Burst Pipe Repairs and Water Main Leaks
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas, trusted since 1985
Water pouring from a pipe, a wet patch in the yard or a water meter that keeps ticking over? Turn the water off at the mains first, then call 1300-655-827. Our phones are answered 24/7.
- 1Turn the water off at the mains
- 2Call 1300-655-827, any time
- 3A licensed plumber finds the break and gives you a firm price
- 4Pipe repaired, water back on
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Firm price agreed before work starts
- 2,000+ Google reviews
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Phones answered 24/7
What to do right now
A burst pipe can release a lot of water quickly. These steps limit the damage while help is on the way.
- Turn the water off at the mains. The stop valve is usually next to the water meter, near the front boundary, often in a small box at ground level. Turn it clockwise until it stops. In units, check the meter cupboard or under the kitchen sink.
- Keep water away from electrics. If water is near power points, lights or the switchboard, switch the power off at the switchboard if it’s safe to do so. Don’t touch wet switches or appliances.
- Turn off the hot water system. If the leak is on the hot water side, switch off an electric system at the switchboard, or turn a gas system to off or pilot following the instructions on the unit.
- Drain the pipes. Open a cold tap at the lowest point of the house to let out the water left in the pipes.
- Protect your things and take photos. Move furniture and valuables, mop up what you can, and photograph the damage.
Call us straight away if
- Water is pouring from a pipe, wall or ceiling
- You can’t find or turn off the stop valve
- Water is near electrics or coming through a light fitting
- Water is bubbling up through the lawn, driveway or paving
- You have no water to the house
Burst pipes and water main leaks we repair
A burst pipe can be anything from a split under the sink to a broken water main under the driveway.
Burst pipes inside the house
Pipes in walls, ceilings, roof spaces and under floors, plus burst flexible hoses under sinks, basins and toilets.
Water main leaks
The pipe that runs from your water meter to the house. Leaks here often show up as a wet patch, a soft lawn or water bubbling through paving.
Leaks under driveways and paving
When the pipe runs under pavers or concrete, it has to be found and exposed before it can be repaired.
Broken pipe joints and fittings
Junctions, elbows and connections that crack or pull apart, often at older joints.
Outdoor and garden pipe breaks
Pipes damaged by digging, tree roots or ground movement, and outdoor taps that crack at the wall.
Hot water pipe leaks
Leaks on the hot water side, including at the hot water system. See hot water systems.
What causes burst pipes
Pipes rarely fail for no reason. Knowing the cause helps decide whether a section repair is enough.
Age and corrosion
Older galvanised steel and some copper pipes thin out from the inside over many years, then split or pinhole.
High water pressure
Pressure that is too high strains every joint and fitting in the house and wears them out faster.
Water hammer
The bang when a tap or appliance shuts off sends a pressure spike through the pipes, which can crack joints over time.
Tree roots and ground movement
Roots and shifting soil can crush or pull apart underground pipes, especially older ones.
Accidental damage
Digging, fencing, renovations and a stray nail or screw through a wall are common causes.
Failed flexible hoses
Braided hoses under sinks and toilets age and can burst without warning.
Repairing a pipe or replacing a water main
Your plumber finds the break, explains what needs to be done and gives you a firm price before the repair starts.
A section repair is usually enough when
- The pipe is in reasonable condition apart from one break
- The damage was caused by a one-off event such as digging
- A single joint or fitting has failed
Replacing a longer run makes sense when
- The pipe is old and has already been repaired before
- Corrosion or root damage runs along the length of the pipe
- The water main keeps leaking in different places
Before any digging starts, you’ll know what has to be opened up and the firm price for the job. If you think the leak may be on the street side of the meter, tell us when you call.
What a burst pipe repair costs
No two burst pipes are the same, so your plumber prices the job after finding the break. These are the things that change the price.
- Where the pipe isA pipe under a sink is quicker to reach than one in a wall, a ceiling, under a slab or under a driveway.
- Finding the leakIf the leak isn’t visible, it may need to be located first. See leak detection.
- Pipe material and lengthRepairing one joint costs less than replacing a long run of old pipe.
- Opening up and putting backLifting and relaying pavers, cutting into plaster or removing tiles adds time.
- Time of the callThere’s no call-out fee during business hours. Ask us on the phone what applies after hours.
No call-out fee in business hours
You pay for the work you agree to. If you decide not to go ahead, there’s nothing to pay during business hours.
A firm price before we start
Your plumber looks at the job, explains the options and gives you a firm price. Nothing starts until you agree, and that’s the price you pay.
Why call Tap Doctor
Burst pipes, leaks under driveways and water main repairs come up again and again in our reviews. Here’s what you can expect when you call.
A firm price before any work starts
Your plumber explains what’s needed and gives you a firm price. Nothing starts until you say yes.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look. If you decide not to go ahead, you owe nothing during business hours.
Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
Every job is done by a licensed plumber. Our licence numbers are listed at the bottom of every page of this website.
Guaranteed work, 5-year in-home warranty
All our work is guaranteed, with a 5-year in-home warranty. If something we fixed isn’t right, call us.
Trusted since 1985, 2,000+ Google reviews
Tap Doctor has been fixing taps, pipes and hot water systems since 1985, and our customers have left more than 2,000 Google reviews.
What customers say about our burst pipe repairs
2,000+ Google reviews
“Arrived early for a burst pipe. Located the leak and completed the repair quickly. Area was left tidy and clean.”
“Had a leak under paved driveway. … The job was done very well at the right price. No damage to pavers and limited removed and all put back afterwards.”
“Came out straight away, fixed the mains leak under my driveway, re-laid the bricks and had my house back to normal in record time.”
“Jimmy and co arrived on time, assessed, fixed and completed the repair of the burst pipe junction in good time.”
“We had a burst water mains in our laundry on a Sunday. They came out as soon as possible, and did a wonderful job, left everything neat and tidy…”
“Luke did an awesome job finding our broken pipe in the roof and replacing it. … He showed us photos of the broken pipe and explained exactly what needed to be done.”
Burst pipe and water main FAQs
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn the water off at the mains. The stop valve is usually next to the water meter near the front boundary. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If water is near power points or lights, switch the power off at the switchboard if it’s safe to do so, then call us on 1300-655-827.
Where is my water main stop valve?
In most houses it’s at the water meter, close to the front boundary, often in a small box at ground level. In units and apartments it may be in a meter cupboard, a service riser or under the kitchen sink. It’s worth finding it before you ever need it.
Can you come out after hours for a burst pipe?
Our phones are answered 24/7 on 1300-655-827, and we offer emergency plumbers in most areas. There’s no call-out fee during business hours; ask us on the phone what applies after hours. See emergency plumbing.
How much does a burst pipe repair cost?
It depends on where the pipe is, how easy it is to reach, what it’s made of and what has to be opened up and put back. Your plumber finds the break and gives you a firm price before the repair starts.
Who is responsible for a leaking water main?
As a general rule, the pipe from the water meter to your house is the property owner’s responsibility, and the pipe on the street side of the meter belongs to the local water authority. If you’re not sure which side the leak is on, your plumber can tell you.
How do I know if I have a hidden leak?
Turn off every tap and water-using appliance, then watch your water meter for a few minutes. If it keeps moving, water is escaping somewhere. Our leak detection service can find it.
Do you guarantee burst pipe repairs?
Yes. All our work is guaranteed, with a 5-year in-home warranty.
Burst pipe or water main leak?
Turn the water off at the mains, then call us any time on 1300-655-827.