Plumbing and Gas Services Across Maroochydore
Big Blue Plumbing handles general plumbing, drainage blockages, gas fitting, hot water faults, and emergency service calls across Maroochydore and the broader Sunshine Coast region. We're a locally owned team with 40+ years of combined plumbing experience and over 3,000 jobs completed across South East Queensland. Immediate dispatch is available for urgent work, with the nearest technician allocated from our Sunshine Coast base. If scope or access constraints apply, such as strata rules around the Aerodrome Road apartments or restricted parking near Sunshine Plaza, we confirm the details at booking so arrival and quoting are straightforward.
Maroochydore sits at the mouth of the Maroochy River, where a mix of established lowset homes, riverfront properties, and newer high-density developments creates varied plumbing conditions. Older homes closer to Cotton Tree often have original galvanised or copper pipework that can corrode or leak over time. Newer estates and apartment blocks around Aerodrome Road and the Maroochydore CBD redevelopment area typically use PVC drainage and modern fixtures, but shared stormwater systems and tight site access can complicate some jobs. Coastal proximity also means salt air can accelerate corrosion on external fixtures and metal hot water service units.
We're licensed for plumbing, drainage, and gas work. All technicians carry appropriate licences, and police checks and background screening are completed as part of our standard vetting process. Public Liability insurance covers accidental property damage during the job, and Workers Compensation covers workplace injuries, giving you protection if something unexpected happens onsite. We explain what we're doing before starting, wear boot covers or protective sleeves when requested, and clean up the work area before leaving.
Common Plumbing Faults in Maroochydore Homes
Plumbing faults in Maroochydore homes vary by property age and location. Older homes near the riverfront or Cotton Tree can develop leaking taps, corroded pipe joints, or slow hot water recovery as fixtures and pipework age. Newer properties around the CBD or Aerodrome estates might have drainage blockages caused by construction debris, FOG buildup in kitchen lines, or pressure issues if supply lines weren't sized correctly during the build. Coastal homes also see faster corrosion on external taps, garden hose fittings, and metal hot water relief valves due to salt air exposure.
Faults that show up regularly include:
- Blocked drains (kitchen, bathroom, or stormwater lines)
- Leaking taps, showerheads, or toilet cisterns
- Burst flexi hoses under sinks or behind toilets
- Hot water units that won't heat, leak, or make unusual noises
- Gas leaks or faulty gas appliance connections
- Low water pressure or discoloured water
If you're not sure how urgent the fault is, a quick call can clarify next steps. We don't ask you to diagnose the cause yourself, book a plumber, and we'll assess it onsite, explain what's happening, and confirm the scope before any work goes ahead. For emergency situations where water or gas is actively leaking, isolating the supply at the meter (if safe to do so) can reduce damage while the plumber is on the way, but don't attempt repairs yourself if gas or structural pipe damage is involved.
How Plumbing Work is Priced and Quoted
Big Blue Plumbing prices work by the job, not by the hour. You get a free quote via the online form or over the phone, then we confirm the scope once the technician has assessed the site and identified what's required. The fixed price is provided upfront before work starts, so you can decide with full clarity. There are no hidden fees, what's quoted is what you pay, provided the scope doesn't change once access is gained or diagnostics are run.
What affects the price? Scope, access, parts, time onsite, and whether it's standard hours or after-hours emergency work. A straightforward tap washer replacement costs less than a burst pipe repair under a concrete slab. If inspection reveals additional faults, such as corroded pipework behind the wall or a drainage line that needs relining, we explain the options and provide a separate quote for that work before proceeding. You're not locked into anything until you've agreed to the scope and price.
For booking clarity, confirm the call-out fee status when you ring. Some jobs include the call-out in the total price; others have a separate attendance fee. We'll explain that before dispatch. If you're eligible for the senior discount, mention your valid senior card when booking. A 0% interest payment plan is available through Brighte, with approval typically taking 5, 7 minutes, so larger jobs can be spread out if needed.
What the Service Process Looks Like
The process starts with booking. Use the online form, live chat, or call (07) 5404 9354 to describe the fault. For urgent work, we dispatch the nearest available technician from our Sunshine Coast base and provide an ETA where possible. For booked appointments, we schedule a time that suits your availability. If access constraints apply, such as strata sign-in at apartment buildings, restricted parking near the Maroochydore CBD, or coordination with a property manager, let us know at booking so we can plan accordingly.
When the plumber arrives, they identify themselves, confirm the problem area, and assess what's causing the fault. That might involve running taps, checking water pressure, inspecting visible pipework, or using a CCTV drain camera if it's a blockage. Once the issue is confirmed, we explain what's required in plain English, provide a flat-rate quote, and outline what's included. If you approve the scope, work proceeds. We isolate the work area where practical to reduce mess, protect floors and surfaces, and keep the job tidy as we go.
After the repair or installation is complete, we test and verify the outcome, confirming flow, checking for leaks, running the water heater, or clearing the drain and checking it drains freely. You get a receipt or invoice suitable for landlords, agents, or business records. If the job involves regulated work like gas fitting or backflow device installation, compliance certificates is provided where required. If diagnostics show escalation is needed, such as a full pipe replacement rather than a patch repair, we explain the options and confirm scope before proceeding.
Blocked Drains and CCTV Inspections
Big Blue Plumbing clears blocked drains in Maroochydore by identifying the restriction and restoring flow using high-pressure water jetting or mechanical clearing, depending on what caused the blockage. It covers common internal and external blockages in accessible lines; if inspection points to structural damage or relining is recommended, the options are explained and scope is confirmed on site before any additional work goes ahead.
Blockages in Maroochydore properties often come from tree roots (especially around older homes with large figs or eucalypts near the boundary), FOG buildup in kitchen lines, or foreign objects flushed down toilets. Stormwater drains can block during heavy rain if leaf litter or silt washes into the gully trap. In apartment buildings, shared stacks can block if multiple units are discharging grease or sanitary items into the same line.
We use CCTV drain cameras to locate the blockage and confirm its cause before clearing. The camera footage shows whether it's roots, grease, a collapsed section, or an object lodged in the pipe. High-pressure water jetting is the standard clearing method, it pulverises roots, scours grease from pipe walls, and flushes debris downstream. For severe root intrusion or cracked pipes, trenchless pipe relining may be the long-term fix, creating a new structural liner inside the existing pipe without excavation. We explain that option if inspection shows it's needed.
If the blockage is beyond the property boundary, such as in the council main or a shared sewer line, we confirm where the responsibility boundary sits and advise on next steps. Unitywater manages water and wastewater infrastructure across the Sunshine Coast, including Maroochydore, so faults in the main are referred to them once we've confirmed the private line is clear.
Gas Fitting and Safety Compliance
Gas fitting work in Maroochydore is handled by licensed gas fitters who can legally install, repair, and test gas appliances, pipework, and connections. All gas work must meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS 5601.1), and a compliance certificate is issued upon completion where required. Don't attempt gas work yourself, even small leaks pose serious safety risks, including fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide exposure.
If you smell gas (a distinctive "rotten egg" odour), hear hissing near an appliance, or notice dying vegetation over an underground gas line, treat it as urgent. Isolate the gas supply at the meter if safe to do so, ventilate the area by opening doors and windows, avoid using electrical switches or open flames, and call a licensed gas fitter. We're available 24/7 for emergency gas leak repairs and can assess the system, locate the fault, and make it safe.
Common gas work includes connecting new cooktops or ovens, installing gas points for outdoor BBQs or patio heaters, repairing burst gas pipes, and testing gas appliances for leaks or faulty burner operation. After any gas installation or repair, we pressure-test the system to confirm it's gas-tight before recommissioning. If you're renovating or adding a gas appliance, we can assess the existing supply and confirm whether upgrades are needed.
Hot Water System Faults and Replacements
Hot water systems in Maroochydore homes typically include electric storage tanks, gas continuous flow units, or heat pump systems. Faults show up as no hot water, fluctuating temperatures, rusty or discoloured water, unusual noises from the tank, or visible leaks around the unit or relief valve. If your hot water has stopped working or you're only getting lukewarm water, it's usually a heating element failure (electric), a faulty gas burner or pilot light (gas), or a thermostat issue.
We assess the unit onsite, check power or gas supply, inspect the tank and pipework, and test components to confirm what's failed. If it's a repairable fault, such as a blown element, faulty thermostat, or leaking relief valve, we explain the options and provide a fixed quote. If the tank has corroded internally or the unit is over 10, 12 years old and failing repeatedly, replacement is often the more cost-effective long-term option. We offer a full range of hot water solutions, including electric, gas, solar, and instantaneous systems, and can advise on sizing and efficiency based on household usage.
Installation of a new hot water system must comply with the National Construction Code and AS/NZS 3500 plumbing standards. That includes fitting a Tempering Valve to limit water temperature at the tap (preventing scalding) and a Pressure Relief Valve to prevent tank over-pressurisation. All hot water work is covered by our workmanship warranty. If a fault with the workmanship shows up after installation, we address it under that warranty. Manufacturer warranties on the tank or components are separate and vary by brand.
For Maroochydore hot water issues, we're available 24/7, so if your system fails overnight or on a weekend, you're not stuck waiting until Monday.
Emergency Plumbing and After-Hours Support
Plumbing emergencies, such as burst pipes, active leaks, overflowing toilets, or gas leaks, are handled through our 24/7 emergency service. "Immediate dispatch" means urgent jobs are prioritised and the nearest available technician is allocated from our Sunshine Coast dispatch points. We provide an ETA when you book, though arrival timing depends on existing commitments, traffic, and the distance to your property. For Maroochydore emergency plumbing, response is typically faster if the technician is already working nearby.
An active leak is stressful. The priority is making it safe and limiting damage while the plumber is on the way. If water is flooding, isolate the supply at the main tap (usually near the water meter at the front boundary). For a burst flexi hose under a sink or behind a toilet, turn off the isolation valve on the affected fixture. If you can't stop the flow, move valuables out of the affected area, turn off power to nearby circuits at the switchboard if water is near electrical outlets, and wait for the plumber to arrive.
After-hours emergency work is priced differently to standard daytime jobs due to the urgency and timing. We confirm the call-out fee and approximate scope over the phone where possible, then provide a fixed quote once the technician has assessed the fault onsite. If a temporary repair can make it safe overnight and a full fix is better scheduled during business hours (to access parts or coordinate with other trades), we explain that option and confirm the plan before proceeding.




