FAQ

+ Hot water cylinder leaking:

  • The issue could be with the cylinder, valving and/or pipework.
  • If the water is dripping from the overflow pipe call the SEAL Team. A slow drip can waste a surprising amount of water if you don’t act promptly.
  • If water is dripping from the base of the cylinder or from pipe entries call us to see if the unit is repairable.

+ Water pressure too low:

  • If you are on tank water check your filters are clear.
  • If you are on mains supply, make sure your isolation valve is fully open at the mains.
  • If these easy fixes don’t work call the experts at SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services to get it sorted. We can offer various options to suit you needs and your budget.

+ Water temperature too high:

  • It may be an electrical fault with the thermostat. Alternative you may need a new tempering valve, call us for assistance.

+ Excessive water bill:

  • You may have a faulty water meter but most likely a leak. SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services can advise the nature of your problem. The leak may be in the pipe from the meter to the house (i.e. the “water main”) and/or within your house. Whatever the source you need to act.
  • The SEAL Team can often detect leaks in buried pipes and once located, excavate and repair them. If, however, there are multiple leaks or the pipe is too deep it may be best to run a new water main. We will discuss the options and prices before undertaking any works.
  • If the leak is in your house, we can help locate and remedy the fault. Usual culprits are toilets that run on, taps or cylinders that leak. Some issues are easy to fix while others are more involved. Call us for advice and a free quote - we are happy to help.

+ Leak in my house:

  • If it is a serious leak shut off water to the house. Either turn the valve in the Toby Box off or turn off your water pump. Call SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services for advice and repair.
  • A slow leak over time can do serious damage to your home. Don’t put it on the back burner – get it sorted. Call us.

+ No hot water - electric cylinder:

  • Is the hot water cylinder turned on? The switch may have been knocked off.
  • Check the fuse board. The circuit breaker should be on. Power companies sometime shut ripple relays down – check if this is the case.
  • If you still have an issue call the SEAL Team.

+ Blocked sink:

  • You could attempt to plunge the line but not too vigorously as you can damage pipework.
  • We do not recommend the use of acid (which we often see) as this rarely works to clear the line but can affect pipework and creates a hazard for technicians who are subsequently called on.
  • Best to call the professionals at SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services.

+ Toilet blocked:

  • You can attempt to plunger the line but this can put unnecessary pressure on joints. Best to call us.

+ Insinkerator trouble:

  • Check the unit has power.
  • Some models have a reset switch on the base. Check for the switch and use it.
  • Check for blockage, is there a spoon jamming up the works? If there is an obvious blockage remove it.
  • If the unit has an air switch check the air hose is attached and unimpeded.
  • If water is leaking from the unit – call SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services.
  • If water is backing up into the sink – the waste line may be blocked – call us.
  • If the unit is still not working call the SEAL Team.

+ I smell gas:

Isolate the gas at the supply. If the smell is in the house ventilate the house (providing it is safe to do so).

Natural Gas:

  • If you have Natural Gas there will be an isolation valve on or after the meter. Turn the gas off. Can you still smell gas? If there is a leak outside your property call the gas provider – eg. Genesis, Vector..etc. (NB. only use phone away from gas).
  • If isolating the gas stops the smell you have a gas leak on your property– Call SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services (NB. only use phone away from gas).

LPG:

  • If you have LPG turn the gas off at the bottle – you can also turn the gas off on the auto changeover regulator (if you have one).
  • Turn the gas off. When the gas is off, check the bottle is securely connected to the system.
  • If you still have an issue or just want the peace of mind that all is okay, call us.

+ No hot water - gas:

Infinity or gas storage units.

  • The unit is not functioning for some reason usually no gas, no water or no electricity.
  • Check it is it getting gas. If Natural Gas, is the isolation valve at the meter open? If LPG, is there gas in the bottle?
  • Many gas water heaters require power to ignite – check there is power to the house - check the circuit breaker to the unit. If in doubt call the SEAL Team.
  • Check the unit is getting water. Is water flowing into and out of the unit? If not call SEAL Plumbing and Gas Services.
  • If your fault does not fall into one of the categories above It may be time to service the gas hot water unitcall us.

+ Bottles full but no gas:

  • If the valve on the bottle is closed, open it (ie. Turn anti-clockwise).
  • If you have an auto changeover regulator check the shut off valve is open.
  • If you still have an issue call SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services.

+ Hob not igniting:

  • Check the elements are correctly seated.
  • If LPG, is there gas in the bottle(s)? If not replace the gas bottle.
  • Is the ignitor sparking? If not, check the electrical connection is plugged in and turned on under the bench.
  • If you still have an issue call SEAL Plumbing & Gas Services.

+ Practices, Procedures and Invoices:

  • The following notes touch on just a few frequently asked questions on our standard business policies and practices. For detailed information see our Terms of Trade and Rates that can be found elsewhere on this website. (Disclaimer: FAQ notes herein are intended as a general guide and do not in any way override our Terms of Trade).

Kind of work we do

  • We are skilled and licensed plumbers and gas fitters. Our work meets ASNZ standards.
  • We can supply and install: water heaters; hobs; pipework (i.e. gas, water and waste); tapware; pumps; toilets; watermains; etc.; etc….
  • We can clear blocked toilets and drains.
  • We can inspect drains.
  • We are not: drainlayers; electricians; builders; concreters; tilers; glazers; showerbox installers; waterproofers; painters; or decorators. But we often can suggest others tradesmen that you can try (NB. we make no charge for suggesting other tradesmen and take no responsibility for their performance).

Types of Agreement

  • Quoted jobs: a quote is a written undertaking of the works to be done plus a price for those works. If the proposition is to your liking you accept the quote and the job is scheduled. When doing the job, should additional works be needed we will discuss these with you before proceeding. When the job is completed you will be invoiced for the agreed price plus any additional works (Note: price breakdowns on our invoices are only available for those items that are additional works). For more detail on quoted works see our standard terms of trade that can be found on this website.
  • Charge up jobs: If no quote is given, the work will be undertaken on a time and materials basis according to our terms of trade and prevailing rates that can be found on this website.

Standard paperwork

  • Before any job, be it quoted work or charge up, we require our standard paperwork to be completed. Even if we are just changing a washer, the paperwork must be done.

Safety & Staffing

  • Staff will have suitable equipment and training.
  • Staff allocation: We will consider the Health and Safety when allocating staff to a job. Normally there will be two men in the van. Additional staff may be required if a job potentially involves: awkward or heavy lifting; working at height or working in tight spaces; and other factors such as time constraints.
  • Hazards: On arrival staff will assess potential Hazards. This is a standard part of the job. If it is safe to proceed, they will do so.
  • Your safety: Health and safety concerns (including Covid 19) extend to all others who are on site (NB. please refer to this article).

Other notes relevant to charge up job invoices:

Labour:

  • As per our Terms of Trade, we charge for site and travel time. Men log into and out of jobs and our management systems record this. Our vans may also be GPS tracked by the management system if we use it to navigate to your job. Time is rounded up to the nearest 15minutes and you will be charged a minimum 1 hour/day for our services.

Van charges:

  • There are costs associated with running vehicles, such as (but not limited to): fuel, maintenance and LTNZ Fees. We recoup these by charging a fixed fee per vehicle per daily site visit. This widely used practice for tradesmen, is referred to in our terms of trade/rates. Note: we do not hide vehicle running costs in our general labour rate because vehicles could carry 1, 2 or 3 workers and to do so could unfairly double, or triple the charge in some instances.

Materials:

  • We deal with a limited number of plumbing merchants. If you ask us to source materials, we will use our regular suppliers. We use them because they are reputable, knowledgeable merchants that sell good quality parts. If we need something - they will get it. They are people that we rely on and trust. We do not canvas the city to find the best possible deal, nor consider no-name brands from people that we do not know. The price for materials that we charge you is within 15% of the merchant’s CMP ("Competitive Market Price").
  • If you have a warranty issue you come back to us. If for any reason we are not available, you can contact the merchant or the manufacturer. Your dated invoice from a licensed tradesman (i.e. Seal Plumbing & Gas Services) is your proof of purchase.

Gas Certificates:

  • Gas works can only be carried out by licenced gasfitters. If we carry out gas works at your property, we are obliged to log that work with the Gas Board by issuing a gas certificate. If you want the gas system checked, we will issue a gas safety certificate (i.e. be it a pass or fail). If your gas system is non-compliant you must remedy the fault without delay.
  • We make a standard charge every time we issue a gas certificate. We do not differentiate between high risk, low risk or safety check situations: if a gas certificate is issued the standard fee applies.

Dispute a Bill

  • If you are unhappy with the bill contact us and we can discuss the matter.
  • We can provide further breakdowns for charge up jobs and explanations, including what your rights and obligations are under the Construction Contracts Act.
 
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