The Project
We were engaged by a local builder working on a significant renovation and extension of a heritage home in Northcote. The homeowners were extending the rear of the property to add a new open-plan kitchen, bathroom, and laundry space. As with many heritage homes in Melbourne’s Inner North, the original plumbing was outdated and not designed to accommodate modern appliances or water usage demands.
One of the main challenges with heritage properties is integrating new plumbing systems without damaging or interfering with the original structure. The walls and foundations often have limitations, and extra care is needed to preserve period features while still meeting today’s building codes and compliance requirements. Our job was to complete a full plumbing rough-in for the new extension—laying the groundwork for water supply, drainage, and gas connections that would eventually service all the new fittings.
The Solution
Our licensed team started with a detailed site inspection, working closely with the builder and other trades to ensure our rough-in would align perfectly with the architectural plans and final fit-off locations. We carefully mapped out where each water and gas line would run, ensuring minimal disruption to the existing structure while providing optimal performance for the new wet areas.
We installed all new hot and cold water lines, connected the sewer and stormwater systems, and ran new gas piping for the kitchen appliances and hot water service. To maintain the integrity of the heritage property, we used flexible installation methods that avoided cutting into older brickwork or timber unnecessarily.
The rough-in was completed to code, pressure-tested, and approved for the next construction phase. Once the internal finishes are in place, we’ll return for the final fit-off of tapware, appliances, and fixtures.
Whether you’re renovating, extending, or upgrading a heritage home, ProtoPlumb brings experience, precision, and care to every project. We work seamlessly with builders and homeowners to deliver plumbing solutions that stand the test of time.
Call us today on0432 906 360 for expert plumbing in Northcote and surrounding suburbs.
