DIY Plumbing NSW: What Plumbing Work Can I Do?
What plumbing work are you able to do? There are not so many tasks you can do yourself when it comes home to plumbing as the Australian laws and regulations govern plumbing work. Do-it-yourself plumbing can lead to disaster. You can replace a washer in your tap or install a showerhead, but you need to call a licensed plumber for all other work, such as clearing blocked drains and fixing hot water systems.
Do-it-yourself work could mean that your contents and home insurance will not cover you in the event of an accident. You may feel tempted to do simple repairs around the house yourself in an effort to save money. But if something goes wrong, you might have to spend more than you originally planned.
What is the legal limit on DIY plumbing in NSW?
You can make small repairs like the following:
- Replacing a washer within a leaky tap
- Installing a showerhead
- Replacing a drop or float valve washer, or suction cup rubber within a water closet.
- Install an irrigation system or lawn watering system downstream of an isolating device
- Maintain or clean ground-level grates for trapping sanitary drains
- Caps for ground-level inspection openings on sanitary drainages should be replaced
While DIY plumbing may seem simple, it can often take more time to have an experienced plumber do it. It can be difficult to install small items like washers and showerheads because they come in different configurations. It could cost you a lot of money and time to get the correct part, and then do the installation properly yourself. Even worse, if you accidentally break a pipe or flood your home once its gone wrong.
Do you know what NSW DIY plumbing is prohibited?
Plumbing in NSW, like many other professions, is strictly regulated. You can only do a few things yourself, and you will need to hire a licensed plumber for all the rest.
Unlicensed people cannot do anything that involves drinking water or sewerage. Contact a plumber immediately if you have to fix leaky taps or noisy pipes, install a new hot water system, unblock stormwater drains, or repair damaged pipes.
While DIY may seem easy and appealing, plumbers are highly trained and undergo regular training. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call our Epping plumbers.
What happens if you don’t follow the plumbing laws of NSW?
- Insurance will not cover any damage you caused by your plumbing work.
- Your appliance warranty will be null
- If your work is found under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, you could face a $32,000 fine or more
- If your plumbing work is not licensed, you won’t be allowed to sell your property
How do I hire an Epping plumber?
Before you hire an Epping plumber, ensure that you do the following:
- Are they able to show proof of a valid license
- Are they covered?
Mondays are usually busy days for plumbers. They will be fixing up any do-it-yourself plumbing work that was attempted over the weekend. A professional repair can often be more expensive than hiring a licensed plumber to complete the job in the first place
You need reliable emergency plumbers in Epping!
For all your emergency plumbing needs, our emergency plumbers can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1300 930 880, or fill out our online form.