The Rushcutters Bay Emergency Plumbing Checklist

Plumbing emergencies are the kind of emergencies that can get worse when you try to fix them as they happen.

It is like trying to put out a fire. Even if you do what you can, for example, making an attempt to turn off the fuel source, the fire has spread and is causing damage. You could also be exacerbating the issue with every panic-driven move you make.

In a suburb made up primarily of apartment buildings with strata settings like Ruschutters Bay, where plumbing services are shared, one apartment’s plumbing emergency can quickly become everybody else’s problem.

This is why it is important to be prepared. Knowing all the emergency protocols there is does not compare to being prepared. This guiding checklist will show you how.

Why Rushcutters Bay Needs a Different Kind of Plumbing Checklist

As an apartment-heavy suburb, it goes without saying that many things operate differently in Rushcutters Bay.

The bay is very well populated and also happens to be situated on the low harbourside ground of Sydney. This means that its water and waste issues are different and often come up.

Rushcutters Bay is also a choice suburb for renters. A good number of the residents of this bay do not own their apartment units, which makes it a problem when emergencies arise.

Then, residents have to deal with questions such as:

• Whose fault is it?
• Who takes responsibility?
• How much responsibility should I take on if I am to take on any responsibility?

The answers to these questions could link several units. For instance, in the case of a burst pipe, the main shut off valve may not be in the affected unit but in another, or in a separate location that is not as accessible to the residents.

All of these are the prelude to the main issue of how to fix the problem.

This is why a Rushcutters Bay emergency plumbing checklist is important. Residents should not have “call a plumber” at the back of their minds as the solution to everything. This checklist will help you stop the damage early, protect your unit and other residents’ units, and understand the basics of strata plumbing before the problem begins.

Comparing Rushcutters Bay with nearby suburbs

Rushcutters Bay is not the only Sydney suburb with a lot of apartment buildings. The difference between Rushcutters’ and others, especially on the strip where it is situated, is how old the buildings are and how densely populated (for a typical suburb) it is.

Potts Point and Woolloomooloo have many apartment buildings. Unlike Rushcutters Bay, they each have a mix of old and new buildings which means that there is a wider spread of plumbing layout. This can create different kinds of access issues.

Elizabeth Bay is similar to Rushcutters Bay in profile: apartment-heavy with older buildings. It usually deals with the same kinds of problems.

Darlinghurst is a mixed suburb, with both terrace-style properties and apartment complexes. The terrace properties are more in number, while the apartment buildings are limited to some pockets of the suburb. Plumbing issues here are solved with multiple methods.

Paddington, the nearest suburb to Ruschutters’, has more terraces and bungalows than apartment buildings. Plumbing systems here are very different to what is obtainable in stray setups.

The reason for this comparison is to help you, a resident of Rushcutters Bay, understand why you need a checklist for your apartment unit. You do not need a generic checklist, but one that speaks to the kind of plumbing systems that are prevalent in your neighbourhood.

Understanding Strata Plumbing

Plumbing systems differ depending on the property. This is why we have two main classes of plumbing: Residential Plumbing and Commercial Plumbing.

Plumbing systems that cater to homes are residential systems. These include strata plumbing systems that cater to apartment complexes, like the ones that make Rushcutters Bay what it is.

The term “Strata” is used to describe a system of shared ownership in properties. “Strata plumbing” is a plumbing system in residential properties which connects all the building units to central sewage, wastewater and water pipe networks.

Strata plumbing is not monolithic. While it requires a central pipe network, logistically (and legally), private individuals can have the entirety of their plumbing systems in their units. In other cases, unit occupants could share all plumbing fittings, with only a few (like showerheads, internal taps, and toilets) belonging to each specific unit.

It is clear who owns the maintenance process for each of the logistical divisions of strata plumbing from the above description. It is also clear that a specialist plumber is who you have to call for any strata plumbing-related jobs, because one wrong fitting can cause big problems for several apartment units.

At the same time, it is also clear that if one unit faces an emergency, others are in danger. One blocked toilet could be a sign to check the entire sewage channel or risk expensively replacing the entire channel. If the plumber fixes the one blocked toilet and does not consult with the strata manager or landlord for other checks, the problem will more than likely return.

What strata plumbing really means in practice

The above section pointed out how diverse strata plumbing can be.

Private units, especially in Rushcutters Bay, still belong to a system that is run by an owner or strata manager. That system also has others who depend on it. When fixes need to be done, there may be a need for multiple decision-makers.

This means that communication in strata plumbing is important. A plumber working in a strata building often needs to get into other apartments to understand how the building’s plumbing system is laid out and where the shared services run.

This also means that documentation is a problem. Plumbers need to be able to explain what the cause of the problem is in writing. Other things such as the kind of fix that was carried out and preventive treatments to prevent the issues from happening again.

Residents of suburbs like Rushcutters Bay need to know that someone else’s problem could easily become theirs, and vice versa. Everyone needs to know about their building so they can act fast in the case of an emergency.

Common plumbing emergencies in Rushcutters Bay apartments

1. Failed flexible hose

This is the hose that takes wastewater from your sink to the drain pipe. You can find it under basins and toilets too. They are small, cheap and very easy to forget, which is why they are prone to emergency fixes.

2. Blocked drains

When kitchen grease, soap scum or foreign objects lodge themselves in a drain pipe, it becomes a problem for the whole line it sits on.

3. Toilet overflows

This is a very common problem because the sewer line is under more pressure. One unit’s blocked toilet can cause overflows into every other apartment on the line.

4. Concealed leaks

Those leaks behind the walls, ceilings and under the floor that you do not notice until you see a weird looking wet patch. That patch’s appearance could mean that there is a much bigger problem to fix than a minor leak.

Rushcutters Bay Plumbing Emergency Checklist

What to do Before Anything Goes Wrong

Make sure to learn the location of the central valve that shuts water to your unit. In many Rushcutters Bay apartments, this valve is usually under the kitchen sink, inside a laundry cupboard or somewhere around the bathroom plumbing fixtures. Test it to see if it works when you find it. If it doesn’t, call the attention of the landlord or strata manager.

You should also know where the gas valve is, if your apartment uses gas. These are the main things to know and do as a Rushcutters Bay resident.

Others are:

• Keep a Rushcutters Bay emergency plumber on speed dial.
• Be friendly with your neighbours, or the units above and below yours at least.
• Keep a torch, a mop, a few towels and a bucket somewhere easy to reach.
• Always look for warning signs like damp patches, low water pressure and the likes.

The Moment it Happens

Think and act on your feet. Speed matters here.

First, turn off the water or gas valve. If you do not have such a valve, turn off the main supply to the whole apartment building. If there’s a gas smell, open windows and doors. Next, cut power to the apartment if the water is near electrical outlets.

After this, move what you can away from the flood to limit property damage. Then tell those below you of your problem so they can carry out their emergency protocols if you live above other units.

Once you’ve done these, take pictures of the issue for documentation purposes, then start mopping and cleaning what you can. You may need those photos for claims later.

Finally, call the licensed plumber whose number you had saved and explain everything in detail to them.

What Not to Do

• If it is a burst pipe, do not tape it over. Call a plumber.
• If it’s a blocked pipe, do not pour chemical drain cleaners because you’re likely not experienced enough.
• Do not assume that the problem is automatically the building’s responsibility. Fix it first, then sort out who is responsible.
• If you live above another unit, please carry them along.

After the Emergency

Ask the plumber for a written report along with their invoice. This is important for documentation that you could use for claims later. It is also important if the problem is a recurring one.

If it is a recurring problem, demand an inspection from the landlord or strata manager. In cases like this, CCTV camera inspection is used to check clogged pipes and crevices where pipes may be to find hidden problems.

Finally, check for hidden damage under walls and floors.

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Emergencies

Check your flexible hoses and replace the ones that run you the wrong way.

Check around sinks, toilets and laundry fittings for drips or stains.

Avoid pouring or flushing things that should not go down sewage or wastewater drains.

Use strainers and sink traps and clean them regularly.

Pay attention to the water pressure, especially if your apartment building is an older one.

Find out if there is scheduled maintenance. If not, schedule yours and sort out the responsibility with your landlord.

Most importantly, report small issues early, especially if you rent.

Who to Call

Make sure that the emergency plumber you have on speed dial is one who is familiar with Rushcutters Bay or at least, familiar with the area of the harbour where the bay is situated. You can get a tradesperson who works in the neighbouring suburbs too, as they typically have the same issues.

This is important because of access issues, the kind of strata plumbing system used, and the age of the set-up. A plumber who knows all these, especially how to get from wherever they are to your building quickly is vital to the management of the emergency.

The bottom line

In Rushcutters Bay, plumbing emergencies always give warning signs. They are rarely random occurrences. They are also not that simple to handle because of the uniqueness of strata plumbing systems.

Fixing any problem in one apartment unit can require access to another. This means several people have to get involved, making it important that the plumber is professional and courteous.

All of these can be handled with preparation according to the checklist that has been collated and put together in this guide.

Know where your shut-off is. Know who to call. Understand strata plumbing as best as you can, and get a few basic plumbing tools. Report small issues early. And act immediately when a leak starts, because in a building full of apartments, a small problem on your floor can become everyone’s problem before long.

The households that come through these emergencies with the least damage are usually the ones who did the boring preparation before anything went wrong.