Plumbing Questions from South Hurstville Residents
These are the questions South Hurstville residents and property owners ask most often when booking plumbing work. If your question isn't covered here, call us on 1800 349 338 and we'll explain what's involved, what it costs to assess the issue onsite, and what happens next.
How quickly can a plumber reach South Hurstville for an emergency?
Fixed Today Plumbing dispatches urgent jobs immediately from our West Sydney hub, and an ETA is provided when you book. Arrival timing depends on current job load, traffic conditions, and distance from the hub, but we prioritise emergencies and update you if delays occur so you're not left waiting without information.
What does the fixed-price quote include?
The fixed price quote covers the labour and materials required to complete the job as described after the onsite assessment. It's priced by the job, not by the hour, so the cost doesn't increase if the work takes longer than expected. If additional work is needed outside the original scope, we explain the options and provide a separate quote before proceeding.
Is there a call-out fee for South Hurstville?
Fixed Today Plumbing does not charge a call-out fee for many service areas, but policies vary by location. Confirm the call-out fee status for South Hurstville when booking. If a call-out fee applies, it's disclosed upfront and typically deducted from the total job cost if you proceed with the quoted work.
What causes blocked drains in older South Hurstville homes?
Blocked drains in older South Hurstville homes typically result from tree root intrusion into aging terracotta or clay pipes, or from fat and grease buildup in kitchen waste lines. The established street trees common in the suburb send fine roots into pipe cracks seeking moisture, and those roots expand over time to trap debris and cause blockages.
Can you repair pipes without digging up the driveway?
Yes, trenchless drain relining allows us to repair damaged underground pipes without excavation. A flexible resin liner is inserted into the existing pipe, inflated, and cured to form a new pipe within the old one. This method works for most pipe materials and avoids digging up driveways, pathways, or landscaping, provided the original pipe hasn't fully collapsed.
What should I do if I smell gas at my South Hurstville property?
If you smell gas, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, avoid operating electrical switches or creating sparks, turn off the gas supply at the meter if safe to do so, and call a licensed gas fitter immediately. We treat gas leaks as urgent and dispatch a qualified technician to locate the source, isolate the system, and make it safe.
How long does a hot water unit replacement take?
A straightforward hot water service replacement typically takes three to five hours, depending on access, the type of system being installed, and whether modifications to plumbing or electrical connections are required. We provide a timeframe after assessing the site and confirming the scope. All installations include tempering valves, pressure relief valves, and compliance verification.
What's covered by the Lifetime Labour Warranty?
The Lifetime Labour Warranty covers the workmanship on installations and repairs we complete. If an issue arises with something we've installed or repaired due to a fault in our work, we'll return and make it right at no additional charge. Manufacturer warranties apply separately to hardware and appliances, and those terms are explained before you commit to a purchase.
Do your plumbers work in strata buildings?
Yes, we work in strata properties throughout South Hurstville. We coordinate with property managers and strata committees for access, follow building sign-in procedures, and provide written documentation suitable for body corporate records. We explain the boundary between lot owner responsibility and common property, and we quote separately for work in each area.
What happens if the problem is worse than expected once you start?
If the initial inspection reveals additional issues outside the original scope, such as structural pipe damage when we expected a simple blockage, we stop, explain the findings, and provide a separate quote for the additional work before proceeding. You decide whether to continue based on the updated scope and cost. You're never committed to work beyond what you've agreed to.