When a plumbing emergency strikes your Hornsby home or business, every minute counts. As the owner of O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby, I understand that burst pipes, gas leaks, and overflowing drains never wait for business hours — that’s why my team of licensed emergency plumbers is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We’ve been providing fast, reliable emergency plumbing throughout Hornsby, Hornsby Heights, Wahroonga, Waitara, Asquith, and the Upper North Shore for over a decade. Whether it’s a middle-of-the-night leak or a weekend gas emergency, we’re here to protect your property from costly water damage and safety hazards.
A small plumbing problem can escalate fast. That’s why our emergency service is built on rapid response, expert diagnosis, and honest communication, ensuring you get the right help when you need it most.
What This Guide Covers
This guide explains everything you need to know about emergency plumbing services in Hornsby — from identifying genuine plumbing emergencies to taking the right safety steps before help arrives.
You’ll also learn how our 24/7 Hornsby plumbers operate, what to expect when you call, and how our local expertise keeps your home safe year-round.
Who This Is For
This guide is for homeowners, tenants, and property managers across Hornsby and surrounding suburbs who may face urgent plumbing issues.
If you’re dealing with a burst pipe, a gas smell near your hot water system, or sewage backing up into your yard, this guide gives you practical steps to protect your family and property until our team arrives.
Why Fast Action Matters
In many established Hornsby suburbs, older pipes and clay drainage systems make properties more vulnerable to sudden failures. Add hilly terrain, large trees, and shifting soil, and you have the perfect recipe for burst pipes, blockages, or leaks.
Acting quickly isn’t just about convenience — it’s about preventing thousands of dollars in damage.
Gas leaks, in particular, pose immediate safety risks and must be handled by licensed professionals only. Our team’s rapid local response ensures issues are isolated, repaired, and documented with full compliance.
Why Choose a Local Emergency Plumber in Hornsby
Hiring a local plumber gives you a major advantage when emergencies hit. As Hornsby locals ourselves, we know the street layouts, infrastructure, and common plumbing faults in older North Shore properties — and that means we get to you faster.
Local expertise matters because Hornsby’s terrain and tree cover create unique plumbing challenges. Our familiarity with root intrusion, water pressure issues, and old terracotta pipes lets us diagnose and fix problems efficiently.
We pride ourselves on upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and honest communication from start to finish. You’ll always know what the job involves and what it costs before we begin.
And as a local business, O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby is built on long-term trust, not quick callouts. Our goal is to provide reliable service, clear advice, and permanent solutions — every single time.
Understanding Plumbing Emergencies
Not every plumbing issue needs an emergency callout, but when one does, time is everything.
A true plumbing emergency is any situation posing immediate risk to your property, safety, or health. These issues require urgent attention from licensed plumbers to prevent further damage.
Examples of Genuine Plumbing Emergencies
- Burst pipes causing flooding
- Gas leaks or strong gas odours near appliances
- Sewage backups or overflowing drains
- Major hot water system failures causing leaks or electrical risks
- No water supply to your property
These issues can cause structural damage, contamination, or fire hazards within minutes.
Urgent but Non-Emergency Plumbing Issues
Some problems don’t require middle-of-the-night service but still need same-day attention, such as:
- Slow drains without overflow
- Minor leaks that can be isolated
- Hot water system malfunctions
- Toilet blockages when a second toilet is available
Understanding this difference helps you respond appropriately — and keeps costs manageable.
Common Emergency Plumbing Problems in Hornsby
Living in an established area like Hornsby means dealing with mature trees, older homes, and mixed soil conditions. These all contribute to recurring plumbing emergencies that we handle every week.
Burst Pipe Emergencies
Shifting clay soils and ageing pipe materials often cause sudden bursts, flooding homes and damaging flooring. Our team uses leak detection cameras and pressure testing equipment to locate the source quickly and replace damaged sections using durable modern materials.
Gas Leak Emergencies
Gas leaks are among the most dangerous plumbing emergencies. If you ever smell gas, turn off the gas supply immediately, evacuate the area, and call both Jemena and our team. Our licensed gas fitters will safely repair the leak, test the system, and ensure your home is compliant before restoring service.
Blocked Drains & Sewage Overflow
Heavy rain and tree roots can overwhelm older drainage systems in Hornsby, causing sewage backups or surface flooding. We use CCTV drain cameras and high-pressure water jetting to clear blockages fast and assess pipe condition for long-term repair.
Hot Water Failures
Losing hot water can feel like an emergency — especially in winter. We provide same-day hot water repairs and replacements, working with all major Australian brands to restore comfort quickly.
Our Emergency Plumbing Process
When you call O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby, we follow a tested protocol to keep you safe and your property protected.
Step-by-Step Response
- Initial Call & Safety Advice – We assess the situation by phone, giving you immediate instructions (e.g., how to turn off water or gas).
- Rapid Dispatch – The closest available plumber is dispatched, usually arriving within 30–60 minutes.
- On-Site Stabilisation – We contain the issue: stopping leaks, isolating gas, or clearing blockages to prevent further damage.
- Transparent Quoting – You’ll receive clear pricing before any permanent repair begins.
- Repair & Clean-Up – We complete the repair, clean the area, and provide documentation for insurance if needed.
Common Challenges & How We Solve Them
After-Hours Property Access
Accessing strata buildings or secured premises at night can delay repairs.
Solution: We work closely with building managers and maintain the right tools and approvals for 24/7 property access without security breaches.
Minimising Water Damage
A few minutes can make a big difference during a burst pipe emergency.
Solution: Our emergency line provides real-time guidance to help you isolate the main water valve and reduce damage before we arrive.
Gas Safety
Gas leaks require extra caution and coordination.
Solution: We follow strict safety protocols, working with Jemena gas emergency services to isolate and repair gas systems safely and compliantly.
Typical Emergency Plumbing Costs in Hornsby
When you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency, the last thing you want is pricing uncertainty. At O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby, we believe in upfront, transparent quotes before any work begins. Our emergency rates are competitive for the Hornsby region and reflect the urgency, equipment, and skill required to get your property back to normal—day or night.
- Emergency Call-Out (After Hours) $180 – $320+
- Blocked Drain Clearing $99 – $480+
- CCTV Drain Inspection Only $180 – $350+
- Leaking Tap or Toilet Repair $120 – $250+
- Toilet Replacement $350 – $650+
- Burst Pipe Repair $250 – $600+
- Hot Water System Repair $180 – $400+
- Hot Water System Replacement $1,600 – $3,200+
- Gas Fitting / Leak Detection $180 – $420+
- Backflow Prevention Testing $180 – $350+
- Bathroom Renovation Plumbing (Labour Only) $2,500 – $6,000+
- Roof & Gutter Plumbing Repairs $300 – $900+
A few factors influence pricing for emergency plumbing in Hornsby:
- After-hours or weekend service incurs premium rates.
- Accessibility — tight crawl spaces or multi-storey homes may take longer to reach.
- Parts and materials — certain fixtures or systems require specific replacement components.
- Severity of damage — minor leaks differ significantly from full-burst lines or sewer backups.
We’ll always provide a fixed-price quote before starting repairs so you’re never caught off guard.
Areas We Service
As a proudly local Hornsby plumbing business, we offer emergency plumber services across the wider North Shore and nearby regions. Our team is familiar with local climate conditions, guidelines, and property types — from older homes in leafy streets to modern developments with energy-efficient upgrades.
We regularly service:
- Hornsby
- Hornsby Heights
- Asquith
- Wahroonga
- Waitara
- Normanhurst
- Mount Colah
- Mount Ku-ring-gai
- Berowra
- Thornleigh
- Westleigh
- Pennant Hills
- Turramurra
- Pymble
- North Turramurra
- Warrawee
If you’re located outside these suburbs, don’t worry — our team often travels throughout the Upper North Shore and neighbouring areas to deliver quality, energy-efficient plumbing solutions.
When plumbing disasters strike, having O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby in your phone contacts can save you time, money, and stress.
We’re proud to be the trusted emergency plumbers in Hornsby, offering same-day service, transparent pricing, and professional workmanship around the clock.
How to Prepare
- Save our number for immediate access during emergencies
- Locate and test your home’s main water shut-off valve annually
- Book routine plumbing inspections for older Hornsby homes
For fast, reliable, and professional emergency plumbing in Hornsby, contact O’Brien Plumbing Hornsby — your local 24/7 plumbing experts.