In the older suburbs of Perth, such as Claremont or Fremantle, there are many older properties. Some of the housing stock goes back to the 1850’s. At that time, homes were not built with plumbed-in water supplies or waste outlets. Heating, if required, was by open fires rather than energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioning. Renovation plumbing work on these older buildings needs to allow for this.
Decades have passed since these houses were built. There has been a shift from outside washing and toilet facilities to bring them into the downstairs living areas. As time went on, more convenient upstairs bathrooms were installed. Now we see a plethora of bathrooms and en-suites in upstairs environments.
At the same time, kitchens have grown and need more services. It is not uncommon to see dual sinks in a modern kitchen. Luxurious tap ware is also becoming a regular feature. Perth is an old city in colonised Australian terms, but its population is partial to renovations and upgrades.
Plumbing and renovations work on this older housing stock needs to take into account the period features of the property. Intricate plasterwork ceilings or other architectural features can be easily damaged. Water leaks and/or physical vibrations can destroy them. Care must be taken to ensure that any new plumbing work does not spoil the look that attracted the buyer to the house in the first place. Careful renovation is key!
Heritage listing is always worth checking on. We can help you make sure that the building in question is not subject to any development restrictions. Check in the Western Australia Heritage Register.
A big hurdle to jump during your renovation plumbing Perth project is likely to be the routing of pipework. When the property was built, there was no need for conduits – these will need to be setup. Pipes and associated electrical wiring will need stripping out and re-running under floorboards. Element Plumbing & Gas can make sure that these beautiful architectural features are not damaged.
Finally – a word about safety in old houses. With buildings from the middle of the 19th century, there is a good chance of finding some lead pipework in the system. It is a good idea to check for lead in the water as this can be very dangerous. The last thing you want in your drinking water supply lines is lead, no matter how small.
The other major threat from old construction is that asbestos was commonly used in the middle of the 20th Century. If you think that there is asbestos in your property then you must get specialist help to remove it. Asbestos is carcinogenic. It leads to a range of very unpleasant respiratory diseases and can also cause death. You have a duty of care to anyone who comes into contact with it if it is not disposed of correctly.
In conclusion – renovation plumbing in Perth
Perth is one of Australia’s oldest cities and there is a good chance that houses in certain suburbs may well contain plumbing from the 19th Century. Care must be taken when upgrading the services to preserve the features of the building. You should also ensure that modern safety standards are adhered to at all times. Contact Element Plumbing & Gas today.
