When Should You Call an Emergency Plumber?

So, when should you call an emergency plumber? What really counts as an emergency? A genuine reason to call an emergency plumber is anything that stops your household from functioning. From blocked drains and burst water pipes, to gas leaks, there are several big moments that require expert assistance.

When you recognise a plumbing emergency, you want to act fast. It’s important to not only call a professional contractor for help, but to also prevent the problem from worsening. Your quick thinking could make a huge difference.

Mr Emergency is here to support you from start to finish with extensive emergency plumbing services. We’re here to help you understand the definition of emergency plumbing.

You can identify any domestic crises that requires an emergency plumber and the steps you can take to alleviate the situation before help arrives.

We’ve got you covered for most common plumbing emergencies.

What constitutes a plumbing emergency? By definition, an emergency is “a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.”

In terms of plumbing, the severity isn’t always to that same high level. For example, a ruptured pipe is not necessarily dangerous, but it could be impacting your access to drinking water. If your water is not restored immediately, it could easily turn into a dangerous situation for the elderly.

Meanwhile, if you detect a gas leak or suspect a carbon monoxide leak, the situation is potentially life-threatening. It’s urgent and sits at the extreme end of the scale.

But a blocked toilet can also fall under the emergency umbrella. Yes, it’s not life threatening, but with no access to a working toilet, personal hygiene is impacted. It’s just another example of an unexpected plumbing disaster.

The first thing is to recognise a plumbing emergency when you see one and call for professional emergency plumbers.

Here’s a quick list of steps to take when faced with an emergency plumbing crisis:

• Call emergency plumbers – Don’t waste too much time before calling for a fully qualified emergency plumber, who will have the experience and knowledge to assess the situation properly.
• Turn off the water – You should know where your water main is located, make sure you shut it off, particularly if flooding is involved. You definitely want to prevent water damage, if possible. In some cases you should take this step before calling an emergency plumber.
• Turn off the gas – If it’s a gas leak, this is even more urgent. Make sure you know where your gas main is. Open up the house for ventilation and wait outside.
• Empty the pipes – When the water is turned off, empty any excess water out of the pipes by turning on taps for a few minutes.
• Clean up the mess – Try to clean up any water or other mess which will make it easier for the emergency plumber to do the repairs.
• Lastly, make sure you’re prepared for such plumbing emergencies. Do your research so you know who to call when you need emergency plumbing services. Always have a back-up supply of drinking water, too.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common plumbing emergencies.

Hot Water System Malfunction

No one wants to be shocked by taking a cold shower first thing in the morning. When your hot water system shuts down or starts to fail, that’s an urgent problem in need of an immediate fix.

The problems might include fluctuating hot and cold water, low water pressure, discoloured water or no hot water at all.

A hot water heater malfunction is not something you want to take a DIY approach with. Whatever the cause of the hot water failure, it’s time to call an emergency plumber.

Blocked Toilets

This is most definitely one of the most unpleasant of plumbing emergencies. No householder wants to face the challenge of unblocking a clogged or overflowing toilet.

If you have more than one toilet it may not be such a vital emergency, although it’s obviously something you want to get fixed as soon as possible. Make sure you turn off the water tap near the toilet and stop water from flowing into the cistern.

You can attempt to clear the blockage yourself using a plunger, but a more serious clog may require a qualified plumber.

Gas or Carbon Monoxide Leak

If you detect that rotten egg or sulphur smell, you might have a gas leak. This can be an even more urgent problem than a burst pipe, and the first thing to do is to shut off the gas.

When you smell gas, it might also be an idea to evacuate the house after opening windows and doors for ventilation. Then call a professional gas fitter.

While gas leaks can be detected due to that unmistakable odour, a carbon monoxide leak is almost impossible to detect. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is invisible and odourless.

That’s why you should get your gas system and appliances and wood fires checked regularly for carbon monoxide leaks. Remember, at Mr Emergency all of our plumbers are qualified gas fitters.

Burst Pipes

This can be one of the biggest plumbing problems. When a pipe is ruptured, make sure you find the tap for your water main and turn it off.

Never ignore a damaged or burst pipes. A ruptured pipe can lose around 100 gallons of water or more in eight hours. Look out for signs of a burst pipe such as poor water flow, water damage, mould and a musty smell.

Bathroom Blockage

It’s not a pleasant feeling to find yourself standing in ankle-deep water while you’re taking a shower. It’s equally alarming if you pull the plug in a bathtub and water doesn’t drain.

Your household will come to a standstill if people are unable to clean, wash their hair or shave before leaving the house. That qualified as a situation that requires an emergency plumber.

A Water Leak

A dripping tap or water leak under the kitchen sink can be a minor problem that’s easily fixed, as long as it’s fixed quickly. But it could be a sign of bigger problems.

If you ignore that annoying leak it can get worse and it won’t be long before you’ll be calling for an emergency plumber, so make sure you turn off the water and find the source of the leak.

Blocked Gutters

Gutters that are blocked by leaves and other debris can quickly become a home emergency.

If water has nowhere to go it quickly backs and, as well as overflowing your gutters, it can potentially start entering the home causing water damage and structural damage, along with being a threat to your electrical appliances.

Sewage System Backed Up

When your sewage system backs up it’s a dirty, smelly, unhealthy problem. The signs of a sewage system blockage are odours from the sewage, the sound of your toilet babbling and pooling water around the drainage system.

Sewage backup can spread diseases which are potentially life threatening, as sewerage is full of viruses, bacteria, pollutants and other toxic material. This is a crisis which requires an emergency plumber.

When you require emergency plumbing services, don’t hesitate to contact Mr Emergency. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.