Fixing my leaking shower

When to Call an Emergency Plumber

by Andy Butler

From dripping taps and showerheads to blocked garbage disposals, toilets, and sewer lines, quick response is important when your residential plumbing system develops a problem. While there are many fully trained plumbers that can help you tackle domestic plumbing issues, which type of plumber you'll require should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

That said, here are some common situations that warrant bringing in an emergency plumber, and not a regular one.

When you are experiencing a major disruption to your home or daily routine

Some plumbing problems reduce the efficiency of your domestic plumbing system, but they don't cause it to stop working. For example, a slow-draining kitchen sink can be quite frustrating, but you can still use it as you wait for your plumber to arrive the next day.

On the other hand, plumbing problems such as a clogged toilet or shower drain can make simple daily living tasks such as bathing, grooming, and going to the toilet challenging by creating unsanitary conditions. 

If you're faced with a plumbing issue that is causing a big disruption to your daily household activities or personal hygiene routine, you should call an emergency plumber.

When your home is at risk of water damage

While certain areas of your home are designed to remain dry, plumbing mishaps such as leaky water pipes and broken sewer lines can cause water to enter those areas. This can pose the threat of water damage to the structure while increasing the risk of a mould problem.

Don't wait to call an emergency plumber if you're dealing with a plumbing problem that may lead to costly water damage to your home.

When your family's safety is jeopardised

As a homeowner, you're responsible for ensuring the general safety of the people that live in your home. Plumbing issues such as gas leaks and burst pipes can pose a huge threat to the safety of your family and neighbours. Gas leaks increase the risk of a fire or explosion while burst pipes can flood your home and yard and pose slip, trip, and fall hazards.

When confronted with a domestic plumbing issue that puts those you love in harm's way, you don't have to think twice about calling an emergency plumber. Your home's safety should always come first.

As a good rule of thumb, less urgent plumbing problems that can wait require regular plumbers while those that can't wait should be left to emergency plumbers. Knowing the things that set apart the two types of plumbers is essential to ensure you call the right plumber every time you're faced with a plumbing problem in your home.

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