Plumber Willoughby

Before the plans are finalised, ideally. New wet areas need drainage fall to your existing sewer connection, and in Willoughby’s older homes that connection is not always where you would hope. Involving us at design stage means the bathroom lands where drainage genuinely works, the rough-in gets a fixed price early, and there are no mid-build surprises when the slab is already poured.

That pattern usually means the gutters have lost their fall or the downpipes cannot shift the volume, so water sits, finds the smallest gap and wicks into the eaves lining. On interwar homes the gutters are often original and rust has changed their shape. We rehang or replace the affected runs, correct the fall, upsize outlets where needed and check the downpipes actually reach stormwater.

Usually, yes. The move stands or falls on drainage: the new location needs a compliant waste connection and the machine needs dedicated taps, all concealed neatly in the joinery. We rough in the connections while the kitchen is being fitted, pressure-test everything before the cabinetry closes up, and leave shut-off access you can reach without dismantling a cupboard.

Worth it, yes. The small brick flat buildings around Willoughby’s edges share ageing branch lines, and slow drains plus gurgling usually point to a partial blockage or venting problem developing in shared pipework. Caught early it is a clearing job; ignored, it becomes an overflow into the lowest flat. We inspect with a camera, clear what is found and report to the owner or strata with evidence.

It is often the smartest time to do it. Relocating the unit to an external wall frees indoor space, simplifies venting for gas systems and makes future replacement simpler because access is easy. The cost of moving pipework mid-renovation is a fraction of doing it as a standalone job later. We quote the relocation alongside your rough-in so you can weigh it while the walls are open.