Plumbing FAQs in Sylvania
Emergency situations are stressful, and it's common to have questions about process, timing, and cost before committing to a callout. The answers below address what we're asked most often by Sylvania residents dealing with urgent plumbing faults.
How quickly can Fixed Today respond to an emergency in Sylvania?
Urgent jobs are dispatched immediately once logged, with the nearest available licensed and insured plumber allocated from our Sutherland Shire network (typically from Dolans Bay). You'll receive an ETA when you book, based on current location and travel conditions. Arrival timing depends on the technician's proximity, traffic, and whether they're completing an earlier job, but urgent work is always prioritised over scheduled maintenance.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
An emergency is any fault that poses a safety risk, causes active property damage, or makes an essential system unusable. That includes burst pipes flooding a room, gas leakages or strong gas odours, sewer backups into bathrooms, total hot water failure in winter, and blocked toilets where it's the only facility. If you're unsure, a quick call can clarify whether immediate dispatch is warranted or standard scheduling is appropriate.
Do you charge a call-out fee for emergency work in Sylvania?
Call-out fee arrangements vary by area and job type. For Sylvania (postcode 2224), confirm the call-out fee status when you book, in many cases across our service area, standard call-out fees are waived. Once onsite, you'll receive a fixed-price quote covering labour and materials before any work begins, so you know the total cost upfront and can decide whether to proceed.
What's included in your Lifetime Labour Warranty?
The Lifetime Labour Warranty covers workmanship on the repair itself. If a fault develops in the work we completed (not in surrounding components or unrelated parts of the system), we'll return and make it right at no additional charge. Manufacturer warranties apply separately to new parts or appliances installed, and those terms are explained when the quote is provided. The warranty gives you a clear accountability pathway if an issue surfaces later.
Can you provide same-day emergency service on weekends and public holidays?
Yes. Our 24/7 availability includes weekends and public holidays. When an urgent job is logged outside standard business hours, the nearest licensed plumber is dispatched using the same process as weekday callouts. Pricing follows our fixed-quote model regardless of the day or time, the quote provided onsite covers the full cost, with no hidden after-hours surcharges added later.
What happens if you find additional problems during the emergency repair?
If diagnostic findings reveal additional issues beyond the original fault (for example, replacing a burst section of pipe shows that the entire run is corroded), we explain the situation, outline the options, and provide a separate quote for the additional work. You then decide whether to proceed with that scope or address only the immediate fault. We don't expand work without clear communication and your approval.
How do you handle gas leak emergencies?
Gas leaks are treated as immediate safety risks. If you smell gas (the "rotten egg" odour), turn off the gas meter if safe to do so, open windows, avoid switches and flames, and call us to arrange urgent dispatch. The attending licensed gas fitter uses electronic detectors and thermal imaging to locate the source, then repairs or replaces the affected section. A pressure-loss test is performed before the system is recommissioned, as required by safety standards.
Are your plumbers licensed and insured?
Every attending technician holds a valid NSW plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting licence (our business licence is 305428C). We carry Public Liability insurance, which covers accidental property damage during work, and Workers Compensation, which covers workplace injury protection. Both policies are maintained and current, giving you legal and financial protection during the job.
Do you carry parts and equipment to complete repairs on the first visit?
Our vans are mobile workshops stocked with pipe materials (copper, PEX, PVC), compression and soldered fittings, hot water components, drainage tools (CCTV cameras, high-pressure jetters), and gas detection equipment. Many emergency repairs can be completed on the first visit without needing to schedule a return trip for parts. If a specialised component isn't in stock, we'll advise on lead time and arrange supply as quickly as possible.
How do I know if I should call for an emergency plumber or wait until business hours?
If the fault involves active water flow you can't stop, a gas smell, sewer backup into occupied areas, or total loss of hot water or toilet function with no alternative, book an emergency callout. If the issue is contained (a slow drip that's been temporarily managed, or a fixture that's not essential right now), standard scheduling during business hours is usually appropriate. When in doubt, call and describe the situation, we'll advise whether immediate dispatch is needed.
