Why You Should Always Use a Licensed Plumber

When something goes wrong with the plumbing at home, it can be tempting to have a go yourself or ask someone handy to take a look. For a small problem, it might seem like an easy way to save some money.

But plumbing is one area where taking shortcuts can end up costing much more in the long run.

From leaking pipes and blocked drains to hot water systems, renovations and larger plumbing projects, using a properly licensed plumber gives you confidence that the work is being completed safely, correctly and to the required standards.

At All Done Plumbing, our licensed plumbers work across Inverloch, Bass Coast, South Gippsland and King Island, helping homeowners with everything from everyday plumbing and emergency repairs to drainage, septic systems and wastewater projects.

So, why does using a licensed plumber matter?

1. Licensed plumbers have the right training and experience

Plumbing can look straightforward from the outside, but there is often much more happening behind the walls, underneath the floor or underground than you can see.

A leaking tap might be simple. A recurring blockage, unexplained loss of water pressure or persistent leak could be a sign of something more significant.

Licensed plumbers have undergone the required training and gained practical experience to identify problems properly rather than simply treating the most obvious symptom.

This becomes particularly important on larger jobs such as renovations, new builds, drainage works, hot water installations and wastewater systems, where getting things right from the beginning can prevent much bigger problems later.

2. There are insurance protections

This is one of the biggest reasons to choose a licensed plumber.

In Victoria, licensed plumbers are required to hold insurance that provides protection in the event of defective plumbing work.

If unlicensed plumbing work causes damage, you may not have those same protections. Depending on the circumstances and your insurance policy, unauthorised or DIY work may also create complications if you later need to make a home insurance claim.

Saving a little money on the original job isn't much of a saving if you're left paying to repair water damage and then paying another plumber to correct the original work.

Using a licensed plumber gives you much greater peace of mind that the person carrying out the work has the appropriate qualifications and insurance behind them.

3. Plumbing work needs to meet Australian and Victorian requirements

Plumbing isn't just about stopping a leak or getting water from A to B.

There are regulations, codes and standards governing plumbing work for good reasons. They help protect your home, your water supply, wastewater systems and, most importantly, the health and safety of the people using them.

In Victoria, plumbing practitioners must be appropriately licensed or registered for the particular class of plumbing work they carry out.

A licensed plumber understands these requirements and knows how the work needs to be completed to comply with the relevant standards.

4. Some plumbing work requires a compliance certificate

For certain plumbing work in Victoria, a compliance certificate is required.

A compliance certificate provides a record that the plumbing work has been carried out by an appropriately licensed plumber and certifies that the work complies with the relevant plumbing regulations, codes and standards.

Importantly, only a licensed plumber can issue one.

This documentation can also be important down the track when you're renovating, undertaking further building work or selling a property.

5. It protects the safety of your home and family

Poor plumbing work can cause considerably more than an annoying drip.

Incorrect installations or repairs can potentially lead to water damage, contamination, wastewater problems, mould and other health and safety concerns. Work involving gas creates additional serious risks and must be handled appropriately.

Licensed plumbers are trained to understand these risks and complete work using the appropriate methods, materials and safety procedures.

When you're dealing with the systems responsible for bringing clean water into your home and safely taking wastewater away, it's worth having the job done properly.

6. A quick DIY fix can hide a bigger problem

One of the traps with plumbing is that fixing the visible problem doesn't necessarily mean you've fixed its cause.

You might manage to clear a slow drain, stop a leak temporarily or get a toilet working again. But why did it happen in the first place?

Recurring blocked drains could indicate a problem further along the pipework. Water appearing in the wrong place could be coming from somewhere you haven't considered. Problems with wastewater or septic systems can also have causes that aren't obvious from the surface.

A licensed plumber can investigate what's actually happening and recommend a solution rather than repeatedly patching the symptom.

7. Getting it right the first time can save money

DIY or cheap unlicensed work can seem like the less expensive option initially.

That changes quickly if the problem comes back.

Paying to repair the original problem, rectify incorrect work and fix any resulting damage can turn a relatively straightforward plumbing job into an expensive one.

A qualified plumber also has access to the appropriate equipment and experience to diagnose and complete work efficiently.

Sometimes the cheapest option today isn't the cheapest option six months from now.

Can I do my own plumbing in Victoria?

There are strict rules around who can perform plumbing work in Victoria.

The Building and Plumbing Commission states that plumbing work must be carried out by a practitioner who is licensed, appropriately registered and working under the required supervision, or undertaking training under the supervision of a licensed plumber.

So before deciding that a plumbing job looks simple enough to tackle yourself, it's worth checking whether the work legally needs to be completed by a plumbing professional.

How can I check whether a plumber is licensed?

Don't be afraid to ask.

Licensed and registered plumbers in Victoria are issued photo identification showing the type of plumbing work they are eligible to perform. You can ask to see this identification, and plumber licensing and registration details can also be checked through the Building and Plumbing Commission.

It's a simple check that can provide valuable peace of mind before work begins.

Choose a Licensed Local Plumber

Whether you're dealing with a leaking tap, blocked drain, hot water problem or a much larger drainage, septic or wastewater project, choosing a licensed plumber means you're putting your property in qualified hands.

All Done Plumbing is based in Inverloch and provides licensed plumbing services throughout Bass Coast and South Gippsland, with a permanent team also servicing King Island.

From everyday plumbing and 24-hour emergency work through to drainage, excavation, septic tank installations and wastewater treatment systems, our team can help get the job done properly.

If you've got a plumbing job coming up or you're not sure what your next step should be, get in touch with the All Done Plumbing team.

Call All Done Plumbing on 0488 253 663 or contact us to discuss your plumbing needs.