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When you need an emergency plumber, the first few minutes matter more than anything else. Turning off the water, keeping clear of electrics and knowing who to call can limit the damage before any plumber arrives. Once it’s safe, send an urgent enquiry: SuperFox passes it to one independent local plumber, who calls you back within 24–48 hours to assess and quote. We can’t promise an arrival time, so use the steps below.
What should you do first in a plumbing emergency?
Make it safe, then get help. Here’s what to do for the most common emergencies:
| Emergency | First step | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Burst or leaking pipe | Turn off the water at the main | Send an urgent enquiry |
| Leak at or before the meter, or in the street | Keep clear | SA Water faults 1300 729 283 |
| Smell of gas | Get everyone outside, no switches or flames | Australian Gas Networks 1800 427 532 |
| Water near power points or the switchboard | Keep away; turn off power at the main switch only if it’s dry and safe | 000 if anyone is in danger |
| Sewage overflowing | Stop using water inside the house | Send an urgent enquiry |
| Hot water unit leaking heavily | Turn off the cold water to the unit and its power or gas | Send an urgent enquiry |
Our guide to what to do with a burst pipe goes step by step, and signs of a gas leak explains what to look and smell for.
Which jobs count as emergencies?
An emergency is anything that’s causing damage now or is unsafe:
- A burst pipe, or a leak you can’t stop
- Water coming through a ceiling or wall
- Sewage backing up into the house or overflowing outside
- A gas smell, or a gas appliance behaving strangely
- No water at all (after checking with SA Water that it’s not a supply outage)
- A hot water unit leaking from the tank
A dripping tap, a slow drain or a toilet that keeps running are annoying but not urgent. You’ll often pay less if they’re booked in normal hours. See taps and toilets for those jobs.
What does an emergency plumber do?
The plumber’s first job is to stop the damage, the second is to find the cause, and the third is to make a lasting repair.
Making safe. The plumber isolates the water, gas or affected fixture and checks for any risk to electrics.
Finding the cause. For burst pipes, that means locating the failed section, which may be in a wall, under the floor or under a slab. For blockages, it may involve a drain camera. Hidden leaks sometimes need water leak detection equipment.
Repairing. Many emergencies can be repaired on the spot, such as cutting out and replacing a section of burst pipe or clearing a blocked sewer. Larger jobs, like rerouting pipework or replacing a hot water system, may be quoted as a follow-up once things are stable. Some repair work needs a certificate of compliance, so ask.
Why do plumbing emergencies happen in Adelaide homes?
Ground movement. Reactive clay soils across much of Adelaide shrink and swell between dry summers and wet winters. Over years, that movement stresses pipes and joints, and older copper or galvanised pipes can crack.
Tree roots. Roots in old clay sewer pipes cause sudden blockages and overflows, often after rain. See blocked drains.
Ageing hot water systems. A corroded tank can fail without much warning. If yours is leaking from the tank itself, see hot water systems.
Water pressure. High mains pressure can strain fittings and appliance hoses. A plumber can check whether a pressure-limiting valve is needed.
Hills properties. Homes on tank water can lose supply when a pump fails. See rainwater tank pumps.
Who’s responsible. SA Water looks after the main and the meter, and leaks between the main and your meter. Pipes on your side of the meter are the owner’s responsibility, and leaks there are billed to you as the meter records the water.
How can you be ready before an emergency?
A few minutes of preparation pays off. Find your water meter and check the stopcock turns freely. Know where the gas meter is and how to turn it off. Note any isolation valves under sinks and behind toilets, and keep a torch handy near the meter. If you’re going away in winter or summer, consider turning the water off at the main.
What affects the price of an emergency plumber?
The plumber quotes before carrying out repairs. The main factors are:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Time of day | Nights, weekends and public holidays usually cost more |
| Finding the problem | Leaks in walls or under slabs take longer to locate |
| Access | Cutting into walls, floors or paving adds time |
| Parts | Pipe, fittings, valves or a new appliance |
| Temporary versus permanent fix | Sometimes a temporary repair comes first |
Our guide to plumber and electrician call-out fees explains how call-out charges usually work.
SA rules and what to ask
Plumbing and gas work in South Australia must be done by licensed tradespeople, and you can check a licence on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) public register. Ask the plumber:
- How do you charge after hours?
- Is this a temporary or permanent repair?
- Does the repair need a certificate of compliance?
- What caused it, and is it likely to happen again?
Never attempt gas repairs yourself. If you smell gas, leave it to Australian Gas Networks and a licensed gas fitter.
Getting it sorted
Once it’s safe, send an urgent enquiry through the contact form or call 08 6800 6079. One local plumber will call you back within 24–48 hours to quote. See all plumbing services on our Adelaide plumber page.