Watsons Bay's Historic Fishermen's Cottages Hide a Century of Old Plumbing

One of the beautiful and historic things you will find at the fronts of the Watson’s Bay foreshore is the magnificent vintage weatherboard and sandstone cottages. These are heritage structures from an 1850’s fishing village and as you can imagine, they are very expensive.

These cottages are very much solid for the years they have been there. Many of the roofs, walls and foundation are still intact. But one thing has deteriorated over time; the underground pipework of these cottages. And that is expected, not just because of the age of the structures but for the effect of salt air, tree roots intrusion and shifting soils.

What you have today as Watsons Bay was originally referred to as Kutti by the Aboriginal people of Cadigal. It was predominantly a fishing village and over time it became an important maritime hub that hosted the first ever European landfall in Sydney Harbour in 1788.

Watsons Bay today has a population of over 850 people but it had no more than 36 inhabitants in 1828 and 122 in 1841. As time went on, more people settled and in the 1850s subdivision started. Consequently, 141 plots were auctioned in 1855 and 86 which gave rise to the majority of the Watson Bay village we have today.

With growing access, an aesthetic harbourfront and a limited space, the village gradually became one of Sydney’s most wanted and expensive neighbourhoods. Wealthy people lived in big marine villas while fishermen, tradesmen and harbour pilots lived in modest cottages across the village.

Today, these cottages are sold for millions of dollars at limited offers. The once simple fishermen cottages have become expensive structures that only the wealthy can afford.

These cottages are beautiful, historic, and built to last. They have stood the test of time and made it for over a century. But while we appreciate the visible structures, we should also consider the hidden plumbing systems of these cottages that have been buried underground and in the walls for all these decades.

Finding some of the pipes still functional after all these years is a testament to their original construction. However, no plumbing system is made to last that long, not buried underground or behind walls.

The Age Problem Beneath the Charm

There is no doubt that over the decades, there have been a series of replumbing activities in these cottages. However, you could still find pipes that haven’t been touched. You will mostly find pipes that have been patched at one point.

You will find galvanized steel pipes that were used in the early to mid twentieth century or copper from post after-war renovations. You could also find modern PEX or copper from recent fixings. These materials have different characteristics that make them suitable or obsolete for plumbing systems which has led to the use of better materials today.

For example, galvanised steel is corrosion resistant but not for too long. They have a lifespan of 40 to 70 years. So for a structure that has been there for decades, the cottages at Watson Bay still running on galvanised steel are likely weak and prone to leaks.

Rust builds up in the pipes over time, starting from the inside out. As rust builds up, the bore of the pipe gets narrower and the walls get weak. This leads to reduced water pressure, contaminated water and unexpected leaks or pipe bursts.

Copper on the other hand lasts a bit longer than galvanised steel with a lifespan of 50 to 70 years . However, it has a problem of developing tiny leaks over time. This is even more likely to happen in areas with salt air as the harbourside suburb where these cottages are located. These tiny leaks can remain unhidden for years while wasting water and gradually causing damage to the floors and walls.

Why Salt Air Makes It Worse

Watson Bay is bounded by water bodies on three sides. There is the sheltered harbour bay to the west, the open ocean and the cliffs of The Gap to the east. These water bodies give rise to salt air which is very detrimental to plumbing systems.

Salt air increases corrosion of pipes, fittings,taps and valves as well as hot water system components. With the presence of salt air around these cottages, the plumbing systems of these historic structures are bound to be compromised. Metal pipes corrode faster, resulting in leaks and water contamination.

As such, there is a need for routine inspections and prompt replacement of pipes fittings and hot water systems in Watson Bay, more than there is inland. It would be a shame to live in such an expensive and historic house and suffer water problems owing to plumbing system failures.

The Heritage Renovation Blind Spot

For what these heritage cottages are worth, they are frequently renovated to maintain its original structure and lavish outlook. Thousands if not millions of dollars are spent annually on these renovations, yet there remains an important part of these structures that is always neglected.

These renovations mostly focus on the visible parts of the house like the roof and the walls. This leaves out the unseen parts of the house like underground and in-wall plumbing systems. This leaves buried supply pipes untouched and deteriorating for years.

When a homeowner moves into one of these cottages, they may decide to renovate the bathroom and kitchen to give it a better look. They might install new jacuzzis, shower heads, water cistern, heating systems and sinks. But they will probably not bother to look at the supply pipes as long as they have water supply.

If their home still runs on the early twentieth century galvanised pipes hidden underground or behind walls, it is only a matter of time before plumbing issues arise. The toilet or bathroom will have an updated look but a burst pipe problem still lurks around.

It is important that as you renovate your heritage Watson Bay cottage, you pay attention to the plumbing system. It is cheaper while the floors and walls are still under construction. This is because you avoid extra costs on digging out pipes and tearing down your walls which can be quite disruptive.

Think about the cost and disappointment of installing new bathroom and kitchen systems only to have an underground pipe burst a few weeks after. That might mean tearing down your newly tiled walls and floor.

Heritage Constraints on Repairs

Heritage protection provisions apply to many of the historic cottages in Watsons Bay according to the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan. Such provisions are important in the preservation of the unique character of Watsons Bay. As such, there are certain restrictions to plumbing repair, maintenance, and pipe replacement projects. The impact of any works on the external look of the structure as well as the use of original materials of a listed building should be considered during any project.

The older houses at Watsons Bay have unique building materials, designs, and styles that are not easily found in the modern day constructions. Therefore, for plumbing work to be carried out in such a house, it has to be done by professionals who will ensure that the solution to the plumbing problem does not compromise the historical value of the property.

Only an experienced plumber who is familiar with the historical environment of the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney and Watsons Bay will know how to proceed with such work. Be it fixing of old pipes, sealing hidden leaks, or improving plumbing facilities, the plumber should know how to work without altering the historic structure of these famous waterfront homes.

This presents a restraint in the inspection and repairs of plumbing systems in these heritage cottages as there aren’t many plumbers around with this expertise.

Warning Signs in an Old Cottage

There are warning signs that draw your attention to aging pipes and if you’re observant enough, you might just avert an emergency plumbing situation. For people in Watsons Bay home, you should watch out for a gradual fall in water pressure especially on the hot side.

Also look out for rusty or discoloured water, especially early in the morning. Discoloured water is usually a sign of internally corroded galvanised pipe. You can also look out for metal particles in your water, especially from the kitchen sink .

Another sign of a failing plumbing system is damp patches on the wall or ceiling. A damp patch means that there is a hidden leak somewhere. If the leak has been there for a while, you might notice algae growth around the patches.

You might also perceive musty smell or hear the sound of running water even when the taps are off. All these point to a hidden leak in your walls, ceiling or floor

If you notice any of these signs in your heritage cottage, it is about time you brought in professional plumbers to take a lot at your plumbing systems and fix any leaks before it becomes a major issue.

When It Bursts

Pipes can burst anytime. It can be as a result of an old or weak pipe or a sudden external pressure to the pipe. Either way, it is an unpleasant incident that you don’t want to deal with.

A burst pipe in your heritage cottage can cause serious damage to your expensive floorboards, lath and plaster walls as well as luxury finishes. All these will cost you a lot to repair and you don’t want to go through the stress it comes with.

So in the event of a burst pipe in your heritage cottage, the first thing to do is to turn off the water supply from the main valve. This might be difficult if your shut-off valve hasn’t been used in a while and is now stiff due to rust. It’s always good to check it from time to time to see that it works just fine in case of an emergency.

Next you should contact the closest emergency plumber with experience in fixing heritage homes. Speed is important in heritage cottages as delays will lead to damage to floors, walls, compromising the integrity of the structure.

For fast, reliable and experienced plumbing services across the Eastern Suburbs, contact Plumber Sydney on our emergency contact

• 1300 026 452

We are available 24/7 for all plumbing services. Our plumbers are well-trained and experienced in heritage home repairs.