Emergency Plumber Surry Hills

Emergency plumbing services in Surry Hills cover urgent situations where water, gas, or sewerage systems have failed or pose immediate risk to property or safety. Fixed Today Plumbing dispatches the nearest available properly licensed plumber from local Sydney hubs once the call is logged, with urgent jobs sent out ahead of scheduled work. Response timing varies with current demand, traffic conditions, and whether the job requires specialist tools or parts; an ETA is provided when you book.

An emergency typically means active water damage, no water supply to the property, gas odour, or sewerage backing up into living areas. In practice, we see broken pipes during cold snaps when exposed copper splits, hot water supply systems failing without warning, and main line blockages that prevent all fixtures from draining. Less urgent issues like a dripping tap or a slow drain can usually be scheduled for standard callout timing, which keeps costs lower and avoids after-hours premiums.

We arrive in uniform with identification, explain what we're checking before starting, and use drop sheets to protect floors and surfaces in the work area. Police and background checks are completed for all attending technicians. Once the fault is located and assessed, we explain the scope in plain English, confirm what's included, and provide a fixed-price quote before proceeding. You decide once you know the cost.

Work is completed to Australian plumbing standards, tested before we leave, and backed by our Lifetime Labour Warranty on workmanship. If the issue requires follow-up or escalation, such as structural pipe damage that needs relining or council approvals, we explain the options and confirm the next step with you before any additional work proceeds. Our service extends across nearby areas including Bondi Junction, Randwick, Kensington, Botany, Wanda, and Coogee.

Burst pipes are typically caused by pressure surges, pipe age, or ground movement, and they require immediate attention to stop water damage. We use electronic leak detection and thermal imaging to locate hidden leaks behind walls, under floors, or in sub-surface lines without invasive exploratory work. Once located, the damaged section is isolated, and we assess whether a patch repair, section replacement, or full line upgrade is required.

In Surry Hills terraces, we commonly see galvanised steel pipes from pre-war construction that have corroded internally, reducing flow and eventually splitting. Copper pipes in newer sections can split at joints if water hammer (pressure shock) isn't controlled, or if the pipe has been flexed during renovations. PVC drainage rarely bursts, but it can crack if the ground shifts or tree roots apply pressure.

Where traditional excavation isn't practical, such as beneath tiled bathrooms, under established landscaping, or inside occupied buildings, we use trenchless pipe relining to create a structural repair from the inside. A resin-saturated liner is inserted into the existing damaged pipe, inflated, and cured to form a seamless pipe-within-a-pipe that's structurally independent. This avoids the cost and disruption of digging up floors or driveways.

If you discover an active leak, isolate the water supply at the main shutoff (usually near the front boundary or water meter) and contact us immediately. Don't attempt to patch the leak yourself with tape or clamps—they rarely hold under mains pressure and can fail without warning. We'll make the system safe, stop the damage, and explain the repair options once scope is established.

A dripping tap wastes water and increases your bill over time. The cause is usually a worn washer, damaged O-ring, or corroded valve seat inside the tap body. In mixer taps, ceramic disc cartridges can wear out or crack, which allows water to seep through even when the tap is fully closed. Hard water areas can accelerate wear by depositing mineral scale on sealing surfaces.

We disassemble the tap, inspect the internal components, and replace worn parts with quality fittings that match the tap model. If the tap body itself is corroded or the thread is stripped, replacement is often more cost-effective than attempting repairs. We carry common tap parts for most residential fixture types, which allows same-visit resolution for typical leaks.

Leaking outdoor taps and hose connections are also common, especially after winter when frost can crack internal washers or split the tap body. These are straightforward repairs but should be addressed quickly, even a slow drip from an outdoor tap can waste hundreds of litres per week and create damp conditions that attract termites.

If the tap leak is severe enough to require the water supply isolated, we'll explain the temporary workaround and complete the repair as quickly as access and parts availability allow. Testing after repair confirms the seal is watertight and flow is restored to normal pressure.

Shower faults typically involve blocked drains, leaking mixers, cracked tiles, or failed waterproofing membranes. A slow-draining shower is usually caused by hair and soap buildup in the trap or waste line, which we clear using mechanical snakes or high-pressure water. Leaking shower mixers, where water seeps from the tap body or temperature fluctuates during use, often indicate worn cartridges or damaged O-rings inside the valve assembly.

Leaks beneath the shower base are more serious and usually point to failed waterproofing, cracked tiles, or deteriorated grout that allows water to penetrate the substrate. These leaks can cause structural damage to timber framing and ceilings below if left unchecked. We use moisture detection to trace the leak path, then assess whether regrouting, tile replacement, or full membrane repair is required.

We conduct a visual inspection of the affected area, test water flow and drainage, and check surrounding surfaces for moisture ingress before quoting. If the scope involves tiling or membrane work, we coordinate trades where necessary and explain the full process, timeframe, and fixed cost before starting.

Common shower issues we see include low water pressure (often caused by blocked aerators or failing mixers), inconsistent temperature (faulty tempering valves), and noisy pipes (water hammer from sudden valve closure). These are diagnosed during the first visit and resolved based on what the inspection reveals. If the issue is intermittent, we explain what to monitor and when to call back for follow-up assessment.

Gas work in NSW must be performed by licensed gas fitters and comply with AS/NZS 5601.1 safety standards. Fixed Today Plumbing holds the required gas fitting licence (305428C) and completes all work to code, including mandatory pressure testing to confirm the system is gas-tight before reconnection. This applies to new installations, appliance connections, and leak repairs.

If you smell gas, a distinctive "rotten egg" odour caused by added mercaptan, evacuate the property immediately, do not operate electrical switches or ignition sources, and call us once you're safely outside. We'll isolate the supply at the meter, locate the leak using combustible gas detectors, and make the system safe before explaining the repair options.

Common gas services include installing or relocating gas cooktops and ovens, connecting hot water systems and space heaters, and repairing leaking gas lines or faulty appliance connections. We also detect and repair "slow leaks" that don't produce a strong odour but cause appliances to operate inefficiently or fail safety cutouts.

Gas installations require a compliance certificate to be issued upon completion, which verifies the work meets safety standards and can be provided to landlords, strata committees, or insurance companies as required. All gas work is tested under pressure and checked with leak location fluid before commissioning. We explain the operating instructions for new appliances and confirm ventilation requirements are met where relevant.