DIY–Or call a tradie?

Even if you’re a very skilled handyman, there are some bathroom projects you shouldn’t touch. If you do and it all goes pear-shaped (there’s a structural accident or even a natural disaster), you risk not being covered by home insurance. The experts at legal and building advice agency HomeSource (www.homesource.com.au) say The Building Code of Australia covers all the dos and don’ts for homeowners doing renovations. The bathroom is particularly dangerous because of the combination of water and electricity. An incorrectly installed system can be hazardous, while leaking pipes can lead to structural rot. Warranties for many products are void unless installed by a licensed tradesperson. In most cases, you need a compliance certificate from the tradesperson to make a claim.

Lovely bathroom, is it legal?
Here’s a guide to the jobs you can tackle and those that legally require a specialist.

Happily DIY
• You can tile and put down floors.
• Replace a jumper valve or washer in a tap (although even the latter must be done by a plumber in Victoria, so check first).
• Change a showerhead.
• Replace a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber in a toilet cistern.

Call a sparkie
You’ll need a licensed electrician for installation or alterations to…
• all wiring.
• lighting including fittins and switches.
• power outlets.
• non plug-in electrical equipment such as fans and heaters.

Call a plumber
For any other plumbing jobs, you should engage a licensed tradesperson. These include installation or alterations to…
• sanitaryware and toilet systems
• tapware
• piping
• drainage.