The Kiwi Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies never happen at a good time. It’s always the middle of the night, a long weekend, or right before guests arrive. The good news is that a lot of those “sudden” disasters actually start with small warning signs months earlier.

As trusted NZ plumbers, we see the same patterns over and over again: tiny leaks that turn into burst pipes, slow drains that become full blockages, old flexi-hoses that finally give way. This guide is all about helping you spot those early signs and do a few simple checks each year, so you can avoid the big, messy, expensive surprises.

1. Small Signs That Mean “Call a Plumber Soon”

Most plumbing emergencies don’t come out of nowhere. Your house is usually trying to tell you something first.

Here are some early warning signs that should never be ignored:

Noisy Pipes

Banging, knocking, or “water hammer” when taps are turned off
Whistling or high-pitched noises from pipework
Noise can indicate pressure issues, loose pipework, or valves that aren’t behaving. Left alone, these can turn into leaks or damaged fittings.

Slow Drains

Sinks that empty slowly
Showers that pool around your feet
Gurgling noises from drains or toilets
This often means partial blockages in the pipework. If you don’t sort it, you may end up with a complete blockage, sewage backing up, or pipes getting damaged.

Damp smells or mystery marks

Musty smell in a cupboard, wardrobe, or under a sink
Bubbling paint, swollen skirting boards, or stains on ceilings
These are classic signs of a hidden leak. Even a tiny drip can cause mould, rot, and structural damage over time.

Changes in water pressure

Suddenly weaker shower pressure
Taps spluttering or coughing air
This can point to problems with valves, filters, or leaks in the system.

If you notice any of these, it’s much cheaper to get them checked now than to wait until you’re ankle-deep in water at 2am.

2. How to Safely Shut Off Water and Gas in an Emergency

If something does go wrong, knowing how to shut things off quickly can save thousands in damage.

Shutting off the water

Every home should have a clearly accessible main water shut-off. In most NZ homes this is:

At the toby box near the street, or
A main isolation valve where the water enters the property

What to do now (before an emergency):

Find your main shut-off and make sure you can turn it.
Show everyone in the household where it is.
If it’s hard to access or doesn’t turn easily, that’s a good reason to call a plumber and get it sorted.

In an emergency (burst pipe, major leak, overflowing cylinder):

Turn off the main water.
If it’s safe, turn off any electrical supply to pumps or hot water systems associated with the leak.
Call a plumber straight away.

Shutting off the gas

For gas leaks or suspected gas issues, safety comes first.

If you smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a leak:

Do not turn on or off any electrical switches.
Do not use lighters, matches, or create sparks.
Open doors and windows to ventilate the area.
Turn off the gas at the main isolation valve (usually near the meter or LPG bottles) if it’s safe to reach.
Get everyone out of the building if the smell is strong.
Call a certified gasfitter or your gas provider immediately from a safe location.

Again, it’s worth asking a plumber or gasfitter to show you exactly where your shut-off points are during a routine visit, so you’re not guessing when it really matters.

3. Flexi-Hoses, Valves & Outdoor Taps – Your Once-a-Year Check

If we had to pick the top “silent troublemakers” in modern homes, flexible hoses (flexi-hoses) would be very high on the list.

Flexi-hoses

These are the braided stainless steel hoses under many sinks, basins, and behind toilets.

Over time they can:

Rust or corrode
Fray and split
Fail suddenly and flood a room

Once a year, have a quick look:

Check under vanities, kitchen sinks, and behind toilets.
Look for rust, fraying, or bulging.
If anything looks suspect, get it replaced before it fails – it’s a quick, cheap job compared to cleaning up a flood.

Valves and isolation taps

Every fixture (toilet, basin, kitchen sink, etc.) should ideally have its own isolation valve.

Make sure you can actually turn them.
If they’re frozen, corroded, or leaking, get them serviced or replaced.
Being able to shut off just one fixture can save you from turning off water to the whole house.

Outdoor taps and exposed pipework

Musty smell in a cupboard, wardrobe, or under a sink
Bubbling paint, swollen skirting boards, or stains on ceilings
These are classic signs of a hidden leak. Even a tiny drip can cause mould, rot, and structural damage over time.

A few minutes once a year can prevent a lot of drama later.

4. What Is a Plumbing WOF and How Does It Help?

A Plumbing Warrant of Fitness (Plumbing WOF) is like a health check for your home’s plumbing and gas systems. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, you get ahead of issues.

During a Plumbing WOF, a qualified plumber will typically:

Inspect accessible pipework, valves, and fixtures
Check for leaks, corrosion, and signs of wear
Test pressures where appropriate
Look at hot water systems, overflows, and safety valves
Note anything that could turn into a leak or failure down the track

Why it’s worth doing

Prevents emergencies

Many leaks and failures give subtle early signs that a trained eye will spot.

Reduces water and energy waste

Small drips and inefficiencies can quietly cost a lot each year.

Supports insurance and resale

Having records of regular checks can help with insurance claims and looks great to potential buyers.

Peace of mind

You know a professional has looked over your system and flagged anything that needs attention.

Plenty of Kiwi homeowners now treat a Plumbing WOF like a regular service – just like you would for a car. A bit of preventative care goes a long way.

5. When You Really Shouldn’t DIY

We’re all for people understanding their homes and doing simple, safe maintenance – but there are times where DIY can be dangerous or very costly.

Things you can usually do safely yourself

Cleaning hair and debris from trap strainers
Using a plunger on a slow-draining sink or basin
Checking for visible leaks and drips
Turning water or gas off in an emergency

Things you shouldn’t DIY

Gas work of any kind
Installing or relocating hot water systems
Running new pipework or altering existing plumbing
Working inside walls, ceilings, or under floors without knowing what’s there
Using harsh chemical drain cleaners (they can damage pipes and are nasty to work with later)

If you’re ever unsure, a quick call to a plumber can save you from making a problem worse – or voiding warranties and insurance.

Prevention Is Cheaper Than Cleanup

Most plumbing emergencies can be softened, reduced, or completely avoided with:

A bit of awareness of early warning signs

Some simple yearly checks around the home

Knowing how to shut things off in a hurry

And, occasionally, a professional eye through something like a Plumbing WOF

If you’re in Wellington and you’d like help preventing plumbing emergencies – or you’ve just had one and want to make sure it doesn’t happen again – our team at Plumbspec is here to help.

You can always give us a call on 0800 232 650 to chat through what’s going on and what the next best step is.

0800 232 650

GET IN TOUCH

We would love to hear from you!

R

Interested in our services?

R

Want a quote?

R

Building a new house and need a plumber?

R

Planning some renovations and need a gasfitter?

R

Just want a chat with us?

Simply fill out this contact form and hit SEND! We’ll be in touch with you very shortly.

*All your business correspondence and plans will be held strictly confidential by PlumbSpec.

