The 7 Most Common Plumbing Problems Perth Homeowners Face

Perth homes face a unique set of plumbing challenges. Hard water, hot summers, ageing infrastructure in the inner suburbs, and large established trees all contribute to plumbing problems that repeat year after year. Here are the seven issues our Perth team fixes most often — and what you can do about them.

1. Blocked drains

The most common call we get in Perth. Blocked drains are caused by grease buildup in kitchen pipes, hair in bathroom drains, and tree root intrusion in older sewer lines. Perth’s large native and introduced trees — particularly Moreton Bay figs, peppermint trees, and eucalypts — are notorious for sending roots into clay drainage pipes. Signs of root intrusion include slow drainage across multiple fixtures, gurgling sounds, and repeated blockages in the same drain.

2. Hot water system failure

Perth’s hard water is rough on hot water systems. Mineral scaling builds up inside tanks and on heating elements, reducing efficiency and shortening system lifespan. Most Perth hot water systems start showing problems at the 8–10 year mark. If your water is discoloured, inconsistent in temperature, or the system is making unusual sounds, get it assessed before it fails completely.

3. Dripping taps

A dripping tap wastes up to 20,000 litres of water per year — significant in a city where water restrictions are a real concern. Most dripping taps in Perth homes are caused by worn tap washers or deteriorated O-rings, both of which are straightforward to replace.

4. Running toilets

A toilet that runs continuously can waste 200–400 litres of water per day. The cause is usually a worn inlet valve, a faulty flapper, or a float that’s set too high. In Perth’s older homes, these parts fail more frequently due to mineral deposits from hard water.

5. Low water pressure

Low pressure across your whole home is often a council supply issue or a pressure-limiting valve that’s set too low. Low pressure at a single tap usually indicates a blocked aerator or a corroded section of pipe feeding that fixture. Perth homes built before the 1970s with original galvanised steel pipes experience this regularly as the pipes corrode internally and restrict flow.

6. Leaking showers

Shower leaks in Perth homes often go undetected for months, seeping water into wall cavities and causing mould, structural damage, and tile failure. The most common cause is failed grout and silicon around the base of the shower, combined with inadequate waterproofing behind the tiles. Our team uses moisture meters to locate the source without unnecessary demolition.

7. Gas leaks

Perth has a large proportion of homes on natural gas — for hot water, cooking, and heating. Gas fitting connections and appliance connectors deteriorate over time. If you can smell gas inside your home, leave immediately, don’t operate any switches, and call 000 then call us. Gas leak detection and repairs are handled by our licensed gas fitters across all Perth suburbs.

FAQs about plumbing problems in Perth

What should I do if my drain keeps blocking in the same spot?

Repeated blockages in the same drain usually indicate a structural issue — either tree root intrusion, a partial pipe collapse, or a significant grease buildup that basic clearing hasn’t resolved. Ask us about CCTV drain camera inspection to identify the cause.

How do I know if I have a water leak I can’t see?

Turn off all water-using appliances and check your meter. If the dial is still moving, you have a leak. Unusually high water bills are another indicator. Call us for a leak detection assessment.

Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners?

Chemical drain cleaners are a short-term fix that can damage PVC pipes over time and don’t address the root cause. For recurring blockages, professional hydro-jetting or root cutting is far more effective and less damaging to your pipes.