Burst Water Pipe? What to Do First in Adelaide

A burst water pipe can push out a lot of water in a short time, so the first few minutes matter more than anything else. The good news is that the most important step is simple: turn off the water. After that, the job is keeping people safe, limiting damage and working out whether the burst is on your side of the meter or SA Water’s.

This guide walks you through what to do, in order, then explains who is responsible, what a plumber will do, and how to spot a hidden burst pipe before it does damage. If water is pouring out now, do steps 1 to 3 below first and read the rest later.

What should you do when a pipe bursts?

Turn off the water first, then deal with safety, then call for help.

1. Turn off the water at the meter. Your water meter is usually near the front boundary, often in a small box or behind a cap at ground level. Turn the stop tap beside it clockwise until it stops. Some homes also have a separate isolation valve on the house side of the meter.
2. Keep clear of electricity. If water is near power points, appliances, light fittings or the switchboard, stay out of the water. If you can reach the main switch without standing in water, turn it off. If not, keep everyone clear and call an electrician.
3. Turn off the hot water system. For an electric unit, switch it off at its isolator or circuit breaker, if safe. For a gas unit, only use the on/off control described on the heater’s label, and leave it alone if you are unsure. Running a storage heater with no water coming in can damage it, which is why this step matters.
4. Open a cold tap outside. This drains remaining pressure from the pipes.
5. Move what you can. Lift rugs, electronics and furniture away from the water. Put towels and buckets down.
6. Take photos. Record the damage for your insurer before cleaning up.
7. Call a plumber, or SA Water if the burst is in the street.

If ceiling plaster is sagging with water, keep out of the room. A wet ceiling can come down without warning.

Is it your pipe or SA Water’s?

The water meter is the dividing line. SA Water says it looks after any leaks between the water main and your meter, and that water meters are its property. Pipes after the meter, on your side, belong to the property owner.

Where the burst is	Who fixes it	Is the water lost billed?
Water main in the street or footpath	SA Water	No
Between the main and your meter, or at the meter	SA Water	No, according to SA Water
After the meter, anywhere on your property	Property owner, using a licensed plumber	Yes, it passes through the meter

To report a water main burst or a leak at the meter, use SA Water’s online faults and outages map or call 1300 729 283. For anything on your side, call a plumber. If your bill jumps because of a leak you have had repaired, SA Water says you may be eligible for a one-time allowance covering up to half of the water lost.

What causes a burst pipe in Adelaide homes?

Most bursts have a slow cause and a sudden moment. Common culprits include:

• Failed flexible hoses. The braided hoses under sinks, basins and toilets wear out and can split without warning.
• Ageing pipes. Older galvanised steel pipes corrode from the inside, and some early plastic pipes become brittle.
• Reactive clay soils. Adelaide’s clay soils swell and shrink with the seasons, stressing underground pipes and joints.
• High water pressure. Pressure that is too high puts constant strain on pipes, taps and valves.
• Tree roots. Roots can crush or crack underground pipes. See tree roots in pipes for more on root damage.
• Accidental damage. Nails, screws, digging and renovations are frequent causes.
• Frost. Exposed pipes on cold nights in higher parts of the Adelaide Hills can crack.

How do you find a hidden burst pipe?

Not every burst pipe sprays water. Many leak quietly into a wall, under a slab or into the garden. SA Water recommends a simple meter test:

• Turn off every tap and water-using appliance inside and outside.
• Read the meter and write down the numbers.
• Use no water for about an hour or two.
• Read the meter again. If the reading has changed, there’s likely a leak.

Other signs to watch for, according to SA Water, include damp soil, unusually green patches of grass, wet paths, and damp, warped or discoloured walls, floors or carpets. Drips from your hot water system or water pooling under the dishwasher are also worth checking.

If the meter test shows a leak but you can’t see it, our leak detection service page explains how a plumber can locate it with minimal digging. Low pressure can be another clue, covered in our guide to low water pressure.

What will the plumber do?

A plumber will stop the leak, repair the pipe and check for related damage. Expect them to:

1. Confirm the water is off and find the exact source.
2. Cut out the damaged section and replace it, or replace a failed hose or fitting.
3. Check the water pressure and recommend a pressure limiting valve if it is high.
4. Test the repair under pressure before restoring supply.
5. Advise on whether other pipes of the same age are at risk.

For underground or in-wall leaks, the plumber may use acoustic or thermal tools to find the leak before opening anything up. Ask how they will access the pipe and who handles making good any walls, tiles or paving afterwards.

What should you ask the plumber about the repair?

Ask enough to understand whether this is a one-off or the first of several. Useful questions include:

• Was this a one-off failure, or are other pipes the same age and material likely to go?
• Is the water pressure too high, and would a pressure limiting valve help?
• Should the flexible hoses on other taps and toilets be replaced now?
• Would an isolation valve on the house side of the meter make it easier to turn the water off next time?
• Who will repair walls, plaster or tiles opened to reach the pipe?

How can you prevent burst pipes?

You can lower the risk with a few habits:

• Know where your meter and stop tap are, and check that the tap turns.
• Replace flexible hoses under sinks and toilets if they are rusty, bulging or old.
• Ask a plumber to check water pressure if taps bang or hammer.
• Avoid planting trees over known pipe routes.
• Be careful drilling into walls, and check for pipes before digging.

When should you call a licensed tradie?

Call a plumber straight away when:

• Water is spraying or pouring and you have turned it off at the meter.
• You can’t turn the water off, or the stop tap won’t move.
• Water has reached ceilings, floors or electrics.
• The meter test shows a leak you can’t find.
• Your water bill has jumped with no explanation.

Call an electrician if water has got into power points, light fittings or the switchboard. For a burst in the street, call SA Water on 1300 729 283. For more help, see our Adelaide plumber page and the emergency plumber service.

Getting it sorted

Send one enquiry through our contact page or call 08 6800 6079. We pass it to one local plumber, who calls you back within 24–48 hours and quotes before any work starts. For an active burst, choose Urgent on the form; we can’t promise an arrival time, so turn the water off at the meter first.