Some plumbing problems can wait for a scheduled appointment. These four situations require immediate professional attention to prevent serious damage.
A sudden drop in water pressure usually indicates a serious issue with your main water line, a major clog, or a problem with the local water supply.
First, check your taps and fixtures to determine if the problem is isolated to one area or affects the entire property. Check with your water authority for scheduled maintenance or known burst mains in your area.
If neither of these explains the pressure loss, you likely have a burst pipe underground or a major blockage in your supply line. This requires immediate professional attention.
While you wait: Locate your main shut-off valve (usually at the water meter near your front boundary) and turn it off to prevent further water loss and potential flooding.
When sewage starts backing up into your home — through floor drains, toilets or shower bases — this is a genuine emergency that poses immediate health risks.
Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. It can cause serious illness through direct contact or airborne contamination. Beyond health risks, sewage overflow causes extensive property damage to flooring, walls and furnishings.
Immediate actions:
If water is actively leaking or spilling from under a sink, from a burst flexi hose, or from any fixture connection, act immediately to minimise damage.
First step: Turn off the water supply to that specific fixture. Most sinks and toilets have isolation valves (small taps) on the supply lines beneath them. Turn these clockwise to shut off water to that fixture only.
If the leak is minor (a dripping connection), it may be a washer replacement. However, if water is flowing from a pipe, a burst flexi hose, or a connection you cannot identify, call a plumber immediately.
Even small leaks add up quickly — a dripping tap can waste over 20,000 litres per year and a burst flexi hose can flood a room in minutes. Flexi hoses are the number one cause of internal water damage in Australian homes.
If you notice significant water pooling in your yard well after a rain event, or pooling that appears without any rain at all, it indicates a serious underground issue.
Common causes include:
Left unaddressed, underground leaks can undermine foundations, cause soil erosion, attract tree roots into pipes, and result in extremely high water bills. A single undetected leak can waste hundreds of dollars per quarter.
Do not attempt to dig or investigate yourself — you risk damaging other underground services (gas, electrical, communications). Call a licensed plumber who can use electronic pipe locators and CCTV cameras to diagnose the issue without unnecessary excavation.
In any plumbing emergency, these steps will help minimise damage while you wait for professional help:
The more information you can provide when you call, the better equipped our team will be to bring the right tools and parts for a fast resolution.
Any situation involving active flooding, gas leaks, sewage backup, or complete loss of water supply. If the problem is causing damage or poses a safety risk, it is an emergency.
Yes. Shutting off the water at the main meter or at the affected fixture is the single most important action you can take to limit damage while waiting for a plumber.
It is usually located at the water meter near your front property boundary. Look for a small tap or lever on the house side of the meter. Turn it clockwise to shut off supply to your entire property.
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