A burst pipe is one of the few plumbing faults where the damage compounds by the minute. Water escaping inside a wall or ceiling cavity causes more cost in an hour than the repair itself. Sedcon Plumbing attends burst pipes across Melbourne metro, including after hours and weekends, and the first thing we will do on the phone is talk you through isolating the water.
Burst pipe right now? Do this first
- Turn the water off at the meter. The main tap is usually at the front boundary, in a box at ground level. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Open the lowest cold tap in the property to drain the remaining pressure out of the pipework.
- Turn off the power at the switchboard if water is anywhere near electrical fittings, downlights or the meter box.
- Move what you can out of the affected area and lift anything off wet carpet.
- Call us on 0413 647 557. Photograph the damage before you clean up — your insurer will want it.
If you cannot find or turn the meter tap, tell us when you call and we will talk you through it.
Why pipes burst in Melbourne
- Failed flexi hose — the braided hoses under sinks and vanities. These have a finite life, typically quoted at around five years, and they are among the most common causes of indoor flooding in Australian homes. When one lets go it releases water at full mains pressure.
- Corroded galvanised pipe — common in Melbourne homes built before the 1970s. The pipe thins from the inside until it fails.
- Ground movement — Melbourne’s reactive clay soils shift with wet and dry seasons and stress buried pipework.
- Tree roots — force joints apart on older buried lines.
- Excessive water pressure — sustained high pressure fatigues joints and fittings across the whole property.
- Impact damage — a nail or screw through a wall pipe during renovation, or a driveway load over a shallow line.
- Cold snaps — rare in Melbourne but not unheard of in outer and elevated suburbs, particularly on exposed outdoor pipework.
Signs of a pipe leaking where you cannot see it
- A water bill that has jumped with no change in usage
- Damp patches, staining or bubbling paint on walls or ceilings
- The sound of running water when every tap is off
- A drop in water pressure across the property
- A patch of lawn that stays green or soggy through summer
- Musty smells or mould appearing in one area
A quick test: turn every tap and water-using appliance off, then check the meter. If the dial is still moving, water is escaping somewhere.
How we repair burst pipes
We isolate first, then locate, then repair. Locating properly is what avoids opening up more wall than necessary — acoustic and thermal leak detection means we cut once rather than exploring.
- Emergency isolation and make-safe
- Leak detection for concealed pipework in walls, ceilings and slabs
- Section replacement in copper, PEX or poly
- Flexi hose replacement, and inspection of every other hose on site while we are there
- Full or partial repipe where galvanised pipework is failing repeatedly
- Pressure testing and pressure limiting valve replacement
- Written report and photographs for insurance claims
Burst pipes in rental and strata properties
A burst pipe in a managed property is an urgent repair, and in Victoria urgent repairs carry obligations for the rental provider. We attend after hours, coordinate access with the tenant directly, and send you a written report with photographs the same day so you can lodge an insurance claim or brief the owner without chasing us for detail.
In an apartment building, a burst pipe in one lot can damage several. We document where the failure occurred and which pipework it sits on, because that is what determines whether it is a lot owner or owners corporation cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do when a pipe bursts?
Turn the water off at the meter, usually in a box at the front boundary of the property. Turn the tap clockwise until it stops, then open the lowest cold tap inside to release remaining pressure. Then call 0413 647 557. Do not attempt the repair yourself — water under pressure causes damage quickly.
How quickly can you respond to a burst pipe?
Burst pipes are one of the faults we treat as genuinely urgent, including evenings and weekends across Melbourne metro. Call or text 0413 647 557.
What does a burst pipe repair cost in Melbourne?
It varies more than most jobs, because it depends on access. An accessible flexi hose replacement is at the low end; a burst inside a wall or under a slab is at the high end. Indicative ranges run from around $300 upward — see our Melbourne plumber cost guide. We give you a price before we start once we have located the failure.
Does home insurance cover burst pipes in Melbourne?
Most Australian home and landlord policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe. Gradual damage from slow leaks is typically not covered, which is why documenting a sudden failure matters. We provide a written report and photographs to support a claim. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer.
How often should flexi hoses be replaced?
They have a finite life — commonly quoted at around five years, and many carry a date stamp. If you cannot remember when yours were fitted, they are due. Replacing them is inexpensive compared with the flood one causes when it fails.
Burst pipe in Melbourne? Turn the water off at the meter and call Sedcon Plumbing on 0413 647 557. VBA Licence 120392, fully insured, available after hours and weekends.