Yellow Pages® | Articles for Plumbers & Gasfitters

Different Accreditations, Qualifications and Standards for Plumbers

Plumbing is an essential service for homes and businesses. In Australia all plumbers and gasfitters are required to be qualified and licenced. The core areas of plumbing work include water, sewerage, drainage and gas which are regulated in all States and Territories through the various plumbing authorities. Trained and licenced plumbers are qualified to undertake a variety of work that requires skills and experience.

A plumber sitting on the bathroom floor with tools.

How many quotes should I get?

If you have plumbing work that needs to be done around the home it is wise to get a number of quotes. The exact number will depend on the size and scale of the job. The general rule of thumb is that you should get three quotes for any work that will cost over $1,000.

Plumber and customer discussing kitchen sink problem.

The 5 most common causes for blocked drains

Blocked drains are a common and annoying problem experienced at some stage in most homes and businesses. There are a number of reasons that drains will block and often the immediate symptom of the block is treated and not the underlying cause. The most common causes of blockages are:

The dangers of doing your own plumbing

With do-it-yourself (DIY) and home renovation TV shows inspiring a culture of home builders and renovators, there is a general impression that you can save money by undertaking plumbing jobs yourself. The reality in most cases is the exact opposite. Do-it-yourself plumbing is fraught with dangers that could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

Leaking taps – how a minor problem can become costly

A dripping tap is more than just an annoying inconvenience; it can actually end up costing more money than you think, especially if it is a hot water tap. A leaking tap over a period of time will continue to add to your quarterly water usage bills. A dripping tap can leak up to 20,000 litres of water a year.

Man smiling and using a tool to fix a leaking tap on sink.

Washer and valve replacements - DIY or call a plumber in?

Leaking taps are a common household annoyance than can consume more than 2,000 litres per month which is a huge 24,000 litres per year. There are a number of reasons why a tap can drip, and although some are quite simple to fix, often the cause cannot be diagnosed without further investigation. In some States and Territories it is illegal to work inside pipes and you need to be a licenced plumber to undertake plumbing work.

Person using tools to fix a tap on a sink.

Top 5 things to look for when choosing a plumber

If you require plumbing work on your home or business it is important to hire a licenced plumber. The following article outlines the top 5 things you should consider when selecting a plumber for your job.

Top 5 common plumbing issues and how you can help prevent them

Plumbers are called out to homes and business to install, fix, service and maintain a number of essential services such as water, sewerage, hot water systems and gas-fittings. This article explores the top 5 reasons that plumbers are called out and what you can do to prevent them occurring on your property.

Man using plunger to fix blocked toilet.

What is the difference between a plumber and gasfitter?

The difference between a plumber and a gasfitter are the qualifications and licences they hold and the work that they are legally able to perform. At a top level a plumber may also be a gasfitter, but a gasfitter may not necessarily be a plumber.

What should I expect with a quote for plumbing works?

When requesting quotes for plumbing works there are few things you should look out for.

Fixing the cause, not the symptom - good plumbing practice

Plumbing problems can be quite unpleasant and most people want them resolved as quickly as possible. Some plumbing issues present with minor symptoms, resulting in a misconception that the problem can be easily fixed. However, upon further investigation, the cause of the problem may indeed require more work than originally anticipated.

Close up of plumber servicing gas boiler.

Should I expect a warranty on the plumbing work provided?

Plumbing work can be very expensive and for this reason property owners want to know what warranties they can expect with their plumbing work. Warranties and guarantees are given at the discretion of each plumbing business, so it is important you ask about warranties before engaging the plumber.