Urgent home repairs in Bankstown: what to do and who to call

Emergency numbers for Bankstown homes

Each number below is published by the organisation that runs the service. Call 000 first for fire, injury or anything life-threatening.

Power out, sparking or fallen powerlines

Ausgrid says: “Stay at least 8 metres or 2 car lengths away from fallen powerlines. Call 13 13 88 to report hazards.” Endeavour Energy adds: “Never assume powerlines are ‘dead’ or de-energised, as they can be remotely switched on or ‘re-energise’ in an instant.” Keep other people and pets away too.

Which company to call depends on your street. Ausgrid’s own network area check lists Yagoona, Bass Hill, Punchbowl, Revesby, Greenacre and Padstow postcodes on Ausgrid’s network, and shows both Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy for 2200 (Bankstown, Condell Park) and 2162 (Chester Hill). Your electricity bill names your distributor.

Inside the home, sparking power points, burning smells and damaged wiring are jobs for a licensed electrician. NSW SES advises that power points, appliances and electric hot water systems that have been in floodwater “must be inspected by a qualified electrician before use.”

Smell of gas

Jemena, which runs the gas network in Bankstown, says gas “smells like rotten eggs or cabbage”. Its advice is to “remove or turn off ignition sources and leave the area immediately. Don’t smoke or use your phone, and be sure to put out any naked flames.” Then report it on 131 909 from somewhere safe. Gas appliances and pipes inside the home are a licensed gasfitter’s job.

Burst pipe or major leak

Sydney Water is responsible for the water main and the meter. It says: “If it’s on your property, or a pipe that only serves your property, it’s usually your responsibility (even if it extends into public land).” Call Sydney Water on 13 20 90 for a burst main in the street or a wastewater overflow, and a licensed plumber for a burst pipe on your property.

Our advice: if you can reach the meter tap safely, turning it off stops the water while you wait. Sydney Water says the meter is usually at the front of the property. Keep clear of water near power points or appliances.

Storm damage: the SES, your insurer and asbestos

The NSW SES says it supports the community during storms and floods “in restoring lifelines and making temporary repairs to damaged property”. It also warns it “may not be able to get to you immediately”.

Contact your insurer early. The Insurance Council of Australia says you can start to clean up, “but before you do, be sure to ask your insurer for advice and document the damage with photos and video to support an insurance claim.”

Storms can break and scatter asbestos. The NSW Government says asbestos is found in many parts of homes built before 1990, including roofing, eaves and fencing, and advises: “If asbestos is suspected, seek advice from a licensed asbestos assessor.” SafeWork NSW says not to enter your property until emergency services, utilities companies or the council advise it is safe.

Renting? Tell the landlord or agent first

In a NSW rental, the landlord arranges repairs. The NSW Government says that if you need an urgent repair and can’t contact your landlord or agent, you can contact a repair person yourself and have the costs reimbursed up to $1,000. It also says to use a licensed tradesperson, or the landlord may not have to reimburse you. Use the urgent repairs checker for NSW renters to see whether your problem counts as urgent and what to do first.

Repairs once it is safe

Once the emergency is over and any licensed work is done, the smaller damage still needs fixing. These are ordinary repairs a handyman can quote for:

• A gate that won’t latch or has dropped: latch, hinge and paling repairs on ordinary timber gates. See gate and fence repairs.
• A door that won’t close or latch: hinges, strike plates and sticking internal doors. See door repairs.
• A sliding door off its track: rollers and tracks on patio, screen and wardrobe doors. See sliding door repairs.
• Torn flyscreens and small holes in walls: see flyscreen repairs and plaster wall repairs.

Glass, roofs, structural damage, electrical, plumbing and gas work are outside a handyman’s scope. See what a handyman can do in NSW.