Repairing pipes in heritage listed buildings

Heritage listed properties and character homes capture a moment in time. Their ‘listed’ status helps maintain the style and design of a particular era, preserving a piece of history.

If you own or manage a heritage listed building, it’s up to you to make sure any changes are within the regulations of your council, and that you’re doing everything possible to uphold the stylistic integrity of the property.

Properties on heritage lists are unique, and if you’ve ever restored, renovated or repaired one you’ll know they can be more challenging and expensive than non-listed properties.

Here are some of the things you need to know before you make any modifications.

What are the different types of heritage classification?

Across Australia there are local, state or territory, national, and world listings. Each council has their own regulations and requirements, but generally there are two kinds of categories that mean you’ll need to be cautious before making changes.

Heritage listed properties

If your property is heritage listed, there are usually very specific requirements to follow for making repairs or renovating. In most cases, if a building is state listed there will be stricter regulations than if it’s locally listed. You’ll need to liaise with your council to get approval on any changes.

Heritage or character conservation areas

If your property is in a heritage conservation area, the main consideration you’ll likely need to make is if your changes will impact the streetscape.

What are the rules for renovating heritage listed homes?

Before you start drawing up plans for your renovation or repairs, there are a few things to consider. A heritage advisor can also help you work through all of the rules and regulations for your specific property.

Apply with your council for approval of changes

Check in with your local council for guidance on any applications you’ll need to make and the process for working with them.

Preserve your property’s heritage features

If there are specific heritage features in your home, these will need to be preserved. If they are damaged and need repairing, it’s important that the details are restored to match.

Choose heritage colour schemes

Many heritage listed properties have designated colours to choose from for the external facings. Your local council or heritage advisor can help you with guidance on the colours you can choose from.

How pipe relining helps historic building restoration

The beauty of pipe relining is that you don’t need to dig up any pavers or knock down any walls to fix your broken pipes. For heritage listed buildings, this is a game changer, because you don’t need damage your property’s heritage features – which would take time and money to replicate and restore.

At Nuflow, we use high-definition CCTV drain cameras to find the exact location of the problem. Following a drain inspection, we use our patented pipe relining technology to repair the broken pipes from the inside.

We pull the pipe relining solution into place using ropes and your existing access points – so no digging is needed. If you have a heritage listed home, this could save you thousands as you won’t need to destroy and rebuild parts of your property.

Our pipe relining technicians have helped repair pipes in many heritage listed properties, including the nationally listed Old Parliament House. See how we did it.

Fix it for good with Nuflow

If you’re experiencing plumbing problems in your heritage listed property, Nuflow can get it sorted without excavating or demolishing . Our teams across Australia and New Zealand are here and ready to help. Contact your local Nuflow team to find out more about non-disruptive pipe repairs for your heritage listed property today.

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Northland residents and businesses will now have access to innovative pipe re-lining solutions that change the game in pipe repair. Nuflow, New Zealand’s leading pipe relining company, is expanding its operations with a new franchise launching in the Northland region. This expansion brings their "pipe within a pipe" technology to address the area's aging infrastructure challenges. Zane Britton, owner of the newly established Nuflow Northland franchise, brings extensive industry experience and a vision for delivering advanced pipe rehabilitation solutions to the region. "After following Nuflow's developments through industry conferences and seeing their strong market presence, I was drawn to their comprehensive range of techniques and products," says Zane. "The technology offers superior solutions for Northland's unique challenges, particularly addressing years of poor installations that have left their mark on local infrastructure." The franchise will offer Nuflow's complete suite of pipe rehabilitation services, including their well-known and well-regarded trenchless technology that minimises disruption while maximising efficiency. This no-dig approach is particularly valuable for Northland's aging pipe network, offering a modern solution to traditional plumbing problems. Zane emphasises the practical benefits of Nuflow's technology for the region: "With the significant number of aging pipes in Northland, our technology provides a cost-effective solution with reduced health and safety risks. The niche market opportunities here align perfectly with Nuflow's capabilities." The new franchise aims to service all sectors in the region, from residential to commercial and industrial clients. "Every sector can benefit from these solutions," Zane notes, "our goal is to keep delivering quality results while also training new apprentices to support the industry's future." When asked about the support received from Nuflow, Zane praised the comprehensive training program: "The support and training have been excellent, providing us with everything needed to deliver these specialised services effectively." With Nuflow’s trusted materials and up to 50-year product warranty backing their services, Northland residents and businesses can now access state-of-the-art pipe relining solutions that promise to address their infrastructure needs efficiently and effectively. Looking ahead, Zane has clear objectives: "Our vision is to continue growing while maintaining high-quality service delivery and contributing to the industry's development through apprenticeship opportunities." As Nuflow Northland commences operations, local property owners and businesses can look forward to accessing innovative pipe rehabilitation solutions that offer an alternative to traditional repair methods, backed by proven technology and comprehensive support.

Northland residents and businesses will now have access to innovative pipe re-lining solutions that change the