5 Situations When You Should Call an Emergency Plumber

You can schedule a dentist appointment, a haircut, a cable TV repairman visit, and almost anything between the conventional hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. However, it’s impossible to plan for plumbing emergencies. Let’s be honest–there’s no convenient time for a pipe to burst or a gas leak to start. That’s where a reliable emergency plumber comes in. But how do you know when to call?

Here are 5 situations where you should call an emergency plumbing service.

1) A burst pipe

In cold months, pipes can be susceptible to freezing and potentially bursting. If pipes aren’t properly insulated, exposed, or located in a place where warm air can’t reach them, they are more likely to freeze. When the frozen water expands, pressure builds inside the pipe and can cause it to burst. Burst pipes cause a terrible amount of costly damage. Also, if water leaks near electrical outlets, the water itself can be unsafe. In the event of a burst pipe that happens outside of normal business hours, you need to call an emergency plumber immediately.

2) Your sewer backed up

Many issues can cause a sewer backup, from tree roots in sewer lines to flooding from severe rainfall. No matter what the origin is, a sewer line clog can cause costly damage to your home and can even cause disease. When your sewer backs up, raw sewage can come up through all of the drains in your house. This isn’t just a seriously unpleasant problem, it’s a plumbing emergency.

3) Your water main broke

A water main is an underground pipe that brings water from local pumping stations to your home. If for some reason a water main line breaks, perhaps due to a corroded pipe, freezing conditions, or damage by equipment, it can cause severe water damage to your home.

4) There’s a gas leak

Though natural gas is a very common and typically safe source of energy in homes, a natural gas leak can be a very severe issue. If you notice a sulfuric (or rotten egg) smell, hear hissing from pipes and appliances, or if you have a gas detector that’s going off, you need to contact a professional.

5) Your sump pump backed up

Your home’s sump pump is supposed to protect your house from flooding. However, heavy storms or a malfunctioning sump pump can lead to a sump pump failure or clog. (Of course, having a backup sump pump is always a good idea.) If your secondary sump pump doesn’t work, then you’re in trouble. Your basement will flood, causing expensive and frustrating water damage. No one wants to wake up to that in the morning. You should call an emergency plumber.

More Emergency Plumber Situations

Of course, there are plenty of other emergency plumbing problems that can spring up. A hot water heater leak and a copper water line break are both issues where you should call your plumber immediately. These can all be costly and harmful situations if left unattended.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If a plumbing issue comes up and you don’t feel like you could have peace of mind if you go to bed and deal with it in the morning, it’s probably an emergency. Err on the side of caution and seek professional assistance immediately.

Don’t freeze in the midst of a plumbing issue—Call Flatley’s

No one ever plans for plumbing emergencies. Of course, one of the things you can plan for is having the contact information of a trusty emergency plumber on hand. In the event that a stressful—and even potentially dangerous—plumbing emergency takes place, you don’t have to scramble.

Put the Flatley’s phone number in your phone or write it on a piece of paper. You don’t have to face a plumbing mishap on your own. We’re here to help.

Call Flatley's Plumbing Express for all of your emergency plumbing needs!