Is Your Plumbing Problem A Plumbing Emergency?
- Geoff Burke
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
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Let’s face it: nobody wants to call a plumber. But there are times when you really don’t want to — like in the middle of the night or during a long weekend. That’s when emergency plumbing companies are still open, but they often charge way more — sometimes even double.
We’re here today to help you figure out how urgent your plumbing issue really is — and whether it’s something that needs immediate attention, or if it can safely wait a day or two.
Here are a few key questions to ask yourself the next time something goes wrong:
1. Can You Stop the Water?
This is the most important thing to check first. If water is pouring out of a toilet, sink, or tub, your goal is to shut it down fast. Look for shut-off valves near the fixture, or worst-case, shut off the main water line to the house. Stopping the water quickly can turn a high-stress emergency into something manageable — and give you time to think clearly and make the right call.
2. Is It a Health Hazard?
Not all plumbing problems are clean. Some — like slow drains — are annoying but not dangerous. Others, like sewage backing up into your home, can carry bacteria and pose serious health risks. If dirty water is coming up into your living space, that’s an emergency — and you’ll want to take care of it as soon as possible.
3. Is It Just One Fixture, or More?
If the problem is only happening at one sink or toilet, chances are it’s isolated to that one area. But if multiple fixtures — like two or more toilets or sinks — are acting up at the same time, you could be dealing with a bigger issue in your drainage system. That’s a red flag, and you shouldn’t wait too long to bring in a professional.
That’s it! We hope this helps you feel more confident in figuring out what’s urgent and what’s not. Plumbing problems tend to show up at the worst possible times — but knowing how to handle them can save you stress and money.
As always, we’re here if you do need to call the plumber after all, so feel free to reach out!
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