Plenty of Mandurah homeowners are handy and happy to have a go. Some plumbing jobs are fine to do yourself. Others are licensed work in Western Australia, and getting them wrong can cost far more than calling a plumber in the first place. Here's how to tell the difference.
Jobs most homeowners can handle
WA law lets a homeowner or tenant do a short list of basic jobs at their own home without a licence. A friend or family member can do them for you too, as long as they're not paid. The list is:
- Maintaining, repairing or replacing a shower head
- Maintaining or repairing a tap, such as changing a worn washer or cleaning the aerator (but not a thermostatic mixing tap)
- Replacing a cistern washer in the toilet
- Replacing a water filter cartridge
- Clearing a blocked toilet, shower, basin, trough, sink, bath or waste pipe with a plunger
That's it. Everything else, including taking apart the trap under the sink, needs a licensed plumber. You can read the list on the Building and Energy website, and the legal wording is in regulation 9(4) of the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000.
Before you start anything, know where your water stop tap is. On most Mandurah homes it's at the meter near the front boundary. Turn it off before you take anything apart.
Jobs that need a licensed plumber
In WA, most plumbing work legally has to be done by a licensed plumber. That covers anything that changes your pipework, connects to the water supply or sewer, or replaces fixtures like toilets and hot water systems. It's not just red tape: badly done work can contaminate your drinking water, cause hidden leaks inside walls, or leave you with an insurance claim that gets knocked back.
Gas is a hard line. Only a licensed gas fitter can work on gas pipes, appliances, bayonet fittings or LPG bottle connections. If you think something's wrong with your gas, see our gas services and don't touch it yourself.
Local things that catch DIYers out
Septic tanks and ATUs
Many semi-rural blocks around Karnup, Pinjarra, Nambeelup and the Yunderups aren't on deep sewer. If you're on a septic tank or an aerobic treatment unit (ATU), harsh chemical drain cleaners can kill the bacteria the system relies on. A blockage on these properties is also more likely to be a system problem than a simple clog.
Tree roots in older suburbs
In established areas like Halls Head, Dudley Park and parts of central Mandurah, older clay sewer pipes are a common target for tree roots. A plunger or a hardware-store drain snake won't fix a root intrusion. It might buy a few days, but the roots keep growing.
Leaks you can't see
Sandy coastal soil drains quickly, so an underground leak often doesn't show up as a soggy patch. The first sign is usually a higher water bill or a meter that ticks over with every tap off. That needs proper leak detection, not guesswork with a shovel.
When to stop and call
Put the tools down and get help if:
- More than one drain is slow or gurgling at the same time
- Water is coming up through the overflow gully outside
- A pipe is leaking inside a wall, ceiling or under the slab
- The hot water system is leaking, tripping power or making noises
- You can smell gas
- A DIY fix didn't hold, or the same problem keeps coming back
If the leak is on the street side of your water meter, that's the Water Corporation's responsibility. Call their faults line on 13 13 75.
Is DIY worth it?
For a dripping tap or a hairy shower drain, yes. For anything that involves cutting pipe, the sewer, hot water or gas, the risk usually outweighs the saving. A small mistake can turn into water damage, a second repair bill, or a safety problem.
Not sure if it's a job for you or a plumber? Call Drainpro Plumbers on 0413 904 259 and talk it through. Licensed plumber and gas fitter, available 24/7 across Mandurah and the Peel region.