What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. A burst pipe at midnight, a flooding bathroom on Christmas morning, or a gas smell when you get home from work — these situations are stressful, and it’s easy to panic and make things worse.

This guide gives you a clear, calm plan for the most common plumbing emergencies in Australian homes — so you know exactly what to do before a licensed plumber arrives.

What counts as a plumbing emergency

A plumbing problem is an emergency when it is causing damage or a safety risk right now, and you cannot stop it yourself. As a rule of thumb, call straight away for:

• Water you cannot turn off: a burst pipe or a failed hose, and the isolation valve is missing or will not close.
• Sewage coming back up into a shower, floor waste or toilet, or overflowing from the gully outside. Our guide to an overflow relief gully overflowing explains what that grate is telling you.
• Water near electrics: a ceiling, switchboard, power point or light fitting getting wet.
• A gas smell, inside or out. Our guide on whether it is a gas leak covers the warning signs.
• No water at all, or no hot water in a home with a baby, an older person or someone unwell.

It can usually wait for a booked visit when the water is off and nothing is spreading: a dripping tap, a toilet that runs on, a slow drain, or one fixture out of action while others still work.

Burst Pipe

A burst pipe at mains pressure can let out hundreds of litres in the time it takes to find the meter. Acting quickly limits the damage. A braided hose under a sink or toilet is one of the most common culprits; our guide to braided flexi hose failure shows how to spot one before it goes.

1. Turn off the water immediately. If it’s a burst near a tap or appliance, close the isolation valve right there. If you can’t find it or it won’t close, go to your main water meter and turn the valve clockwise to close it.
2. Turn off the electricity in affected areas. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is near power points, light fittings, or your switchboard, turn off those circuits at the main switchboard.
3. Open taps to drain remaining water. This relieves pressure and drains water already in the pipes, reducing ongoing leakage.
4. Move valuables and furniture. Get rugs, electronics, and furniture away from the water while you wait for the plumber.
5. Call an emergency plumber. Burst pipes need same-day repair. Don’t leave a closed main as a long-term solution.

Flooding or Sewage Overflow

Whether it’s a washing machine overflow, a backed-up drain, or a flooding bathroom, the approach is similar.

1. Stop the source. Turn off the appliance or isolation valve causing the flooding. For a backed-up drain or toilet, stop adding water — don’t flush again.
2. Don’t use any drains in the home until the blockage is cleared. Using another drain or toilet can make the backflow worse.
3. If it’s a sewage overflow, don’t touch the water. Sewage contains bacteria and pathogens. Keep children and pets away, open windows, and wait for a professional.
4. Contain and absorb what you can safely. Use old towels or buckets to limit spread — but only if the water is clean (not sewage).
5. Call a plumber. Sewage blockages and overflows are always an emergency call — they need professional clearing equipment and sanitation.

Suspected Gas Leak

A gas leak is the most serious plumbing-related emergency. The risk of explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning is real.

1. Don’t turn any switches on or off. Electrical sparks can ignite gas. Don’t touch light switches, powerpoints, or appliances.
2. Don’t use your phone inside the building. Step outside first, then make calls.
3. Open windows and doors as you leave to ventilate — but don’t delay getting out.
4. Turn off the gas at the meter. Your gas meter is usually on the side of the house. Turn the valve so it’s perpendicular to the pipe to close it.
5. Call 000 if you suspect a serious leak or if people are feeling unwell. Also call your gas provider’s emergency line: Jemena (NSW): 131 909.
6. Call a licensed gasfitter before re-entering or relighting any appliances.

Blocked or Overflowing Toilet

1. Stop flushing immediately. If the toilet bowl is full or nearly full, each flush makes it worse.
2. Shut off the isolation valve — the small valve on the water supply pipe behind or below the toilet. Turn it clockwise to stop water filling the cistern.
3. Try a plunger. For a simple toilet blockage, a good rubber plunger with a firm, steady pump can clear most obstructions. Create a seal over the drain hole and pump 10–15 times.
4. If water is overflowing onto the floor, contain it with towels and don’t attempt to use the toilet or any nearby drain until a plumber has cleared the blockage.
5. Call a plumber if the plunger doesn’t clear it within a few attempts, or if sewage is backing up.

No Hot Water

While not usually dangerous, loss of hot water — especially with children or elderly household members — warrants prompt attention.

• Check your circuit breaker or gas supply first — the system may have simply tripped or run out of gas.
• For electric systems: reset the circuit breaker once. If it trips again, call a plumber — don’t keep resetting it.
• For gas systems: check the pilot light if it’s an older unit. Relight per the manual. If it won’t stay lit, there’s an underlying fault.
• If you can see water pooling under the hot water unit, the tank may be failing. Turn off the water and power/gas supply to the unit and call a plumber.
• A licensed plumber can tell you whether it needs a repair or a replacement, and quote a fixed price before starting.

When to Call 000 vs. a Plumber

Frequently Asked Questions