Emergency Plumber Sydney

When a pipe bursts or a gas smell appears, the priority is stopping the immediate risk and making the property safe. Fixed Today's emergency plumbers are dispatched from nearby Sydney hubs the moment you call, with urgent jobs sent out first based on safety severity and current booking load. We provide an ETA when you book, though CBD traffic and parking access can affect arrival timing during peak hours.

The first visit involves isolating the affected system where possible (shutting off water or gas supply), assessing what's failed and why, then explaining the options to restore function safely. If the fix is straightforward and parts are on the van, it's often completed the same visit. If structural damage or concealed pipework is involved, we'll confirm scope and provide a fixed quote before any additional work starts.

Sydney CBD properties, particularly older terrace conversions and high-rise strata buildings, present access challenges that suburban homes don't. Narrow laneways limit vehicle size, basement car parks have height restrictions, and strata buildings require key or concierge coordination. These factors affect how quickly we can get tools onsite, so disclosing access constraints when booking improves accuracy.

Emergency calls are priced using the same fixed-price model as scheduled work. You're quoted a total job price once scope is clarified, not an hourly rate that climbs as the job progresses. The fixed quote includes labour, parts, and testing; you're told the final price before work starts, and that's what you pay. For urgent safety work like gas isolation or water main shutdown, the immediate action is explained first, then scope for full repair is discussed once the site is stabilised.

A burst pipe, severe gas leak, or sewage backup creates immediate risk and needs a licensed, insured plumber onsite fast. Fixed Today's 24/7 emergency service dispatches the nearest available plumber from our Sydney network, with ETAs provided when you book based on current job load and travel distance from the closest hub. This covers active leaks flooding living areas, gas odours requiring safety assessment, complete loss of water supply, or drains backing up into sinks and toilets.

Burst pipes in Sydney properties usually occur at joint connections where old galvanised steel has corroded, or at copper elbows that have fatigued from years of water pressure cycling. The pipe fails suddenly, releasing water under mains pressure until the supply is isolated. The first step onsite is always shutting off the water at the meter or nearest isolation valve, then assessing how much pipework needs replacing and whether walls or floors require opening to access the damaged section.

Gas leaks require different handling due to safety regulations. If you smell gas (the distinctive "rotten egg" odour added as a warning signal), don't operate any switches or ignition sources, ventilate the area, and call immediately. The attending gasfitter will use a combustible gas detector to locate the leak source, then isolate the gas supply and repair or replace the faulty section. All gas work is pressure-tested after completion to confirm the system is gas-tight before being recommissioned.

Blocked drains are classed as emergencies when sewage is backing up into the property or stormwater can't clear during heavy rain, causing internal flooding. We use high-definition CCTV cameras to locate the restriction and identify whether it's a simple debris blockage or structural pipe damage. High-pressure water jetting clears most obstructions; if the camera shows root intrusion or collapsed pipe sections, we explain the options and provide a fixed quote for permanent repair once the immediate blockage is cleared.

Hot water system failures become emergencies when there's no hot water for showers and daily routines, or when a storage tank is actively leaking and causing water damage. Sydney properties use electric storage tanks, continuous flow gas units, or heat pump systems depending on installation era and energy preferences. Each type has different failure points: electric systems often lose heating due to element burnout or thermostat faults, gas units fail when igniters or heat exchangers corrode, and storage tanks leak when internal corrosion perforates the cylinder wall.

When a hot water service stops working, the first question is whether it's a repairable component fault or complete unit failure requiring replacement. Older storage tanks (typically 10+ years) that start leaking usually need replacement, since internal tank corrosion can't be repaired and will continue to worsen. Continuous flow units with faulty igniters or gas valves can often be repaired if parts are available and the heat exchanger is still sound.

Our assessment confirms the fault type, explains what's failed and why, then discusses repair versus replacement options with upfront pricing for each. For replacements, we cover the differences between system types: continuous flow gas is energy-efficient and space-saving but requires adequate gas supply and external venting; electric storage is lower upfront cost but has higher running costs and needs sufficient roof or ground space for the tank. All installations include mandatory Tempering Valves (limiting outlet temperature to 50°C to prevent scalding) and Pressure Relief Valves as required by Australian Standards.

If the existing system is leaking and causing damage, we can isolate the water supply immediately to stop further flooding, then discuss replacement timing. Many hot water replacements are completed same-day if the preferred system type is in stock on the van; if a specific model needs ordering, we'll explain lead times and can arrange temporary solutions where practical.

Bathroom renovations require coordinated plumbing work for fixture relocations, new tapware and shower installations, and waterproofing compliance. Fixed Today handles the plumbing scope within bathroom reno projects, working alongside builders and tilers to ensure water supply lines, waste connections, and drainage are correctly positioned and tested before wall and floor finishes go in.

The plumbing rough-in happens early in the renovation sequence, after demolition and before waterproofing. We install new copper or PEX supply lines to relocated fixture positions, set waste pipe heights and angles to ensure proper drainage fall, and pressure-test all pipework before it's concealed. Waterproofing is typically handled by tilers using membrane systems, but we coordinate penetration seals around pipe entries and verify that waste outlets are correctly positioned for shower grates and floor drains.

Once tiling and joinery are complete, we return for the fixture fit-off: installing tapware, shower mixers, toilet pans, and vanity connections. All fixtures are tested for leaks and function before handover. If you're upgrading to thermostatic shower mixers or wall-mounted tapware, we confirm water pressure is adequate and install pressure-reducing valves where needed to protect fittings from damage.

Bathroom renovations in older Sydney terraces and apartments sometimes reveal corroded waste pipes or inadequate drainage falls that weren't visible until walls were opened. When this happens, we explain what's been found, discuss code compliance requirements, and provide a fixed quote for bringing the concealed plumbing up to standard before the renovation proceeds. It's better to address these issues during the reno than discover them later when everything is sealed up.

Commercial plumbing in Sydney CBD offices, retail premises, and hospitality venues operates under tighter timeframes and higher consequence than residential work. Downtime costs revenue, so emergency callouts for commercial sites are prioritised based on business impact: a restaurant with no working toilets or a burst pipe flooding a ground-floor retail space gets immediate dispatch, while a leaking tap in a back-of-house area can usually be scheduled within standard response windows.

Commercial properties also have different compliance and documentation requirements. Strata buildings need work coordinated through building management, with site inductions and work permits often required before access is granted. Food service premises require backflow prevention devices and grease trap maintenance to comply with Sydney Water trade waste regulations. Medical and childcare facilities have specific hygiene standards for fixture types and water temperature controls.

Our commercial service handles planned maintenance contracts, emergency breakdowns, and fitout plumbing for tenancy works. Maintenance contracts include scheduled inspections of TMVs (Thermostatic Mixing Valves), backflow prevention testing, and pre-winter checks of water heaters and exposed pipes to reduce emergency callout frequency. For tenant fitouts, we coordinate with builders and project managers to meet construction program deadlines and provide compliance paperwork for council handover.

Commercial emergency pricing follows the same fixed-quote model as residential work, but quotes often need faster turnaround given the urgency. We can provide ballpark pricing over the phone based on fault description, then confirm the final fixed quote once the attending plumber has assessed the site and confirmed scope. All commercial work is documented with photos, test reports, and compliance certificates where required, suitable for building management records and insurance claims.

Fixed Today's plumbing team includes licensed master plumbers and specialised technicians with experience across Sydney's diverse property types, from heritage terraces in Surry Hills to modern high-rise apartments in Barangaroo. Over 15 years of continuous operation means we've encountered most failure patterns and site conditions multiple times, which improves diagnostic speed and helps us carry the right parts and tools for common Sydney plumbing faults.

Licensing in NSW requires formal trade qualifications, ongoing compliance with safety standards, and demonstrated competency across plumbing, drainage, and gas work. Our technicians hold current licences and attend regular training on code updates, new fixture types, and diagnostic technology. This isn't just a compliance exercise; it directly affects job quality and safety outcomes, particularly for gas work and complex leak repair where mistakes create serious risk.

Professionalism in emergency work means more than technical skill. It includes explaining what's failed in plain English without unnecessary jargon, discussing repair options with realistic timeframes and costs, and respecting that you're already stressed from the plumbing failure. We arrive in uniform, confirm identity at the door, communicate clearly about what we're doing and why, and keep work areas as tidy as conditions allow. If we need to shut off water or gas for extended periods, we explain the timeline and any temporary workarounds before starting.

The team structure includes both generalist plumbers for standard emergencies and specialists for complex jobs like CCTV drain diagnostics, trenchless drain relining, and commercial gas installations. When you call, the dispatcher allocates the right technician based on fault type and urgency, which improves first-visit resolution rates and reduces the need for follow-up visits.

Fixed Today uses a fixed-price model for all plumbing work, including emergencies. You're quoted a total job price once the plumber has confirmed scope onsite, not an hourly rate that increases as work continues. That quote includes labour, parts, testing, and cleanup; the price you're told before work starts is the price you pay when it's finished. There are no hidden call-out fees added at the end, no surprise charges for "unexpected complications", and no hourly rate that climbs if the job takes longer than estimated.

For emergency service calls, pricing timing depends on fault severity. If immediate safety action is needed (isolating a ruptured pipe or shutting off gas), that happens first to stop damage and make the site safe. Once the immediate risk is controlled, the plumber assesses what's required for full repair, explains the options in plain English, and provides a fixed quote before proceeding. You can decide whether to proceed with full repairs immediately or schedule them for a later time once you've seen the costs and options.

Call-out fee structure varies by service area and time of day. Some Sydney suburbs have no call-out fee for standard jobs; others include a call-out component that's either waived if you proceed with quoted work, or charged as a standalone assessment fee if you decline. The best approach is to confirm call-out fee status for your specific location and timing when booking, so there's no confusion about what's included.

We don't provide dollar ranges or "typical costs" over the phone because accurate pricing requires seeing the site, confirming pipe materials and accessibility, and understanding what's included versus what might be a separate scope. What we can explain is what factors affect cost: depth of excavation required, whether walls or floors need opening, pipe material and length being replaced, and whether work involves confined spaces or height access that require safety equipment. Once those variables are confirmed onsite, the quote is fixed and final.

All plumbing work completed by Fixed Today is backed by a Lifetime Labour Warranty on workmanship. This warranty covers the labour component of repairs and installations for as long as you own the property; if a joint leaks or a connection fails due to workmanship error, we return and fix it at no additional labour cost. Manufacturer warranties on parts and appliances (hot water tanks, tapware, fixture components) run concurrently and are honoured according to each manufacturer's terms.

The workmanship warranty specifically covers labour and installation quality: pipe joints, soldered connections, threaded fittings, fixture installations, and testing procedures. It does not cover component failures due to normal wear, corrosion from aggressive water chemistry, or damage caused by events outside our control (ground movement, third-party modifications, improper use). The distinction matters: if a tap spindle wears out after years of use, that's a parts replacement covered by manufacturer warranty; if a tap leaks from the base because the mounting wasn't sealed correctly during installation, that's workmanship and covered by our lifetime labour warranty.

Claiming under warranty is straightforward. If you experience a fault that appears related to work we completed, call our office and explain what's happening. We'll schedule a return visit to assess the issue, determine whether it's workmanship-related, and address it under warranty terms if applicable. There's no arguing over whether it's "covered" or trying to avoid responsibility; we stand by the work we complete and fix errors at our cost.

The warranty accountability extends to code compliance and safety standards. All work is completed to applicable Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3500 for plumbing and drainage, AS/NZS 5601 for gas installations), and we provide compliance certificates where required by regulation. If an issue arises because work didn't meet code requirements, that's a workmanship failure covered under warranty regardless of when it's discovered.