Who to Call for a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing issues don’t wait for business hours to occur. They can happen to anyone at any time of the day. For instance, you may find your toilet overflowing late in the evening or hear the dripping sounds of a leaking faucet during a holiday. These are the early signs of a potential emergency that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

So, who do you call when you need emergency plumbing services? Learn why a 24-hour emergency plumber near you may be the best solution and what steps to take after making a call.

What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

The main difference between a regular plumbing issue and an emergency is how long you can wait until it gets fixed. Regular maintenance or common issues like a dripping faucet might not need the immediate attention of a plumbing expert. 

However, if you experience major issues preventing you from using your shower, toilets, sinks or other fixtures, you may need to call an emergency plumber near you. Here are some of the most common plumbing emergencies and the signs to look for:

• Leaking or burst pipe. Have you ever heard the sound of running water despite all the faucets being off? It may be the sound of water passing through a burst or leaking pipe. As the water escapes from the pipe, it can cause damp spots on the walls and ceiling or standing water puddles on the floor. If not addressed quickly, it can result in water damage.

• Blocked drains. One of the most common signs of a severely blocked drain is the rate at which water drains from the sink, tub or shower. If it’s still slow or water can’t pass through after trying DIY drain cleaning methods, stop using the fixture and call an emergency plumber as soon as possible.

• Repeatedly or severely clogged toilets. If the water level after flushing is higher than it should be or the toilet makes odd gurgling sounds, it may be clogged. You can usually address minor clogs with DIY methods, such as a toilet plunger. However, if it happens repeatedly, you may be wondering, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” The answer may be due to a severe clog requiring an emergency plumbing specialist’s attention.

• High-risk situations. Some situations should be treated as immediate emergencies due to potential health and safety risks. For example, if you find water pooling in your basement, your sump pump may have failed. If you smell rotten eggs or hear odd whistling or hissing noises near a pipe, it may be due to a gas leak. Don’t try to fix these issues yourself; contact emergency plumbing services instead.

Why You Need a 24/7 Emergency Plumber

Unlike regular plumbers, who are confined to regular business hours, an emergency plumber is always available to answer your calls and address major plumbing issues. They can respond to a plumbing emergency in any of the following situations:

• Outside standard business hours, such as the evening, at night or early morning
• During weekends
• On national or regional holidays, such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas

Many emergency plumbers have additional skills and qualifications over standard plumbers. For example, they are qualified to inspect your home’s entire plumbing network, including water pipes, gas lines and sewage piping. If the cause of your plumbing emergency is deep in your plumbing network, they have the skills to assess the situation and fix the issue promptly.

They can also repair essential equipment and fixtures to keep your home safe and comfortable. For instance, they can replace a broken sump pump, repair a malfunctioning water heater or fix and replace damaged pipes.

Steps to Follow After Discovering a Plumbing Emergency

If you’ve identified a potential plumbing emergency in your home, the first step is to call an emergency plumber and explain the situation. While waiting for them to arrive, take these steps to ensure your safety and that of your family:

• Shut off the water supply. If your emergency is a burst pipe or a severe leak, locate your home’s main shut-off valve and turn it off. This will help mitigate the situation and reduce the risk of further water damage.

• Turn off the water heater. Whether your emergency is related to the water heater or not, you should always turn it off after shutting off the water supply. This helps conserve energy and reduce the risk of pressure build-up inside your tank.

• Turn the electricity off. If you have a water leak or sewage backup near an appliance, a power outlet or the main breaker, consider turning your home’s power supply off. This can reduce the risk of a short circuit or electrical shock.

• Contain the affected area. If your emergency caused a water leak, use buckets and towels to catch leaking water and pull valuables, electronics or other sensitive items away from the humidity. If you have a gas leak, open doors and windows to ventilate the house and reduce the health risks.

Let Blue Collars Handle Your Plumbing Emergencies in Charleston, SC

Blue Collars is a family-owned Charleston plumbing company with experience handling plumbing emergencies of all types. Whether you have a damaged pipe, a severely clogged toilet or a gas leak, let our rapid response team handle it. 
We are committed to keeping you and your loved ones safe from the dangers of a plumbing emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Schedule your service or call our emergency line for immediate help.