Plumbing problems rarely wait for a convenient moment. A slow leak under a sink, a toilet that keeps running or a water heater that gives up can cause real damage in a house that stands empty for weeks. If you live abroad, the hardest part is often just finding a plumber who will come.
We take care of that. You tell us what is wrong, ideally with a photo or a short video, and we send a plumber from our network. For bigger jobs we coordinate the plumber with the tiler, electrician and other trades.
What we do
- Small repairs. Dripping taps, running toilets, blocked or leaking siphons, replacing flexible hoses and shut-off valves.
- Fittings. Installing or replacing taps, basins, toilets, shower sets and kitchen sink connections.
- Water heaters. Replacing electric water heaters (boilers) and dealing with limescale build-up.
- New pipework. Supply and waste pipes for a new or renovated bathroom or kitchen.
- Leaks. Finding and repairing leaks in accessible pipes, and opening and closing walls where needed.
- Sealing. Renewing silicone joints around baths, showers and basins.
Typical problems in Istrian houses
Older houses often have a mix of old galvanised steel and newer plastic pipes, joined over the years by different hands. Water in much of Istria is hard, so limescale builds up in heaters, taps and shower heads. Many rural houses are not connected to a public sewer and use a septic tank. Our guide to plumbing problems in old Istrian houses explains these in more detail.
If the house stays empty in winter, how you close it matters. Inland, around Motovun/Montona, Buzet or Grožnjan/Grisignana, frost can burst pipes that are left full. On the coast, a small leak can run for weeks before anyone notices. See looking after a holiday home between seasons.
How it works if you are abroad
Send us photos or a video of the problem on WhatsApp. For small repairs we can often tell you what is likely wrong and give a rough price range straight away. If we have your keys, the plumber can go in without you and you get photos of the repair. For larger jobs you get a written quote with VAT included after a site visit.
What affects the price
For repairs, the price depends mostly on the time needed and the parts. For new pipework it depends on the number of connection points, the distance from existing pipes, whether walls and floors must be opened, and how much tiling has to be redone afterwards. A bathroom with new plumbing is usually best planned as one job, see bathroom renovation, or use the renovation cost calculator for a first idea.
Plumbers from our network work across Istria, including Pula/Pola, Medulin, Rovinj/Rovigno, Poreč/Parenzo, Novigrad, Umag and Labin.
Send us a photo or short video of the problem on WhatsApp. We will tell you what we think it is and how quickly a plumber can come.
Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber come when I am not in Istria?
Yes, if keys are available, either with us, a neighbour or a key box. You get photos of the problem and the repair on WhatsApp.
Do you handle urgent leaks?
We do our best to send someone quickly, but availability depends on the day and the season. Closing the main valve first limits the damage.
My shower and taps are full of limescale. What can be done?
Aerators and shower heads can be cleaned or replaced, and water heaters descaled or replaced. For a longer-term solution, a plumber can advise whether a water softener or filter makes sense.
Can you check a septic tank?
Emptying septic tanks is done by specialised services. We can help you find out how your house is connected and organise repairs to the pipes leading to it.
Guides on this topic
Plumbing problems in old Istrian houses: what to check
Old pipes, hard water, septic tanks and tired water heaters: the plumbing issues foreign owners most often find in older Istrian houses, and sensible fixes.
Holiday Home Maintenance in Istria Between Seasons
How to close your Istrian holiday home in autumn, protect it through winter storms and damp, and open it again in spring without nasty surprises.
Bathroom Renovation for a Holiday Home or Rental in Istria
Planning a bathroom in an Istrian holiday home or rental that survives hard water, humid summers and many guests: materials, waterproofing, ventilation.