A burst water pipe can cause extensive damage to your property – and the property of others – if it’s not addressed right away. A burst pipe can be incredibly expensive and destructive if not dealt with properly and promptly – but you can minimise the damage by taking the right steps. While you will absolutely need to call in a licensed emergency plumber, there are a few things you can do to help minimise the damage to your home – and to help the plumber to do their job as best as they can.
So, here is our step-by-step guide on what to do in a burst water pipe situation – before the emergency plumber arrives and before you incur thousands of dollars in damages. Always make sure to speak to a plumber who is able to respond in an emergency, rather than just a local plumber who may not have an emergency call-out service. At Refined Plumbing, we’ve got a team of highly experienced emergency plumbers on call for when you need them most. Armed with the information in this article and some assistance from Refined Plumbing, you’ll be able to minimise the damage to your property and restore safety and order as quickly as possible.
A Speedy Summary
No time to read the whole thing? Here’s the information you can skim while you save the rest for later…
- In the case of a burst pipe, shut off your water mains ASAP. Locate the shut-off tap near your water meter, which is usually found close to the front boundary of your property.
- In the case of flooding or extensive water leakage, turn off the electricity mains if safe to do so. Otherwise, evacuate the area.
- Burst pipes rarely occur without warning signs. Address leaks, noisy pipes, persistent damp spots, and repeated blockages by calling a plumber for preventative maintenance.
1. How to Recognise a Burst Pipe Emergency
A burst pipe is often quite dramatic – you will be able to see and hear an uncontrolled flow of water through your property. However, its precursors can be more subtle. Pay attention to the following signs of broken or damaged pipes to avoid the eventuality of a burst pipe.
Small leaks can damage the structural integrity of your pipes, and over time, weaken them to the extent that they burst. So, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of leaks, big and small.
Some common signs of leaks include:
- A sudden drop in water pressure: this indicates that a fault, leak, or crack may be preventing the water from flowing through the system at the same rate.
- Unexplained puddles or damp spots: These could be anywhere in or around your property, including in the ceiling, walls, and floors, and on your house’s exterior.
- Hissing or spraying sounds in walls or ceilings: Sometimes, you’ll be able to hear water leaking from your system, indicating a leak that could progress quickly into a burst pipe.
- Discoloured water: This is a sign of disturbance in your plumbing – it’s likely that a large, sudden flow of water has dislodged residues or build-ups within your pipes, mixing those broken-off particles with your water.
- High water bills: A common sign of leaks, major and minor, is a high water bill, so it’s important to keep track of anything unusual in the invoices your provider sends.
It’s important to note that indoor and underground leaks can escalate from a tiny leak to a burst pipe at lightning speed: ignoring a leak is never the smart choice. While a seemingly ‘small’ leak may not be an emergency in the same way that a burst pipe is, it warrants attention and a plumber callout before it has the chance to progress. Even small bursts of leaking water can flood rooms, damage electrical wiring, and weaken your home’s structural materials: it’s not worth waiting before you act. At Refined Plumbing, we have a dedicated Leak Detection service to help prevent burst pipes and the need for our emergency plumbing service.
But not all burst pipes are the result of neglecting a leak – some of them can truly take you by surprise and come with almost no warning. So, if you do end up in a situation with a burst pipe, what will you need to do?
2. Emergency Steps to Take Before the Plumber Arrives
Step 1: Call an emergency plumber
The first step is always to call your emergency plumber and let them know what’s happening. Our emergency plumbers can be reached on 0405 142 154.
Step 2: Shut Off Your Main Water Supply
Learning to shut off your main water supply can save you a whole lot of drama and damage in the case of a burst water pipe. Here’s how to locate yours and how to turn off the stop tap.
Your water mains tap (sometimes called a ‘shut-off valve’) is usually found towards the front boundary of your property, close to your water meter.
The shut-off valve will have a valve that looks like a regular t-head tap, or a quarter-turn tap: turn it counterclockwise into the closed position. If the tap is stiff, you may need to turn it gently clockwise first to get it to move, before turning it counterclockwise into the closed position.
Step 3: Turn Off Electricity if Water is Near Power Points
Of course, water and electricity should not mix, so turning off power at your electricity mains is a highly recommended, important step. If there’s a chance that water from the burst pipe may come into contact with power points or electrical equipment, shut off electricity to your property immediately if it’s safe to do so.
Locate your switchboard (usually found at the front of your property near the entry, either inside or outside), and identify the main switch. Turn this switch off and leave it off: your emergency plumber will be able to tell you when it’s safe to restore power to your home.
If water has already come into contact with power points, internal wiring, or electrical equipment, do not touch the water or the equipment and keep the area clear.
Step 4: Drain Taps to Relieve Water Pressure
If it’s safe to do so, and if you’re aware of the location of the burst pipe, you can drain cold water taps to relieve pressure on your system and the burst pipe. Avoid trying to repair anything yourself and instead focus on your own safety: do not enter a flooded space, even if the power mains have been shut off.
Step 5: Contain the Water Leak
If safe to do so, contain water around the burst pipe with towels, buckets, or mops, and move valuables away from neighbouring areas in case the water damage spreads.
Step 6: Document the Damage
Documenting any damage and the nature of the leak through photos and videos will be helpful when speaking with your insurer. You can begin to document the affected area when it’s safe to do so – make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk of electrocution or another injury in the process.
3. Common Causes of Burst Pipes
In many cases, there can be warning signs that appear before a pipe bursts. Here are some common causes of burst pipes to be aware of:
• Corroded or ageing pipes: sometimes indicated by discoloured water, lower water pressure, or visible corrosion on inspection.
• Water pressure spikes: these can be the result of sudden changes in temperature within your pipes, water hammer issues, or faulty pressure valves.
• Tree root intrusion: Keep an eye out for slow-draining or frequently clogged toilets, sinks, showers, and baths, as well as wet or sunken spots in the ground outside of your property.
• Poor installation: Keep an eye and ear out for noisy, rattly pipes, as well as frequent minor leaks – these things can indicate your pipes aren’t installed properly.
• Freezing temperatures: When trapped water turns to ice inside your pipes, it expands and causes pressure changes that can result in a burst pipe. While this is rare in Queensland, thanks to our warmer weather, it’s not impossible and does occasionally occur in severe cold snaps: those living in the hinterland can attest to this!
Preventative and proactive maintenance really is your best bet when it comes to keeping your home safe (and dry). Don’t ignore the warning signs: be sure to get in touch with us if you’re noticing signs of blocked drains, corroded pipes, or any other maintenance issues. It’s no different to any other health or safety issue: acting early can make a huge difference, saving you endless problems (and money) down the line.
4. What Not to Do When You Have a Burst Water Pipe
Sometimes, a burst pipe can make you panic. And of course it can! But, don’t be tempted to take any rash actions like the ones below… These are the things we see residents doing that can really make things worse: think before you try them!
• Don’t ignore leaks, big or small: they often signal larger failures that will cause major dramas down the line.
• Don’t use DIY sealants or tape to try to contain a leak – big or small: they rarely hold under pressure, and a plumber can put a much more effective solution in place.
• Don’t turn water back on until the pipe is professionally repaired: you don’t want to cause the pipe to rupture again, or to continue spreading water throughout your property.
• Don’t attempt repairs near electrical wiring or appliances: always call a licensed plumber and let them know what’s happening. Your safety and the safety of everyone on your property depend on it!
5. When You Should Call an Emergency Plumber
So, what really is a plumbing emergency? What does a burst pipe (or the immediate precursor to it) look like?
Call an emergency plumber on 0405 142 154 if you notice any of the following:
• Water flooding indoors
• Pipe bursts inside walls or ceilings
• Major drops in water pressure
• Repeated pipe failures
• Burst pipes near electrical boards
Taking immediate action won’t just preserve your property; it can prevent long-term damage to the structure of your home, as well as hazardous mould growth and associated health risks. And, of course, it can prevent major – and potentially lethal – electrical hazards: it’s just not worth waiting.
Refined Plumbing is the Sunshine Coast’s reliable emergency plumber – we’re here for you when you need it most: give us a call, and we’ll be on our way.
6. How Refined Plumbing Sunshine Coast Handles Burst Pipe Emergencies
When we arrive at your property, we start a process that’s more than a stopgap. Here’s how we resolve your burst pipe, prevent further damage, and safeguard your property against future plumbing emergencies:
• Immediate call-out and arrival: Our experienced plumbers assess the situation quickly and act fast to prevent any further damage.
• Leak detection and isolation: Our plumbers quickly locate the source and cause of the problem, allowing them to effectively control the situation.
• Temporary repairs if needed: We’ll put in place an interim solution if a permanent fix can’t be achieved at that moment.
• Permanent pipe replacement or relining: We’ll repair the pipe in full – either at the time of the first callout or when it’s more suitable to do so – so that you’re not left with a poorly patched pipe that could burst again at any moment.
• System pressure testing: We conduct thorough pressure testing to ensure that the entire plumbing system associated with the formerly burst pipe is working as it should be.
Throughout this process, we use modern tools, extensive experience, and local know-how: our plumbers have worked across the Sunshine Coast region for decades, and know the kinds of plumbing issues that frequently arise in this beautiful part of the world. Our expertise is backed by transparent pricing and speedy, clear communication, with our promise of reliable workmanship that stands the test of time. We’re not the kind of plumbers who implement a patch-up or band-aid solution: we’re always looking for the root cause so that you can have peace of mind ongoing.
The final word on burst pipes…
While there are important actions you can take in a burst pipe emergency, the most important action you can take is contacting an emergency plumber as soon as you’re aware of the issue.
It’s also vitally important to know the precursors to burst pipes listed above, so that you can contact a plumber for preventative maintenance before things become critical.
Knowing the right actions to take – and being able to quickly find your water and electrical mains – can make a huge difference. And of course, the quality of the emergency plumber you call will have a long-lasting impact on your plumbing’s integrity long term. Don’t risk it: call us at Refined Plumbing Sunshine Coast for the ultimate in plumbing peace of mind.
