Need an Emergency Plumber? 24/7 Burnside Plumbers Available
Big Blue Plumbing handles emergency plumbing in Burnside as part of our 24/7 service coverage across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, and Moreton Bay regions. When an urgent job comes through, we allocate the nearest available technician from our local dispatch points, aiming to get someone onsite as quickly as current bookings and traffic allow. Emergency work covers situations where there's an active leak, no water supply, sewage involvement, a gas smell, or a safety risk that can't wait until standard hours; if it's urgent, we prioritise dispatch and explain the scope once we're there.
Burnside sits within the broader Sunshine Coast area, where properties range from older Queenslander-style homes with original pipework through to more recent builds on smaller blocks. Access and parking can vary depending on the street layout and whether you're near parkland like Kolora Park or in a denser pocket closer to main roads. When booking, it helps to mention any access constraints or time windows, so arrival and setup go smoothly.
With over 40 years of combined plumbing experience and more than 3,000 jobs completed across South East Queensland, we've handled a wide range of urgent faults in domestic and commercial settings. Our team is licensed for plumbing, drainage, and gas work, and we're comprehensively insured (Public Liability and Workers Compensation). That insurance means you're covered if accidental property damage occurs during the work, and it protects you in relation to workplace injuries on the job. We complete police checks and background checks for all attending technicians, so you know who's arriving before they step through the door.
If you're dealing with an active leak, a drain blockage that's backing up, a hot water system that's failed completely, or you can smell gas, call us on (07) 5404 9354. We're open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You'll speak to someone who can clarify whether it's urgent or can wait, confirm arrival timing, and lock in a booking. If it's a safety risk and you're unsure what to do while waiting, we can provide brief safety-first guidance by phone to reduce harm until the plumber arrives.
What Counts as an Emergency Plumbing Situation
An emergency plumbing situation is one where waiting until standard business hours would create a safety risk, cause property damage, leave you without essential services, or allow the problem to escalate. Typical urgent scenarios include ruptured pipes with active water flow, sewage leaks inside the home, a complete hot water service failure in winter when vulnerable people are affected, a toilet that won't stop overflowing, or the smell of gas anywhere on the property. If the fault is contained, the property is still usable, and there's no immediate risk, it's usually a standard callout rather than an after-hours emergency.
Burst pipes often show up as water pooling on floors, dripping through ceilings, or spraying from a visible split in copper or plastic lines. This usually happens when a joint fails, a pipe freezes and cracks (rare on the Sunshine Coast but possible in hinterland cold snaps), or corrosion finally gives way in older galvanised or cast iron sections. The priority is isolating water to stop the flow, then assessing what failed and why.
Blocked drains and toilets become urgent when wastewater backs up into the home, when multiple fixtures are affected at once, or when the blockage is in the main sewer line and stopping all drainage. A slow-draining kitchen sink on its own isn't usually an emergency. But if the toilet overflows every time it's flushed, or if you're smelling sewage inside, that needs handling straight away.
Hot water systems can fail suddenly, leaving you with no warm water for showers, dishwashing, or laundry. For most households, this can wait until the next business day. But if you have young children, elderly family members, or medical needs that require hot water, or if the unit is leaking and causing water damage, it shifts into the urgent category.
Gas leaks are always treated as urgent. Natural gas and LPG both carry a distinctive "rotten egg" smell (added mercaptan). If you smell gas inside or near the property, turn off the gas at the meter if it's safe to do so, open windows and doors, don't use electrical switches or ignition sources, and call us immediately. We'll get a duly licensed gas fitter to you as a priority and isolate the system until the fault is found and repaired.
How Emergency Dispatch and Arrival Works
When you call for emergency plumbing, the starting point is confirming the nature of the fault and the risk level. We ask a few short questions to understand what's happening, where it's happening, and whether there's an immediate safety concern. That helps us allocate the right technician and prioritise dispatch. Urgent jobs are sent out first, with the nearest available plumber allocated from our Sunshine Coast dispatch coverage.
We provide an estimated arrival time when you book, based on where the technician is currently working and traffic conditions. If timing changes, we update you. Our standard is clear communication around arrival, so you're not left waiting without updates. Technicians arrive in uniform, with identification, and they'll confirm who they are before entering the property. If you have specific entry instructions or security requirements, let us know when booking and we'll follow them.
Once onsite, the plumber assesses the situation, explains what they've found in plain English, and outlines the options. For straightforward faults with accessible parts and clear scope, most emergency work can be resolved on the first visit. If the job needs excavation, specialist equipment, or parts that aren't on the truck, we explain what's required and provide a fixed quote for the additional work. The goal is always to make the property safe and functional first, then handle any follow-up once scope and pricing are confirmed.
We use drop sheets and protective covers to keep work areas tidy, and we wear boot covers when requested or when floor protection is needed. Mess is kept to a minimum, and we clean up before leaving. Any rubbish generated by the work is removed, and surfaces are left as we found them.
Pricing, Quoting, and What You Pay for After-Hours Work
We price emergency plumbing work by the job, not by the hour. Once the scope is defined onsite, you receive a fixed quote before any work proceeds. That quote covers labour, materials, and disposal, with no hidden costs added later. You decide whether to go ahead once you know the full cost.
After-hours emergency callouts may attract a surcharge compared to standard business hours, depending on timing and urgency. If you're booking outside regular hours, confirm the call-out fee status and any after-hours rates when you call, so there are no surprises. Our phone team will walk you through what applies to your situation and provide transparent pricing before locking in the booking.
If the job is straightforward and can be completed on the spot, you'll receive an invoice once the work is finished and tested. Payment can be made by card, transfer, or cash. We also offer a 0% interest payment plan through Brighte, with approval typically taking 5 to 7 minutes. For larger emergency repairs or hot water replacements, that finance option can make the cost more manageable without adding interest.
Seniors with a valid senior card receive a discount. Just show your card when the technician arrives and the discount will be applied to the final invoice.
Common Emergency Plumbing Faults We Handle in Burnside
Across Burnside and the Sunshine Coast region, the most common emergency calls involve burst pipes, blocked drains, hot water failures, and gas leaks. Each fault has typical causes, and understanding what usually triggers them helps set realistic expectations for how long repairs take and what's involved.
Burst Pipes and Active Leaks
Burst pipes can occur in visible copper lines, concealed PVC behind walls, or old galvanised sections in roof spaces. The usual causes are corrosion over time, pressure surges that stress weak joints, or mechanical damage from renovations or landscaping. In older Burnside properties with original pipework from the 1960s and 70s, galvanised steel and copper are common, and both can corrode or split as they age.
When a pipe bursts, isolate the water supply at the main meter if you know where it is. That stops the flow and limits damage while you wait for the plumber. If the burst is in a hot water line, turn off the hot water unit as well. We locate the affected section, cut out the damaged pipe, and install a new section with appropriate fittings. If the burst indicates a broader issue with the pipework (like widespread corrosion), we explain the options and provide a quote for further replacement once the immediate fault is resolved.
Blocked Drains and Sewer Lines
Blocked drains in residential properties are often caused by tree roots infiltrating cracked joints, build-up of fats and oils in kitchen lines, or foreign objects flushed down toilets. In areas with established gardens and older pipe materials like terracotta or clay, root intrusion is a frequent problem. Roots grow toward moisture, enter through hairline cracks, and expand inside the pipe, trapping debris and eventually blocking flow.
We use high-definition CCTV drain cameras to inspect the line and identify the blockage type and location. That avoids guesswork and unnecessary digging. Once we know what's causing the blockage, we clear it using high-pressure water jetting or mechanical tools, depending on what's required. If the camera shows structural damage or collapsed sections, we explain whether a patch repair, relining, or full replacement is needed, and provide a separate quote for that work.
Hot Water System Failures
Hot water systems can fail due to thermostat faults, element burnout in electric units, pilot light issues in gas systems, or tank leaks from internal corrosion. A sudden loss of hot water often points to an electrical or gas supply fault, while rust-coloured water or drips from the relief valve usually indicate internal tank deterioration.
If the system is repairable and parts are available, we fix it onsite. If the tank has rusted through or the system is beyond economical repair, we discuss replacement options (electric storage, gas continuous flow, or heat pump) and provide a fixed quote for supply and installation. All hot water work is completed to Australian Standards, with mandatory Tempering Valves installed to prevent scalding and Pressure Relief Valves to manage tank pressure safely.
Gas Leaks and Appliance Faults
Gas leaks can occur at appliance connections, in underground supply lines, or at the meter and regulator. The smell of gas always requires immediate action. Our licensed gas fitters use combustible gas detectors and pressure testing to locate the leak, then isolate and repair the affected section. Once the repair is complete, the system undergoes a pressure loss test to confirm it's gas-tight before being recommissioned. Compliance documentation is provided where required.
What Happens During the First Visit
The first visit for emergency plumbing focuses on making the property safe, confirming what failed, and restoring essential services where possible. The plumber arrives with diagnostic tools, common repair materials, and safety equipment. They'll ask a few questions about what happened, when the fault started, and whether anything unusual occurred beforehand.
For leaks, the first check is isolating the water supply and identifying the source. We inspect visible pipework, check ceiling spaces and subfloors if needed, and use moisture meters or thermal imaging where access is limited. Once the leak is found, we confirm whether it's a simple joint repair, a section replacement, or something that requires follow-up work.
For blocked drains, we start with a visual inspection of accessible gully traps, inspection points, and the affected fixture. If the blockage isn't immediately obvious, we use a CCTV camera to inspect the line from the inside. That shows us the exact location, the obstruction type, and the pipe condition. We then clear the blockage and re-check flow to confirm it's resolved.
For hot water and gas faults, we check the unit itself, the supply lines, safety devices, and control systems. We test for leaks, verify gas pressure, and confirm electrical connections are safe. If the fault can be fixed with parts on hand, we proceed. If replacement is needed, we provide options and a fixed quote before ordering anything.
After the work is completed, we test everything to confirm it's functioning correctly. For water leaks, that means running taps and checking for drips. For drains, we run water through the system to verify flow. For hot water supply, we check temperature and pressure. For gas, we pressure-test the system to ensure it's leak-free. You're walked through what was done, what was found, and what to watch for going forward.
How We Keep Your Property Protected During Emergency Work
Emergency plumbing work often happens at inconvenient times, in occupied homes, and sometimes in finished spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, or carpeted areas. We take care to protect floors, benchtops, and fixtures while working, using drop sheets, floor coverings, and protective wraps where needed.
Before starting, we isolate the work area and move anything that could be damaged by water, tools, or materials. If the job involves cutting into walls or ceilings, we explain where access is needed and confirm it's acceptable before proceeding. We aim to make the smallest opening necessary and limit dust and debris as much as possible.
During the work, tools and materials are kept in the immediate work area, not spread throughout the house. We keep noise to a practical minimum, especially during late-night callouts when others in the home may be sleeping. If there's a risk of water spilling or splashing, we place towels, buckets, or tarps to catch it.
At the end of the job, we clean the work area, remove all rubbish and offcuts, and wipe down any surfaces that were touched during the repair. Boot covers are used where requested or where floor protection is required. We treat your property with the same care we'd expect in our own homes.
Warranty, Follow-Up, and What's Covered
All emergency plumbing work is covered by our workmanship warranty. That means if an issue arises with the work we completed (not the surrounding system or unrelated faults), we address it under the warranty at no additional cost. Workmanship warranty covers labour and the integrity of joints, connections, and installations we performed. It doesn't cover pre-existing faults, damage caused by others, or deterioration on unrelated parts of the system.
Manufacturer warranties apply separately to any products or appliances we supply and install, such as hot water units, tapware, or valves. We provide warranty documentation and care instructions for any new equipment, and we can assist with warranty claims if a product fault occurs later.
If the emergency repair revealed a broader issue that needs follow-up (like multiple corroded sections, a drain that needs relining, or a hot water unit that should be replaced), we provide a separate quote for that additional work. You're never obligated to proceed with extra work, but we explain the risks of leaving it unaddressed so you can make an informed decision.
Licensed, Insured, and Locally Operated Across the Sunshine Coast
Big Blue Plumbing is a locally owned plumbing and gas business operating across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, and Moreton Bay regions. We're licensed for plumbing, drainage, and gas fitting work, and we hold Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurance. That insurance protects you if accidental property damage occurs during the work and provides coverage related to workplace injuries on the job.
Our team has completed over 3,000 plumbing and gas jobs across South East Queensland, with more than 40 years of combined experience in residential, commercial, and strata plumbing. We hold a 5-star rating on Google based on 15 customer reviews, and we're available around the clock for emergency callouts.
All technicians undergo police checks and background checks before attending jobs, and they arrive in uniform with identification. We take professionalism and trust seriously, especially when entering homes during stressful situations or outside regular hours. If you have specific safety or access requirements, we can accommodate them where practical.
