First, make it safe
If water is pouring out, turn it off at the main. In a house that's usually near the front boundary or the meter. In a unit block there's often an isolation valve for each unit, and the main for the building near the street. If water is near power points or lights, keep clear of them.
Then call us on 02 9398 1397. We answer 24/7, and for a burst pipe we aim to get someone out the same day.
Pipes in walls, slabs and risers
The pipes that cause the most damage are the ones you can't see: in a wall cavity, under a floor, in the slab between units or inside a riser that serves the whole building. By the time you notice a stain or a puddle, the water has usually travelled.
We trace the break before we open anything up, using pressure testing, pipe tracing and acoustic gear, so we cut in once and in the right spot.
The repair
Once we've found it, you get a fixed price for the repair before we start. Sometimes that's one fitting. Sometimes the pipe either side is in poor shape too, and we'll tell you if a longer section is worth replacing while the wall is open.
In older buildings with brass or galvanised pipe, one burst is often a sign of more to come. We'll say so if we see it, and see our heritage plumbing page for more on older pipework.
Reports for insurance
If you're claiming, you'll need to show what failed and why. We give you a written report with photos of the break, where it was and what caused it. For water damage in unit blocks, our water ingress reports go further.
Common questions
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn the water off at the main, keep clear of any power points or lights near the water, and call us. In a unit, look for the isolation valve for your unit first.
Where is my water main?
In most houses it's at the front, near the water meter. In unit blocks there's usually a valve for each unit and a main for the building. Our video on shutting off your water shows where to look.
Can you find a burst pipe in the slab?
Yes. Pressure testing, pipe tracing and acoustic listening gear let us narrow it down before anything is opened up.
Will you give me a report for my insurer?
Yes. Photos of the failed pipe, where it was and what caused it, in writing. We're happy to talk to the loss assessor too.
Do you fix burst pipes after hours?
Yes. We answer 24/7, and we aim to get someone out the same day for burst pipes across the Eastern Suburbs.
Should I replace the rest of the pipe while the wall is open?
Sometimes. If the pipe either side is corroded or it's old brass or galvanised, it can make sense. We'll show you what we see and give you a price for both options.
Where we do burst pipes work
Based in Randwick and working right across the Eastern Suburbs, including:
- Randwick
- Coogee
- Bondi
- Bondi Junction
- Rose Bay
- Woollahra
- Double Bay
- Vaucluse
- Maroubra
- Kingsford
- Kensington
- Bronte
- Clovelly
- Paddington
- Darlinghurst
- All areas
