Emergency Plumbing FAQ's in Glebe
Common questions about emergency plumbing in Glebe, covering response times, pricing, scope, and what to expect when you book. If your question isn't answered here, call us on 1800 349 338 for immediate assistance.
How quickly can you respond to an emergency in Glebe?
Urgent jobs are dispatched immediately, with the nearest available properly licensed plumber allocated from our Inner West or West Sydney hub. We provide an ETA when you book. Arrival timing depends on current workload, traffic conditions, and the location within Glebe, but emergency situations involving active flooding, gas leaks, or total service loss are prioritised first.
What counts as an emergency plumbing situation?
An emergency is a situation where delay risks property damage, safety, or loss of essential services. This includes broken pipes actively flooding, complete drainage backups, gas leaks, and total hot water supply unit failures. For non-urgent issues like slow drains, dripping taps, or intermittent faults, we can schedule a convenient time for assessment and repair.
Do you charge a call-out fee for emergency work in Glebe?
Call-out fee arrangements vary by service area and job type. Confirm the call-out fee status when booking. Once onsite, we assess the fault, confirm scope, and provide a fixed-price quote covering labour and materials before starting work. The call-out fee is typically deducted from the total job cost if you proceed with the quoted repair.
What causes blocked drains in Glebe's older homes?
Blocked drains in Glebe's Victorian and Federation-era homes are commonly caused by tree root intrusion into original clay or cast iron sewer lines. Established street trees send fine roots into microscopic cracks in aging pipes, and the roots expand over time, trapping debris and restricting flow. Grease buildup in kitchen waste lines is another frequent cause, particularly where original cast iron drainage has a rough interior surface.
Can you repair broken pipes without digging up my courtyard or driveway?
Trenchless pipe lining is often suitable for repairs beneath driveways, courtyards, or established landscaping where excavation would be disruptive or costly. We insert a resin-saturated liner into the damaged pipe, inflate it, and cure it in place to create a seamless, structurally independent repair. This method works for accessible PVC, clay, and cast iron pipes, provided the original structure hasn't completely collapsed.
What should I do if I smell gas in my Glebe home?
If you smell gas (a distinctive rotten egg odour), ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, do not operate electrical switches or create open flames, and evacuate if the smell is strong. Contact a properly licensed gas fitter immediately. We isolate the gas supply at the meter, locate the leak, and repair or replace the affected section, then complete a pressure loss test to verify the system is safe before recommissioning.
How long does hot water system replacement take?
For standard residential electric or gas storage units in accessible locations, replacement typically takes 2-4 hours including removal of the old unit, installation of the new unit, and compliance testing. Continuous flow gas units and heat pump systems may take longer depending on gas line modifications or electrical upgrades required. We provide a timeframe estimate once we assess your site and confirm the replacement model.
Do you service strata buildings and apartment blocks in Glebe?
We service commercial and residential strata properties across Glebe, including coordination with building managers for access, compliance with site induction requirements, and documentation for strata records. For shared drainage or common property faults, we confirm responsibility boundaries before quoting and provide detailed job documentation for insurance or maintenance logs once work is complete.
What affects the cost of emergency plumbing work?
Cost is affected by the scope of work required (repair vs replacement), access constraints (confined spaces, rooftop locations, or excavation requirements), parts and materials needed, and whether the job is completed during standard business hours or after-hours. We confirm scope onsite and provide a fixed-price quote before starting work, so you know the total cost upfront and can decide whether to proceed.
Are your plumbers licensed and insured?
All attending technicians hold current NSW plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting licences (Licence 305428C). We carry comprehensive Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurance. Public Liability protects you if accidental property damage occurs during our work, and Workers Compensation covers workplace injuries on the job. Insurance certificates are available on request for strata or commercial clients.