A plumber handles leaks, blocked drains, appliance and toilet installation, and all pipework during renovations. In Sweden, fixed plumbing in wet rooms must follow industry rules, and skipping that can void your insurance after water damage. Here is what they do, what you can do yourself, and what to do when it is urgent.
What a plumber does
Common small jobs
- Leaking taps and mixers, replacing washers
- Blocked drains in sinks, showers and toilets
- Replacing toilets, basins and mixers
- Installing dishwashers and washing machines
- Replacing the trap and waste pipe under a sink
- Clearing floor drains
Larger work
- Replacing pipework in an apartment or house
- Radiators and underfloor heating
- All plumbing during bathroom and kitchen renovations
- Installing a hot water heater
- Running water to a new location, such as a kitchen island
What to do in a water leak emergency
The order matters, and the first few minutes decide how bad the damage gets.
- Shut off the water at the main stopcock. Find out where it is before you need it.
- Cut the power if water is near electrics or sockets.
- Mop up and move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
- Photograph everything before you clean up, that is your evidence for the insurer.
- Call an emergency plumber, and call your insurance company.
If you live in an apartment, also alert the property owner or the housing association. A leak spreads quickly to neighbours below, and if it came from your installation, that becomes your responsibility.
Why wet-room work needs a certified firm
Fixed plumbing in wet rooms must follow the Säker Vatteninstallation industry rules, and waterproofing must follow the applicable wet-room standards. An authorised plumbing firm issues a certificate for the work.
This is not paperwork for its own sake. If the rules are not followed, your insurer can reduce or refuse compensation after water damage. A bathroom water-damage claim often runs to hundreds of thousands of kronor, and that bill becomes yours.
Check the company in the register at Säker Vatten before hiring, and ask for the certificate when the work is finished. Keep it — you need it both for insurance claims and when you eventually sell.
What can you do yourself?
Fine to do yourself:
- Replacing a washer in a tap
- Clearing the trap under the sink
- Changing a shower hose or head
- Clearing the floor drain
- Replacing silicone sealant cosmetically
Leave to a professional:
- Any work on fixed pipes and connections
- Anything touching wet-room waterproofing
- Connecting a dishwasher or washing machine to the water supply
- Moving a drain or water line
- Work on a hot water heater
The line falls roughly at: anything that can cause water damage if done wrong. There the saving is never worth the risk, because the insurance can fall away.
Who is responsible in an apartment?
In a bostadsrätt (owned apartment) you are normally responsible for installations inside the apartment, while the association handles the risers. Exactly where the line falls is set out in the association's rules and varies between buildings.
Always contact the association before ordering larger plumbing work. Many changes require permission, particularly in bathrooms, and work on risers is not yours to commission.
In a rental, report faults to the landlord. You should not hire anyone yourself, and you get no ROT deduction.
Maintenance worth doing
- Check visible pipes, connections and silicone seals once a year
- Feel for damp under the sink and basin, where most damage starts
- Clear floor drains and traps regularly
- Check the hoses to your dishwasher and washing machine, they have a limited lifespan
- Turn off the water if you travel for a long period
Risers in Swedish apartment buildings are typically replaced every 40 to 60 years. If the building is approaching that, it is worth asking the association about the planned replacement window before renovating a bathroom.
ROT for plumbing
Installation and repair in a home you own earns a 30 percent ROT deduction on the labour in 2026, up to 50,000 SEK per person per year (Skatteverket).
Materials do not qualify, and ROT does not apply at all in rented homes. See the ROT deduction and plumber costs.
Common questions
What does a plumber help with?
Leaking taps, blocked drains, installing dishwashers, washing machines and toilets, radiators, and all pipework during renovations.
What do I do in a water leak emergency?
Shut off the water, cut the power if water is near electrics, mop up, photograph, then call an emergency plumber and your insurer.
Why must wet-room work be done by a certified firm?
Fixed plumbing in wet rooms must follow industry rules. Otherwise your insurer can reduce or refuse compensation (Säker Vatten).
What can I do myself?
Replacing a washer, clearing the trap and changing a shower hose. Leave fixed pipes, waterproofing and appliance connections to a professional.
Who is responsible in an apartment?
In a bostadsrätt, you for the inside and the association for the risers. In a rental, the landlord.
Does plumbing work qualify for ROT?
Yes, 30 percent on the labour in a home you own (Skatteverket).
Related guides: plumber cost and ROT, the ROT deduction and bathroom renovation cost. Back to plumbing in Stockholm.