Broken Pipe

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Licensed pipe repair plumbers across Adelaide, Perth & Brisbane

G★★★★★
4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

A broken or burst pipe can cause serious water damage fast, often behind a wall or underground where you cannot see it. Our licensed plumbers locate and repair broken pipes with minimal digging or wall opening, and we answer calls around the clock.

Turn off your water at the mains and call us, we can usually get to you the same day across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Why choose Same Day Trades for broken pipes?

We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.

Fully licensed and insured plumbers
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.

Signs of a broken or damaged pipe

A broken pipe can be obvious or hidden, so it pays to know the signs:

Water stains or damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors
A drop in water pressure
The sound of running water when no taps are on
An unexplained rise in your water bill
Damp or musty smells, or mould
Soggy patches, sinkholes or lush green spots in the yard
Discoloured water or air spluttering from taps

A broken pipe can cause serious, sometimes hidden, water damage, so if you notice these signs, it is best to have it found and fixed before the damage spreads.

Common causes of broken pipes

Pipes break and fail for several common reasons: corrosion and age, as older metal pipes rust and weaken from the inside; high water pressure stressing the pipe and its joints; ground movement and tree roots, especially on underground pipes; freezing is rare in most of Australia but blockages and pressure surges are not; physical damage, such as a nail or screw driven into a pipe during renovations; and failed or poorly made joints. Corrosion is the leading cause in older homes, because the damage builds slowly and invisibly until the pipe finally fails. Identifying the cause matters, because a pipe that failed from corrosion or high pressure may have more failures to come.

Burst pipes vs slow leaks

Broken pipes fall into two broad categories. A burst pipe fails suddenly, releasing a lot of water quickly, which is an emergency, water can flood a room or soak a wall cavity fast, so the priority is turning off the water and calling a plumber urgently. A slow leak, by contrast, weeps quietly over weeks or months, often hidden in a wall, under a floor or underground, causing gradual but serious damage, rot, mould and a creeping water bill, before you even notice it. Both need fixing, but they are found and handled differently. We deal with both, from emergency burst repairs to tracking down an elusive slow leak.

What to do if a pipe breaks

If a pipe bursts or breaks and water is flowing, act fast to limit the damage:

Turn off the water at the mains, usually at the meter or a stop tap
Turn off the hot water system if the break is on a hot line
Switch off power to the affected area at the switchboard if water is near electrical fittings
Move belongings away from the water and mop up what you can
Call a plumber straight away, and photograph the damage for insurance

The faster the water is off, the less damage to your home, so knowing where your mains stop tap is before an emergency is well worth it.

Finding hidden broken pipes

Many broken pipes are hidden inside walls, under floors or underground, where you cannot see the leak directly, only its effects. Finding them without tearing everything open takes specialised equipment, and we use non-invasive leak detection for exactly this. Acoustic listening devices hear water escaping, thermal imaging cameras reveal the temperature difference of a wet area or a hot water leak, and moisture meters and pressure testing confirm and locate the problem. This lets us pinpoint the exact spot before opening anything, so we make the smallest possible access to reach and repair the pipe, rather than guessing and cutting open large areas.

Why accurate leak detection matters

The old approach to a hidden broken pipe was to open up walls or dig until the leak was found, meaning far more repair and reinstatement afterwards. Accurate leak detection changes that: by pinpointing the exact location first, we cut a small, precise access hole or dig only where needed, fix the pipe, and leave you with a much smaller repair. This saves time and money on wall, tile and surface restoration, and causes far less disruption. It also ensures we fix the actual source, not just the first damp spot, which matters because water often tracks away from where the pipe actually broke before it appears.

How we repair broken pipes

Once we have located the break, we isolate the water, make a neat access point, and repair or replace the damaged section with new pipe and proper fittings. For a clean break we replace that section; where a pipe is corroded or failing along its length, we may recommend replacing a longer run so you are not back with another break nearby soon after. For broken underground or drain pipes, no-dig pipe relining can often repair them without excavation. We test the repair under pressure before closing up, so you know it is watertight and the fix will last.

Broken water pipes vs broken drains

It helps to distinguish the two, because they behave and are repaired differently. A broken water supply pipe is under pressure, so it leaks continuously whether or not you are using water, showing as damp patches, pressure loss and a rising bill, and it needs prompt repair. A broken drain or sewer pipe only carries water when something drains, so it shows as recurring blockages, sewage smells, soggy ground or slow drains, and is often diagnosed with a camera and repaired by relining or excavation. We handle both, identifying which type you have as part of locating the problem, so the right repair method is used.

Water damage and insurance

Sudden water damage from a burst or broken pipe is often covered by home insurance, though gradual damage from a long-ignored slow leak may not be, which is another reason to act on the signs early. We can provide a clear report of the cause and the repair, plus photos, to support your claim. Take your own photos of the damage before and during the repair, and keep records. While we are not your insurer, stopping the water and fixing the pipe promptly, and documenting it properly, puts you in the best position. We focus on finding and repairing the break; your insurer can then handle restoring the affected walls, floors and contents.

Ageing pipes and repiping

If your home has old galvanised or ageing metal pipes that are corroding, a single break is often a sign that more will follow, as the whole system reaches the end of its life at a similar time. Rather than repair one leak after another, it can be more cost-effective to replace the affected pipework, or in older homes, to plan a staged repipe. We will tell you honestly whether your broken pipe is a one-off or part of a wider ageing-pipe problem, and lay out your options. Replacing failing pipes before they break saves you the repeated cost and water damage of dealing with them one at a time.

Preventing broken pipes

Some pipe failures are unavoidable, but you can reduce the risk. Have high water pressure checked and, if needed, fit a pressure-limiting valve, since excessive pressure stresses pipes and joints. Address small leaks and drips promptly before they worsen. In older homes with ageing metal pipes, consider a plan to replace them before they fail. Be careful drilling or nailing into walls where pipes may run. And act on the early warning signs, a stain, a musty smell, a pressure drop or a creeping water bill, while the repair is small and the damage limited. A little attention prevents a lot of expensive water damage.

How much does broken pipe repair cost?

The cost depends on where the pipe is, how easy it is to locate and access, how much pipe needs replacing, and whether it is a water supply or drain pipe. Accurate leak detection keeps access and repair costs down by avoiding unnecessary wall or ground damage, and no-dig relining can avoid excavation for underground pipes. Emergency and after-hours call-outs cost more than a standard appointment. We give you an upfront fixed price once we have located the break and assessed the repair, so you know the cost before we start, and we will flag if ageing pipes mean a larger job is better value.

24/7 emergency pipe repair

A burst or broken pipe is a genuine emergency, because every minute the water flows adds to the damage. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, and we can usually get a licensed plumber to you the same day, including after hours, across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. If you have a broken pipe, turn off the water at the mains and call us, we will get to you as fast as possible, find the break, stop the water and repair the pipe, with an upfront price before we start the repair. Fast action limits the damage, and we are set up to respond quickly.

Licensed, guaranteed plumbers

Finding and repairing broken pipes, especially hidden ones, takes a licensed plumber with proper leak-detection equipment and the skill to fix it with minimal disruption. Our team is fully licensed and insured, we locate the break accurately, repair or replace the damaged pipe, and test it before closing up, and we back our workmanship. You get fast emergency response, upfront fixed pricing, and honest advice on whether it is a one-off or part of a wider pipe problem. For a plumber near you for broken pipes, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Broken pipe FAQs

What should I do if a pipe breaks?

Turn off the water at the mains immediately, switch off power to the area if water is near electrics, and call a plumber. We answer calls 24 hours a day.

How do you find a broken pipe?

We use leak detection and, for underground pipes, a CCTV camera to pinpoint the break with minimal digging or wall damage.

How much does it cost to fix a broken pipe?

It depends on the location, access and how much pipe is affected. We give you an upfront fixed price before we start.

Why did my pipe break?

Common causes are corrosion, high pressure, bad joints, ground movement, tree roots or physical damage. We find the cause so the repair lasts.

Can a broken pipe be repaired without digging?

Often, yes for drains, using no-dig pipe relining. Pressure pipes in walls are repaired with minimal opening using leak detection.

Is a broken pipe an emergency?

Yes. It can cause major water damage quickly. Turn off the mains and call us, we can usually attend the same day.

Will insurance cover a broken pipe?

Sudden bursts are often covered, while gradual leaks may not be. We can provide a report of the repair for your claim.

Do you answer calls after hours?

Yes. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day for broken and burst pipes across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

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Had Jordan Smith out he was very helpful

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Dominic was quick, efficient & pleasant to deal with. No problems at all.

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Really happy with the work Diego did replacing our induction cooktop, I would highly recommend his services.

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We received excellent service and advice

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Diego did a fantastic job, very quick and everything works - thanks!

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Jordan Smith came out to quote on several jobs for me: replacing the pipes in my shower, fixing a leaking toilet, and installing an air conditioner. He was patient, thorough and took real time to explain everything, and I never felt rushed. The quote was clear and fair, and I felt genuinely looked after. You can tell he takes pride in his work and cares about his customers. I can't recommend Jordan and the team highly enough! Coda rewired my electrics and Kosta installed my air conditioning units, and both were fantastic. They were professional and efficient, explained what they were doing as they went, and gave me some great tips and insight along the way. Highly recommend them both!

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Excellent service today from Jack. He was punctual, communicated well and very professional. Friendly and great personality Made the process stress free. Explained what the issue was and took time to detail what is required. Payment options were very accommodating. Highly recommend this business and Jack