So you watch “The Block” or “The Renovators” or “Renovation Rescue” or “Top Design” or “Grand Designs” or “Hot Property” or “Selling Houses Australia” and so the list goes.
Home renovations shows on free to air and pay television are extremely popular. They are essentially entertainment and it really looks so easy. Unfortunately none of these shows look behind the scenes or reflect the reality of renovation or DIY.
Companies such as Bunnings sponsor these shows. They run DIY workshops and they sell you product and tell you its fine to do it all yourself.
Can you legally undertake your own plumbing installation’s or maintenance?
The short answer to this question is NO for installation work and YES for some very limited maintenance work.
In Queensland all plumbing and drainage is regulated through the Department of Local Government and Planning under the following acts of parliament and associated regulations:
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002
- Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003
- Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003
- Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code
Legal DIY Plumbing in Queensland
- replacing a shower head or shower rose
- replacing a tap washer
- replacing a washer in a toilet cistern inlet valve
- installing, repairing or maintaining garden irrigation system
- cleaning or repairing the grate to a drainage gully trap
- replacing a cap on inspection opening to a drain
And that is all the plumbing and drainage work that can legally be undertaken by anyone who is not a licensed plumber and drainer.
Examples of Illegal Plumbing
Unfortunately this site is so common all over Gold Coast with automatic detergent dispensors in commercial kitchens & laundries connected directly to the water supply. In this instant the detergent was backflowing into the potable water supply with the taste in the water being horrendous.
The DIY copper pipe connections under a vanity that naturally blew apart where the garden hose was clamped to the copper pipe.
Copper pipes installed directly into a concrete wall that have no seperation and no insulation from the chemical effects of cement. As a consequence the pipes developed pinholes and leaked.
A waterless urinal installed to replace a water flushing urinal by connecting directly to the old waste pipe which in turn was connected to the floor waste. As a consequence the trap and odour barrier in the waterless urinal was ineffective as pure urine was being discharged directly to the floor waste which was openly ventilating the room. The odours were overpowering from the floorwaste.
An illegal toilet waste connection with PVC pipe into cast iron pipe sealed with silicon. Consequently the joint failed and sewerage was leaking everywhere under the house with the consequent odours.
The ultimate DIY hot water puzzle. While some of the fittings are correct there is little positive that can be said about this installation.
