Plumbing problems don’t only happen during your plumber’s regular business hours. When you experience a plumbing issue during the evening or the weekend, you might question whether you should call for plumbing emergency services.
Since emergency plumbing services are more expensive, it’s smart to know when to call for an emergency plumber. Here is some information from the punctual plumber at Ben Franklin Plumbing to help you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Before you call an emergency plumber, assess the situation to determine if you can wait until normal hours or if you need help now.
- Some common plumbing emergencies include burst pipes, major leaks, sewage backups, and gas leaks.
- Examples of plumbing problems that aren’t emergencies include clogged toilets, dripping faucets, slow drains, and running toilets.
- You should create an emergency plumbing kit to prevent damage before a plumber arrives.
Considerations to Make Before Calling an Emergency Plumber
Before you call a plumber for emergency services, ask yourself the following questions:
Can it Wait Until Normal Business Hours?
Some plumbing problems are true emergencies and can cause extensive damage to your home or endanger your family’s health. While annoying, others can wait until your plumber’s normal business hours. Since emergency plumbing services cost more than during normal hours, ask yourself whether your plumbing problem is a real emergency or if you can wait.
Can the Shut-Off Valve Be Located and Turned Off?
If you experience a leak, whether you should call an emergency plumber or wait until their normal hours depends on whether you know where the shut-off valve is and can turn it off. If you can turn it off until their normal hours, you can probably wait. If you don’t, call before it causes extensive damage and flooding.
Will Waiting Cause Major Damage?
A dripping faucet or clogged toilet is unlikely to cause major damage if you wait to call a plumber. By contrast, a burst pipe, major leak, or sewage backup can cause extensive damage if it isn’t fixed promptly by a punctual plumber.
Is the Problem Out of Your Control?
If you can’t temporarily fix the issue until you can call a plumber by turning off the water at the shut-off valve or using a plunger, you should call an emergency plumber for help.
Common Plumbing Emergencies
Some common plumbing emergencies include the following:
Burst Pipes
Pipes can burst in freezing temperatures or due to corrosion, improper installation, high water pressure, or other problems. When a pipe bursts, it can flood your home and damage the walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture.
When this occurs, you should immediately shut off the water supply to your house and call an emergency plumber. Move your furniture and other belongings to try to keep them from being damaged.
Major Leaks
While a minor leak, such as a dripping faucet, isn’t an emergency, a major leak should prompt you to call an emergency plumber. Major leaks can cause extensive damage if they’re not repaired quickly. They can also cause mildew and mold, which can cause your family to suffer respiratory problems.
Sewage Backup
Sewage backing up into your home is unsanitary and endangers your health. You might smell raw sewage or notice water backing into your sinks when you shower or flush your toilet. Since sewage backups release contaminants in the air, they qualify as a plumbing emergency.
Gas Leak
A gas leak is always an emergency. If you smell sulfur in your home or hear whistling sounds near a gas line, you and your family should leave your house and call for emergency plumbing services. Gas leaks can cause explosions and can even cause death.
Common Plumbing Problems That are not Considered Emergencies
Not all plumbing issues are emergencies. When you experience minor problems, it’s best to wait to call a plumber until their normal operating hours. The following are a few common issues that can likely wait:
Clogged Toilet
While a toilet clog can be annoying, it’s not an emergency. If you have another bathroom, you can use it until you can get help from a plumber. It’s also important to know how to use a plunger to take care of the issue until you can call for help.
Slow Drains
If water in your shower or sink drain goes down too slowly, you need to call a plumber to fix the issue. However, slow drains are not an emergency in most cases.
Dripping Faucet
While a major leak is a plumbing emergency, you can wait to call a plumber for a small leak. For example, if your bathroom or kitchen faucet drips, you’ll want to get help. However, you can wait to call until your plumber’s regular business hours.
Constantly Running Toilet
If your toilet constantly runs, it can quickly drive up your water bills. You’ll want to get a running toilet fixed as soon as possible, but it’s not an emergency. Call your plumber during their regular business hours to schedule a visit.
Why You Should Have an Emergency Plumbing Kit
When you experience a plumbing emergency, it’s important to have an emergency plumbing kit on hand to keep more damage from happening.
Gather the following items to make your emergency plumbing kit:
- Toilet and sink plungers
- Plumbing putting
- Duct tape
- Tools, including slip-joint pliers, an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver set, and a pipe wrench
- Flashlight
- Drain snake
- Large bucket
- Disposable gloves
- Mop and old towels
Call Benjamin Franklin If You Need an Emergency Plumber in Tampa, FL
If you experience a plumbing emergency, you shouldn’t wait to call for help. The plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Tampa, Florida, have years of experience and the expertise you need to handle any plumbing problem you might have.
We offer 24/7 emergency services and are known as your punctual plumber because of how quickly we respond. Contact us now for fast help by calling (833) 235-9015.
Final Thoughts
While you can call a plumber whenever you have a plumbing problem, some issues don’t require emergency services. Assess your issue to decide whether you need to call an emergency plumber or if you should instead wait until your plumber’s normal business hours. If you do have an emergency, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Tampa to get help from your punctual plumber.