Burst Pipes Gold Coast

If you suspect a burst water pipe, your best bet is to call a professional, licensed plumber – and if you’re on the Gold Coast, you should call DCM Plumbing. Our burst pipe plumbers will go the extra mile and identify the root cause and ensure that it is dealt with quickly and effectively in order to minimise any future problems. 

Water hammer is a phenomenon caused by rapidly moving water coming to a sudden stop because of a tap being turned off. It is also known as hydraulic shock. It sounds like a hammer hitting your pipes and is caused by the shockwave of the water stopping suddenly, causing the pipes to shake and hit the wall if they are close to one. You’ll most likely know it when you hear it. 

If left untreated, bad water hammer can damage your pipes over time, causing them to loosen from their straps and supports and may even lead to a burst pipe. This is why you should contact DCM Plumbing today if you notice any water hammer issues in your home! 

Whilst there’s no set answer, most burst pipes are fixed within a few hours, however, some may be fixed in as little as 15 minutes. It depends entirely on the severity of the damage, the material of the pipe (the plumber may need to locate certain materials), and the ease of access to the pipe (an underground pipe is much harder to access than one under your bathroom sink!). 

Fixing a pipe that is inside of a wall is a tricky task, so it’s best left to the professionals; and if you’re on the Gold Coast, there’s no better burst pipe plumber than DCM Plumbing, so contact us today. That being said, if you do need to fix a burst pipe inside of a wall yourself, here is how to do it: 

1. The first order of business is to turn off the water at your meter or the isolation valve that controls the tap. Once that’s done, turn on the tap to remove any remaining water in it.
2. Remove the section of the damaged drywall that is directly over the leak. Only do this once you are absolutely sure where the leak is located!
3. Once you have access to the pipe, locate the exact location of the rupture. 
4. Place a container under the pipe. The repair will most likely be quite messy so placing a container underneath will make it easier to clean up after. 

Next, you have a few options. To repair the burst pipe you can use any of these to patch up the hole: 

1. If the pipe is plastic, the section needs to be cut out and replaced
2. If it’s copper, you may be able to solder a small pinhole leak, otherwise, you’ll also have to cut out the section and replace it 
3. Total replacement of the pipe

Again, this type of work can be expensive and time-consuming, and the right material depends on the material of the pipe. It’s best to leave it to a professional and save yourself the headache!

Yes, over time a dripping tap can lead to damage to your home as the water seeps into the surrounding areas. It will also lead to pools of stagnant festering water which can lead to mould and germ growth. Yuck! Best to get it sorted ASAP. 

A burst flexi hose can be a real problem, so if you notice a leaking flexi hose be sure to address it straight away. Your best bet is to turn off the water from the mains immediately and contact a Gold Coast emergency plumber like DCM. 

Yes, a clogged toilet can lead to a burst pipe. When a toilet drain becomes severely clogged, it restricts the flow of water. This blockage creates substantial pressure in the pipe system upstream of the clog. Over time, this increased pressure can cause pipes to crack and, if not addressed, may eventually lead to a burst pipe.

Burst pipes can result in significant damage to your home and property, particularly if they occur when no one is present to address the issue immediately. In such cases, the expertise of local plumbers is invaluable. When selecting a plumbing service, it’s important to consider their response time, call-out fees, and other key factors to ensure prompt and effective resolution of plumbing emergencies. Contact us today if you want to tick every box! 

Yes, hot water can cause a pipe to burst, but it’s very rare in domestic settings and typically involves specific circumstances.

This is because pipes can burst under high pressure at any temperature. However, the temperature becomes a concern mainly with polypropylene pipes, which can soften and become vulnerable at hot temperatures (well above 100°C), especially under high pressure.

In a typical home hot water or heating system, reaching such extreme temperatures and pressures indicates a serious system fault. It’s unlikely under normal operating conditions, but if your system shows signs of extreme pressure or temperature, it’s crucial to call us immediately to prevent the risk of burst pipes.

The signs of an underground leak include:

1. Water pooling: If you notice water pooling in an area on your property, or just an area that is damp, it may indicate a leak in your underground water supply line.
2. Look for cracked foundations and walkways: pipes are usually only located a few inches underground, so cracked foundations or walkways could indicate an underground water leak. 
3. Reduced water pressure: If you notice a decrease in water pressure in your home or building, it could be due to a leak in the water supply line, especially if the reduced pressure is isolated to one area or fixture.
4. Unusually high water bills: If your water bill suddenly increases without any change in usage, it could be due to an underground leak.

Here’s how to verify if you have a leak: 

Step one: locate your water meter
A water meter measures the amount of water entering your house. It is usually located in the nature strip outside your property, in a black or green box.

Bear in mind if you live in a complex with other units, apartments, or townhouses, there may not be an individual water meter for each dwelling. If you suspect a water leak in this situation, the best course of action is to contact body corporate or simply contact a professional plumber yourself.

Step two: turn off all taps and any appliances that use water.

Be very thorough with this step; things like the freezer making ice can be enough to throw the readings off, so check everything.

Step three: make a note of your water meter reading.

This will help you know the baseline at which you’re starting.

Step four: do not use any water for at least one hour. 

This includes flushing the toilet! Really be mindful of trying to keep the results as precise and reliable as possible. If you end up using any water before taking your second reading, simply start again from step two.

Step five: after one hour, take a new meter reading. If the number has changed, you have a leak!

Find out more in our blog on how to find a water leak underground.