What to do when a pipe bursts or you have a water leak

For serious water leaks, the first step in an emergency is to turn off the water mains to limit further damage. This will stop the flow of water into the house and prevent any further water coming into the pipes.

Your water main is typically located near your water meter which is outside the front of your house, either inside your fence or along the verge, in a covered underground box. For apartments, your water mains can be found under either your kitchen or laundry sink.

To turn your water mains off you simply need to remove the lid of the water mains box and locate the valve. (For apartments, your mains valve should be uncovered and attached to your water pipe.)

When on, the valve is pointing in the direction of the water flow (towards your home). Turn the valve clockwise 90 degrees to turn off the water mains. You’ll know your water mains are off if the meter dials have stopped spinning.

If you cannot locate your water mains, your neighbours may be able to help, or your emergency plumber will be able to identify it once they arrive.

If there is any chance of water coming into contact with electrical wiring like lights or power points, or if you are unsure, it is also a good idea to switch off your electrical mains.

If your home is flooded, or if the water damage is severe, there is a risk that your electrical wiring or sockets may be affected.

To switch off your electrical mains you first need to locate the main switchboard enclosure. The location of your main switchboard is usually in the front entry, hallway entry or externally located on the side of your residence.

To isolate all power, identify the isolator or circuit breaker (labelled main switch) and, if safe to do so, switch off.

All power and lighting circuits should be isolated once the main switch is off. Leave power isolated until a licensed plumber attends and can assess the extent of the damage.

Once the immediate risk posed by a serious water leak has been dealt with, you can focus on identifying the source of the leak.

While this may seem simple, locating a burst or leaking pipe can be quite tricky, especially if there is water leaking from the ceiling or the walls.

Pipes are often hidden and water can travel unseen for some distance before it leaks out, but a good starting point is the wettest areas. You can then work back, and up, towards walls which have taps or appliances that use water like dishwashers or washing machines.

For double-storey homes, consider where upstairs bathrooms are and if water could be coming from them.

To minimise the water damage caused to your home, place buckets and towels around the affected area, keeping it as dry as possible. This will help prevent expensive repair costs down the track.

Once your water mains have been turned off, you then need to drain the water currently in your pipes – this will also release the water pressure that is already built up in the pipes.

To drain the pipes, simply run your hot and cold taps until the flow of water has stopped.

Now that you have prevented any further water damage or hazardous situations, it’s time to call a licensed emergency plumber.

Choosing an emergency plumber can be overwhelming. The urgency of arranging a plumber leads many people to make a hasty decision, which can end up adding to their problem. If the repair work isn’t performed correctly, small issues could turn into major problems and expensive repairs down the track.

With so many tradespeople and companies to choose from, it can be hard to know if you have found a reputable plumber. 

A burst pipe can lead to a lot of water damage in your home and expensive repair costs.

To minimise the water damage caused to your home, try to open as many windows and doors around the affected area as possible to help air circulation.

While cleaning up the water you can see is important, sometimes secondary damage such as mould, corrosion and even structural damage can be worse than the initial leak. Drying out the water you can’t see in the carpet pad, plasterboard or even insulation in your walls will help prevent this.

If your water damage is severe, a dehumidifier can remove the excess moisture from the air. A commercial air mover is also designed to bring moisture out of the floor, carpets, walls and furniture.