At this stage, the leaks appear to mostly affect residential homes built by certain builders in WA in 2019 or 2020, containing Pro-fit pipes manufactured by Iplex Australia between mid-2017 to mid-2022.

In the first instance, if you have concerns about your plumbing pipes, contact your builder.

If you are renting the property, please contact your landlord or property manager.

The experience is different for each home, but leaks from burst plumbing pipes can be detected visually (with water staining appearing on walls, ceilings and floors) or from the sound of water leaking. In some cases you may notice an unexplained increase in your water use on your bill.

The leaks identified so far are principally from Pro-fit pipes manufactured by Iplex Australia between mid-2017 to mid-2022.

Builders are not required to replace all of the polybutylene plumbing pipe, but this may change depending on the findings of the investigation.

Building and Energy’s investigation is focused on determining whether this is a product manufacturing issue, substandard workmanship at the time of installation, or a combination of both. The investigation is also examining whether climatic or other conditions in Western Australia are contributing factors. 

Anyone who has experienced a burst pipe within six years of the practical completion of their home should contact their builder in the first instance.

We understand builders are addressing the issue but if the builder is non-responsive you should consider lodging a building service complaint with Building and Energy. Information, including an explanatory video, on the dispute resolution process is available here.

Building and Energy will continue to progress the investigation and any updates will be published on the webpage.

Building and Energy – 1300 489 099