What this covers
A plumber is a professional who installs and repairs water supply, drainage and sanitary fittings in houses, apartments and rental properties. The work covers taps, cisterns, shower trays, water heaters, traps, buried pipework and leak detection. In many older Madeiran buildings the original pipework means replacing a whole run rather than patching the single point that leaks.
What people ask for most
- Repair a leaking pipe
- Clear a blocked kitchen drain
- Replace a tap or mixer
- Install or repair a water heater
- Change the mechanism in a cistern
- Fit a shower tray and trap
- Trace damp coming through a wall
- Connect a washing machine to the supply
Timing and emergencies
With water running, close the main stopcock first and look for help afterwards. If the water is near sockets or the consumer unit, switch the electricity off in that area as well. Letting it run while you wait turns a small repair into damp walls, ruined flooring and a claim from the flat below.
How to choose well
- Ask how they locate a hidden leak before opening up a wall
- Confirm whether the price includes call-out, parts and making the plaster good
- Agree in chat who buys the fittings, you or the professional
- Ask for photos of the finished pipework before it is closed up
How it works on HomeFix
- Post your taskDescribe what you need, where and when. Takes under a minute.
- Receive offersProfessionals in your area reply with price and availability.
- Choose your professionalCompare profiles, reviews, work photos and ratings.
- Agree directlyTalk in chat or by phone and settle the details between you.
- Job donePay the professional directly and leave your review.
This service across the island
Pick a municipality to see what is most in demand there.
FunchalCâmara de LobosMachicoSanta CruzCaniçoSantanaRibeira BravaPonta do SolCalhetaSão VicentePorto Moniz
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a plumber in my part of Madeira?
Post the job in HomeFix with a description of the fault and the parish you live in. Plumbers covering that area send offers and you arrange everything with them in chat. There is no commission and nobody in between.
How is the price for plumbing work agreed?
You and the plumber agree it directly before the work starts. With a hidden fault it is common to agree the diagnosis first and the repair price afterwards, once it is clear what is broken. Payment goes straight from you to the professional.
Where is the main water shut-off valve in my home?
It is usually next to the meter, in a box by the entrance, under the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. Find it before you need it and check that it still turns. In an apartment building, also learn where the main valve for the block is.
Is it worth replacing old pipework all at once?
It depends on the condition of the system and how often you have already repaired it. When leaks keep appearing at different points, replacing the whole run usually works out better than patching each time. Ask the plumber to explain both options before you decide.