Got a burst pipe in Adelaide? Stop the water at the meter, call 0432 667 785 right now, and we will be on the way 24/7. We repair burst water mains, copper pipes, PEX, galvanised lines and hot water lines, with insurance reports supplied where needed.

We are licensed Adelaide plumbers with 20+ years of experience and fully equipped vans ready for emergency response. Most burst pipes are isolated and made safe within an hour of arrival, with a permanent repair completed in the same visit.

Stop the water first – here is how

Before you call, shut the water off at your main water meter. It is usually at the front of your property, in a green or blue plastic box flush with the ground. Turn the lever or tap clockwise until it stops. If you cannot find or turn the meter, call us and we will talk you through it on the phone. See our guide to turning off water mains in Adelaide for photos and a step-by-step.

If the burst is on a hot water line, also turn off the power or gas to your hot water unit so it does not run dry.

Common causes of burst pipes in Adelaide

Old galvanised steel pipework

A lot of pre-1980s Adelaide homes still have galvanised steel water pipes. Inside, the galvanising eventually corrodes and the pipe wall thins until it splits, often at threaded joints. We replace failed sections in copper or PEX and can plan a staged whole-of-house replacement if the rest of the system is on borrowed time.

Tree root pressure on underground mains

Roots wrap around buried water service lines and the pressure eventually cracks them. You see this as a wet patch in the lawn that does not dry, or a sudden jump in your SA Water bill.

Water hammer

Hard banging in the walls when a tap closes is water hammer. Repeated shock waves stress joints and fittings, eventually causing leaks and bursts at the weakest point. We fit hammer arrestors and tighten loose pipework to stop the cycle.

Frost or sudden cold snap

Adelaide does not freeze often but Hills suburbs (Stirling, Bridgewater, Crafers) do see overnight frosts that crack outdoor or unlagged pipes. We replace and lag exposed sections.

Renovation or DIY damage

A nail through a wall stud, a screw into a slab, a renovator hitting a copper line – common causes of mid-renovation bursts. We patch, isolate, and reinstate.

Failed flexible braided hoses

The flexible hoses under your sink and behind your washing machine have a 5 to 10 year life. When they let go they spray hundreds of litres an hour. Replace yours every 5 years and check them annually for rust or bulging.

How we repair burst pipes

  • Isolate and make safe. Stop the water and (if needed) the power or gas to any affected hot water unit.
  • Locate the burst. We use leak detection equipment for hidden bursts under slabs, in walls, or buried in the yard.
  • Quote. Fixed quote in writing before any work starts.
  • Repair. Cut out the failed section, fit new copper or PEX, test under pressure, reinstate insulation and finish.
  • Document. Photos and a written report supplied for your insurance claim if relevant.

What burst pipe repairs cost in Adelaide

A simple visible-pipe repair is usually a single call-out plus parts. Hidden leaks under slabs or in walls cost more because of detection and access work. Underground main service line replacements are quoted separately. We give you a fixed quote in writing before we touch a tool.

Will insurance cover it?

Most home and contents policies cover the damage a burst pipe causes (soaked carpet, damaged plaster, ruined flooring) but not the cost of fixing the pipe itself. Some policies do cover the repair if the burst is sudden and accidental. Check with your insurer. We supply written reports, before-and-after photos, and an itemised invoice suitable for your claim.

Why Adelaide chooses Allmat for burst pipes

  • 24/7 emergency response – we answer the phone any hour, any day. See our 24/7 emergency plumbing page.
  • Fully stocked vans with copper, PEX, fittings and pressure testing kit so most repairs finish on the first visit.
  • Leak detection equipment for hidden bursts.
  • Insurance-ready reports with photos and itemised invoices.
  • Licensed and insured South Australian plumbers with 20+ years of experience.
  • 5.0 stars on Google from 200+ verified Adelaide customers.

Adelaide suburbs we service for burst pipes

We respond across all of metropolitan Adelaide including Glenelg, Norwood, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Unley, Stirling, Blackwood, Semaphore, and the Hills.

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Burst pipe FAQs

How quickly can you get to a burst pipe in Adelaide?

For genuine emergencies (water actively spraying or flooding) we aim to be on the road within minutes of your call and on most metropolitan Adelaide jobs within an hour, 24/7.

Should I turn the water off at the meter or at the house?

The meter at the front of the property is the master shut-off and works for any leak. Some houses also have an internal isolation valve at the front wall, which is convenient if the burst is inside. Either stops the water. The meter is the safer bet if you cannot work out where the leak is.

Can a burst pipe be patched, or does it have to be replaced?

For copper, PEX and modern materials we cut out the damaged section and fit a new piece – that is a permanent repair, not a patch. For old galvanised lines we usually recommend replacing the section because the rest of the line is rarely far behind.

Why is my water bill higher even though no taps are running?

That points to a hidden leak in the underground service line or under a slab. Turn off all taps and watch the meter dial – if it moves, you have a leak. Call us and we will pinpoint it without digging up the yard.

Do you handle burst pipes in rental properties?

Yes, we work directly with property managers, landlords and strata managers across Adelaide and provide written reports and photos suitable for tenancy and insurance records.

Burst pipe right now? Call us

Call 0432 667 785 24/7 for emergency burst pipe response across Adelaide. Stop the water at the meter first, then call.