What is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?

Is a Leak a Plumbing Emergency?

Everybody will need to deal with a leak in their home from time to time. Whether it’s a small drip from a faucet or a more significant issue like a leaking pipe, they will all need to be repaired at some point. But not all leaks are considered plumbing emergencies. If the leak is minor and isn’t causing any damage to your home, you can probably wait to call a plumber, at least for a little while. However, it will still need to be taken care of quickly. Even a small leak can lead to water damage in your home if it’s ignored, along with a spike in your water bill.

There are many situations in which you may want to reach out to a 24/7 emergency plumber for help if you have a leak as well. For example, if the leak is coming from a pipe that is underground and there is a visible problem like pooling water in your yard, you will need to call for professional help as soon as possible. It can be difficult to find and repair leaks in these types of pipes without the help of an emergency plumber, and it can lead to significant damage if left unchecked. This is especially true if you notice signs of a slab leak, which can be incredibly damaging to your home and its foundation. If you aren’t certain whether emergency repairs are needed, it is generally best to go ahead and call for service.

What is an Emergency Plumbing Situation?

There are a few things that can help you identify whether an issue is an emergency situation. Any time the plumbing issue you are dealing with has the potential to cause water damage, you can consider it an emergency. Additionally, any plumbing issue that could expose you and your family to hazardous waste can be thought of as an emergency. For example, if a toilet is overflowing, you could end up with large amounts of hazardous wastewater on your bathroom floor. Not only is exposure to this wastewater dangerous, but special care will be needed to properly clean up the mess. This is something that may require professional assistance, and that can therefore be costly.

What Do You Do in a Plumbing Emergency?

The first step on what to do in a plumbing emergency is also the simplest: don’t panic. This is important because there are generally a lot of things you will need to do right away to take care of your plumbing issue. If you are dealing with a problem such as a burst pipe or a broken faucet that has left large amounts of water pouring out into your home, one of the first things you will need to do is shut off the water at the main valve.

Another important thing to do when dealing with a plumbing emergency is to determine whether the problem is something you will be able to take care of yourself. There are some small repairs and types of plumbing maintenance you will likely be able to do even if you don’t already have much experience in dealing with plumbing issues. However, in the majority of cases, you will want to go ahead and reach out for the help of an emergency plumber. Often, attempting to solve a plumbing problem on your own will only lead to far bigger issues.

How Do I Prepare for a Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing emergencies can be difficult to deal with, especially if you aren’t familiar with plumbing procedures. If a plumbing emergency arises, it is always important to know what to do and who to call for help. Many people do not know how to handle emergency plumbing issues, and trying to take care of the problem yourself if you don’t have the experience can lead to further damage and costly repairs.

As mentioned, one of the first things you will need to do in many emergency situations is cut your water off at the main valve. The last thing you want to be doing in an emergency is searching for this valve, which is why preparing for a plumbing emergency includes finding the main water cut-off valve in advance of any problem.

And finally, remember that in most cases, you will need to reach out for the help of an emergency plumber to help you deal with your problem. You don’t want to be outside in the middle of the night searching for the main water cut-off valve, and you don’t want to be going through Google search results in an attempt to find an emergency plumber who offers 24/7 service.