Unlicensed plumber ends up in hot water

John Playter was fined $2750. Photo / NZ Herald.

An unauthorised plumber has landed himself in hot water after a botched job that left his client without any and flooded her home.

John Playter was fined $2750 in the Greymouth District Court for the failed sanitary plumbing work he did at the home in Punakaiki on the West Coast.

Playter was not authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board - as required by law - to replace a hot-water cylinder with an instantaneous gas water heater at the home in 2009.

The water pipes Playter installed were under strain and he also did not put the correct joints in the pipes.

As a result, the pipes burst and flooded the property. As well, the gas water heater did not function properly, and the homeowner did not have hot water running at her premises for a "prolonged period of time", the court heard.

The owner had to get a licensed plumber and gasfitter to repair Playter's work.

The incident has prompted a warning from the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board to homeowners to use only authorised and competent tradespeople.

"There are serious health and safety risks associated with sanitary plumbing carried out by an unauthorised person," said the board's deputy registrar, Kern U'ren.

"Any defective plumbing work has the potential to cause disease and serious damage to the home and in this case, the poor workmanship led to flooding."

Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries, and it is illegal for anyone to do this work unless authorised by the board.

"All authorised tradespeople are required to carry their current authorisation card," Mr U'ren said.

"We urge consumers to ask tradespeople for this card before any work commences so that they can be assured that the work is being done by an authorised and competent tradesperson."