The quick simple answer is Yes. You as the homeowner can work on your own plumbing system, but there will be some guidelines and regulations to follow that may be specific to your municipality. Depending on what type of work you plan on doing there will likely be permits to pull from the city and possibly a required inspection from the city as well. Also, if you are thinking “can a homeowner pull their own plumbing permit – yes you can pull your own permit.
You may not be permitted to do your own plumbing work for a few understandable reasons:
- Your name is not on the title of the property.
- You reside in a unit of a shared building such as an apartment or condo building where the work may affect other units and other owners. In this case a licensed contractor must be hired to do the work.
- You do not reside in the home that you own. You cannot work on plumbing in a home that is a rental property without specific permission from the owner.
- When the work involves altering or extending the pipes of a gas line or system. Regulation requires that a certified gas fitter be hired for these jobs.
Should you do your own plumbing work? That depends on a few factors. All plumbing work done – whether or not it needs a permit – must meet the current requirements of the National Plumbing Code of Canada and the Safety Codes Act of Alberta. Anytime you are constructing, extending or altering the plumbing system or replacing water and sewer lines, a permit will most definitely be required. Understanding the permit application process and requirements is useful as they all have fees attached and they are usually non-refundable. Some projects may additionally require detailed drawings before a permit is approved. And finally once the permitted work is complete or perhaps is not complete due to a complication, an inspection from a City appointed Safety Code Inspector will be required. If the work is deemed unsatisfactory or non-compliant a fine may be levied, new permits may be required, a certified plumber may need to be hired, and then another inspection will follow. And mistakes will cost more time and money.
But now for the good news! Not all plumbing requires a permit. Some work is classified as routine maintenance by most municipalities. This may include replacing a toilet, changing out faucets or fixtures, repairing a leak somewhere in the piping system, or clearing out a blockage in the drain pipes. Also a permit is not necessarily required for simple hot water tank installations or replacements if the type of water heater is not being changed and the size and design of the venting system remains the same.
In summary, if you still want to tackle your plumbing issues on your own just remember it is important to follow the permitting process and critical that you do not perform work without a permit when it is required by your municipality or the plumbing codes. Non-compliant repairs and installs could actually affect the resale value of your home if a potential buyer is deterred by unapproved plumbing work. Additionally you may only pull a permit for yourself when you own the home, reside in the home, and you are doing the work yourself. You may not apply for permits for another individual or company. So if you feel knowledgeable and competent in your skills, then happy plumbing! And don’t forget that the Calgary plumbing services provided by Harper’s Plumbing team are just a phone call away to assist whenever needed.
