Licensed plumbing and roofing from our Hornsby-based team. Emergency response, blocked drains, hot water, roof repairs and leak detection across Northern Sydney.
Hornsby residents choose O'Brien Plumbing & Roofing because we combine local knowledge with trade depth in both plumbing and roofing — a practical advantage in a suburb where steep blocks, sandstone geology and mature gardens create overlapping problems. Our Northern Sydney base in Hornsby allows us to respond quickly across the Hornsby Shire. We work with Hornsby Shire Council requirements and Sydney Water regulations, and our teams are licensed, insured and experienced in working on older 1950s–1970s brick homes, modern unit blocks and heritage properties around Hornsby Westfield and the surrounding streets.
Choosing O'Brien means working with a contractor that understands local materials and typical failure modes: copper and galvanised pipes reaching end-of-life, guttering clogged by eucalypts and plane trees, and drainage issues caused by steep terrain and sandstone bedrock. We provide both roofing and plumbing services, so when a leaking roof is also causing internal water damage or blocked gutters are leading to plumbing backups, we coordinate the fix rather than passing you between two trades. Our Hornsby teams operate 24/7 for emergency situations and follow structured safety procedures, including 17 Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and we are progressing towards ISO 9001 quality management.
We deliver a full range of plumbing services across Hornsby for homeowners, strata managers and businesses. Our work covers emergency plumbing, blocked drains, hot water systems, leak detection, gas fitting, commercial maintenance and general plumbing. We use modern diagnostic tools — CCTV drain cameras, hydro jetting, thermal imaging and acoustic leak detection — alongside traditional skills to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective repairs.
Our 24/7 emergency plumber Hornsby service deals with burst pipes, major leaks, blocked sewer overflows and hot water failures that cannot wait. Call (02) 9477 1519 any time for urgent assistance. We attend with the tools to contain damage quickly and perform a diagnostic assessment to provide an immediate plan of action.
Blocked drains Hornsby is a common call-out. Mature trees and older internal plumbing increase the likelihood of root intrusion and grease build-up. We inspect blockages with CCTV drain cameras to identify the source — tree roots, collapsed pipe, grease or foreign objects — then use the appropriate clearing method. For residential jobs we use hydro jetting capable of 3,000–5,000 PSI to remove scale and roots; for heavier commercial blockages our equipment can operate up to 8,000 PSI.
Hot water systems Hornsby covers installation, repairs and replacement of storage, continuous flow and electric systems. Older properties often have obsolete or inefficient units; we work with you on a cost-effective replacement plan that complies with Sydney Water and Hornsby Shire Council rules. We are qualified gas fitters, so we can service and install gas hot water systems safely and legally.
Leak detection Hornsby uses a combination of acoustic leak detection, thermal imaging and pressure testing to locate hidden leaks in slabs, walls and under floorboards. Our specialised service includes a detailed diagnostic report and recommended repair strategy. For complex or multiple leaks we offer our dedicated leak detection package priced at $815 inc GST for standard leak detection work from our Hornsby base.
We are licensed gas fitters. If you need a gas fitter Hornsby for appliance installation, gas leak emergency or compliance work for a strata building, our technicians carry current gas licences and follow strict safety and testing procedures. We coordinate with gas suppliers and Hornsby Shire Council requirements where necessary.
General plumbing Hornsby includes fixture replacement, tap repairs, toilet servicing, stormwater drainage and roof-gutter plumbing. We also provide backflow prevention testing and installation to protect potable water supplies in commercial and multi-residential properties, ensuring compliance with local regulations and Sydney Water standards.
O'Brien is not only a plumber for Hornsby — we are also an experienced roofer Hornsby property owners rely on. That combination is particularly useful where roof issues and plumbing problems overlap: leaking gutters that lead to internal damp, roof membrane faults feeding into ceiling stains, or downpipe failures causing saturated foundations. Our Hornsby roofing team covers repairs, re-roofing, guttering, downpipes, valley and flashing replacement and Colorbond work.
Roof repairs Hornsby are common because of exposure to wind, falling branches and stormwater run-off on steep blocks. We inspect and repair broken tiles, slipped or corroded metal sheets, damaged ridge capping and failed underlays. Where older roofs have been patched repeatedly, we provide clear advice on repair vs re-roofing based on condition and expected remaining life.
When a roof reaches the end of its serviceable life — often in older 1950s–1970s homes or in buildings with non-compliant past repairs — re-roofing is the safest, long-term solution. We supply and install Colorbond and other contemporary roofing materials and ensure all penetrations, valleys and flashings are upgraded to current standards. Re-roofing projects in Hornsby often require careful access planning due to steep blocks and nearby trees; our teams are experienced in scaffolding and safe access for minimal disruption.
Blocked gutters are a frequent cause of water ingress in Hornsby thanks to mature trees. We provide gutter cleaning, repair and upgrade, downpipe replacement and the installation of leaf guards and rainwater harvesting systems where appropriate. Properly sized and positioned downpipes and stormwater connections are critical in sloping terrain to prevent concentrated runoff and erosion near foundations.
Hornsby has a number of heritage properties that require sympathetic roof works. Our roofing Hornsby team is experienced in replacing valleys and flashings with materials and profiles that match existing roofs while ensuring modern waterproofing standards. We document work for strata and heritage approvals when required and liaise with Hornsby Shire Council on compliance matters.
Understanding the common problems in Hornsby helps homeowners and property managers plan maintenance. Here are the typical plumbing issues we encounter:
We address these issues with tailored diagnostics — CCTV inspections to see inside pipes, pressure testing and acoustic leak detection for hidden leaks, and hydro jetting to remove root and scale build-up. This targeted approach avoids unnecessary excavation and provides transparent reporting for insurance and strata records.
Roofing problems in Hornsby are influenced by local conditions: heavy tree cover, steep slopes, and older roof stock. The most frequent roofing issues we repair include:
Because O'Brien offers both roofing and plumbing, we assess roof repairs Hornsby in the context of overall property water management — ensuring gutters, downpipes and stormwater connections are functioning after any roof repair to eliminate recurring problems.
We operate a 24/7 emergency plumber Hornsby service for urgent situations that risk property damage, health hazards or loss of essential services. Common emergency call-outs include burst water mains, gas leaks, sewer overflows, major hot water system failures and dangerous roof collapses or large leaks during storms.
Call (02) 9477 1519 and our Hornsby response team will prioritise safety: isolate water or gas where necessary, provide temporary containment, and carry out a diagnostic assessment. We charge an attendance/diagnostic fee of $180 inc GST, which covers the initial assessment and immediate stabilisation. After diagnosis we provide an upfront quote for repairs; in emergency situations we will complete temporary works to secure the property immediately and schedule permanent repairs as required.
We keep documentation for insurance and strata lodgements and liaise with Hornsby Shire Council and Sydney Water where temporary connections or regulatory notifications are required.
We aim for a clear, predictable service from first call to job completion. Here’s the process when you contact our Hornsby team:
Transparency is central to our approach — clear communication on costs and timeframes helps property owners in Hornsby make informed decisions. We provide written quotes and retain site records for compliance and follow-up maintenance.
Below is a guide to our standard pricing elements so you know what to expect. These are O'Brien’s actual fees and labour rates used for quoting work in Hornsby. Final prices depend on job complexity, materials and access.
We always provide itemised quotes after the diagnostic stage and explain necessary permits or council notifications (Hornsby Shire Council) if applicable. For strata and commercial work, we prepare detailed scope documents and asset records to support maintenance planning.
O'Brien Plumbing & Roofing operates with full licensing and insurance relevant to work in Hornsby. Our plumbers and roofers are licensed tradespeople; we hold gas fitting licences for gas work. We carry public liability and professional indemnity insurance appropriate for residential, commercial and strata projects.
Safety and compliance are central to our practice. We maintain 17 Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) covering common high-risk activities and operate with documented site safety procedures. These are used on steep Hornsby blocks and during complex roof access, re-roofing and confined-space drain work. Our quality systems are under continual review and we are pursuing ISO 9001 to formalise our quality management across both plumbing and roofing services.
We work with Sydney Water and Hornsby Shire Council requirements for approvals, backflow, stormwater connections and trade waste where applicable, ensuring all work meets statutory obligations and local standards.
Hornsby’s significant strata and commercial building stock — including multi-storey apartments around Hornsby Westfield, retail premises and community facilities — require robust routine maintenance and rapid response to plumbing and roofing faults. O'Brien provides tailored commercial and strata services, including planned preventative maintenance, emergency response and detailed asset reporting.
Strata managers value our capacity to coordinate both roofing and plumbing works. We provide scheduled gutter cleaning, roof inspections, valve and backflow testing, lift well drainage checks and CCTV inspections of common drains. Our major drainage assessment with CCTV is available for $500 inc GST and gives clear video evidence for fault identification and remediation planning.
We service commercial clients, aged-care facilities, schools and retail properties with trained technicians on commercial hourly rates: $195/hr for the first hour and $140/hr thereafter. For larger contracts we prepare maintenance schedules, compliance documentation and incident reporting. Works are conducted to accordance with relevant Australian Standards and council regulations.
We undertake sensitive work in facilities that require strict access controls, confidentiality and documented safety procedures. Our teams are familiar with the requirements for working in health, aged-care and disability-support settings and provide controlled, scheduled works to minimise disruption.
Preventative maintenance reduces emergency calls, extends asset life and controls long-term costs. For Hornsby properties, a maintenance program should address tree maintenance, gutter cleaning, drain inspection and hot water servicing.
We can prepare a preventative maintenance plan tailored to each Hornsby property, with service frequencies and cost estimates to help with budgeting for strata or individual homeowners.
If you smell gas, evacuate the building immediately, avoid using electrical switches, extinguishing flames or phones inside the building, and call emergency services if necessary. Once safe, contact our gas fitter Hornsby team on (02) 9477 1519. We hold current gas licences and will isolate and repair the leak following regulatory procedures.
We offer 24/7 emergency response from our Hornsby base. Attendance times vary with call volume and location within Hornsby Shire, but our local presence allows us to respond promptly to genuine emergencies. The initial attendance and diagnostic fee is $180 inc GST and covers stabilisation and assessment.
Repeated blockages often indicate root intrusion, a structural defect or an inadequate fall. We perform a CCTV drain inspection to diagnose the root cause. If roots or scale are present, hydro jetting may clear the line and root killers can be considered; if structural defects are found, targeted repairs or trenchless pipe relining may be recommended to provide a durable fix.
Our leak detection Hornsby service uses pressure testing, acoustic leak detection and thermal imaging to pinpoint leaks without unnecessary demolition. For concrete slab leaks we correlate pressure drop tests with acoustic and thermal data and then expose only the necessary area for repair.
Yes, we work on heritage properties and have experience matching traditional materials and profiles. In many cases, Hornsby Shire Council requires documented scopes and materials information for heritage work. We can prepare the documentation and liaise with council and heritage consultants as part of the project management process.
CCTV inspections provide a clear record of pipe condition, evidence of damage or intrusion, and help prioritise capital works. For strata managers, this reduces unexpected failures and supports budgeting and insurance claims. Our major drainage assessment includes CCTV for $500 inc GST.
Deciding between repair and replacement depends on the system age, repair history and energy efficiency. For older units or those with recurring faults, replacement with a modern, efficient unit is often more cost-effective long-term. We assess on-site and provide clear options and compliant installation by licensed technicians.
Jobs with complex access (steep driveways, limited street access, overhead trees) require safety planning and sometimes scaffolding or specialised fall-arrest equipment. These elements are itemised in our quote so you can see the reasons for additional costs rather than being surprised by them. Safety is never compromised to cut costs.
For further questions or to arrange an inspection in Hornsby, call (02) 9477 1519. Our local Hornsby team will provide calm, practical advice and an experienced trades response tailored to the particular risks and building types in Hornsby and the Hornsby Shire.
Call us: (02) 9477 1519