Emergency plumbing guide for Hastings, Napier & Hawke’s Bay homes
When a plumbing emergency hits, it usually happens at the worst possible time - right before work, late at night, or when you’ve got guests around. Water everywhere, stress levels up, and no clear idea what to do next.
The good news is there are a few simple steps you can take before the plumber arrives that can prevent further damage, keep your home safe, and help the repair go smoothly. You don’t need to be handy - you just need a calm checklist.
This guide covers what actually helps in real emergency situations.
First Things First: Stay Calm
It sounds obvious, but panic makes people skip the basics. Most plumbing emergencies can be stabilised quickly if you take the right first steps.
If you’re standing there thinking “what do I do?”, start here:
stop the water
keep it safe (power)
contain what you can
call and give good info
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
This is the single most important step.
If water is actively leaking, spraying, or flooding:
turn off your water main (toby) at the front of the property
turn the valve clockwise until it stops
check a tap inside to confirm water is off
If you’re not sure where your water main is, we’ve put together a full guide here:
How to turn off your water main in an emergency
If you can’t find the toby straight away, sometimes you can reduce damage by turning off:
the isolation valve under a sink (if the leak is at a tap)
the toilet cistern valve (if the toilet is overflowing)
the cylinder inlet valve (if the hot water cylinder is involved)
But if in doubt, mains off is the safest bet.
Step 2: Switch Off Power if Water Is Near Electricity
If water is pooling near:
power points
the switchboard
appliances (dishwasher, washing machine)
underfloor wiring or lights
It’s safest to switch off power at the main breaker - but only if you can do so safely (dry hands, dry floor, safe access)
If you’re unsure, don’t take risks. Step away and tell the plumber what’s happening.
Step 3: Contain the Water and Protect Your Home
Once the water is off, focus on limiting damage:
Use towels, buckets, or containers to catch remaining drips
Move rugs, furniture, and valuables out of the affected area
If a ceiling is bulging with trapped water, don’t poke it - place a bucket underneath and wait for help
Open windows or doors to improve ventilation
If safe, start gently mopping up standing water (especially around skirting boards)
Even 10 minutes of cleanup early on can reduce long-term damage.
Step 4: Relieve Pressure in the System
After shutting off the mains:
open the lowest cold tap in the house
flush a toilet once (if it’s not overflowing)
open an outside tap if you have one
This helps release pressure and reduces ongoing leakage while you wait.
Step 5: Take Photos (Useful for Insurance)
If there’s visible damage:
take a photo of the leak source
photograph affected areas (floors, walls, ceilings, cabinetry) - remember to step back and take a wide shot of the whole scene.
take a note of the rough time it started and what you did (water off, breaker off, etc.)
This helps if insurance gets involved later.
What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)
We see a lot of well-intentioned DIY that turns a small emergency into a bigger repair. Avoid:
cutting pipes (unless you know exactly what you’re doing)
overtightening valves (they can snap)
dismantling hot water systems
using sealants or tapes as a “permanent fix”
pouring drain chemicals down a blocked drain (can damage pipes and makes it unsafe for the person clearing the blockage)
If you need a temporary hold, the best “DIY” is water off + contain + call.
Quick Guide: What to Do for Common Emergency Scenarios
Burst Pipe
turn the mains off immediately
switch power off if water is near electrical
open taps to relieve pressure
contain water and protect floors
Overflowing/Blocked Toilet
turn off the toilet isolation valve (usually behind the toilet)
if you can’t find it, turn the mains off
don’t keep flushing
keep kids/pets away if there’s overflow
Leaking Hot Water Cylinder
turn mains water off (or cylinder inlet if accessible)
switch off power to the cylinder (electric systems)
keep clear if the relief valve is discharging hot water
call promptly - cylinder issues can worsen quickly
What to Tell the Plumber (So We Can Arrive Prepared)
This is the part that saves time and gets the right fix sorted faster. When you call, try to share:
Where is the leak? (kitchen, bathroom, laundry, outside)
Is the water off at the mains? (yes/no)
Is it hot or cold water? (if you can tell)
Is there flooding or water damage? (flooring, ceiling, walls)
Any weird sounds or smells? (gurgling drains, sewage smell, hissing)
Is anyone vulnerable in the house? (small kids, elderly, no toilet available)
If you can, a quick photo sent by text can be helpful too (depending on the situation).
What Can Usually Wait Until Normal Hours
Not everything needs an emergency callout. Often these can wait:
a slow drain (as long as it’s not overflowing)
minor toilet issues that still flush
small leaks you can isolate at the fixture
If you’re unsure, we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s urgent or can wait. We’d rather give you peace of mind than have you stressing.
Preventing Emergencies in the Future
Once things are sorted, a few small habits reduce the chance of future callouts:
find your water main and make sure it turns freely
fix small leaks early (they rarely fix themselves)
keep an eye on hot water cylinder performance
don’t ignore low water pressure or pipe noises
A little preventative maintenance saves a lot of headaches.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing emergencies are stressful, but knowing what to do before help arrives puts you back in control. Turn the water off, keep it safe, contain what you can, and give clear info when you call - it makes a real difference.
Need urgent help in Hawke’s Bay?
If you’ve stabilised the situation and need advice or emergency repairs, APlus Plumbing & Gas services Hastings, Napier, and surrounding Hawke’s Bay areas.
