Emergency Plumbing Questions for Shalvey Properties
Plumbing emergencies create immediate stress and uncertainty about what to do next. These answers address the practical questions Shalvey residents ask when facing urgent plumbing situations, covering response expectations, cost clarity, and what's involved in resolving common faults. If your specific situation isn't covered here, call our 24/7 line for guidance and immediate dispatch.
What situations require an emergency plumber rather than waiting for standard booking?
Active water leaks causing flooding, gas odours or suspected gas leaks, sewer backups affecting multiple fixtures, ruptured pipes, and complete loss of hot water during cold weather all require emergency response. These situations create safety risk, property damage risk, or make the property uninhabitable. Immediate dispatch isolates the risk and prevents escalation; standard booking is appropriate for non-urgent faults like slow drains or dripping taps that aren't causing damage.
How quickly can a plumber reach Shalvey for an emergency callout?
Fixed Today dispatches emergency plumbers from our West Sydney hub, reaching most of the 2770 postcode within typical response windows for urgent jobs. Exact arrival timing depends on current technician locations, traffic conditions, and how many emergency calls are active at that moment. You're provided with an ETA when booking, and the plumber contacts you if timing changes. Urgent jobs are sent out first, ahead of standard bookings.
What's the call-out fee for emergency plumbing in Shalvey, and when is it charged?
Call-out fee status for Shalvey is confirmed when you book. Many service areas have no call-out fee, but this varies by location and time of day. If a call-out fee applies, it's stated upfront before the plumber is dispatched, and it typically covers the first hour or is credited toward the total job cost if you proceed with quoted work. There are no surprise fees added after the plumber arrives.
If a pipe bursts and I can't find the water shut-off, what should I do?
Call our emergency line immediately. While the plumber is dispatched, we can guide you by phone to locate the mains shut-off, which is usually near the front boundary in the meter box or inside near where the water line enters the property. If the valve won't turn or you can't locate it, move valuable items away from the water and wait outside if safe to do so. The plumber will isolate the supply onsite and assess the damage once water is stopped.
Are emergency plumbing rates higher than standard callout rates?
Fixed Today uses the same fixed-price model for emergency and standard work. You receive a fixed quote once the plumber assesses the job onsite and confirms the scope with you. The price doesn't escalate due to after-hours timing or weekend dispatch. Pricing is based on the work required, parts needed, and time onsite, not on when the call was made. The quote is provided before we start, and that's the price you pay upon completion.
What's involved in clearing a blocked drain, and how long does it usually take?
Drain clearing starts with diagnosing the blockage location and cause using a CCTV camera, which is inserted into the line to visually locate the obstruction. High-pressure water jetting then scours the blockage from the pipe walls and flushes debris toward the sewer main. Typical clears take one to two hours depending on blockage depth and access; if the camera reveals structural damage like root intrusion or collapsed pipe, repair options are explained and quoted separately before any additional work proceeds.
If a hot water system fails overnight, can it be replaced the same day?
Same-day replacement depends on system availability and access. If the required unit is in stock at our supplier and the site allows safe removal of the old system and installation of the new one, replacement can often be completed the same day. If the unit needs ordering or if additional work like upgrading gas lines or electrical circuits is required, we provide a temporary solution where possible and schedule installation once parts arrive. The full scope and timing are confirmed onsite after assessment.
What protection do I have if something goes wrong during emergency repairs?
Fixed Today is fully insured with Public Liability (which provides protection if accidental property damage occurs during work) and Workers Compensation (relating to workplace injuries). All work is backed by our Lifetime Labour Warranty on workmanship, meaning if a fault develops due to how the work was performed, we return to correct it at no additional cost. Manufacturer warranties apply to any parts, fixtures, or appliances installed. Licensing (NSW 305428C) and insurance certificates are available on request.
Can you repair plumbing faults in strata properties, and who arranges access?
Fixed Today handles strata plumbing for both lot-specific and common property issues. For lot-specific work (such as a blocked toilet or leaking tap inside a unit), the owner or tenant arranges access. For common property faults (such as a shared sewer line or hot water plant room), the strata manager coordinates access and provides any required site inductions. We provide documentation suitable for strata records, and quotes separate lot and common property costs where applicable.
How do I know if a plumbing problem is urgent enough to call for emergency dispatch?
If the situation creates immediate safety risk (gas odour, electrical hazard near water), property damage risk (active flooding, sewer backup), or loss of essential services (no water supply, no hot water in winter, toilet not flushing), it's appropriate to request emergency dispatch. For non-urgent issues like slow drains, minor drips, or cosmetic fixture damage, standard booking is sufficient. If unsure, call and describe the situation; we'll confirm whether immediate dispatch is warranted or if a same-day standard booking is more appropriate.