Is My Leak an Emergency? How to Tell if You Need an Emergency Plumber in Sydney

Plumbing Things
Dec 5
3 min read

Water leaks are one of the most common plumbing issues Sydney homeowners face. Some might be minor while others need an emergency plumber right away to prevent serious damage to your home.

If you’ve discovered a leak and you're wondering “Is this actually an emergency?” — here’s a clear guide to

help you decide.

🔍 What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

A plumbing emergency is any situation where water can cause immediate damage, safety risks, or major disruption to your home.

Sydney properties, especially apartments and older homes, are particularly vulnerable to fast-spreading water damage, so quick action matters.

Signs Your Leak Is an Emergency

1. Water won’t stop running

If water is flowing continuously from a burst pipe, tap, or fitting - this is urgent.

Risk of flooding
Damage to floors, walls and ceilings
Mold and structural issues
Extremely high water bills

Action: Turn off your water mains immediately and call a plumber.

2. Water is coming through the ceiling

This is considered an emergency every time.

Ceilings can sag, collapse, or create electrical hazards. If water is dripping through light fittings, switch off your electricity at the breaker.

3. The leak is near electrical points or appliances

Water and electricity do not mix. If a leak is close to power sockets, lights, or appliances, treat it as an emergency.

4. You can hear a pipe hissing, spraying or vibrating inside a wall

Hidden leaks inside walls can cause thousands of dollars in damage quickly.If the sound is strong or constant, it may indicate a burst pipe.

5. Your hot water system is leaking heavily

Any heavy leak, water pooling around the tank, or no hot water at all = emergency.

Hot water systems can burst and cause major flooding.

6. You’ve lost water pressure suddenly

A sudden drop in water pressure often means you have a burst pipe or significant underground leak.

7. Your neighbour or strata has reported water coming from your unit

Apartments are high-risk environments. A small leak in your unit can damage multiple floors and become an urgent insurance issue.

🛠️ When a Leak Is Not an Emergency

Some leaks are annoying, but not urgent:

Slow dripping taps
Small leaks under a sink
A toilet running constantly
Minor leaks on irrigation lines

These can usually be booked as a standard plumbing job, but shouldn’t be ignored - they waste water and often become bigger problems.

💡 What To Do If You Think Your Leak Is an Emergency

Turn off your water at the mains, usually located at the front of your property or in your apartment’s service cabinet.
Turn off power if water is near electricity. Safety first.
Take photos/videos for insurance. Especially if you’re in a rental or strata building.
Call a trusted emergency plumber. A qualified plumber can stop the leak, repair the damage and prevent further issues.

Emergency Plumber in Sydney – Plumbing Things

If you're dealing with a leak and unsure whether it’s an emergency, it’s always better to check. At Plumbing Things, we provide:

24/7 emergency plumbing across Sydney
Fast leak detection
Burst pipe repairs
Hot water repairs
Apartment & strata plumbing
Insurance-friendly reporting

📞 Call us anytime: 0422 348 653 📧 info@plumbingthings.com.au 🌐 www.plumbingthings.com.au

📍 Areas We Service Across Sydney

We proudly service: St George, Sutherland Shire, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Canterbury-Bankstown, Western Sydney, Hills District, South West Sydney, and surrounding suburbs.

⭐ Need Help Right Now?

If water is running, spraying, dripping through ceilings, or causing damage - that’s an emergency. Don’t wait.

👉 Contact Plumbing Things for fast, reliable 24/7 emergency leak repair in Sydney.