Dulwich Hill is an inner-west suburb bordered by Marrickville, Lewisham, Ashbury and Hurlstone Park, with a light rail line running through it. Its housing is a good example of early twentieth-century Sydney: Californian bungalows, Federation houses and semi-detached pairs, often with deep front verandahs and renovated rear extensions.
Bungalows, semis and rear extensions
A common pattern is a house whose front rooms are original and whose back half was rebuilt. That means two eras of plumbing under one roof: older pipework and drainage at the front, newer materials at the rear, with joins that deserve attention. Semi-detached pairs often have drains that meet before leaving the property, so a blockage in one can affect the other. Houses with raised floors may have crawl space, which helps access, but also lets leaks run unnoticed.
- Before renovating, ask for a camera inspection of the drain you will be building near.
- Look under the house for damp patches and old repairs when it is safe to do so.
- Semi owners: find out where your drain meets your neighbour's.
Around Dulwich Hill
Lewisham and Marrickville share boundaries, and Earlwood lies a little to the south. See the Lewisham guide, Marrickville guide or the Earlwood guide for neighbouring character.
Keep reading
Return to the Inner West region. A bathroom renovation is a good moment to read plumbing costs in Sydney and how to choose a plumber.