Historic Plumbing

14/08/2026

Plumbing is our business

But our passion is history and recovering/preserving it for future generations before it rots away in the ground.

I thought a few of our followers might be interested in some of our latest finds in the Swan area.

Most of these buttons/buckles date from the 1850’s and I suspect they were from a convict work party camp.

The star of the show is the board of ordnance button that dates between 1790-1802 and was likely worn by a first fleet soldier in the 1830’s

27/07/2026

🚽 Could your old toilet be worth up to a $500 rebate? 💧

Water Corporation is offering rebates of up to $500 for eligible households that replace older, inefficient toilets with new water-saving models. (Water Corporation)

Here’s the easiest way to tell if your dual-flush toilet qualifies:

👀 Look at the base of the toilet where it meets the floor.

If your toilet has 4 bolts (screws) securing the pan to the floor—one near each corner of the base—it’s a pre-1995 dual-flush toilet and may be eligible for the rebate.

❌ If it has fewer than 4 bolts, it’s not old enough to qualify under the current rebate program. (Water Corporation)

At Historic Plumbing, we can:
✅ Check if your toilet is eligible.
✅ Supply and install a new WELS 4-star or higher toilet.
✅ Provide the photos and tax invoice you’ll need to claim your rebate.

This is a limited-time offer, so don’t miss your chance to upgrade, save water and reduce your water bills.

📞 Contact Historic Plumbing today to arrange a quote or eligibility check.

By switching to a waterwise toilet, you can cut your toilet’s water use by more than half and save more on your bill. Apply for the Waterwise Toilet Rebate here.

29/05/2026

Another energy-efficient upgrade completed today by the team at Historic Plumbing!

We replaced a tired old gas-boosted solar hot water system with a new iStore heat pump, giving the homeowner a more efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly hot water solution.

Heat pump technology can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to traditional hot water systems, helping homeowners lower their power bills while enjoying consistent hot water year-round.

If your existing hot water system is showing its age, talk to our team about the latest energy-efficient replacement options available.

📞 Contact Historic Plumbing for expert advice and professional installation.

05/04/2026

There’s something special about working on old homes… you never know what history is hiding beneath the surface.

While carrying out work, we uncovered this incredible find — a George III penny dating back to pre-1820.

That means this coin is older than Western Australia itself.

Moments like this are why we love what we do. It’s not just plumbing — it’s preserving and uncovering pieces of the past while keeping these old buildings functioning for the future.

History runs deeper than the pipes.

25/03/2026

🌳🚫 Tree Roots vs Old Clay Drains 🚫🌳

This video shows us removing a section of old clay sewer pipe completely full of tree roots. Over time the joints in these older drains open slightly, letting roots sneak in looking for moisture. Once they’re in, they grow quickly and eventually block the pipe entirely.

We often hear people say they’ve tried drain cleaners, draino, hot water, or bicarbonate soda to fix a blocked drain like this. Unfortunately when roots are involved, those things simply can’t solve the problem.

Chemicals might temporarily clear a small path, but the root mass remains in the pipe, meaning the blockage will return again and again.

🔧 The only proper long-term repair is exactly what you see here:
• Locate the affected section
• Excavate the damaged clay pipe
• Remove the root-infested section
• Install new pipe so the problem is fixed properly

No temporary fixes. No repeat call-outs. Just a drain that works the way it should.

If you’re constantly dealing with recurring blocked drains, there’s usually an underlying cause — and we specialise in finding it and fixing it for good.

📩 Send us a message if your drains keep blocking and we’ll help make it history.

24/03/2026

Out in a diesel workshop this week setting up a clean, practical handwash station 💧

This install was all about durability and function:
✔️ Stainless steel basin for tough environments
✔️ Neat copper run with isolation for easy servicing
✔️ Simple, reliable setup that’ll handle daily grime without fuss

In workshops like this, it’s not just about having a sink — it’s about having something that actually works day in, day out without becoming a problem.

Clean hands, compliant setup, and built to last 👊

16/03/2026

🚨 Burst Flexi Hose = Instant Flood Risk 🚨

This flexible hose burst today. No warning, no slow leak — just a sudden failure.

Old braided flexi hoses like this often corrode from the inside out. The stainless braid may look fine, but the rubber lining inside deteriorates over time until it finally splits under pressure. When that happens, it can release hundreds of litres of water per hour, flooding a home in minutes. 💧💥

⚠️ What many homeowners don’t realise:
• Many insurers won’t cover water damage if flexi hoses are over 5 years old
• Claims may also be declined if water pressure exceeds 500kPa
• Most failures happen without warning under sinks, vanities, and behind toilets

This is why these small hoses are one of the most common causes of major household flooding.

🔧 The good news: it’s an easy preventative fix.

If your home’s flexi hoses are older than 5 years, it’s worth having them checked or replaced before they fail like this one did.

📩 Message us to book a quick inspection or replacement — a small job now can prevent a massive water damage claim later.

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09/03/2026

Most plumbers clear the blockage… trim the tree roots… and leave just enough behind to guarantee they’ll be back again.

At Historic Plumbing, we do things differently.

When we clear a drain, we don’t just treat the symptom — we find the cause. Using CCTV inspections and proper diagnosis, we locate exactly where the roots are getting in and why.

Then we give our customers the option for a permanent repair, so the problem doesn’t keep coming back.

Because the goal isn’t repeat call-outs…
It’s making your drain blockage History.

🎥 In this video: pulling a massive root ball from a sewer inspection opening — and tracking down where it came from.

06/03/2026

🔧 Built for the trade, designed to last.

This custom foot-activated hand wash station was designed and installed specifically for a bricklaying training workshop — giving students a completely hands-free way to wash up after a hard session on the tools.

Using foot-operated valves, users can control the water without touching taps, helping keep things cleaner in a busy training environment. We also installed a TMV (thermostatic mixing valve) to ensure a safe, perfectly tempered water temperature every time.

From the neatly run copper pipework to the purpose-built layout, this installation is all about durability, hygiene, and craftsmanship.

Sometimes the best plumbing is the work you don’t think about — it just works exactly how it should. 👌

17/02/2026

Today’s completely normal finds on a historic building site 🏚️

While doing plumbing… we apparently uncovered:

🚪 An old solid doorknob
🥄 Two very seasoned spoons
🍴 A fork that’s definitely eaten tougher meals than I have
⚾ A random marble
💥 And a handful of old bullet casings

Because nothing says “heritage renovation” like discovering someone’s dinner cutlery and target practice leftovers in the same patch of dirt.

The only real danger now?

Forgetting all of this is in my pockets and sending:
• A doorknob
• Antique cutlery
• Actual bullet casings

Through the washing machine tonight.

That spin cycle is about to sound like a saloon in 1895 🤠💀