Emergency Repair Services: What to Expect and How to Prepare

One burst pipe. One leaking roof in a storm. One strange burning smell from a power point. It only takes a few minutes for a typical day at home to turn into a stressful emergency. In those moments, it’s easy to panic. Who do you call first? What can you safely do yourself? What should you never touch? And how can you protect your family, your belongings, and your property while you wait for help to arrive? That’s where understanding emergency repair services in NZ becomes so essential. When you know what to expect, and you’ve prepared a simple plan in advance, you can act faster and stay calmer when something goes wrong.

Let’s dive into what to do in common home emergencies and how to prepare before problems happen.

What to do in an emergency and how to be ready before it happens?

 Here are some simple steps and preparation tips to help.

1. Put safety first

Before you worry about damage to the house, think about people.

• If there’s fire, heavy smoke, or a strong burning smell, get everyone out of the house immediately.
• If water is leaking near power points or appliances, stay away from the area.
• If a ceiling appears to be about to collapse (bulging, sagging, or dripping), keep clear.

Once everyone is safe, consider turning off the power or calling for help. Your property can be repaired. People can’t be replaced.

2. Turn off the right services if it’s safe to do so

For many emergencies, stopping the source can limit damage. Only do this if it feels secure.

• Water leak (burst pipe, leaking tap, hot water cylinder):
  
  • Turn off the mains water at the toby/valve outside (usually near the front boundary).
    
• Electrical issue (burning smell, sparking, power point overheats):
  
  • Turn off the power at the main switchboard. Do not touch damaged wiring or wet outlets.
    
• Gas smell:
  
  • Turn off the gas at the meter (if you know how), open doors and windows, and do not use naked flames or switch on/off lights.

After that, call a qualified emergency repair service or your power/gas company as needed.

3. Call the right type of help

In New Zealand, always call 111 first if there is danger to life, a major fire, flooding, or injury. For other urgent property problems, you may need:

• A plumber for burst pipes, major leaks, or blocked drains backing up.
• An electrician for unsafe wiring, power failures related to your house, or burning smells from outlets.
• A roofer or builder for storm damage, broken windows, or structural issues.

Emergency repair services in NZ, like the Oncore team, can help coordinate the right trades and make sure repairs are done safely and correctly.

4. Take simple steps to reduce damage (without risking yourself)

If it’s safe and the emergency is under control, you can gently limit damage:

• Move furniture, rugs, and valuables away from a leak.
• Place buckets or containers under ceiling drips.
• Use towels to stop water from spreading across the floor.
• If a window is broken, keep children and pets away from the glass.

Don’t climb onto the roof, use tools you’re not confident with, or try to fix electrical or gas problems yourself. Those jobs are for trained professionals.

5. Keep records for insurance and future repairs 

After everyone is safe and you’ve called for help:

• Take clear photos or short videos of the damage (where it’s safe to do so).
• Note the time the problem started and what you did (e.g. “Turned off mains water at 3:15 pm”).
• Keep any invoices or job numbers from emergency repair services.

Good records can help with insurance claims and with planning follow-up work to fix the issue entirely.

6. Prepare an “emergency home list” before you need it

A big part of property care is being ready before something goes wrong. Create a simple one-page emergency sheet and keep it on the fridge or inside a cupboard. Include:

• Location of:
  
  • Main water shut-off
  • Power switchboard
  • Gas meter (if you have gas)
    
• Phone numbers for:
  
  • Emergency services (111)
  • Your preferred plumber, electrician, and builder
  • Insurance company
  • A trusted emergency repair service (like Oncore)

Tell everyone in the household where this sheet is, including older children.

Stay calm, stay safe, and get the right help

From having an emergency contact list to a basic safety kit, you can make it much easier to stay calm when something unexpected happens. You also don’t have to handle everything by yourself. The Oncore team can support you with emergency repair services in NZ as well as follow-up repairs and planned maintenance. 

If you want to feel more prepared for the unexpected and keep your home safe, dry, and in good condition, get in touch with Oncore Services. With the right team on your side, you’ll be better equipped to handle emergencies and more confident in your home’s safety every day.