Burst water pipes can be a dramatic and destructive household emergency. Whether you’re faced with water spraying from a pipe under the bathroom sink or returning home to find your floors flooded from a water leak left unchecked for hours, the stress and damage from a plumbing disaster can be significant.
Water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims made in Australia.1 So, if you do experience a burst water pipe at your place, what are some of the steps you can take to get the situation under control?
How to deal with a burst water pipe
Some homes have stop taps installed that can be used to control the water flow to bathroom fixtures and appliances, such as washing machines, allowing you to stop the water supply to certain areas if a pipe has sprung a leak.2 However, Andrew Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association of South Australia, advises that turning off the main water supply will stop the flow of water to your entire property, no matter where the burst pipe is.
“For this reason, it’s best to identify where your water meter is located ahead of time, as well as the location of other important things such as your power box and the isolating valve for the gas meter,” says Clarke.
Water meters – which are usually located at the front of your property, near the boundary3 – have a stop tap nearby that you can turn clockwise to close off the water supply. It’s a good idea to check this tap is working every few months as, over time and without regular use, it can become difficult to turn.4
If you live in an apartment, your water meter may be in the utility cupboard on your floor if it’s a larger building, or at the front of the property if it’s a smaller building.5 While some buildings have individual meters for every apartment,6 others only have a single, shared water meter for the whole complex.7
If you do have a burst water pipe and you can’t find the stop tap easily, the damage to your house could be extensive.4 Youi’s Home Building insurance and Contents insurance include damage caused by escaping water - such as burst pipes - as an insured event.8
“If an incident of escaping water occurs at your property and you’re insured with Youi, our Claims Team is available 24/7 to assist you with lodging a claim," says Mervyn Hartley, Youi’s Head of Product – Home and Small Business.
If you’re renting, you’ll need to contact your landlord or real estate agent about getting the burst pipe repaired by an emergency plumber. However, in urgent cases, you may also be able to contact a plumbing service directly and have some of the costs reimbursed. You may wish to check your residential tenancy agreement for details.9
What if a water pipe bursts behind a wall?
Clarke says internal pipe failure is a common cause of leaks that plumbers deal with.
If you notice a damp, warped or discoloured spot on a wall, your floorboards or carpet, it may be a sign that you have a concealed leak.10 However, in the absence of obvious signs, you can also use your water meter as a water leak detection or burst pipe detection device.11
“If there’s a noticeable cost increase in water usage, it’s worth contacting a reputable licensed plumber to get an inspection and identify the problem,” says Clarke.
“No leak ever goes away naturally, which means it will get worse. It’s best to solve the problem quickly as it could end up costing you a major renovation.”
How do I claim for the damage caused by a burst water pipe?
If you have a burst water pipe, it’s important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
“At Youi, loss or damage that’s caused by escaping water at an insured property is covered when it occurs suddenly and without warning, or slowly and you couldn’t reasonably have been aware of it,” says Mervyn Hartley, Youi’s Head of Product for Home and Small Business.
“Plus, if you have buildings cover with Youi and make a claim, we’ll organise and pay the cost of using the most appropriate method to detect the source of the escaping water,” explains Hartley.
“If you do need to make a claim for any damage caused by escaping water, it’s important to notify Youi as soon as possible after the incident that caused the damage.”
“You’ll need to provide your policy number, along with a description of what happened, when it occurred and where, as well as details about the type and extent of the damage. If you’re unable to locate your policy number, don’t worry – just provide your personal details, including your address, and we’ll be able to locate your policy.”
What can I do to prevent burst water pipes?
Regular maintenance of your home plumbing system – including pipes and fittings – may reduce the likelihood of a burst pipe emergency on your property, and Clarke suggests taking action if you hear pipe vibrations or water hammers – a knocking noise in the pipes.
Other strategies to prevent burst pipes include using a licensed professional if you’re doing any building or renovation work and not planting trees close to the underground water pipes on your property, as their roots may cause a pipe to burst as they grow.12
Clarke adds that if you’re going away on holiday, you could also turn off the water supply to your home – or apartment if you have an individual meter – to avoid a burst pipe causing damage while you’re not there to deal with it. “But note that your sprinkler or irrigation systems won’t work, which may not be ideal in summer,” he says.
If you’re thinking about insurance to help cover potential damage caused by a burst water pipe, consider starting a quote with Youi for insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
1 Source: Canstar – How to make a home insurance claim for water damage, July 2024
2 Source: Strata Community Association Qld – Maintaining Your Flexi Hose: A Crucial Step in Preventing Water Damage in your property
3 Source: Bundaberg Regional Council – Water meters
4 Source: Lower Murray Water – Meter maintenance
5 Source: Central Tablelands Water – Information sheet: How to read your water meter
6 Source: Sydney Water – Meters in multi-level buildings
7 Source: City of Sydney – Water guide for apartment buildings, October 2024
8 Exclusions, limits and additional fees may apply. See the PDS for details.
9 Source: NSW Government – Getting repairs done on a rental property
10 Source: SA Water – Finding leaks on your property
11 Source: Qld Government – Detecting leaks and reading your water meter
12 Source: City of Gold Coast – Water leaks
