PipeX Ltd

💧 What CAN and CAN’T Go Down Your Insinkerator? 🚰

Your insinkerator (waste disposal) is designed to make life easier—but it’s not a rubbish bin! Putting the wrong items down your kitchen sink can lead to blocked drains, expensive plumbing repairs, unpleasant smells, and even damage to your disposal unit.

✅ Safe to put down your insinkerator:

✔️ Small food scraps
✔️ Fruit and vegetable peelings (except large quantities of fibrous vegetables)
✔️ Soft leftovers
✔️ Citrus peels (great for freshening up the unit!)

❌ Never put these down:

🚫 Cooking oils, fats or grease
🚫 Coffee grounds
🚫 Eggshells (they don’t sharpen the blades!)
🚫 Rice or pasta (they expand with water)
🚫 Bones
🚫 Onion or potato skins
🚫 Corn husks
🚫 Celery and other fibrous vegetables
🚫 Flour or dough
🚫 String, paper towels or wipes

🚿 How to reduce bad smells:

• Run cold water before, during and after using the insinkerator.
• Grind a few ice cubes occasionally to help clean the grinding chamber.
• Drop in a few lemon or orange peels for a fresh citrus smell.
• Avoid letting food scraps sit in the unit for long periods.
• Regularly flush your kitchen drain with hot water and a small amount of dishwashing liquid (avoid pouring boiling water directly through the unit while it’s operating).

What happens if you put the wrong things down?

Grease and food waste build up inside your pipes, leading to:
❌ Slow draining sinks
❌ Blocked kitchen drains
❌ Bad odours
❌ Overflowing sinks
❌ Damage to your insinkerator
❌ Costly plumbing repairs

A little care now can save you hundreds of dollars later.

🔧 Did you know? At PipeX Limited, we don’t just unblock drains—we provide professional plumbing, gas fitting, and drainage services throughout the Wellington region. Whether it’s a blocked sink, leaking tap, hot water issue, gas appliance installation, drain repair, or a complete plumbing solution, we’ve got you covered.

📞 If your kitchen sink is slow to drain, smells unpleasant, or your insinkerator isn’t working properly, get in touch before it turns into a bigger problem.

PipeX Limited
✔️ Plumbing
✔️ Gas Fitting
✔️ Drainage

Quality workmanship. Honest advice. Reliable service.

Ever wondered what type of drainage pipes are buried beneath your property?

At PipeX, we regularly investigate drainage systems across Wellington and often find pipework from several different eras. Understanding the age and construction of your drains can help explain recurring drainage problems.

🔹 Before the 1970s
Most residential drainage systems were installed using earthenware (clay) pipes joined with cement mortar. While these pipes were durable and served generations of homeowners well, the rigid joints could crack over time due to ground movement, allowing tree roots and groundwater to enter the system.

🔹 The 1970s
Earthenware pipes remained widely used, but the industry began moving away from cement mortar joints in favour of rubber ring joints. This improvement allowed for greater flexibility, better sealing, and reduced the likelihood of joint failure caused by settlement or movement, initially. Unfortunately, now days this rubber is very brittle and prone to leaking. As these fittings leak, water undermines the drain by eroding away the soil which reduces the support of the drain. This results in moved pipework which can cause you all sorts of problems!

🔹 The Introduction of PVC
PVC drainage pipes eventually became the preferred solution for residential drainage. Their lightweight construction, smooth internal surface, extra length between joins, corrosion resistance, and flexible jointing systems helped improve reliability and installation efficiency. Today, PVC remains the most common drainage material used in New Zealand homes.

⚠️ If your Wellington property was built before the 1990s and you’re experiencing:
• Frequent drain blockages
• Slow-draining fixtures
• Gurgling sounds from plumbing fixtures
• Wet areas appearing in the lawn
• Tree root intrusion

It may be time for a CCTV drainage inspection.

At PipeX, we help Wellington homeowners identify drainage issues, locate ageing pipework, and provide practical solutions before minor defects become costly repairs.

Need advice about your drainage system? Get in touch with the PipeX team.

www.pipex.co.nz

Home Reliable plumber in Wellington for plumbing, gasfitting & drainlaying. Clear advice, quality workmanship & fast service. Get a quote today.

Hot Water Systems Compared — What Actually Performs Better?

One of the most common questions we get is:

“What’s the best hot water system for my home?”

The answer depends on:

* household size
* hot water demand
* energy source
* recovery time
* installation cost
* and long-term running costs

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common systems we compare for clients.

⸻

Electric Hot Water Cylinder (Mains Pressure)

Pros:

* Reliable and simple
* Good shower pressure
* Lower upfront cost than heat pumps
* Works well for most standard homes

Cons:

* Slower recovery than gas continuous flow
* Higher power usage during peak demand
* Can run out of stored hot water

Best suited for:

Small to medium households wanting reliable mains pressure hot water without major upfront cost.

Recovery Time:

Moderate
Once the stored hot water is used, the cylinder needs time to reheat.

⸻

Natural Gas Infinity (Continuous Flow)

Pros:

* Endless hot water
* Very fast response and recovery
* Excellent for large families
* No stored hot water losses
* Strong performance with back-to-back showers

Cons:

* Requires natural gas connection
* Higher installation cost
* Gas prices can fluctuate

Best suited for:

Busy households with high hot water demand and access to natural gas.

Recovery Time:

Effectively instant
Because water is heated continuously, you don’t “run out” the same way you can with a cylinder.

⸻

LPG Infinity (Continuous Flow)

Pros:

* Same endless hot water benefits as natural gas
* Great option where mains gas isn’t available
* Excellent pressure and performance

Cons:

* LPG bottle refill costs
* Bottles need monitoring and replacement
* Higher running costs than natural gas in many cases

Best suited for:

Rural or off-grid properties wanting continuous flow hot water.

Recovery Time:

Effectively instant

⸻

Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder (All-in-One)

Pros:

* Extremely energy efficient
* Lower running costs over time
* Uses ambient air to heat water
* Excellent long-term savings
* Environmentally friendly

Cons:

* Higher upfront cost
* Slower recovery during very heavy demand
* Performance can reduce in colder temperatures
* Requires good installation location and airflow

Best suited for:

Households focused on efficiency and lower power bills over the long term.

Recovery Time:

Efficient but generally slower than gas continuous flow systems.

⸻

So Which System Is “Best”?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

If your priority is:

Lowest upfront cost:

Electric mains pressure cylinder

Endless hot water:

Natural gas or LPG infinity

Lowest long-term running costs:

Heat pump hot water cylinder

Fastest recovery and busy family performance:

Natural gas infinity

Rural installation without mains gas:

LPG infinity

⸻

The biggest mistake we see is people replacing systems like-for-like without comparing:

* efficiency
* recovery speed
* running costs
* future household demand
* and pressure performance

The right hot water system should match how your household actually uses hot water — not just what was already installed.

PipeX Ltd help clients compare systems properly so they can make informed decisions instead of expensive assumptions.

The chemical symbol for lead is Pb derived from the Latin word Plumbum.
The plumbing industry has come along way from the lead pipes circulating water around the Roman Empire, and from May the 2nd a little less lead will be used.

Something to consider when choosing a new tap, water heater or valves but there are a few exclusions with some more listed in the article below,
-shower and bath mixers
-toilets, and
-appliances (dishwasher and washing machines)

We are here to help, when you need us. Feel free to get in touch for any residential plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying requirements.

https://pipex.co.nz/contact/

https://hail.to/plumbers-gasfitters-and-drainlayers-board/publication/xKAndpb/article/HKJD4ao

Info Brief April 2026 Prepare for lead-free plumbing

I can’t think of a good time to come home and find your drain blocked and overflowing, but it happens.

If it happens to you, where here to help!

We’ve got a tip for you though, flushing wipes will block your drain.
We have used the flexi shaft here to wrap them up and push them through to manually clear the blockage.

Once your drain is clear it’s a good idea to have the CCTV camera put down the drain to make sure it is just that, clear! A small extra cost to avoid potentially having the same thing happen a few weeks or months later.

www.pipex.co.nz
[email protected]

Introducing PipeX Plumbing – Your Local Experts You Can Trust

We’re excited to launch PipeX Ltd, proudly serving the greater Wellington region with top-quality plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying services.

Founded by Dan McMenamin, a certified plumber, gasfitter, and drainlayer, PipeX is built on a foundation of skill, experience, and a genuine passion for delivering great results. From small residential fixes to full-scale installations, we’re here to get the job done right – first time, every time.

Why Choose PipeX?
• Certified and experienced across all trades
• Focused on residential quality and reliability
• Locally owned and operated
• Honest advice. Fair pricing. Work you can trust.

Whether you’re renovating, building, or just need something sorted – get in touch.
Call Dan on 027 747 3948 or email [email protected]

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