Deferring maintenance nearly always ends up costing you more money.
The decision to postpone routine plumbing maintenance is fraught with danger for homeowners, property managers and landlords alike.
Deferring maintenance is particularly foolhardy for three reasons.
Firstly, it risks the plumbing issue worsening and the cost of resolving it rising exponentially.
Secondly, property managers and landlords leave themselves open to legal action in the event of injury or damage to tenants’ property.
Thirdly, most insurance companies will refuse to pay claims when smaller issues were ignored and result in bigger problems.
Water damage
Water damage is the most common type of home insurance claim in Australia.
A report tabled by insurer QBE revealed that 24 per cent of all household insurance claims between 2018-21 were the result of water damage.
It revealed the average claim for a water damage incident was $5000 with some claims beyond an eye-popping $500,000.
Yet around 21 per cent or respondents overlooked the potential expense of water damage, citing the reason for deferring maintenance as the cost.
Many Adelaide apartments, units and housing complexes were built more than half a century ago and operate with dated plumbing systems in constant need of repair and maintenance.
Deferring maintenance can ultimately prove to be a very costly decision.
The sources of water damage
The QBE report confirmed burst or blocked pipes as the chief cause of water damage.
Roofs and ageing plumbing systems were also responsible for a significant number of claims.
These are all issues which can be avoided or mitigated by regular maintenance.
Here is the report’s complete analysis of the sources of water damage:
Burst or blocked pipes 46%
Damaged roofs 27.2%
Old or worn out plumbing 27.2%
Overflowing baths, sinks and showers 13.4%
Clogged drains 13.4%
Flexi hoses 8.2%
Despite all of the risks, nearly one in five Australians did not know where their mains was located and 18 per cent did not know how to turn their water off.
The risks to property managers and landlords
In South Australia, the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) demands that property managers have legal obligations to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of tenants.
It adds they may face civil liability, fines and even litigation, depending on the severity of the breach.
Section 68 of the Act outlines a landlord’s obligation to repair and maintain the premises and ancillary property.
It warns that “if the landlord has been notified by the tenant but has failed to take reasonable action to remedy the state of disrepair, then the tenant is entitled to reasonable compensation from the landlord in respect of any damage to property”.
The obligations of property managers and landlords are not limited to the risk of water damage but extend to all types of maintenance including gas systems.
Preventative maintenance schedules
Property managers and landlords are advised to encourage tenants to observe basic preventative maintenance schedules to identify plumbing problems early and reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs.
This should include:
- checking for visible leaks in wet areas and around hot water heaters
- testing taps for drips and low water pressure
- checking sinks are draining freely
- inspecting washing machine and dishwasher hoses for wear
- checking toilet cisterns for constant running or slow refills
- reporting any unusual pipe noises such as water hammer or gurgling sounds
In addition, hot water heaters should be flushed and gutters and downpipes cleaned twice yearly.
Best practices for property managers and landlords
To reduce the risk of expensive repairs and guard against the potential for legal action, property managers are advised to observe the following best practices:
- maintain detailed records of all maintenance and communication with tenants
- conduct regular routine inspections and log observations
- only use licensed plumbers for maintenance and repairs
- educate landlords on their legal obligations
- act swiftly when tenants report an issue
New lead-free piping regulations
Property managers and landlords should be aware that from May 1, 2026, all new plumbing products installed in drinking water systems must be lead free.
The law applies not just in South Australia but nationally.
‘Lead-free’ is defined as less than 0.25 per cent lead hence any copper alloy products that contain more than that amount of lead will be prohibited.
Existing components will not be mandated for replacement but the new regulations will need to be observed for any new piping.
Get expert plumbing help today
Whether you are a homeowner, a property manager or landlord managing your own rental, deferring maintenance is one of the biggest and potentially expensive gambles you can make.
A full inspection of plumbing systems is recommended to be undertaken by a licensed plumber at least once a year.
For older houses and units with dated plumbing, it is important to book an inspection every six months.
These inspections will include:
- pressure testing of water lines to identify leaks and blockages
- the inspection of sewer and stormwater lines with a CCTV camera if required
- reviewing and replacing flexible hoses in toilets and sinks
- a thorough check of hot water heaters including flushing systems
- potential underground drainage issues
When you need a reliable and experienced licensed plumber to carry out all of your maintenance needs, you should look no further than James Smith Plumbing.
JSP is one of South Australia’s most dependable and trusted plumbing companies and it’s not a reputation they established overnight.
They are proud of their good name, built from years of friendly and exemplary service.
Deferring maintenance can become a very expensive error in judgement.
Don’t take a chance on your plumbing system.
Call James Smith Plumbing on 0411 206 046 for all your maintenance needs.
And the best part? JSP is also on hand 24/7 for all of your plumbing emergencies.
You can rely on JSP for the highest standards of workmanship and a minimum of fuss.