When your toilet is hopelessly clogged, or it’s the middle of the night and your sink faucet won’t stop dripping, you need a plumber. That much is clear. But is your plumbing problem an emergency? Instead of panicking and picking up the phone, you should stop to consider whether the issue is a plumbing emergency or not. Emergency plumbing services come at a premium price, so it may be worth waiting for normal service in some situations.
Criteria for a Plumbing Emergency
When you have a plumbing problem, to determine if it’s an emergency, ask yourself a few
questions.
- Is the problem a health or safety hazard? Issues like gas leaks or a sewer gas odor need
to be addressed immediately. - Can you live without the affected fixture temporarily? If your toilet is clogged but you
have other toilets in your home, you can probably wait for normal plumbing service. - Can you turn off the water to the affected area? If your problem is a dripping sink faucet,
you should be able to shut off the water to that faucet to keep your sink from overflowing. - Is the problem going to cause damage? Water can be very damaging to your home, so
you should determine what the consequences of the problem might be. - For businesses, is the problem going to affect your ability to do business? If you own a
restaurant, for example, and a toilet in a customer-used bathroom is broken, it may turn
off some people.
Common Plumbing Emergencies
Plumbing emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, but some are common issues that
plumbers deal with on a regular basis.
Gas Leaks
A gas leak is unquestionably a plumbing emergency, so if you notice a sulfur or rotten egg smell, evacuate the premises and call the gas company and a plumber. Gas leaks can lead to fire or an explosion, and natural gas is also a health risk when inhaled.
Burst Pipes
Pipes can burst during the winter cold, but old or rusty pipes can burst as well. If you have a gush of water from a wall or ceiling, or a smaller leak that appears suddenly, you may have a burst pipe. That kind of water intrusion can cause extreme damage, so turn off the main water line immediately, and call a plumber.
Sagging Ceiling
Sometimes the water from a leak can begin to put pressure on your ceiling and you’ll notice the ceiling sagging. Continued pressure could cause the ceiling to collapse, which can cause more damage or hurt someone. Call a plumber right away even if you notice just a slight sagging.
Overflowing Toilets
Often, a toilet clog can be easily fixed with a plunger, but if you can’t clear it and the toilet is overflowing, switch the shut-off valve. If you have another toilet to use, you can wait for regular plumbing service, but if it’s your only toilet, call for emergency service.
Water Heater Issues
Sometimes water heater issues are an emergency, particularly in the winter. If you don’t have hot water at all, or if you see a significant leak from your water heater, you need to call a professional right away. If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg smell near your water heater, you have a gas leak, so leave the premises and call the gas company and a plumber immediately.
Sump Pump Failure
A sump pump prevents water from flooding your basement. If you hear odd sounds coming from it, or it doesn’t seem to be cycling properly or at all, it may be failing. If it’s raining, or rain is on the way, call for emergency plumbing service before it’s too late.
Sewer Line Backups
Sewer line backups that are bringing sewage into your home are obviously a plumbing emergency. However, if you recognize the signs of a potential sewer line clog, you can call for emergency service to get it cleared before you have a real mess on your hands. These signs include:
- Multiple drains clogged at once, or frequent clogs
- Slow drains
- Odd plumbing occurrences like the shower drain overflowing when you flush the toilet
- A foul odor coming from drains
- Gurgling sounds in your plumbing system
Cost of Emergency Plumbing Services
Emergency plumbing services usually come with a premium price. Some companies charge a flat rate on top of their regular prices for an emergency call that may be anywhere from $100 to $400. If the plumbing service charges an hourly rate, they may increase that rate if your emergency occurs at night or on the weekends. It’s worth it, however, for a real plumbing emergency. If you let certain problems wait, your costs to repair the problem and the resulting damage will be far higher.
In Closing
Plumbing emergencies happen, and it’s important to recognize them to prevent damage to your home. New York Plumbing Pros offers emergency plumbing services that you can count on. Our Licensed Master Plumbers are on call, ready to come to your rescue when you need us. Protecting your home or business is our priority.
