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...
Reliable Plumbers for Melbourne Public and Private Schools At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we understand that schools require reliable and responsive plumbing services to keep their facilities running smoothly. From classrooms to staff areas, student amenities, and commercial kitchens, our team provides expert school plumbing service...
How do I Start a Food Business from Home? Are you considering starting a home-based food business in Melbourne? Whether you're passionate about baking, cooking, drying dog treats or crafting artisanal snacks, it's essential to ensure that your kitchen meets the stringent requirements outlined by...
5 Reasons Your Toilet Is Getting Blocked and How You Can Prevent Future Blockages A reddit user recently asked ‘What’s one of the most infuriating 1st World problems?’. Some of the responses included: ‘When automatic sinks don't sense your hand at the right time’ ...
At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we are committed to serving our community with excellence, and part of that commitment involves offering special concessions to those who need it most. We understand that certain circumstances may warrant additional support, and we're proud to extend a helping...
I have confession to make. I have a very bad habit, emphasis on very considering I am a plumber’s wife. It’s something I have always done and I am consciously trying to break this habit (it takes 66 days to do so apparently…). While I would...
I remember watching a segment on ABC’s Four Corners last year called ‘House of Cards: Inside the broken business of building’ thinking it correlated with everything that I felt was happening in my industry; to our peers and in our own business. The feature...
Plumber Point Cook - Why McCarthy Plumbing Group are your genuinely local plumbers in Wyndham At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we pride ourselves on being your reliable and honest plumber in Point Cook. With over a decade of experience serving both commercial and residential customers, our...
Gas Safety Checks 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 real...
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...
“I’m a qualified plumber, I can do all types of plumbing except for roofing and drainage” “I’ve almost got my plumbing licence, I’m qualified that’s all that matters” “I have my plumbing registration so I can do toilets and change taps without a licence”. You may...
How to get a plumbing apprenticeship in 2024 It’s the beginning of the year, and the end of of school 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 on...
Fridge Water Connection Point Installation Melbourne As the weather warms up (very slowly if you live in Melbourne…), the desire for a cold beer or ice on demand grows stronger. If you’ve upgraded to an icemaker fridge, you’ll need to ensure it’s properly installed with...
Ah, summer is bliss in Melbourne! Genuine sunshine (the kind that a Melbourne Spring and Autumn promises, but doesn’t quite deliver), BBQs, and lazy afternoons in the backyard. As the temperatures rise, so do the chances of encountering some unexpected plumbing issues. In this...
How to assess and maintain controls to reduce environmental pollution risks at your commercial premises Site Improvement Notice given by Environmental Protection Authority Victoria How do you safely store over 5 million litres of expired hand sanitiser, one of the waste products of the Covid Pandemic?...
Is your Plumber Licensed and Insured? Recently we spoke about the importance of licensing and insurance in the world of plumbing, and why only qualified plumbers can perform plumbing works and not handymen, Airtaskers etc. An unlicensed plumber or amateur tradesperson has no public liability...
What Are Drain Flies? Before we get into environmentally friendly drain fly eradication strategies, let’s understand what we’re up against. Drain flies are small insects, about 1-3 mm in size, with a moth-like appearance. They are often mistaken for fruit flies due to their size and flying...
Flushed Away…The Flushable Wipes Conspiracy No-one would really argue that we now live in a throwaway society, where convenience items rule our purchase list. Think disposable nappies rather than terry towelling cloths, coffee pods over instant coffee, or yoghurt pouches instead of needing a bowl...
Plumbing Terms Glossary TMV (Thermostatic Mixing Valve): A device that blends hot and cold water to maintain a safe and consistent outlet temperature, preventing scalding. Thermostatic Mixing Valves are found in hospitals, child care centres and in care compliant bathrooms. Tempering Valve: Similar to a TMV, this valve...
A faulty hot water system is pretty much the last thing we all want to spend our hard-earned income on, especially with the rising costs of living, however none of us really enjoy having cold showers after the end of a hard day at work either! A...
Are there Property Management Plumbing Specialists in Melbourne? We understand the demands on Property Managers; the stress of landlords wanting value for money and tenants wanting their repairs carried out immediately. When plumbing issues arise in rental properties, finding reliable property maintenance plumbers is essential....
It’s been two months since Dan Andrews and his Government announced, without consultation with the Master Plumbers Association I might add, that Victoria is taking immediate steps toward a sustainable future with the Victoria 2024 Gas Ban. His ambitious plan aims to transition away...
Save Postcard for Later 1 – Make Sure Your Hot Water System has a Frost Protection Valve In West Melbourne, most homes with solar hot water services have frost protection valves installed to safeguard the system’s solar panels from freezing temperatures. These valves activate when the outside air...
Save Postcard for Later Spring Plumbing Checklist Inspect Outdoor Taps and Hoses Winter’s freezing temperatures can cause outdoor taps and hoses to crack or leak. Now that spring has arrived, reconnect any hoses that were stored and inspect for leaks or drips. Tip: Run water through your outdoor taps...
They're tiny, annoying, and seemingly come out of nowhere. Drain flies, also known as sewer flies, or moth flies, can quickly become an unwelcome presence in your home. They are relatively harmless, however have the potential to carry bacteria. In this blog, we'll delve...
An Australian Plumbing Jargon Glossary: Decoding Our Language Plumbing can often feel like a language of its own, filled with technical terms, acronyms, and industry-specific jargon. At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we believe that understanding the language of plumbing can empower homeowners and clients to...
Investing in a heat pump hot water system is a smart move for any homeowner looking to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. However, the benefits of these systems can only be fully realised with proper and consistent maintenance. At McCarthy Plumbing Group,...
At McCarthy Plumbing Group, we understand that investing in a heat pump hot water system is a significant decision for your home. Our commitment goes beyond just providing premium products; we focus on ensuring that every step of your experience with us is tailored...
Refrigerants and Their Environmental Impact: What You Need to Know As the world moves towards greener and more sustainable energy solutions, the role of refrigerants in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems has come under increasing scrutiny. Refrigerants, while essential for the operation...
Navigating Installation Challenges for Heat Pump Hot Water Systems in Victoria As Victoria continues to transition towards a more sustainable energy future, the installation of heat pump hot water systems has become increasingly popular. These systems offer significant energy savings and environmental benefits, but their...
The Importance of Heat Pump Hot Water System Efficiency: Maximising Savings and Sustainability As Victoria moves towards its ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28 to 33% by 2025, as part of the gas substitution roadmap, the adoption of energy-efficient technologies is more...
As Victoria's energy sector undergoes a rapid transformation, embracing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 28 to 33% by 2025, heat pump hot water systems are becoming an increasingly popular choice for both residential and commercial properties. But what exactly is a...
How to avoid an emergency plumber call out fee Being the victim of a plumbing emergency is about as fun as being the designated driver at the Christmas party. In the world of plumbing, emergencies can strike at any moment, leaving homeowners and renters feeling...
Case Study - Navigating EPA Compliance Advice on Stormwater Legal Point of Discharge During a recent engagement with an industrial client in Laverton North, McCarthy Plumbing Group encountered a complex scenario, where our stormwater expertise was required in assisting our clients in addressing Environmental Protection...
What Do Gutter Cleans Have To Do With Frequent Flyer Points? As mentioned in my last blog, I'm a sucker for collecting QANTAS frequent flyer points. From credit card payments, flying QANTAS and Jetstar, downloading the QANTAS points prompter as a browser extension, converting my...
Save Postcard for Later Check Your Flexi Hoses. Flexi hoses are flexible, stainless steel braided hoses that reduce stress on pipes and are commonly used to connect plumbing fixtures such as sinks, dishwashers, and toilets. They are affordable and easy to install, but should be...
I’ve been on a mission this year to collect QANTAS frequent flyer points any way I can, in the hope I can score some seats for a family holiday next year. From using my QANTAS credit card (wisely…), downloading the QANTAS points prompter as...
How to get a plumbing apprenticeship in 2023 It’s the end of term 2 and for year 12’s, our future leaders, there’s less than 6 months left of their secondary education. The end of school coincides with an entrance into adulthood. Opportunity. Growth. Responsibility. It is...
Save Postcard for Later Summer Plumbing Checklist Cool Sips and Icy Dips: Fridge Plumbing Installation for Icemaker Fridges. As the mercury climbs, the desire for a cold beer or icey G&T grows stronger. If you’ve upgraded to an icemaker fridge, you’ll need to ensure it’s properly...
Growing up, my sisters and I weren’t allowed to swim in the irrigation channel like the other kids in town because of my Dad’s extensive fear of us getting amoebic meningitis from the water. We also had to hold our nose in swimming pools...
The Danger Lurking in Faulty PTR Valves: A Guide to Hot Water System Maintenance My two kids were watching MythBusters last night after dinner. When I got back from having my shower, my husband’s face was like a stunned mullet looking at the screen. ‘You...
