Plumber quotes for leaks, geysers and drains
Leaks, geyser replacements, blocked drains, new bathrooms and water pressure problems. Tell us what's wrong and up to 3 plumbers quote.
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Plumbers that work in your area contact you with a price.
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Weigh up price, timing and what's included. Accept the one that suits you, or none.
PIRB registration
The Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) registers plumbers in South Africa according to their qualifications and experience. Only a PIRB Licensed or Master plumber can issue a PIRB plumbing certificate of compliance, which confirms that work such as water supply, drainage and hot water installations meets the national standards (SANS 10252 and SANS 10254).
PIRB certificates are self-certified by the plumber, and PIRB audits a sample of them. A registered plumber who certifies non-compliant work risks losing their registration, which gives you some protection.
Geysers
A burst geyser is the plumbing emergency most South African homes eventually face. Signs it's on its way: water dripping from the overflow pipe outside, rust-coloured hot water, rumbling noises, or damp patches on the ceiling under the geyser.
The rules on geyser certificates changed when SANS 10254 was amended on 24 June 2022: according to PIRB, no national standard, regulation or act now requires a certificate of compliance for installing or repairing an electric geyser. But some municipalities still require one under their by-laws, and insurers will want to know a replacement was done properly. Use a PIRB-registered plumber, and ask what your municipality requires.
Insurance claims
If your geyser bursts, switch off the geyser's electricity at the DB board and close the water supply, then call your insurer before the plumber starts work. Many insurers have approved plumbers or need a report and photos of the old geyser.
Leaks you can't see
A high water bill or a meter that keeps turning when every tap is closed usually means a hidden leak. Leak detection specialists use pressure testing, acoustic listening equipment and thermal imaging to find leaks in walls, under floors and in the garden, without breaking everything open first.
To check yourself: close every tap and make sure nothing is using water, then read the meter, wait an hour, and read it again. If it has moved, you have a leak somewhere.
Blocked drains
Kitchen drains block with fat and food; bathroom drains with hair and soap. Outside, tree roots that grow into old clay pipes are a common cause of repeated blockages. Plumbers clear blockages with drain rods or high-pressure water jetting, and a camera inspection shows what's inside the pipe when a drain keeps blocking.
What plumbing costs
Expect a call-out fee of roughly **R350 to R750** in normal hours and labour of **R350 to R850 per hour**. Replacing a 150 litre electric geyser usually lands between **R6,000 and R13,000** all in, while clearing a simple blocked drain is often under R2,000 unless jetting or a camera is needed.
- Call-out fee, normal working hours
- R350–R750 per visit
- Labour rate, standard hours
- R350–R850 per hour
- Electric geyser replacement, 150 litre, installed
- R6,000–R13,000 per project
- Blocked drain clearing
- R450–R2,750 per job
See the full plumbing cost guideGet exact prices
Estimates only, last checked 28 October 2026. Get quotes for an accurate price for your job.
Before you hire: a plumbing checklist
Plumbing is one of the few trades where registration can be checked, so start there.
Check PIRB registration
Ask for the plumber's PIRB registration number and category. Only Licensed and Master plumbers can issue PIRB certificates of compliance.
Ask about certificates for your municipality
Ask whether your municipality requires a plumbing certificate of compliance for the work, especially for geysers and new installations.
Get call-out and hourly rates up front
Emergency and after-hours call-outs cost more. Ask for the call-out fee, the hourly rate and how parts are charged before work starts.
Ask for the old parts back
For replacements, especially geysers, ask to see the old part. Your insurer may want photos of it.
For geyser claims, talk to your insurer first
Many insurers have approved plumbers or specific requirements. Check before work starts so your claim isn't affected.
Ask what's guaranteed
Ask how long the workmanship and parts are guaranteed, and get it in writing.
Where these rules come from
- Update on CoCs for electric geysers, Plumbing Industry Registration Board
- Selecting the right CoC for you, Institute of Plumbing South Africa
Before you request quotes
The questions people ask us most.
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No. Compare the quotes, ask questions, and accept one if it suits you. If none do, you don't have to go ahead.
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More than 200 registered service providers quote through our network. Compare quotes carefully, ask for references and photos of past work, and use the checklist on each service page before you hire.
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The plumbers who quote on your job contact you directly by phone or email.
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You don't have to accept any of them. If the prices are all higher than you expected, ask each provider what's driving the cost. The answers often show what the job really needs.
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We handle your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and share it only with the providers quoting on your job, up to 3 of them. Our privacy policy explains what we collect and your rights.
Plumbing questions, answered
Who can issue a plumbing certificate of compliance?
A PIRB-registered plumber in the Licensed or Master category. The certificate confirms the work meets the relevant national standards.
Do I need a certificate of compliance for a new geyser?
According to PIRB, since SANS 10254 changed on 24 June 2022, no national standard requires one for an electric geyser installation or repair. Some municipalities still require one under their by-laws, so ask your plumber, and check what your insurer needs.
What should I do if my geyser bursts?
Switch off the geyser's power at the DB board, close the water supply, and call your insurer before the plumber starts, to check their requirements.
How do I know if I have a hidden leak?
Close every tap, read your water meter, wait an hour without using water, and read it again. If it has moved, there's a leak. A leak detection specialist can find it.
Why does my drain keep blocking?
Repeated blockages often mean a problem in the pipe itself, such as tree roots in an old clay pipe or a collapsed section. A camera inspection shows what's going on.
Why is my water pressure low?
Common causes are a faulty pressure-reducing valve, a partly closed valve, scale in old pipes, or a leak. A plumber can test the pressure and trace the cause.
Related services
- Bathroom RenovationsFull bathroom refits and upgrades: plumbing, waterproofing, tiling and fittings.
- Solar GeysersSolar water heating systems and conversions of existing electric geysers.
- Heat PumpsHeat pumps for hot water and pool heating that use far less electricity than a geyser element.
- Waterproofing and Damp ProofingRoof waterproofing, rising damp treatment and fixes for leaks and damp walls.
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