Emergency Plumber North Shore

A plumbing emergency is any fault that risks immediate property damage, creates a safety hazard, or stops essential services like water supply or sewage removal. Active leaks flooding a room, gas smells inside the home, sewage backing up through fixtures, or a complete loss of hot water in winter all meet that threshold. If waiting until morning would allow damage to spread or put occupants at risk, it's an emergency, and immediate dispatch is justified.

Burst pipes are the most common cause of emergency callouts in residential properties. When a pipe fails under pressure, often at a joint, corroded section, or freeze-thaw stress point, water discharges continuously until the supply is isolated. In a typical home, that can be several litres per minute, enough to flood a room, saturate structural timber, or damage electrical systems within an hour. If the burst is inside a wall cavity or under a concrete slab, the water spreads unseen until it appears at a lower level or soaks through plasterboard.

Gas leaks require immediate professional attention. Natural gas is odourised with mercaptan (the "rotten egg" smell) to make leaks detectable, but even a faint smell indicates gas is escaping somewhere in the system. Do not operate light switches, appliances, or anything that could create a spark. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, then call a licensed gas fitter. We carry combustible gas detectors and can perform a full system pressure test to locate the source and confirm the repair is gas-tight before recommissioning the appliance.

Sewage backups are both a health hazard and a property risk. When wastewater backs up through a toilet, floor drain, or shower, it usually means the main sewer line is blocked or the boundary trap is obstructed. Tree roots are the most common cause in older suburbs, where fine roots enter cracked pipes and expand over time. We use high-definition camera inspection equipment to locate the blockage and assess the pipe condition, then clear it with high-pressure jetting. If the pipe structure has failed, we explain the replacement or relining options and provide a fixed quote before proceeding.

When a pipe bursts at a North Shore property, the first priority is isolating the water supply to stop the flooding. If you can locate the main isolation valve (usually near the water metre or where the service line enters the property), turn it off clockwise until it stops. This cuts water to the entire property but prevents further damage while you wait for the plumber. If you're unsure where the valve is or can't access it, we can talk you through it by phone, or the plumber will isolate it on arrival.

Burst pipes typically occur at weak points: corroded sections in older galvanised steel or copper, joints that have worked loose under pressure cycling, or PVC that's been stressed by ground movement or impact. In winter, pipes exposed to freezing temperatures (like those in roof cavities or external garden taps) can freeze, and the expanding ice ruptures the pipe wall, the leak appears when it thaws. High water pressure can also stress older fittings, particularly in hilly areas where mains pressure fluctuates.

Once the water is isolated and the immediate flooding is stopped, we locate the burst section and assess the extent of damage. If the pipe is accessible (like under a sink or in a visible section of wall), we cut out the damaged section and install a new length using compression fittings or soldered joints depending on the material. For bursts inside wall cavities or under concrete slabs, access is more involved, we may need to open the wall or floor, or in some cases reroute the line to avoid excavation. The fixed quote provided before work starts will confirm which approach is needed and what's included.

After the repair is completed, we pressure-test the system to confirm the fix is watertight, then restore water supply and check all fixtures for normal flow and pressure. If the burst caused water damage to walls, floors, or electrical systems, we document the affected areas and can provide photos or written statements for insurance claims if needed. Our workmanship is backed by a Lifetime Labour Warranty, so if a joint we install ever fails due to faulty workmanship, we'll return and fix it at no charge.

A sudden loss of hot water can be an emergency, particularly in winter or for households with young children, elderly occupants, or medical needs. Hot water systems fail for several reasons: electric storage tanks develop sediment buildup or corroded anodes, gas continuous-flow units experience ignition faults or heat exchanger leaks, and tempering valves can fail and require replacement to meet safety standards. On arrival, we assess whether the unit can be repaired or if replacement is the more cost-effective option.

For electric storage systems, common faults include failed heating elements, faulty thermostats, or tripped safety cutouts caused by overheating. If the tank itself is rusted through or the sacrificial anode is completely corroded, replacement is usually recommended; repairing a leaking tank is rarely viable, and the labour cost often exceeds the cost of a new unit. Gas systems typically fail due to ignition control issues, blocked burners, or heat exchanger corrosion. These can often be repaired if caught early, but if the unit is over 10 years old and parts are difficult to source, replacement may be more reliable long-term.

When replacement is needed, we explain the options: electric storage (lower upfront cost, higher running cost), gas continuous flow (higher upfront cost, lower running cost, unlimited hot water), or heat pump systems (highest upfront cost, lowest running cost, environmentally efficient). The right choice depends on household size, daily hot water usage, available space, and whether gas connection is already present. We provide fixed quotes for each option so you can compare total installed cost, then schedule the installation at a time that suits your availability.

All hot water installations must comply with AS/NZS 3500 plumbing standards, which means tempering valves are mandatory to limit outlet temperature to 50°C at tapware (preventing scalding), and pressure relief valves must be correctly sized and discharge to a visible, safe location. We test the system after installation to confirm correct temperature at all outlets, verify the relief valve operates correctly, and explain the basic maintenance requirements (like annual anode checks for storage systems). Manufacturer warranties apply to the hardware, and our Lifetime Labour Warranty covers the installation workmanship.