Emergency Plumbing Questions, Woronora Heights
Emergency plumbing situations often involve stress and time pressure. Below are answers to common questions we receive from Woronora Heights residents facing urgent plumbing issues. If your specific situation isn't covered here, call us directly, our lines are staffed 24/7 and we can provide guidance based on what you're experiencing.
What qualifies as an emergency plumbing situation?
An emergency involves active property damage, safety risk, or complete loss of essential function. This includes broken pipes flooding rooms, sewer backups into living areas, gas leaks requiring immediate isolation, or total hot water failure in occupied homes during cold weather. Situations that can wait until business hours without escalating damage (like a slow drip or minor blockage) are typically scheduled as standard service calls rather than emergency dispatch.
How quickly can you reach Woronora Heights for an emergency?
Arrival timing depends on where our nearest available plumber is currently located and traffic conditions at the time you call. Woronora Heights sits within our South Sydney service zone, typically reached from our West Sydney or Southern dispatch hubs. We provide an ETA when you book so you know when to expect the plumber onsite. Immediate dispatch means your job is sent out as soon as we take your call, with urgent situations prioritised over scheduled work.
Do you charge call-out fees for emergency plumbing in the 2233 area?
Call-out fee policy varies by service area and job type. Many South Sydney suburbs have no call-out fee for standard plumbing work, but after-hours emergency dispatch may incur an additional charge depending on timing and distance. We'll confirm the call-out fee status and any applicable after-hours rate when you book, before the plumber is dispatched. The fixed-price quote provided onsite then covers the actual repair or installation work.
Can you provide a quote over the phone without seeing the job?
Accurate quoting requires onsite assessment because the scope depends on what inspection reveals. For example, a blocked drain might clear with simple jetting, or it might involve pipe damage requiring repair, we can't confirm which until we've run a camera through the line. We provide the fixed-price quote after diagnosing the fault onsite, so you know exactly what the work will cost before we start. You can then decide whether to proceed based on confirmed scope and pricing.
What should I do while waiting for the emergency plumber to arrive?
If water is actively leaking, turn off the supply at the meter or the isolation valve closest to the leak (usually located under sinks, behind toilets, or near hot water systems). For gas leaks, avoid creating any ignition source, ventilate the area, turn off the gas at the meter if safely accessible, then evacuate. Don't attempt to disassemble fittings or operate electrical switches in gas-affected areas. If the situation involves sewage backup, avoid using any plumbing fixtures until the plumber assesses the blockage.
Will the plumber have the parts needed to fix the problem?
Our vehicles carry commonly required parts for typical emergency repairs (pipe fittings, tap components, basic hot water elements, toilet cistern parts). This allows most standard repairs to be completed during the first visit. If your job requires a specialised part (like a specific water heater component or unusual fixture cartridge), we'll source it and return to complete the installation. The quote provided onsite will specify whether the work can be finished immediately or requires a follow-up visit for parts.
Are your plumbers correctly licensed and insured?
All attending plumbers hold current NSW licences covering plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting work (licence number 305428C). Fixed Today Plumbing carries Public Liability insurance (which provides protection if accidental property damage occurs during our work) and Workers Compensation insurance (which covers workplace injuries sustained by our employees on the job). We can provide insurance certificate copies if required for strata or commercial property work.
Do you guarantee your emergency repair work?
All labour is backed by our Lifetime Labour Warranty, meaning if the repair itself fails due to workmanship, we return and fix it at no additional cost. Manufacturer warranties cover hardware and appliances (like hot water tanks or tap bodies) for periods specified by the manufacturer. The warranty doesn't cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, or subsequent work performed by others. We explain warranty coverage when providing your quote so you understand what's protected.
Can you fix blocked drains that keep coming back?
Recurring blockages usually indicate a structural issue beyond simple debris buildup; typically tree root intrusion through cracked pipes, a collapsed section, or severe grease coating that re-accumulates quickly. We use CCTV check to identify the underlying cause, then recommend either targeted repairs (like relining damaged sections) or preventative maintenance (like regular jetting and root treatment) depending on what the camera reveals. Clearing the immediate blockage restores flow, but addressing the root cause prevents repeat callouts.
What happens if you can't fix the problem during the emergency visit?
If the fault requires parts we don't carry or involves work that can't be completed safely in the time available, we'll stabilise the situation (for example, capping off a ruptured pipe to stop flooding) and provide a quote for the full repair. You'll know what temporary measures we've taken, what the complete fix involves, and what it will cost. We then schedule a return visit to complete the work once parts are sourced or conditions allow. The initial visit charge covers the diagnosis and temporary stabilisation.
