over again he would’ve been a plumber, we think he must’ve been talking about preventative plumbing in this...
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In June 2024, we undertook a comprehensive tour of the United Kingdom, funded by a $15,000 bursary from the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia’s The W.H. Wylie Trust. Our primary objectives were to deepen our understanding of modern plumbing practices,...
We’ve always valued honesty and transparency with our pricing at McCarthy Plumbing Group. We have never been a fan of trickery or cheeky sales tactics like $0 callout fees with hidden costs, or cheap base rate products with loaded upsells when the technician is...
Top Five Plumbing Tips for Winter Ah, Winter. A season of splendid transformation, where the world is blanketed in a frosty embrace and the air grows crisp and invigorating. It is a time, dearest reader, to prepare one’s home for the chill of winter’s touch,...
One of my favourite Ricky Gervais quotes is about the burden of being a misophonia sufferer, which I am, though it’s far too profanity-laden to share here on LinkedIn. My second favourite? It's about the burden of tradition: ‘You can’t plan your legacy.’ I...
Minimise Plumbing Emergencies at Your Airbnb Property Owning or managing an Airbnb property comes with its unique set of challenges, and one of the most critical aspects to manage is plumbing. Plumbing emergencies can cause significant disruption to your guests' stay, leading to negative reviews...
Receiving a remedial notice or directions from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) can be a daunting experience for property owners and managers of commercial and industrial facilities in Melbourne. These notices indicate that there are plumbing defects or issues on the property that require...
