Burst Pipe Repairs.Done Right.

What to do first

Turn off the main water tap at the meter or inside the property. If water is near a power point, light or appliance, switch off power at the switchboard only if you can reach it safely without standing in water. Open a low tap to drain the pipes and take photos before you clean up. Then call a plumber.

Isolating water and power safely

If you cannot find the main tap, look near the water meter, at the front of the property or along the boundary. Test it once a year so you know it turns. If water has reached the switchboard or power points, stay clear and call a licensed electrician as well as a plumber.

How pipes burst

Pipes burst because of age and corrosion, high water pressure, a poor joint, a pipe damaged during other work, a sudden pressure spike or movement of the ground. Copper, plastic and galvanised pipes each fail in different ways. The burst is a symptom, and the plumber should look at the reason as well as the split.

Signs of a burst or leaking pipe

A sudden loss of pressure, the sound of running water when everything is off, a wet patch on a wall, ceiling or floor, a spinning water meter with all taps off and an unexpectedly high bill all suggest a leak. See our leak detection page for how hidden leaks are found.

How we repair it

Repair depends on the pipe. A split section can be cut out and replaced. A joint can be remade. A long run of corroded pipe may be better replaced than patched. The plumber should explain which parts of the system are at risk, so you can decide between a quick fix and a larger repair.

Dealing with the damage

Mop up standing water, lift rugs and move furniture. Take dated photos and video before you clean up, for your insurer. Ventilate the room and ask your insurer or a restoration company about drying. Wet plasterboard and insulation can hold moisture for days.

Water hammer and pressure spikes

A banging noise when a tap closes is water hammer, caused by water stopping suddenly. Repeated hammering stresses joints and can lead to a burst. High pressure also stresses pipes. A plumber can check pressure with a gauge and fit a pressure limiting valve or hammer arrestor if needed.

Frozen and cold-weather pipes

Exposed pipes in roof spaces and outdoors can freeze in cold snaps, and a frozen pipe can split. The leak shows once it thaws. Insulate exposed pipes and know where your isolation valves are.

Questions people ask about burst pipes

Is a burst pipe covered by insurance?

It depends on the policy and the cause. Ask your insurer what they need, and keep photos and invoices.

Can I fix a burst pipe myself?

A temporary clamp can slow a leak, but the repair should be done by a licensed plumber.

How fast should I act?

Immediately. Turn off the water first, then call.

Will my water bill be high?

A leak can raise it. Ask your water retailer whether any leak allowance applies, as policies vary.

Hot or cold: which pipe burst?

A burst on the cold supply is isolated at the main tap. A burst on the hot side may also be isolated at the hot water unit's cold inlet, which stops the unit refilling. If hot water is coming out of a ceiling, switch off the power or gas to the hot water system as well as the water, since heating an empty or leaking tank can damage it.

After the repair: what to check

Run each tap slowly to bleed air from the pipes. Check around the repair for weeps over the next day. Look at nearby joints and old pipe of the same type. Ask the plumber whether the pressure is too high for the pipework, and whether other sections are at risk.

Documenting for insurance and landlords

Photograph the damage before clean-up, note when you noticed it and when you turned the water off, and keep the plumber's invoice and any description of the cause. In a rental, tell the rental provider or agent immediately in writing, since a burst water service is on the urgent repairs list under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. Consumer Affairs Victoria's repairs page explains what renters and rental providers should do.

What to do in the first ten minutes

Turn off the water at the main, open the lowest tap to drain the lines, switch off the hot water system if the burst is on the hot side, and switch off power to wet areas if it is safe. Move belongings, take photos and call the plumber.

Do not enter a room with water near live electrics. If in doubt, turn off the power at the switchboard only if you can reach it safely.

Insurance, records and repairs after a burst

Take photos and videos before cleaning up. Keep the failed pipe section if the plumber removes it. Ask for a written report on the cause and the repair. Contact your insurer early, as policies differ on pipes, water damage and drying.

Drying walls and floors quickly reduces mould. Ask the plumber if any plumbing work is needed before drying equipment is placed.

Why pipes burst and how to reduce the risk

Pipes burst from age and corrosion, high water pressure, ground movement, poor joints, damage during other work and, in cold regions, freezing. A pressure limiting valve in good order helps reduce the strain on the system.

Check for early signs: damp patches, discoloured water, drops in pressure, noisy pipes and green or white deposits on fittings. If your home has old galvanised or copper pipes, ask a plumber about their condition. Replacing a weak section on your schedule costs less than repairing a burst in an emergency.

Guides worth reading

• What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency Before the Plumber Arrives
• How to Find a Hidden Water Leak in Your Home

Related plumbing services

• Emergency Plumbing: Burst pipes, flooding, gas smells and no hot water. Call any hour, any day.
• Blocked Drains: Slow sinks, gurgling pipes and smelly drains cleared and the cause found.
• Blocked Toilets: Blocked, slow or overflowing toilets cleared without making a mess of your bathroom.
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• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.