A burst pipe can cause a lot of damage in a short time, especially if it’s in a ceiling or wall. The good news is there are a few simple steps that can limit the damage while a plumber is on the way.

1. Turn off the water at the main

Your water meter and main stop valve are usually near the front boundary of your property. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. In units and townhouses, the stopcock may be in a meter box, cupboard or common area. Find yours now, before you need it.

2. Keep away from electrical fittings

If water is coming through a ceiling light, power point or near your switchboard, stay clear and turn off the power at the switchboard if it’s safe to do so. Don’t touch wet electrical fittings. Have an electrician check them before they’re used again.

3. Protect your belongings

Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way. Put buckets or containers under drips and use towels to soak up water on hard floors.

4. Relieve pressure in the ceiling (carefully)

A bulging, water-stained ceiling can collapse without warning. Keep people and pets out from underneath it and wait for help rather than trying to puncture it yourself.

5. Open a cold tap

Once the main is off, opening a cold tap at the lowest point in the house can help drain water still sitting in the pipes.

6. Take photos

Photograph the damage before anything is moved or cleaned up. It helps if you need to make an insurance claim.

7. Call a licensed plumber

Burst pipes need a licensed plumber to find the damaged section, repair it properly and pressure test the system before the water goes back on. Common causes we see include old or corroded pipework, high water pressure, poor-quality fittings and even rodents chewing through pipes in the ceiling.

What not to do

  • Don’t turn the water back on to “see if it’s still leaking”
  • Don’t use tape or sealant as a long-term fix
  • Don’t go into a wet ceiling space unless it’s safe and the power is off

Burst pipe right now? Our team is available 24/7. Call The Plumbing Gang on 1300 671 525. See how we fixed a burst ceiling pipe in Waterford.