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A plumbing emergency is any plumbing fault that is causing damage right now, or is about to, and cannot safely wait for a normal booking. A burst pipe, a major leak, no water to the house, sewage backing up, or the smell of gas all count. In those first few minutes, what you do before the plumber arrives can be the difference between a small repair and a flooded home.
This is a plain guide for households across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich. Read it now so you know where your shut-off taps are before you ever need them. If gas or electricity is involved, safety comes first. When in doubt, get everyone out and call the relevant emergency service.
What counts as a plumbing emergency
Not every drip is an emergency. These are the situations that usually are:
- A burst pipe or a pipe spraying water you cannot stop.
- A major or uncontrolled leak, including hidden leaks soaking walls or ceilings.
- No water at all to the property.
- Sewage or wastewater overflowing inside the home.
- A gas leak or the smell of gas.
- No hot water, in some cases, such as a leaking hot water unit or a home with young children or medical needs.
If it is causing damage or a health or safety risk, treat it as an emergency.
First step: shut off the water
Stopping the water flow is almost always the first move. It limits the damage while you sort out the rest.
At the main
Your main shut-off tap is at the water meter, usually near the front boundary of the property. Turn the tap clockwise to close it. That stops water to the whole house. It is worth walking out to find yours today, so you are not hunting for it in a crisis.
At the fixture
Many fittings have their own small isolation tap, so you can stop one fixture without cutting water to the whole house. Toilets usually have one on the wall or below the cistern. Sinks, basins and hot water units often have them too. Turn the isolation tap clockwise to close it. If you cannot find one, or the leak is bigger than one fixture, shut off at the main instead.
What to do for a burst pipe
A burst pipe can move a lot of water fast. Work through these steps in order:
- Turn off the water at the main tap by the meter.
- If water is anywhere near power points, wiring or electrical fittings, turn off the electricity at the switchboard. Only do this if you can reach the switchboard safely and without standing in water. Never touch a switchboard that is wet or surrounded by water.
- Drain the remaining water by opening the cold taps, ideally a low one such as an outside or laundry tap. This clears pressure left in the pipes and slows any residual leak.
- Move valuables clear of the water and start mopping or bucketing to contain it.
- Call a licensed plumber. Shutting off the main controls the symptom. The burst still needs repairing before the water goes back on.
What to do for a gas leak (safety first)
Treat the smell of gas seriously. Gas is a safety emergency, not a plumbing job you should attempt yourself. If you smell gas:
- Do not turn any light or switch on or off, do not use a phone inside the property, and do not use a flame, lighter, match or torch. A single spark can ignite gas.
- Turn off all gas appliances and pilot lights.
- Turn off the supply at the gas meter if you can do so safely. The meter has a quarter-turn valve. Rotate it 90 degrees to the horizontal position to shut it off.
- Open doors and windows to ventilate.
- Get everyone, including pets, out of the building.
- From outside, call your gas provider’s emergency number. It is printed on your gas bill and on the gas meter. If there is any immediate danger to life or property, call 000.
- Once the immediate danger is handled, a licensed gas fitter needs to find and repair the leak. The emergency service makes the situation safe but does not repair your internal pipework or appliances.
Call The Plumber Now handles licensed gas fitting across South East Queensland once the area is safe. The safety steps above always come first.
Blocked or overflowing toilet
An overflowing toilet is unpleasant and can spread contaminated water quickly.
- Stop using it. Do not flush again to test it, as that adds more water.
- Turn off the isolation tap behind or below the toilet, usually on the wall near the base or by the cistern. Turn it clockwise to close it. This stops the cistern refilling and stops the overflow.
- If wastewater is coming up through the toilet, shower or floor drains, that points to a blockage further down the line. Keep water use to a minimum and call a plumber.
What an emergency plumber costs in Brisbane
For urgent call-outs, Call The Plumber Now charges an emergency rate of $250 to $300 per hour. The final cost depends on the job, the parts needed and how long the repair takes. See our guide to what plumbers charge in Brisbane for standard, non-emergency rates. For anything outside a straight emergency call-out, the price varies, so the best step is to get a quote. If you are anywhere in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan or Ipswich, we can talk you through what to expect before any work starts.
Quick reference: emergency type and immediate action
| Emergency | Do this first |
|---|---|
| Burst pipe | Turn off water at the main, turn off power at the switchboard if water is near electrics, drain cold taps, call a plumber. |
| Major or hidden leak | Turn off water at the main, contain the water, call a plumber. |
| Gas leak or smell of gas | No switches or flames. Turn off appliances and the gas meter if safe, ventilate, get everyone out, then call your gas provider’s emergency line, or 000 if dangerous. |
| Overflowing toilet | Stop flushing, turn off the isolation tap behind the toilet, call a plumber if it is a line blockage. |
| Sewage backing up inside | Stop using water fixtures, keep clear of the wastewater, call a plumber. |
| No water to the house | Check the main tap is open, check with neighbours for an outage, then call a plumber. |
| Leaking hot water unit | Turn off the isolation tap at the unit, turn off its power or gas, call a plumber. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off the water mains in an emergency?
Find the main tap at your water meter, usually near the front boundary of the property. Turn it clockwise to close it. That shuts off water to the whole house. Locate yours before you need it so it is quick to reach in an emergency.
What should I do first when a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water at the main tap by the meter. If water is near power points or wiring, turn off the electricity at the switchboard, but only if you can reach it safely and it is not wet. Then open the cold taps to drain the pipes and call a plumber.
Do you have a 24 hour emergency plumber in Brisbane?
Yes. Call The Plumber Now provides emergency plumbing across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich. Contact us and describe what is happening, and we will get a plumber to you as fast as we can.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
A burst pipe, a major or uncontrolled leak, no water to the house, sewage overflowing indoors, a gas leak, and in some cases no hot water. If it is causing damage or a safety risk, treat it as an emergency.
Should I turn off the power during a plumbing emergency?
If water is near power points, wiring or electrical fittings, yes, turn off the electricity at the switchboard, but only if you can do it safely and without standing in water. Never touch a switchboard that is wet. If you are unsure, stay clear and call for help.
Need an emergency plumber now?
If you have a plumbing emergency in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan or Ipswich, do not wait for the damage to spread. Call The Plumber Now provides fast emergency response across South East Queensland. See our emergency plumbing services, and for anything else get a quote. For a gas leak or an electrical risk, safety comes first: get everyone out and call the relevant emergency service before you call us.
Wherever you are across South East Queensland, from Logan Reserve to Blacksoil, you can check our full service area to find your suburb.
