Category
Emergencies & Repairs
Burst pipes, blocked drains, running toilets and other plumbing emergencies, with step-by-step advice for SA homes.
Why Are My Drains Backing Up Every Time It Rains? (SA Guide 2026)
Drains overflow during SA storms because of combined sewers, root ingress, or blocked gully traps. Here's who's liable and how to fix it.
23 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
How Do I Get Water Pressure Back After an Outage? (SA Guide 2026)
After a municipal water outage, taps splutter or barely run. Here's how to clear airlocks, blocked aerators, and reset pressure valves in South African homes.
23 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Why Does My Geyser Trip the DB Board After Load Shedding? (SA Guide 2026)
After load shedding your geyser trips the main DB. Here's why surges damage elements and thermostats, how to test safely, and when to call a plumber in South Africa.
23 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
The R45 Washing Machine Hose That Floods SA Homes Every Year
Most insurance claims for laundry-room floods come down to one perished rubber hose nobody ever checked. Here is how often to replace it and which type to buy in South Africa.
8 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Why Is My Geyser Tripping the Electricity? (SA Homeowner's Guide)
If your geyser keeps tripping the main breaker or earth leakage, the cause is almost always one of five things. Here is how to diagnose it before calling a plumber.
8 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Leak Detection Costs in SA: Acoustic, Thermal & Tracer Gas Compared
When water bills spike with no visible leak, leak detection saves thousands — but methods vary hugely in price and accuracy.
2 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Burst Pipe Insurance Claims in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide
Most household insurance covers burst-pipe damage — but the claim process trips up most homeowners. Here's exactly what to do.
1 June 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Why Your Mixer Taps Fail After Municipal Pipe Maintenance
If three mixer cartridges fail in the same week after the municipality worked on your street, it's not a coincidence. It's a pressure surge plus pipe debris.
31 May 2026 · Plumber on Duty Editorial
Water Hammer After a Prepaid Meter Install: Why It Happens
Banging pipes that started right after the municipality fitted a prepaid water meter aren't a coincidence. Here's the cause and the fix.
31 May 2026 · Plumber on Duty Editorial
Blocked Drain in Cape Town: Why Tree Roots Are the #1 Culprit
Cape Town's mature gardens hide a drainage nightmare — tree roots in old clay sewer lines. Here's how to spot, fix and prevent it.
31 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Emergency Plumber Johannesburg: After-Hours Rates Explained
How after-hours, weekend and public-holiday surcharges work for Johannesburg plumbers — and how to keep the bill reasonable.
29 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Frozen and Burst Outdoor Taps: A Free State and Drakensberg Hazard
Most SA plumbing isn't built for frost — but winters in Bloemfontein, the Free State, Drakensberg and high-altitude Mpumalanga regularly hit –5°C. Here's how to stop your outdoor taps from splitting overnight.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Festive Season Septic Tank Overload: The Smell That Ruins Christmas
Holiday homes and farm cottages with septic tanks routinely fail in mid-December. Here's how to prepare before the family arrives, and what to do if it's already too late.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Pool Backwash Line Collapse: The Highveld Thunderstorm Problem
Highveld summer storms can collapse your pool's buried backwash line in a single afternoon. Here's why it happens, how to spot it, and what to do.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Pinhole Leaks in Galvanised Pipes: The Silent Killer in Older SA Homes
If your Cape Town, Durban or East London home was built before 1980, your hot-water lines are probably galvanised steel — and they're slowly rusting from the inside out.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Tree Roots in Old Clay Sewer Pipes: Why Your Drain Keeps Blocking
If your drain blocks every six months in an older Joburg, PE or Durban suburb, tree roots are almost certainly inside your clay sewer line. Here's how it happens and what actually fixes it.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Borehole Pump Airlock After the Municipal Water Comes Back On
Many SA homes run a hybrid borehole + municipal setup. When council water returns after a shutdown, the pump can airlock and stop delivering — here's why and how to clear it safely.
28 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
How Do I Unblock a Drain at Home? Safe DIY Steps for SA Homeowners
A practical, pipe-friendly guide to unblocking a drain at home, plus when to call a plumber.
25 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Why Are My Pipes Knocking? Water Hammer Explained
That bang in your walls when a tap shuts off is water hammer. Left alone it stresses joints and causes leaks. Here is how to fix it.
25 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Why Won't My Toilet Stop Running? The Most Common Cause
A toilet that runs constantly is one of the biggest household water wasters. The usual cause is a worn flapper, and the fix is cheap.
25 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
What to Do If You Have a Burst Pipe at Home: An Emergency Guide for SA
A step-by-step emergency plan for a burst pipe in a South African home, from shutting off water to protecting your insurance claim.
25 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Why Do I Have Low Water Pressure Even Though the Water Is On?
Low pressure has many causes, from a clogged aerator to a hidden leak. Here is how to diagnose it methodically in a South African home.
25 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How Long Does It Take to Fix a Burst Pipe?
A simple pinhole leak is 30 minutes. A buried supply pipe under a driveway is a full day. Here is the realistic timeline for each type of burst.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Unblock a Drain: DIY Methods That Actually Work
Boiling water clears 70% of basin blockages. For tougher ones, a plunger, drain snake or removing the trap usually fixes it. Here is the full sequence.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Clear a Blocked Drain (And When DIY Stops Working)
Most household drain blockages clear with hot water, a plunger or removing the trap. Here is when those methods fail and you need a plumber.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Unblock an Outside Drain in South Africa
Outside drains block from leaves, grease, sand and tree roots. Here is how to clear a stormwater drain or a sewer inspection chamber yourself — and when to escalate.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Home Remedies for a Blocked Drain: What Actually Works
Hot water + dish soap clears most basin blockages. Baking soda + vinegar is mostly a myth. Here is what to try, what to skip, and when to call a plumber.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Tap (Step by Step for SA Homes)
A leaking kitchen tap is almost always a worn cartridge or O-ring. Replacing it takes 30 minutes and costs R80–R250 in parts. Here is the full procedure.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Stop a Leaking Tap Right Now (Emergency Steps)
Need to stop a leaking tap fast? Here is how to isolate the water in 60 seconds, then your options for a permanent fix.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Fix a Burst Pipe (Step-by-Step Emergency Guide)
Burst pipe? Stop the water, drain the system, then patch or replace. Here is exactly what to do in the first 5 minutes and how to handle the repair.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
What to Do When a Pipe Bursts: A 5-Minute Emergency Plan
In the first 5 minutes of a burst pipe, you decide whether this is a R3,000 plumber call or a R30,000 ceiling repair. Here is exactly what to do.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
What Causes Pipes to Burst? (And How to Prevent It)
Freezing, corrosion, water-hammer and high pressure cause most pipe bursts in SA. Here is how to spot the risk before it floods your house.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency? (And What Is Not)
A burst pipe is an emergency. A dripping tap is not. Here is how to tell and what to do in the first 5 minutes.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How to Fix a Leaking Tap: DIY Guide and When to Call a Plumber
Most dripping taps can be fixed in 20 minutes with a R30 washer. Here is the step-by-step plus when the job needs a plumber instead.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost in South Africa?
After-hours plumber call-outs in SA range from R900 to R2,500 just to arrive. Here is a full breakdown by time, day, and job type.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
When to Call an Emergency Plumber (and When to Wait Until Morning)
Five situations that justify an after-hours call. Plus how to make most "emergencies" safe yourself so you can wait for normal rates.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Blocked Drains in South Africa: Who to Call and What It Costs
Blocked basin? Call a plumber. Blocked main drain to the street? It may be the municipality problem. Here is how to tell the difference.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Emergency Plumber Cape Town: 24/7 Callout Costs in 2026
What a true 24/7 emergency plumber actually charges in Cape Town — after-hours premiums, callout fees and how to avoid getting overcharged.
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
How to Read Your Water Meter and Spot a Hidden Leak
A 5-minute meter test can reveal a hidden leak that's quietly costing you thousands a year. Step-by-step guide for SA homeowners.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Emergency Plumber Callout Fees in SA: What's Reasonable?
After-hours, weekend and public-holiday plumber rates explained — plus how to avoid being overcharged in a crisis.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Blocked Drain Cost Guide: What South Africans Pay in 2026
From a simple hand-snake to high-pressure jetting and CCTV inspections — here's what unblocking a drain actually costs across SA.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
How to Unblock a Toilet Without a Plunger (Safely)
Hot water, dish soap, the wire-hanger trick — proven DIY fixes for a blocked toilet, and when to stop and call a plumber.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Leaking Tap Repair: DIY Guide vs Calling a Plumber
Replace a tap washer in 15 minutes with R30 in parts — or know when the cartridge, seat or whole mixer needs a pro.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Burst Pipe in Winter: Prevention Guide for South African Homes
Highveld winters can drop below freezing. Lag your pipes, drain outdoor lines, and avoid a R20,000 surprise.
23 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty Editorial
Burst Pipe Repair: What It Costs and How to Stop the Damage
Burst pipes are emergencies. Learn what plumbers charge to repair them in South Africa and the immediate steps to limit water damage.
10 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Blocked Drain Costs: Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban
What South African plumbers charge to unblock drains — from a simple kitchen sink to a sewer line with tree roots.
4 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Hidden Water Leaks: 7 Warning Signs & What Detection Costs
Underground and in-wall leaks waste thousands of litres. Learn the warning signs and what professional leak detection costs in South Africa.
28 April 2026 · Plumbers On Duty