Burst Pipe? What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

Few plumbing problems cause panic quite like a burst pipe. One minute everything is normal, the next there is water spraying across the laundry, soaking into carpet or streaming down a wall. What you do in the first few minutes can be the difference between a quick fix and thousands of dollars in water damage. This guide from the team at Assigned Plumbing Services walks you through exactly what to do before the plumber arrives, so you can stay calm, protect your home, and get the problem sorted fast across Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills and the Murraylands.

Step 1: Shut off the water at the meter

Your first job is to stop the flow. Turning off the water at the mains stops more water entering the burst pipe and limits the damage immediately.

• Find your water meter – it is usually near the front boundary of your property, at ground level in a rectangular box near the street.
• Turn the tap or lever clockwise until it stops. A lever-style valve only needs a 90-degree turn.
• If you have an internal stop tap (often under the kitchen sink or near the hot water unit), you can use that too, but the meter is the master control for the whole property.

It is worth locating your meter today, while there is no emergency, so you are not searching for it in the dark with water rising.

Step 2: Kill the power if water is near electrics

Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If water is leaking near power points, light fittings, the switchboard or any electrical appliance, switch off the electricity at the main switch on your switchboard – but only if you can reach it safely and without standing in water. If the switchboard itself is wet or you are unsure, stay clear and call an electrician. Never touch electrical fittings or appliances that have been in contact with water.

Step 3: Drain the remaining water

Once the mains is off, there is still water sitting in your pipes. Draining it relieves pressure and slows the leak at the burst point.

• Turn on your cold taps, starting with the lowest one in the house, and let them run until they stop.
• Flush the toilets to clear the cistern.
• Switch off your hot water system so it is not heating an empty or draining tank, then run the hot taps to drain them as well.

Step 4: Contain the damage

With the flow stopped, focus on protecting your home while you wait:

• Place buckets, towels and old blankets under and around the leak to soak up water.
• Move furniture, electronics, rugs and anything valuable well clear of the wet area.
• Mop up standing water quickly to reduce the risk of it seeping under floors or into wall cavities.
• Open windows and doors to help the area dry and reduce the chance of mould.
• Take a few photos of the damage before you clean up – your insurer will likely want them.

When is a burst pipe a genuine emergency?

Some situations cannot wait for business hours. Call an emergency plumber straight away if:

• Water is gushing and you cannot stop it, even at the meter.
• Water is pouring through a ceiling or near electrical fittings.
• You have no water at all to the home.
• There is sewage or foul-smelling water involved.
• The burst is affecting a business, tenanted property or a vulnerable household.

For major faults or leaks in SA Water’s own mains (out in the street rather than on your property), you can also report the issue to SA Water on 1300 729 283.

What causes pipes to burst?

Adelaide does not get the hard winter freezes that split pipes in colder countries, so bursts here usually come down to other causes:

• Corrosion and age. Older galvanised and copper pipes gradually corrode and thin, especially in areas with hard water, until a weak point finally gives way. Heritage homes across Adelaide are prime candidates.
• Tree roots. Roots chase moisture and can wrap around, crack or crush underground pipes – a common issue on established, leafy blocks and rural properties.
• High or fluctuating water pressure. Excessive mains pressure or water hammer stresses joints and fittings over time. A correctly set pressure limiting valve helps protect your plumbing.
• Ground movement. Adelaide’s reactive clay soils shift as they dry out and swell again, placing strain on rigid underground pipework.
• Physical damage. Accidentally hitting a pipe while digging or renovating is more common than you might think.

Get it fixed properly

Once the immediate crisis is under control, a burst pipe needs a licensed plumber to repair it correctly and check the surrounding pipework for further weak spots. Our emergency plumbing in Adelaide team responds fast to burst pipes and major leaks, day or night. If the burst was linked to a blockage or backing-up drain, our blocked drain plumber service can clear and inspect the line, and if your hot water system is the source, we can repair or replace it.

Dealing with a burst pipe right now? Do not wait for the damage to spread – call Assigned Plumbing Services on 0410 063 121 and we will get to you as quickly as we can.