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If you’ve ever had a pipe burst in your home, you’ll know it’s not just a plumbing issue—it’s a full-blown household disaster. One minute everything’s fine; the next you’ve got water pooling across the floor, dripping from ceilings, or running through the walls. We’ve seen it happen in Adelaide homes more than once, and the reaction is always the same: a mix of panic, towels everywhere, and a desperate scramble to stop the water.
The truth is, when a pipe bursts, you don’t have time to waste. Every minute the water keeps flowing is another minute of damage to your carpets, furniture, and walls. But here’s the good news: there are simple steps you can take right away to minimize the damage before help arrives.
Let’s go through them.
This one sounds obvious, but in the stress of the moment people often forget. The very first thing to do is shut off your main water supply.
Most Adelaide homes have the valve near the water meter out front, but in older houses it might be tucked away in a garage or laundry. The valve handle usually turns clockwise to close. Sometimes it’s stiff—that’s when a wrench or multi-grip pliers come in handy.
If you can’t get to it because it’s blocked or jammed, look for isolation valves inside—under sinks, behind the toilet, near appliances. They won’t shut the whole house down, but they’ll stop the flow to problem areas.
💡 Quick tip: make sure every member of your household knows where the main valve is. We can’t tell you how many times people have wasted precious minutes searching for it while their kitchen turned into a swimming pool.
Shutting off the main valve stops new water from entering, but your pipes are still full. If you don’t clear it, that leftover water can keep leaking.
Here’s what to do:
Draining the lines relieves pressure and stops extra water sneaking out of the burst spot. We once had a customer who didn’t do this—they turned the mains off and thought the job was done. Hours later, water was still seeping out from the wall. Lesson learned.
When you’re ankle-deep in water, the last thing on your mind might be paperwork. But trust us—your insurance company will want proof, and the more you have, the easier your claim will be.
Insurance assessors love detail. The more you can show, the smoother the process. Don’t throw out ruined items straight away either—hold onto them until your insurer has seen the evidence.
Now comes the messy part. The faster you get water out, the better chance you have of saving floors and walls.
If the damage is extensive, don’t be afraid to call in professionals. Water restoration companies in Adelaide have industrial-grade dryers and moisture sensors that can detect hidden damp spots. It costs more upfront, but it’s often cheaper than fixing mold damage months later.
Once the chaos settles and the pipe is fixed, it’s worth asking: how do we stop this from happening again?
Prevention doesn’t just save you from burst pipes. It saves you from late-night panic, ruined furniture, and the stress of insurance claims.
A burst pipe is every homeowner’s nightmare—sudden, messy, and expensive if left unchecked. But if you stay calm and act quickly, you can control the situation.
Keep these steps in mind and you’ll be far better prepared if the worst ever happens. And remember: having the number of a reliable emergency plumber in Adelaide saved in your phone can make all the difference when minutes matter.
High water pressure, aging pipes, and root intrusion are common causes. In cooler areas like the Hills, freezing can also play a part.
Most policies cover sudden water damage, but not wear and tear or neglect. Always check your PDS (Product Disclosure Statement).
Immediately. Water spreads fast, and mold can start forming in as little as 24 hours.
You can patch it temporarily with tape or clamps, but a licensed plumber should always handle the permanent repair.
Anywhere from $200 for a simple repair to thousands if flooring, walls, or electricals are damaged.
Check near the water meter at the front of your property. If you can’t locate it, your local water authority can help.
Insulate exposed pipes, especially outdoors or in unheated areas like garages.
Yes. Roots naturally chase water and can crack or block underground pipes.
If the leak is on your side of the water meter, it’s your responsibility. If it’s street-side, call SA Water.
Look for licensed plumbers with 24/7 services, transparent pricing, and positive local reviews.
Published: 5 September, 2025
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