Do I Need a Plumber? A Guide for Adelaide Homeowners

If you've ever stood in front of a leaking tap or a new appliance and wondered whether to call someone or just give it a go yourself, this one’s for you. Our experienced plumbers in Adelaide have tackled every kind of plumbing job you can imagine, so we know exactly which jobs need a licensed plumber and which ones you can safely tackle yourself.

Key takeaways:

• In South Australia, most plumbing work involving water supply, drainage, or gas must be done by a licensed plumber
• DIY plumbing can void your home insurance and create compliance issues when selling
• Some jobs, like replacing a tap washer or swapping a showerhead, are fine to do yourself
• Gas fitting requires a separate licence from general plumbing
• When in doubt, a quick call to a plumber costs nothing

When do you need a licensed plumber?

Under South Australian law, licensed plumbers must carry out all work involving water supply pipes, drainage, gas fitting, and sanitary plumbing. In SA, licensed plumbers must also provide a Certificate of Compliance for certain works, which matters when you sell your home. Work done without one can hold up a settlement.

Do I need a plumber for tap and faucet work? 

Replacing a tap washer is something most homeowners can handle, but replacing the tap itself is different. Whether it's a kitchen faucet, bathroom mixer, or outdoor tap, it involves disconnecting from the water supply, which requires a licensed plumber. Adding a faucet in a new location involves new supply lines and potentially drainage, too.

What can go wrong with DIY tap work is usually subtle at first. A connection that isn't seated properly can drip slowly inside a cabinet for months, and by the time you notice, the damage to your cabinetry and floors is already done.

Do I need a plumber to install or replace a toilet?

Yes, in both cases. Replacing a toilet in the same location is more involved than it looks:

• The water supply connection needs to be correctly fitted and sealed
• The waste outlet must connect properly to the existing pipe
• In older Adelaide homes with terracotta or cast-iron waste pipes, getting this right requires experience

Installing a toilet in a new location requires new drainage lines, cutting into floors or walls, and certified work.

Do I need a plumber for a shower installation?

It depends on what you're changing:

• Replacing a showerhead: Most people can do this themselves with a wrench
• Replacing taps or a mixer: This involves water supply connections behind the wall, so a plumber is required
• Installing a new shower or moving one: Requires drainage, waterproofing, water supply connections, and usually a tile.

In South Australia, shower waterproofing must comply with AS 3740. If it's not done correctly, water gets into walls and subfloors and can take years to show up as mould or structural damage. It's one of the most common issues we see in older bathrooms that have been DIY renovated.

Do I need a plumber for kitchen and laundry appliances?

For dishwashers, connecting to the water supply technically requires a licensed plumber in South Australia. Common problems with DIY dishwasher installation include incorrect supply connections, drain hoses fitted incorrectly, and seals that fail over time. The same applies to instant hot water taps and water filters.

Washing machines

For washing machines, connecting to existing taps and a drain is something most homeowners manage fine. It becomes a plumbing job when there are no existing connections, the taps are old or corroded, or you're setting up a laundry where there wasn't one before.

Do I need a plumber for hot water systems?

Hot water system installation and replacement is not a DIY job in South Australia, regardless of whether it's gas, electric, solar, or heat pump. Each system type has specific requirements around connections, pressure relief valves, and compliance, and the work must be certified. 

If your system is underperforming rather than failing completely, a plumber can assess whether it needs a hot water system repair or a full replacement. Plus, catching issues early often saves you the cost of a new system.

Do I need a plumber for gas appliances?

Gas fitting is a separate licence from general plumbing, and the rules are stricter. Even disconnecting a gas stove to move or replace it requires a licensed gas fitter. A licensed gas fitter will pressure test the lines after every job to confirm there are no leaks. The consequences of getting gas work wrong, including fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide exposure, are serious enough that there's no room for shortcuts here.

Other common situations where you may need a plumber

• Blocked drains: If a plunger isn't clearing it, the blockage is likely deeper in the pipe. A plumber can use a drain camera or high-pressure jetting to find and clear it properly.
• Burst pipes: Turn off the water at the mains immediately and call a plumber.
• Water leaks behind walls: Left alone, they cause mould, structural damage, and significantly higher water bills.
• Low water pressure: This can indicate a problem with your main supply line, a pressure-reducing valve, or pipe corrosion.
• Renovations: Any work involving new or moved plumbing fixtures requires licensed work and compliance documentation.

When can you handle plumbing issues yourself?

Plenty of small maintenance tasks don't need a plumber:

• Replacing a tap washer
• Swapping out a showerhead
• Unblocking a drain with a plunger
• Replacing a toilet cistern button or flap valve
• Cleaning tap aerators

If the problem keeps coming back, you can't identify the source, or it involves your water supply or drainage lines, that's when it's time to contact Your Local Tradesman.

Need a plumber in Adelaide? Call Your Local Tradesman

If you've got a job that needs a licensed plumber, Your Local Tradesman is available across Greater Adelaide with same-day service and upfront pricing. 

Whether it's an emergency or a job that's been on the list for a while, find out more about our plumbing services or give us a call on (08) 8246 3930.