Emergency Plumbing FAQ's in Chatswood
Emergency plumbing situations are stressful, and it's hard to know what to do first. These answers cover the questions Chatswood residents ask most often when they call us. If your question isn't here, call us, our phone line is open 24/7.
How quickly can you attend an emergency in Chatswood?
Urgent jobs are sent out first, with the nearest available technician allocated from local hubs across Sydney. Response timing depends on current bookings and traffic conditions, but emergency calls are always treated as priority. We provide ETA updates where possible once a technician is allocated and on the way. If you're unsure whether your situation is urgent, describe what's happening when you call and we'll confirm urgency and dispatch accordingly.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any fault that risks property damage, safety hazards, or loss of essential services. This includes broken pipes flooding a room, gas leaks detected by smell or sound, complete hot water failure in winter, sewage backflowing into the house, or a blocked toilet in a single-bathroom home. If you're unsure, call us, we'll assess urgency and dispatch the appropriate response.
Do you charge extra for after-hours or weekend callouts?
For many Chatswood service areas, there is no call-out fee. Confirm the call-out fee status when booking. Pricing is fixed and provided upfront once scope is established onsite. The quote includes labour, parts, and testing. There are no hourly rates and no surprise charges at the end of the job, regardless of when the work is performed.
What should I do if I smell gas?
If you smell gas (a distinctive "rotten egg" odour), turn off the gas at the meter if it's safe to do so, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, and leave the property. Do not operate electrical switches, light matches, or create sparks. Call us immediately from outside the property. Our licensed gas fitters will locate the leak, isolate the affected section, repair it, and perform a pressure loss test to verify the system is gas-tight before turning the gas back on.
Can you fix a burst pipe without digging up my driveway?
It depends on the location and extent of the damage. If the burst is in an accessible section of pipe, under the house, in a wall cavity, or in an exposed garden bed, we can repair or replace the damaged section without excavation. If the burst is under a driveway, concrete path, or internal floor and the pipe is structurally compromised, trenchless pipe relining may be an option. We assess the situation onsite, explain what's involved, and provide a fixed quote before proceeding.
What causes blocked drains in Chatswood properties?
In older Chatswood properties built during the post-war expansion, tree root intrusion into clay or terracotta drainage pipes is a recurring pattern. Roots seek moisture and enter pipes through microscopic cracks, then expand and trap debris. In kitchen lines, Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) buildup is common, it solidifies as it cools and traps food scraps. We locate the blockage using drain inspection cameras, clear it with high-pressure jetting, and assess the pipe condition to identify any structural damage that could cause future blockages.
Do you provide quotes over the phone?
We provide indicative guidance over the phone to help you understand what's likely involved, but accurate pricing requires an onsite inspection. Plumbing faults vary widely depending on access, the extent of damage, and the condition of existing pipework. We confirm the scope onsite, explain what's involved, and provide a flat-rate quote before starting work. You decide whether to proceed once you have the full picture.
Are your plumbers licensed and insured?
Yes. All attending technicians are fully licensed NSW plumbers. Fixed Today Plumbing holds NSW Plumber, Drainer & Gasfitter Licence 305428C. We carry comprehensive Public Liability insurance (protection if accidental property damage occurs during work) and Workers Compensation insurance (protection related to workplace injuries on the job). Police and background checks are completed for all technicians.
What areas around Chatswood do you service?
We service the entire Chatswood area (postcode 2067) and surrounding Lower North Shore suburbs, dispatched from local hubs across Sydney. Our coverage extends up to a 60km radius from base hubs for emergency calls. If you're outside Chatswood but nearby, call us to check availability and response timing for your location.
What happens if you find additional problems during the repair?
If inspection reveals additional work beyond the original scope, structural pipe damage, corroded supply lines, or non-compliant installations, we explain the options, provide a separate fixed-price quote, and confirm whether you want to proceed before starting any additional work. You're never committed to work you haven't approved. The original repair is completed as quoted, and any additional work is treated as a separate job with its own fixed price.