Spoiler alert: We did the job better, faster, and more affordably than she’d expected.
When you’re hosting guests and your plumbing starts playing up, it’s more than just inconvenient—it can become a serious health and safety issue.
That’s exactly what Sandra Crummer, a respected mortgage broker and owner of Marlun Finance, experienced when she found herself dealing with bad smells, overflowing water, and drainage issues at her Gold Coast home.
This is the story of how one plumber left her in the lurch—and how Oceania Plumbing stepped in and fixed the problem quickly, honestly, and with zero fuss.
The problem: a blocked drain and no solution in sight
“I had a problem with my plumbing in a granny flat at our home,” Sandra explains. “We had some people staying in the granny flat at the time, and as a result, they had their concerns as well.”
The issue wasn’t minor. The water wasn’t draining properly, and the pit was starting to overflow—leading to a horrible odour and growing concern about health risks.
“There was a horrible odour coming out of the pits because the water was not being pumped away like it should have,” she said. “There was definitely some inconvenience, but also some pretty serious issues from a health and safety perspective.”
Sandra did what many homeowners would do—she contacted a plumber she knew through her network.
“He fixed half of the problem, then said he had to go away and do a quote on the other half of the job,” she said.
That quote never came.
“I waited weeks. The quote never came through. And they’d already made me pay for the first half of the work. So we couldn’t move forward, and I was left stuck.”
Drainage delays = real stress
While she was waiting, the situation at home didn’t improve.
“I was very anxious for those people that were staying in our granny flat at the time,” Sandra said. “I was telling them, try not to use too much water, etc, because it did mean that this pit was overflowing and creating some real issues.”
At this point, Sandra had been left with a partially completed job, water that wasn’t draining, a blocked stormwater pit, and sewage-like smells hanging in the air.
And like many homeowners, she was feeling let down.
“As a service provider myself, I value the importance of providing prompt, good quality service—and I didn’t feel like I got that from the other plumbing company.”
The solution: a fast response from Oceania Plumbing
Frustrated but not ready to give up, Sandra turned to Joe Currey from Oceania Plumbing—and the difference was immediate.
“I called Joe and he came out for me the same day because the matter was urgent,” she said.
Joe’s diagnosis was quick and clear. He explained exactly what was going wrong with the granny flat’s drainage and what parts were needed to complete the job properly.
“He told me we had to go away and source some parts—which he did that same day. Joe came back, had the problem solved, explained the work that he had done, and basically my issue was solved.”
Unlike the first plumber, Joe showed up when he said he would, acted quickly, communicated clearly, and—most importantly—fixed the problem completely.
The result: full fix, better price
Once the job was done, Sandra finally received that long-overdue quote from the original plumber.
And it didn’t help their case.
“Subsequent to that, I received a quote from the first plumber, and as it turned out, that quote was $400 dearer than the actual cost of Joe’s work,” she said.
“So all in all, I was extremely happy with Oceania Plumbing’s work, the service, and the fact that Joe was such a nice person to deal with as well.”
The job wasn’t just completed—it was handled better, faster, and more affordably than she’d expected.
The impact: ongoing trust and referrals
Since that initial job, Sandra’s called Joe out again for another issue—and says she wouldn’t call anyone else now.
“Just knowing that I didn’t have to worry about, one, whether or not he was going to arrive, and two, the quality of the work—but also just knowing that I’m not going to be charged an arm and a leg for something—that’s huge peace of mind.”
She also points out the risk many homeowners face when they don’t know who to call.
“I certainly felt like the other company were taking advantage of me and trying to charge far more than needed.”
As a trusted mortgage broker, Sandra is often asked for recommendations—and she’s more than happy to pass Joe’s name on.
“In my industry, a lot of times clients ask me if I happen to know anybody within the trades,” she said. “And I certainly don’t hesitate in recommending Joe and passing on his details to anyone that does need a plumber.”
Why this story matters
Sandra’s experience isn’t unique. Many Gold Coast homeowners struggle with drainage issues, like:
- Blocked drains that keep backing up
- Stormwater pits overflowing after rain
- Bad smells outside the house
- Water pooling near the foundation or in the backyard
- Gurgling sounds in the bathroom drain
- Toilets that back up when it rains
The mistake many people make? Calling the first plumber they can find—without knowing whether they’ll actually follow through.
Oceania Plumbing exists to change that. With over 20 years of experience, Oceania Plumbing combines expert problem-solving with old-fashioned customer service and fair pricing.
From drainage rectification to emergency plumbing, Oceania Plumbing delivers what others promise—and then some.
Final word from Sandra:
“I cannot recommend Joe highly enough. At the end of the day, Joe makes me look good because I end up with happy clients. The feedback I’ve received from others who’ve used his services has been extremely positive.”
Got drainage issues? Whether your shower fills with water, your garden floods after rain, or your toilet isn’t flushing properly, Oceania Plumbing can help.
📞 0479 043 366
🌐 oceaniaplumbing.com.au
✅ $0 call out | Honest pricing | Trusted Gold Coast plumber
