What to do before the plumber arrives
When water is going where it shouldn't, the first few minutes matter. A few simple steps can save your floors, walls and belongings, and make the repair quicker when the plumber gets there. Here's what to do for the most common problems: a burst or leaking pipe, an overflowing drain or toilet, and a leaking hot water system.
Burst or leaking pipe
- Turn off the water. Use the main valve beside the water meter, or your unit's valve in an apartment. See our water shut-off guide.
- Turn off the electricity to any area where water is near power points or appliances, if you can do it safely at the switchboard.
- Open a tap at the lowest point of the house to drain the pipes.
- Move valuables and soak up water with towels. Take photos for insurance.
Overflowing toilet or drain
- Stop using water everywhere in the house: no flushing, showers, washing or dishwasher.
- Turn off the toilet's water valve on the wall behind it.
- Check the overflow gully outside. If it's overflowing, the main sewer line is blocked. See toilet water rising.
- Keep children and pets away from any sewage, and don't use chemical drain cleaners. See chemical drain cleaner.
Leaking hot water system
- Turn off the power or gas to the heater: the isolating switch or circuit breaker for electric, the gas control knob for gas.
- Turn off the cold water valve going into the heater.
- Don't touch the relief valve or hot pipes as the water can be very hot.
- Note the brand and age on the label, which helps us bring the right parts. See hot water.
If you smell gas
Don't switch anything on or off, turn off the gas at the meter, open up the house, get everyone outside and call a licensed gasfitter. See our gas safety guide.
Be ready before anything happens
Know your valves
Find your water and gas shut-offs now, and test that they turn. See our gas shut-off guide.
Fix stuck valves
A seized main valve can be replaced, even without shutting off the street. See pipe freezing.
Check flexi hoses
Old hoses under sinks are a common cause of floods. See flexi hoses.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water at the main valve, then turn off power to any wet areas if it's safe, and drain the pipes from a low tap.
What do I do if my toilet is overflowing?
Stop flushing, turn off the toilet's water valve and stop using water in the house until it's cleared.
My hot water system is leaking. What do I turn off?
Turn off the power or gas to the heater, then the cold water valve going into it.
Should I use drain cleaner while I wait?
No. It rarely clears real blockages and makes the job hazardous for whoever clears the drain.
Related help: water shut-off guide, gas shut-off guide, burst pipes, blocked drains and hot water. Local pages: Matraville, Maroubra, Botany and Coogee. Browse all our plumbing guides.