A dripping faucet at 10 p.m. is annoying. A pipe spraying water across your kitchen at 10 p.m. is something else entirely.
Plumbing problems can feel urgent, but not every clogged drain, running toilet or mysterious drip requires an after-hours call. If you are dealing with a leak, overflow or water where it should not be, here is how to know what to do and when to call an emergency plumber.
Burst Pipe or Major Leak
A major leak can quickly damage flooring, drywall, cabinets and furniture. The faster you stop the water, the better.
- What to Do
- If you can safely reach the main water shutoff valve, turn off the water. Avoid attempting a major pipe repair yourself.
- Move belongings away from the area and use towels or buckets to contain smaller amounts of water.
- When to Call
- Call an emergency plumber if water is actively spraying, pouring or spreading through your home and you cannot stop it.
Overflowing Toilet
A clogged toilet is not always an emergency. An overflowing toilet that will not stop filling is.
- What to Do
- Do not flush again.
- Turn off the toilet’s water supply valve.
- Keep people and pets away from the area until it can be cleaned properly.
- When to Call
- Call an emergency plumber if the toilet will not stop overflowing, wastewater is spreading across the floor or it is the only usable toilet in the home.
Sewer Backup
A sewer backup can send wastewater into toilets, tubs, showers or floor drains and may create a health concern.
- What to Do
- Stop using water throughout the home, including showers, laundry and dishwashing.
- Avoid contact with wastewater and keep children and pets away.
- When to Call
- Call an emergency plumber as soon as you notice sewage backing up into your home or multiple drains backing up at the same time.
No Water in the House
If one faucet stops working, the issue may be isolated. If the entire house suddenly has no water, the problem could involve your water supply line or another part of your plumbing system.
- What to Do
- Check several faucets to confirm that the problem affects the whole home.
- Find out whether there is a known water outage in your area.
- When to Call
- If there is no utility outage and neighboring homes still have water, call a plumber.
Water Heater Leak
A little condensation may be normal, but a steady leak or water pooling around the tank deserves attention.
- What to Do
- If it is safe to do so, shut off the water supply to the water heater.
- Avoid touching electrical components or trying to repair the unit yourself.
- Move nearby belongings away from the water to help prevent additional damage.
- When to Call
- Call a plumber if the leak is significant, getting worse or spreading into nearby areas.
Smaller Leaks
A slow drip under a sink or around a fixture may not be an emergency if you can contain it.
- What to Do
- Place a container or towel beneath the leak.
- Avoid using the affected fixture.
- Turn off its water supply valve if possible.
- When to Call
- Call if the leak is worsening, soaking into cabinets or walls or becoming difficult to contain.
Clogged Sink or Drain
One clogged drain can usually wait for a regular appointment. Multiple clogged fixtures may signal a bigger problem.
- What to Do
- Stop running water into the affected drain.
- Avoid repeatedly using chemical drain cleaners if you do not know what is causing the blockage.
- When to Call
- Call a plumber if several drains are backing up, water is coming up through other fixtures or you suspect a sewer line problem.
When in Doubt, Make the Call
Pioneer Comfort Systems can help determine what needs immediate attention and what can safely wait. When a plumbing problem cannot wait until tomorrow, an experienced emergency plumber can help protect your home and get things back under control.