Handy plumbing hints for your home, renovation ideas and plumbing education.
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...
Mariah Carey is warbling, the ham’s just been carved, roast potatoes are out of the oven (those yummy, crispy, half-smashed Jamie Oliver kind) and the mango pavlova is in the fridge patiently awaiting its big reveal. You’re ready to go, the lunch that you’ve...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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’ ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
As winter approaches, it's crucial for homeowners to prepare their homes for the changing weather conditions. While insulation and heating systems are often prioritized, one essential aspect that shouldn't be overlooked is gutter cleaning. Neglecting this vital maintenance task can lead to severe consequences,...
Reduce Your Water Bill It’s no secret the rising cost of utilities, fuel, interest rates combined with inflation and the fear of recession is making us grip our purses tighter and find other ways to either make or save money. If you’re like me, you’ll...
If you've spotted water dripping from your solar hot water system or seen a suspicious leak around the pipes leading to your solar panels, you're not alone. During the colder months in Melbourne we get many calls from homeowners asking, ‘Why is my solar...
Your Essential Autumn Plumbing Checklist I love Autumn, It’s a season of change. The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colour, and it's time to start preparing your home for the winter months ahead. It’s a time for cosying up your home...
Which is better, a fixed priced plumber or hourly rate plumber in Point Cook? We believe that hourly rate plumbing is the better option for customers, for several reasons we’ll be discussing below. Firstly, hourly rate plumbing allows for greater transparency and accountability. With hourly rate...
Australian Eyewash stations and Safety Showers Requirements The Wyndham, Brimbank and Hobsons Bay municipalities are home a plethora of factories, tertiary education campuses and laboratories, many of which involve manufacturing (or training/learning) with harmful substances. Each of these workplaces must comply with WorkSafe regulations...
Backflow Prevention Plumbers Melbourne 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 of RPZ (Reduced...
Clean Water vs Pure Water Last week, Melbourne was crowned Australia’s best city for tap water. The title was judged by the Water Industry Operators Australia and the prize is based on colour, clarity, odour and taste. By all reports, it tasted delicious! But just...
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...
When it comes to plumbing work in Victoria, you’ll come across both registered and licensed plumbers, each bringing distinct skills and qualifications to the table. But how do you know which type is best suited to your plumbing needs? And can both do plumbing...
What is a pre-purchase plumbing inspection report? It’s 2024, interest rates have risen rapidly over the past 12 months yet buyers are still in the market, looking to secure a property of their own. When purchasing a home for your family, a building inspection is...
How to choose an honest and reliable Melbourne plumber Need a Plumber? It’s always a need and never a want unfortunately, don’t worry we won’t get offended. Plumbing maintenance is a necessity that most of us will need assistance with at least once in...
Business expenses are expensive business Gulp. Make yourself a coffee, I’m going to lay it all bare and give you utter and complete transparency on our business operational costs. Why? To try and give you some more information on why plumbers charge the way they...
“Plumbers are so expensive! Why should I use them and not someone from AirTasker to do my plumbing job?” I want to start out first and foremost by saying this isn’t an anti-handyman blog. We work with handymen and handywomen every week on projects and...
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...
A faulty hot water system is pretty much the last thing we all want to spend our hard-earned income on, especially with a recession imminent, however none of us really enjoy having cold showers in the middle of winter either! A hot water system will...
What is a Frost Protection Valve? In the first episode of Game of Thrones, the ill-fated protagonist Ned Stark delivered a rousing speech to motivate his people to brace themselves for the difficult times he foresaw; Winter Is Coming. While its only mid-Autumn, Winter is...
Burst Pipes can be stressful and are always a huge shock to our clients. If you have a burst pipe or water leak in your home or garden, our team of plumbers at McCarthy Plumbing Group can repair your pipe fast to minimize any...
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...
Help! My roof is leaking in Point Cook! Firstly, don’t panic. Point Cook roof leaks have been quite prevalent in the recent storms. McCarthy Plumbing Group are your experts for roof leaks in Point Cook. Here are a few steps you can take if water...
The next step in our bathroom renovation planning series (read part 1 and 2 here) is the fun part; the dream. It's where all of those hours watching The Block, trawling Pinterest and following Instagram influencers finally pays off! The best way to work out...
Money, Money, Money; how to budget for your bathroom renovation Last week, I mentioned that I would be posting bathroom renovation tips over the next few weeks from our experienced team at McCarthy Plumbing Group. This week, we’re talking about money, honey! First things first, how...
