You can’t police product quality – but you can police installation says the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board who are warning people to check the credentials of tradespeople.

Current discussion around the use of non-standard poor quality plumbing products highlights the need for consumers to ensure that those performing plumbing work are properly authorised.

It is important to know that work undertaken by unlicensed people, not only risks health and safety but may also invalidate insurance policies.

The Board’s Chief Executive, Martin Sawyers said; “One of the ways the public can ensure that the plumbing products being installed meet the New Zealand Standards is to check that the plumber is licensed. Licensed plumbers have an

obligation to only install products that meet the standards required by the Building Code.”

“Unfortunately there are a number of people offering plumbing services who are untrained and unlicensed. Those people are not trained and will not have any scruples in installing products that are not of the required standard”, said Martin.

The PGDB’s public awareness campaign efforts are endorsed by the New Zealand Insurance Council who warns "The use of unregistered and unqualified persons to do sanitary plumbing, gasfitting or drainage work on an insured property may invalidate the property’s insurance cover in the event of a loss resulting from the work undertaken."

Sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand, and it is illegal to do this restricted work unless authorised by the PGDB. The PGDB is the statutory body which regulates the trades to ensure those providing the services are competent and safe.

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To stay safe and avoid any risk take one simple action - ask  for a tradespersons authorisation card issued by the PGDB – they are required to produce it.  Ariel Plumbing and Gasfitting are certifying gasfitters, and you can ask for our card.