How To Cope in a Plumbing Emergency

Like all emergencies, plumbing emergencies rear their ugly heads when you least expect them. They also appear in all sorts of guises including flooded rooms, burst pipes, leaking ceilings and malfunctioning hot water heaters. In all these instances you are going to need a plumber’s assistance, but what do you do until the plumber gets to you?

The first thing to remember is not to panic. This can be a tough call in an emergency, but if you consider the implications of plumbing emergencies before they happen, you will be prepared.

As a matter of course, make sure you know where the water mains connection is and where you can turn it off. Also familiarise yourself with the layout of the plumbing system and identify where all the stopcocks are.

Here are a couple of emergency situations you might be faced with, and some advice on how to cope.

Water leaks through the ceiling

Unless it is raining and your roof leaks, water dripping through the ceiling will probably be due to either a burst pipe or a hot water cylinder that is leaking.

The priority in this situation is to get rid of as much water from the pipes as quickly as you can, to stop the water from flooding your home. Don't waste time at this stage searching for the cause of the leaking water.

Turn off the mains water and switch off the electricity supply to your water heater. Remember that water conducts electricity so there is a danger of shocks, short circuits and even fire if leaking water runs along electrical wiring. If there is any chance that water has reached wiring, switch off the mains electricity as well.

Then turn on all the hot water taps in the house – bath, basin and sink – and let all the water in the system drain out.

If there is a lot of water in the ceiling, it may begin to bulge with the weight of the water. To prevent the ceiling from collapsing, put a bucket below the bulge, and pierce the bulge with a sharp screwdriver.

Call a plumber before you switch the electricity or water back on.
While you may be able to temporarily repair a burst pipe, don't attempt to work with a hot water cylinder. This is a job for a qualified and registered plumber.

Burst pipe

A burst water pipe can cause extensive damage, depending where it is located. If your leaking ceiling was due to a burst pipe, you could try to locate the source of the leak – but only after you have followed the procedure described above. If you aren't able to flush all the water out of the system, bind the pipe with repair tape, or plug the hole with two-part epoxy putty.

If you have nailed or drilled into a pipe and caused it to burst, you may be able to stem the flow of water with a similar-sized nail or screw. If the pipe pops because of the pressure, try the old plumbers’ trick and shove a potato into the hole. Then turn off the water and electricity.

Call a plumber and clean up the mess while you are waiting.

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Written by Mark Swaffield
Mark Swaffield works for PAV Plumbing, a Sydney plumbing company that serves residential and business customers in the Sydney metropolitan area. All plumbers are professional, experienced and courteous.
View all articles by Mark Swaffield