A plumbing emergency is a situation that requires you to contact a professional plumber immediately to repair a problem before it gets worse. Quick action helps lessen damages and lower plumbing repair expenses.
Unsure of what is considered a plumbing emergency? John C. Flood is here to help. Give us a call any time, day or night. Our 24-hour plumber team can assist you with any plumbing emergency you find yourself encountering.
What is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?
Knowing what a plumbing emergency is (as well as what it’s not) can help you take better care of your home, keeping it functional and saving on repair bills.
A plumbing emergency can include a variety of circumstances involving your plumbing, but they are more serious than your usual repair tasks.
These situations could involve broken pipes, clogged drains, gas leaks, and more. Typically, a plumbing emergency involves the possibility of water damage or endangering occupant safety.
There may also be instances where significant water loss harms your utility prices.
What are the Main Areas to Watch for a Plumbing Emergency?
Your home plumbing system is made up of a few main parts. These are the areas of your home plumbing where plumbing emergencies are most likely to result:
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Water supply
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Drainage
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Gas line
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Irrigation
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Fire protection
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Mechanical units like HVAC and ventilation
Make sure you pay regular attention to these areas of your plumbing system. Perform an occasional visual check to ensure that all areas are performing as they should, you’re not seeing any leaking water, you’re not hearing any strange sounds, and you’re not smelling any strange smells.
Here are the most common household plumbing problems to keep a special eye out for:
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Clogged shower or bath drain
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Faucets that drip
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Faulty garbage disposal
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Jammed water heater
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Broken pipes
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Water pressure is too low or too high
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Backup in the sewage system
Does a Leak or a Clogged Drain Count as a Plumbing Emergency?
The answer to this is: possibly, but not always. In some cases, severe pipe issues can be indicated by plumbing leaks, which are difficult to identify since they are hidden from view behind walls and ceilings. The amount of the leak will indicate how urgently repairs need to be made and if this is an emergency.
Pay attention to signs of water damage like stains on the walls or ceilings of your home. This may be an indication that the pipes running between the walls or across the ceiling are having trouble.
Other causes of leaks include variations in water pressure across the entirety of the plumbing system, pipe corrosion, and pipe scale buildup.
As for a clogged drain, this may or may not be a plumbing emergency. When conditions of the blockage are severe — such as when water stops flowing completely and can disrupt daily operations — it can qualify as a plumbing emergency.
A lot of drain clogs can be resolved by clearing away soap scum and hair accumulation.
How Long Does a Plumbing Emergency Service Take?
A plumbing emergency service visit might take a few minutes or a few hours. It all depends on the type and severity of your issue. For example, it’s perfectly reasonable to anticipate a longer repair time for pipe replacements and other comparable issues than for a quick garbage disposal replacement.
How Much Does a Plumbing Emergency Service Cost?
Remember that a plumbing emergency may require a rushed solution. Expect rates to vary from job to job, since sometimes this compliance to a faster response time will force a plumber to work outside of their scheduled business hours.
It’s normal for a plumber to bill between $40 and $150 per hour on a normal visit while a plumbing emergency visit can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per hour or more.
Keep in mind that you can always schedule preventative maintenance visits to help keep your plumbing system in good shape and avoid the upcharge of emergency plumbing.
John C. Flood offers a full suite of plumbing services to all of our clients to help them keep their homes safe and functional in the most affordable way possible.
Emergency 24-hour Plumber Plumbers in the DMV
When dealing with emergency plumbing situations, it’s crucial that you only work with a reputable plumber. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk of a bad repair job and a more expensive fix down the road. Get it done right the first time when you call John C. Flood to help with your plumbing repairs.
