Should I turn off the water main if a pipe bursts?

Yes, shutting off the mains stop tap straight away limits water damage while you wait for the plumber to arrive.

Can a burst pipe under the slab be fixed without breaking concrete?

Sometimes. Plumbers with leak detection gear can sometimes reroute the pipe or use trenchless repair methods, but it depends on the location and the extent of the damage.

Is burst pipe repair covered by insurance?

Many home insurance policies cover the water damage caused by a sudden burst, though the pipe repair itself may not always be included. Check your policy and get a written report from the plumber for your claim.

Burst pipe repair, same day

A burst pipe is one of those jobs where every hour matters. Water finds its way into walls, ceilings and flooring fast, and the longer it runs the bigger the repair bill and the higher the risk of mould setting in. This page is for homeowners and property managers who need someone on site quickly, not a general callout in a day or two.

Most burst pipe jobs start with the plumber isolating the water supply, then locating the failure point, which could be a fitting, a corroded section of galvanised pipe, or damage from tree roots or ground movement. Depending on the pipe material and location, the fix might be a spot repair, a full section replacement, or a temporary clamp followed by a scheduled permanent fix.

Older Perth homes with galvanised steel or ageing poly pipe are more prone to bursts, especially after ground movement in summer or a sudden cold snap. If you're on a slab, a burst under the concrete needs a plumber comfortable with leak detection equipment, not just someone who can swap a section of exposed pipe.

What it costs

Cost depends on whether the pipe is exposed or buried, the material (copper, PVC, poly or galvanised), and whether any wall, ceiling or slab needs to be opened up to reach it. A simple exposed pipe repair is far cheaper than a slab leak that needs excavation or trenchless repair. After-hours callouts typically cost more than a booked daytime job.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for emergency plumbing.

1. World of Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd
5.0★ · 232 reviews

95
2. Ausco Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd
5.0★ · 408 reviews

94
3. TPR Plumbing & Gas
5.0★ · 385 reviews

94

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FAQ

Should I turn off the water main if a pipe bursts?: Yes, shutting off the mains stop tap straight away limits water damage while you wait for the plumber to arrive.
Can a burst pipe under the slab be fixed without breaking concrete?: Sometimes. Plumbers with leak detection gear can sometimes reroute the pipe or use trenchless repair methods, but it depends on the location and the extent of the damage.
Is burst pipe repair covered by insurance?: Many home insurance policies cover the water damage caused by a sudden burst, though the pipe repair itself may not always be included. Check your policy and get a written report from the plumber for your claim.

Enquiries from this site's forms may be shared with partner providers who perform the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Rankings and scores here are based solely on our published method and are not affected by referral fees.