Find a plumber

Needless to say, drains and pipes are best when unblocked and functioning well. So, unless you know what you're doing, it pays to get an expert plumber to help install or renovate plumbing in the bathroom, kitchen or laundry.

We chat with Paul Naylor, from the Association of Master Plumbers of NSW, about the benefits of finding a plumber through this professional plumbers' organisation.

Why is it important to get professional plumbing services from a plumber who is a member of the Master Plumbers Association (MPA)?

Members of the MPA must be licensed contractors and comply with the rules and Code of Conduct of the organisation. A licensed plumbing contractor will have completed apprenticeship training and the requisite trade course, which has then been supplemented by at least two years further training and the completion of Certificate IV Plumbing Technology.

What does it take to be accredited as a master plumber?

To be an accredited master plumber, the member must be a licensed contractor and have the requisite experience and ability to pass onto apprentices, allowing them to complete their plumbing services training and continue on to become a master plumber.

What should people look for in a plumber?

First, that they are a licensed contractor with the Office of Fair Trading and that their licence is current. The public should always ask to see the contractor's licence. Second, you should ask for references as to reliability, professionalism and customer relations, of the contractor. Good service and professionalism are not necessarily defined by cost!

What are the biggest mistakes people make with their bathroom plumbing?

Experience shows that the greatest mistake consumers make is that the cost of the work drives the selection of the contractor, while the essential pre-requisites of licence checking are overlooked. 

When should people schedule a plumber to arrive during a bathroom renovation?

Scheduling of work should always be discussed with the contractors you intend to engage. Depending on the extent of the renovation, any sub-floor or hidden pipe work must be completed and tested before finishings are applied. The finished product, as always, is really only underpinned by the quality of the preparatory work.

What does the Master Plumbers Association do?

The MPA is an industrial organisation representing plumbing contractors. Established in 1885, the association has a long and proud history in the areas of the protection of public health, post-trade training and apprenticeship training.

Get your drains and pipes sorted with plumbing services from a local plumber: