Problem to trade

Something wrong at the house? Who do you call?

Pick the problem. See what it probably is, what you can safely check yourself, which trade you need and how urgent it is.

Danger first. Fire, someone hurt, a gas leak you cannot control or a fallen powerline: get safe and call triple zero (000). Storm or flood damage letting water in: call the SES on 132 500.

Find the right trade (1 minutes, free, no sign-up). Get a job done. Read the full guide.

What's going on?

Water stain on the ceiling

How urgent: This week. Today if it is sagging, dripping or near a light fitting. What it probably is: A roof leak or a plumbing leak. The timing is the clue. If it shows up or grows after rain, it is most likely the roof, a flashing or an overflowing gutter. If it appears in dry weather, or sits under a bathroom, the kitchen or the hot water system, think plumbing. What you can safely check: Note whether it changes after rain. Do the water meter test in the simple home checks to see if water is escaping from a pipe. If you can look in from the manhole with a torch, do, but do not walk across the ceiling. Who to call: A roofer for a roof leak. A licensed plumber for a pipe leak. If you cannot tell which, start with whichever matches the timing, or call us.

Gutters overflowing

How urgent: Before the next big rain. What it probably is: Blocked gutters or downpipes, or a gutter that has sagged and lost its fall. Sometimes the gutters or downpipes simply cannot keep up with the size of the roof they drain. What you can safely check: Next time it rains, watch from the ground where the water spills, and check water is coming out the bottom of each downpipe. Where a downpipe goes into the ground, run a hose into the inlet. If it backs up, the underground stormwater is blocked. Who to call: A gutter cleaner or roof plumber for the gutters. A licensed plumber for blocked underground stormwater.

Roof leaking during a storm

How urgent: Now. What it probably is: Storm damage: lifted or broken tiles or sheets, a damaged flashing, or gutters overflowing back under the roof. What you can safely check: Stay off the roof. Put buckets down, move what you can, and keep clear of any ceiling that is sagging. If water is near lights or power points, switch off that circuit at the switchboard, but only if the switchboard is dry and you can reach it safely. Take photos for the insurer. Who to call: The SES on 132 500 if storm damage is letting water in. Then your insurer, and a roofer for the proper repair.

Power tripping, or a burning smell

How urgent: Today. Now if you smell burning or see smoke or sparks. Call 000 if there is a fire. What it probably is: Tripping can be a faulty appliance, an overloaded circuit, water getting in somewhere, or a wiring fault. A burning smell, or a power point, switch or switchboard that is hot, buzzing or scorched, is serious. What you can safely check: If you smell burning, switch off at the main switch if it is safe to, and get out if there is smoke. If one circuit keeps tripping, unplug everything on it and reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off. Never open the switchboard, a power point or a light fitting. Who to call: A licensed electrician, every time. Electrical work is not a DIY job in Queensland.

No hot water

How urgent: As soon as it suits. Today if the unit is leaking. What it probably is: On an electric system, a tripped circuit or a failed element or thermostat. On gas, the pilot or the gas supply. On solar or a heat pump, the booster or the controller. Water leaking from the base often means the tank is on its way out. What you can safely check: Look at the switchboard for a tripped hot water circuit and reset it once. If you are on an off-peak tariff, the water may just not have reheated yet. For gas, check the gas is on at the meter or bottle, and do not go further than the instructions on the unit. Who to call: A licensed plumber for the hot water system. An electrical fault may also need a licensed electrician, and gas units need a licensed gasfitter. Some plumbers are licensed for both.

Blocked drains or a sewer smell

How urgent: This week. Now if sewage is coming up inside or overflowing outside. What it probably is: A blockage in the drain from tree roots, wipes or fat, or a damaged pipe. A sewer smell can also be a floor waste in a shower nobody uses, where the water that blocks the smell has dried out, or a damaged vent pipe. What you can safely check: Run water into any floor waste or shower that does not get used much, to refill it. Check whether more than one sink, shower or toilet is slow, which points to the main drain. Outside, find the overflow relief gully, the grated outlet near the house. If it is overflowing, the sewer line is blocked. Who to call: A licensed plumber. In Queensland, almost all drainage work needs a licensed plumber or drainer, whatever the size of the job.

A gas smell

How urgent: Now. If there is a fire, or a gas leak you cannot control, get everyone out and call 000. What it probably is: A leak somewhere in the pipes or an appliance, or a burner left on without lighting. What you can safely check: Do not light anything, and do not switch anything electrical on or off, including lights. Turn off the gas appliance and open the doors and windows. If you can still smell gas, turn off the gas supply at the meter or bottle. If you can still smell it after that, call triple zero (000). Who to call: Your gas supplier or a licensed gasfitter for advice. The supplier's emergency number is usually on your gas bill. Triple zero (000) if the smell does not go away once the gas is off. A licensed gasfitter for the repair.

Cracked tiles

How urgent: Soon. What it probably is: Cracked or drummy floor and wall tiles can come from movement, poor bedding or water getting underneath. In a shower, cracked tiles or missing grout can let water in behind the tiles. Cracked roof tiles are covered in the roof warning signs guide. What you can safely check: Look for damp or staining on the other side of a shower wall. Who to call: A tiler for tiles, and a waterproofer or plumber if a shower is leaking.

A sagging fence

How urgent: Soon. Straight away if it is a pool fence or a gate that will not latch. What it probably is: A sagging fence usually means rotten or loose posts, wet ground or tree roots. What you can safely check: Push gently on a fence post to see if it moves at the base. If it is a dividing fence, have a chat with the neighbour first, because Queensland has rules about neighbours sharing the cost. Who to call: A fencer or carpenter for the fence. A pool fence or gate that does not close and latch is a safety risk for kids, so get it fixed straight away.

Shade sail sagging or ripped

How urgent: Before the next storm. What it probably is: Stretched fabric, loose turnbuckles or fittings, sun damage, or a post or wall fixing working loose. Wind gets under a slack sail and loads up the fixings. What you can safely check: From the ground, check the posts are upright, the fittings are not rusted, and wall fixings are not pulling out. If a severe storm is coming, take it down if you can do it safely. A ripped sail should come down now. Who to call: A shade sail installer. If a post is leaning or a wall fixing is moving, that is structural, and a builder or engineer should look at it. We are not engineers.

Termites suspected

How urgent: This week. What it probably is: Signs include mud tubes on walls, stumps or slabs, timber that sounds hollow or feels soft, bubbling paint, and swarms of flying insects in warm, humid weather. Termites are common in Queensland. What you can safely check: Do not disturb them. Breaking open the mud tubes or spraying them can send them elsewhere and make them harder to find. Note where you saw the signs and take photos. Who to call: A licensed pest management technician for a timber pest inspection. Once you know what is damaged, a carpenter or builder for the repairs.

Mould

How urgent: Soon. Sooner if it is spreading or keeps coming back. What it probably is: Moisture. Usually poor ventilation in a bathroom or laundry, or condensation. If it keeps coming back in one spot, or shows up on a ceiling or on a wall next to a wet area, look for a leak. What you can safely check: Run the exhaust fans and open windows. Hold a sheet of toilet paper up to the bathroom fan. If it does not pull the paper up, the fan is not doing its job. Small patches on hard surfaces can usually be cleaned, wearing gloves and a mask. Large areas, or anyone in the house with health concerns, is a job for professionals. Who to call: Whoever fixes the cause. A roofer or plumber for a leak, an electrician for an exhaust fan, and a mould remediation specialist for large areas.

We are not engineers, and this is not a diagnosis. General information only, not professional advice for your property. Nothing here needs a ladder or a trip onto the roof. If something looks unsafe, stop and call a licensed professional, or 000 in an emergency.

More free checks

Linc Point

Linc Point (sometimes spelt Link Point), ABN 48 535 502 159. Call 0458 381 559 or email linc@lincpoint.com.au. Brisbane and South East Queensland, Bribie Island to Helensvale. Website: lincpoint.com.au. Tools for trade businesses: lincpoint.online.