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A plumbing problem is an emergency if it’s actively getting worse, whether it’s water that won’t stop flowing, sewage entering your home, a suspected gas leak or anything putting people or the property at risk. If the answer to “what happens if I leave this for a few more hours?” is “significant damage or a safety hazard”, then stop reading and call a plumber!
Call us on 1300 110 902
If it’s a slow drip or a slightly sluggish drain, it can usually wait for a scheduled appointment. The tricky part is telling the two apart in the moment, especially when you’re standing in a hallway at 11pm wondering whether that damp patch on the ceiling counts. Below are 7 such situations we get called out for most often in South Brisbane, what causes them and what to do while you wait for help to arrive.
A burst pipe rarely stays small. Water can spread beneath flooring, through walls, across ceilings and into cupboards within minutes, and a leak that looks manageable at first can cause real damage if the supply stays on.
Pipes fail for a range of reasons including corrosion, worn fittings, excess pressure, accidental damage or ground movement affecting underground sections. Location matters too. A leak under a visible sink is easy to isolate whilst a pipe leaking inside a wall cavity can keep going for hours without anyone noticing.
What you should do is turn off the water at the mains if you can do so safely, and stop using the affected fixture. Move furniture and electrical items away from any standing water while you wait for a plumber.
Wastewater coming back up through a toilet, shower, floor drain or sink is a different matter entirely, and it points to a blockage further down the drainage network rather than something local.
Common causes include built-up debris, tree root intrusion, damaged pipework, or a substantial obstruction in the sewer line. If it keeps happening, treat it as a sign of an underlying drainage issue rather than one-off bad luck.
What you should do is stop using every connected fixture (sinks, showers, toilets) until the blockage is cleared. This is because any extra water going down the drain only adds to what’s backing up. We often use CCTV drain cameras to find the exact cause before clearing it, which avoids guesswork and repeat callouts.
Gas problems come with a different level of urgency because the risk is to safety, not just to the property. A strong gas smell, a hissing sound near an appliance or a gas appliance behaving unusually all warrant immediate action.
What you should do is leave the area straight away. Don’t switch anything electrical on or off, don’t create a flame or spark, and don’t try to inspect the leak yourself.
If you can isolate the gas supply without walking back into danger do so, but getting people clear is the priority. Gas work should always go to a licensed professional, never a DIY fix. If you’re at all unsure how serious it is, call emergency services from a safe location first, then arrange a plumber.
Still filling? Stop flushing as repeated attempts just push more water into a bowl that’s already losing. A single blockage will sometimes respond to a plunger, but a toilet that overflows repeatedly, or that overflows while other fixtures are also draining slowly, usually points to something bigger than a local clog.
What you should do in this scenario is shut off the water at the isolation valve near the toilet if you can reach it. If other drains in the house are also acting up, mention that when you call as it helps our plumbers know to check the wider drainage system rather than just the toilet itself.
Losing hot water on its own isn’t always urgent, rather an inconvenience and as such it can usually wait for a scheduled visit. It becomes urgent the moment it’s paired with something else such as water pooling around the unit, a burning smell, sparking or any other electrical warning sign. Gas powered systems carry the added risk of a gas fault.
Don’t attempt to open the unit or touch its wiring or gas connections. Isolate the system at the power or gas supply if it’s safe to reach, and get a professional to look at it. A quick inspection will tell you whether it’s a repair or whether the system has reached the end of its life. Catching a small fault early can be the difference between a repair and a full replacement.
Water and electricity together are dangerous, full stop. This situation can follow any of the leaks above once the water reaches power outlets, appliances, switchboards or wiring.
What you should do is stay out of standing water if there’s any chance it’s reached an electrical source. If you can isolate the power without entering the wet area do it otherwise, leave and call an electrician or emergency services. Once the area is confirmed safe, deal with the plumbing fault. Keep in mind that moisture can linger inside walls and flooring even after visible water is gone, so it’s worth having that checked too.
Heavy rain exposes drainage weaknesses that stay hidden the rest of the year. Stormwater pooling around a building, overflowing drains and systems that can’t move water away fast enough are all common during Brisbane’s summer storm season.
What you should do if water is moving toward entrances, garages or internal areas is act early rather than waiting to see if it recedes. Stay clear of water that may be contaminated, and don’t lift drain covers that could be under pressure. If the cause turns out to be blocked or damaged plumbing infrastructure rather than the storm itself, a plumber can assess it once it’s safe to get to. Keeping gutters and grates clear year-round reduces how often this happens.
Once you’ve confirmed it’s a genuine emergency, the most useful thing you can do is limit the damage without putting yourself at risk. Know where your main water shut-off valve is before you need it as that kind of knowledge saves real time during a major leak. The same goes for the isolation valves on individual fixtures.
Keep children and pets away from contaminated water, and don’t use any fixture connected to a blocked or overflowing drain. Photos of the affected area are worth taking if it’s safe to do so as they’re useful for insurance and for giving the plumber context before they arrive.
Of course, not every dripping tap needs a call-out at midnight, but certain situations warrant one. The test is simple, just ask yourself. Is it getting worse by the minute, affecting an essential service or creating a safety hazard? If so, get help moving and call an emergency plumber!
Call 1300 110 902