Practical steps you can take immediately when a plumbing emergency strikes — before the plumber arrives.
The moment you notice a major problem — burst pipes, flooding, or an uncontrolled leak — shut off the main water valve to your home. This is the single most important action you can take to limit damage.
Your main water valve is generally located at the water meter, somewhere along the front boundary line of your property. It can be hard to find if gardens have overgrown around it — locate it now before an emergency occurs.
Important: You may not need to shut off the entire house. If the leak is at a specific fixture (tap, toilet, or basin), look for the isolation valve on the supply line beneath it. Turning this off stops water to that fixture only, allowing you to use water elsewhere in the home until the plumber arrives.
Every homeowner should own a plunger — it can resolve minor blockages and potentially save you hundreds of dollars in call-out fees.
Place the plunger over the drain so it creates a complete seal. Push down and pull up rapidly with controlled force. You are not just pushing the clog down — you are creating a vacuum to dislodge it. Most soft blockages (toilet paper, food waste, soap) will break down and pass through the pipework.
If the blockage does not clear after several attempts, stop and call a plumber. Continuing to force it can push the blockage deeper or damage pipe joints.
If you notice a leaking or dripping tap, do not ignore it. Even a slow drip can waste over 20,000 litres per year and result in a significantly higher water bill.
More importantly, small leaks often indicate a developing problem. A dripping tap today can become a burst fitting tomorrow. The sooner you address it, the cheaper and simpler the repair.
For active leaks: place a bucket or towel beneath the leak to contain water, shut off the supply to that fixture if possible, and call for service.
It may be tempting to buy chemical drain cleaners from the hardware store, but they often cause more harm than good:
You also may not know what is causing the blockage. Tree roots, collapsed pipes, and foreign objects all require different solutions. A plumber will identify the actual problem using CCTV inspection and apply the correct fix without damaging your pipes.
Before the plumber arrives, take stock of what has happened so you can explain the situation clearly:
Take photos and video of any visible damage — this documentation is essential for insurance claims and helps the plumber understand the scope before arriving.
The more detail you can provide when you call, the easier it is for us to dispatch the right technician with the right equipment.
Do not wait to see if the problem resolves itself. Plumbing emergencies escalate quickly — a small leak can become a flood within minutes, and water damage compounds with every hour of delay.
When you call our office after hours, you will be diverted directly to our on-call plumber. They will either help you address the issue over the phone (if it is something you can safely manage temporarily) or dispatch a technician to your property.
Our 24/7 emergency service means you can have a licensed plumber on site at any time — day or night, weekends and public holidays. We provide estimated costs over the phone so you know what to expect before anyone arrives.
Usually at the water meter near your front property boundary. Look for a tap or lever on the house side of the meter. Turn clockwise to shut off.
No. Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes and rarely clear solid blockages. Use a plunger for minor blockages, and call a plumber if it does not clear.
Yes. Even small drips waste significant water and often indicate a developing problem. A dripping tap today can become a burst fitting if left unaddressed.
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