Renovations & Extensions
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Electrical Safety Advice for Queensland Homeowners
Electrical Safety Advice Queensland
Using electricity in the home always comes with a few associated risks. If you’re looking to utilise electricity in a way that is safe and secure for your entire family. There are some rules and guidelines that the Queensland Government has put in place for your best advice.
When it comes to electrical wiring and devices, don’t try to handle it yourself. If you are unsure whether or not using a certain form of electricity is safe, check up on the following Queensland guidelines to make sure you are a safe homeowner at all times. Always hire professionals, VIP Electrician Brisbane www.vipelectricianbrisbane.com.au provide free quotes and use only Queensland Government licensed tradesmen.
Advice From the Government
The Queensland Government has designed a variety of tips and guidelines to help you keep your home and your workplace free of electrical dangers.
Worksafe Queensland www.worksafe.qld.gov.au is a trusted government source that can provide further information for those looking to install electrical devices and wiring. Heed the following pieces of advice:
- Make sure that each source of electrical power is installed with a safety switch.
- Properly install your clothes dryer in a location that is free of electrical dangers or hazards.
- Don’t perform your own electrical work.
- Be cautious when clearing vegetation and plants from areas with electrical wiring.
- Be careful when using electricity around water.
- You may need to rewire your fuses if you are living in an older home.
Dealing with electricity is like dealing with a contained bolt of lightning; it can sometimes be unpredictable, powerful, and highly dangerous. Take extreme caution when dealing with electricity at all times.
Keeping Electrical Equipment at Home
If you have electrical equipment at home, there are several things you can do to make sure that the equipment remains safe. Remember to NEVER keep equipment out where children or other family members can get ahold of it.
The Queensland Government also provides the following pieces of advice for homeowners:
- Do not use the appliance anything other than for its intended use.
- Keep your hair, fingers, hands, and toes away from moving parts.
- Do not use your appliance if there is noticeable damage or wear.
- Keep ventilation holes free of obstruction.
- Contact the manufacturer right away if the power supply cord is damaged or frayed.
- Maintain your electrical equipment on a regular basis.
What to Do During a Flood
It’s no secret that water + electricity = very bad news. In the event of a flood or major water leakage, you will want to turn your mind to your electrical devices right away.
Use extreme caution when looking to switch off your electrical outlets and applications. Power tools are very dangerous when they have become wet. You will find professional electrician at www.vipelectricianbrisbane.com.au from where you can book an expert electrician ASAP.
Professionals can help you safely locate and switch off any electrical devices due to damage by water. You may also need to seek their advice when looking to turn electrical devices back on after the flood has passed.
Keep a Good Eye Out
Queensland homeowners should stay cautious when dealing with electrical wires, devices, or appliances. Be sure that larger devices like cloth dryers installed properly to maintain the proper guidelines.
The Queensland Government can assist you with finding the right spot if you need help. When using electric tools, make sure there is plenty of room for ventilation.
During floods, switch off all devices as quickly as possible. If you are unsure what to do, never act on your own. Contact a professional right away. The Queensland Government is here to provide more resources and information on staying safe with electricity.
Brisbane Deck Building City Council Guidelines
Brisbane Council Guidelines for Building Decks
Everybody loves a deck in their backyard to chill and relax. Timber decks are an effecient way of using space while increasing the value of the propertyy. But before you embark on building a deck you have to do a make sure you consider the following key points.
- Get a planning approval (if applicable)
- Apply for a building approval
- Find a qualified and licensed deck building company
Remember you can asubmit all the paper work yourself. But there are other options. If you hire a qualified deck builder like Pro Decks Brisbane they will manage and process all your planning approval paperwork for you. Many companies even do this for free if you hire them to build your deck.
Do I need a Planning Approval?
The Brisbane City Council doesn’t require every deck to have a planning approval. You can carry out an online property enquiry using the online resource of the city council or even consult a town planner.
The task can be a bit complex including all the legal and regulatory considerations. The city council is again there to help you out with consultation for your deck.
Some deck projects that don’t need planning approval. You need to follow some design specifications to plan with approval like:
- Decks should be smaller than 10 square meters
- The height must be within 1 meter from the ground
- The length should be restricted within 5 meters on each side
- The deck maintains the safety guidelines mentioned in the Queensland Development Code
How to get a Deck Planning Approval?
Apart from the design considerations outlined above, you also have to determine your key property facts like lot size, zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plans and so on.
The online platform of the Brisbane City Council contains full information and tools that can help you out with the process.
- You can determine the zoning of your property which decides the nature of development you can undertake
- The area requirements will be revealed by going through the local neighbourhood plans
- Check out the characteristics of your property using the overlays
- Finally use the Brisbane City Plan 2014 interactive mapping tool to map your property and generate report and submit to the council
The Next Step: Getting a Building Approval
To sanction your plan you need to apply for a building approval. The certificate assesses the buildings according to the Building Code of Australia for various aspects like safety, design, fire danger and so on.
You can get your building certificate from the city council or accredited private building certifiers. They can also help you with consultation on any required demolition work for building your deck and even reveal if you need a building approval. You can search for local contractors using the Queensland Building and Construction Commission‘s search tool.
Start your Planning
The first step you need to make is to determine the key aspects of your property which will tell you if you need a planning approval. Be sure to consult a professional if you find it beyond you so that your project turns out to be a success.
To learn more about council approvals visit https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-building/do-i-need-approval.
Plumbers Guide Brisbane
Plumbers Guide Brisbane
What is a Plumber?
A plumber is by definition, a tradesperson who fixes, repairs, installs and maintains pipes and fittings pertaining to water supplies. Of course, a plumber’s job isn’t limited only to those duties. This trade requires a working knowledge of
- Carpentry
- Building and design
- Architecture
- Welding
As a result of this, plumbing is a very multifaceted trade that require an ample amount of training and know-how.
Common Plumbing Services
There are a number of very common plumbing issues that occur quite regularly in both residential and commercial buildings every day. Some are more benign and could be fixed with the twist of a wrench, while others require a more serious diagnosis and level of professionalism.
While it is always your choice as a homeowner to troubleshoot and diagnose the problem on your own, the guarantee of actually fixing the problem correctly is low. And while it might seem like a simple fix, the reality is that, without proper knowledge, the likelihood of making a mistake or improperly assessing the situation, gets higher and higher with every turn of the screw.
Here is a list of the most often reported plumbing issues, which has been generously supplied by Pro Plumber Brisbane, a local plumbing contractor in South East Queensland. Common plumbing problems as reported by homeowners is as follows.
- Leaky/ dripping faucet
- Low or no water pressure
- Leaking pipes
- Water in the basement that should not be there
- Toilets that are constantly running
- Very slow or clogged pipes and drains
- Water and debris backup in drains and pipes
- Non-functioning sump pump
- Malfunctioning water heater
Late night and weekend problems can sometimes make a home or property owner think that they will not be able to find a professional at that time and so must take matters into their own hands. Think twice before making that decision, as it could lead to hundreds, even thousands of extra dollars in repair costs. Understanding the job that needs to be done is a vital component to proper and safe home repair.
Do Plumbers Need a License?
Of course, when working on any water supply mechanisms, a licensed professional must be the person you call to perform any of this more technical work. After all, many systems are inextricably linked together. For example, HVAC systems.
These are a combination of electrical and water systems, and require more than just a pedestrian knowledge in order to work on them confidently and safely. Without proven skill and mastery, the dangers become greater and greater. There are a number of resources on the internet to utilize in order to see the current state-based regulations and guidelines, such as, but definitely not limited to:
- The Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union QLD/NT- http://www.plumbersunionqld.com/construction/licensing/
- Queensland Building and Construction Committee- http://www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/plumbing-drainage
- The Queensland Government Webpage- https://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/legal-and-property-rights/laws-for-building-houses-and-pools/plumbing-laws/
How Do You Choose A Plumber?
A highly trained and licensed plumber can be hard to find. Do your research before making any decisions. Here are some tips to help ensure that you find a reliable and licensed plumber for your needs.
- Be sure that the plumber holds a current license and carries complete insurance which protects both your property as well as your neighbor’s. In some cases, work that is done at your house can affect your neighbor.
- Ask for references. It is completely normal to ask a potential plumber for work history.
- Inquire about length of time as a licensed plumber. Ask how long they have had a working business model.
- Get more than one quote for your job. Do not necessarily go with the least expensive. Find the one that seems to indicate the most prudent course of action and outcome.
- Be sure to ask for an in-person quote and not one that is just generalized and over the telephone. There is not way to properly assess work without actually seeing it.
- Inquire about guarantees on their work or follow up work, if it is related to the job at hand. Often, plumbers will guarantee their work and will come back to fix what isn’t working if it is applicable to the job for which they quote you. Do not skip this step, as it can be essential if the repairs don’t go according to plan.
Plumbing Costs:
In Queensland today, there are numerous licensed and fully trained plumbing professionals, all who are specialized in different things. When looking for a plumber, there are a number of factors that can influence pricing. Things such as:
- The Customer’s location
- The severity and complexity of the plumbing issue
- Whether or not any other factors will come into play, such as sewage and irrigation work or advanced electrical work
Here are links to some general pricing guidelines for various plumbing issues (though they are only meant to be used as general information and not exact quotes):
Most plumbers charge per hour. The range will vary, but will be in the realm of $40 to $150 per hour, not including any materials used and can fluctuate quite drastically depending upon many unexpected and unforeseen factors. The average price for a plumber this past year was $85 per hour, not including parts.
If you have a broken toilet and need a new one installed, you can expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of one hundred fifty dollars. If you have a leaky faucet or a broken pipe that needs to be replaced, expect to pay about $180.00 or so.
If the job is more complicated and requires more time, that amount will increase dramatically, based on time spent and materials needed. If you are plumbing an entire house, expect a starting bill of $9,000 or more, depending upon the size of the home.
Conclusion
Plumbing, for many people, is an essential component to their home or business. It is very important that all is functioning as it should. Although you might be relatively able to perform light plumbing duties such as fixing a leaky faucet or stopping the toilet from running all the time, it is very important to know your limitations.
Water systems can be very technical and, without the necessary training and experience, a botched home job is the most likely outcome, which only leads to frustration, potential damage to yours or your neighbor’s property and a much higher cost output. At the end of the day, be sure to get the right person for the job.