Plumbing problems can often happen at random. When something goes wrong, how do you know if it’s an emergency plumbing situation, or simply something that needs fixing - but can handle a few days' wait?
We’ve created this guide to help you tell the difference.
What’s an emergency, and what can wait…
Emergency Plumbing Issues - Act Fast!
Plumbing Emergencies: A plumbing emergency involves uncontrollable water flow, immediate health risks, or potential property damage.
Gushing Water or Burst Pipes
If you see water pouring out of a pipe, or worse still, your ceiling - it’s safe to say this is a full-blown emergency. Pick up your phone and call a plumber immediately! The damage caused by burst pipes can result in literally thousands of dollars of damage, and can even impact the structure of your home.
Pro Tip: Shut off your main water valve as soon as you can.
No Hot Water (Especially in Winter)
Not necessarily an all-out emergency issue, but if it’s in the middle of winter and you’ve got a family to bathe, it can certainly feel this way. Furthermore, issues with your water heater like this - if ignored - can lead to more major damage to your water heater, and repair costs can soon add up.
Sewage Smells
If you're noticing some funky smells around drains or near the toilet, chances are there’s an issue with your sewer lines. Although not an absolute emergency, sewer line backups can escalate quickly leading to wastewater leaks.
Pro Tip: Don’t let this one wait as things can get very messy, very quickly. Call a plumber to diagnose and get the issue fixed quickly.
Blocked Toilets
We’ve all experienced a blocked toilet from time to time, and usually it’s not a sign of any major underlying issue. However, if the blockage is causing water to back up in other drains or fixtures, then it's a red flag for a bigger underlying problem - potentially even a blockage in the main line. Call a plumber sooner rather than later.
Non Emergencies That Can Wait… a Bit.
Non-emergencies: Issues like minor leaks or slow drains that don’t require immediate attention, or maintenance work.
Slow-Draining Sink
A slow draining sink is rarely urgent. Usually caused by minor clogs of food, grease, hair, etc, or sediment buildup in the pipes. If it’s slow moving - but still moving - it’s something that certainly needs attention, but no crazy rush.
Dripping Taps
The constant drip can be incredibly annoying, not to mention wasteful (a single drip can waste over 20 litres of water a day!). But it’s usually not an emergency. Call a plumber to get it fixed.
Weak Water Pressure
Usually a result of minor clogging, or buildup in the pipes, low water pressure in taps can be frustrating, but usually nothing urgent. If allowed to worsen it may affect other fixtures, but so long as you get it sorted in due time you should avoid costly repairs down the track.
Unusual Sounds in Pipes
If your pipes are making banging, whistling, or other odd noises, it’s a sign something’s up – but it’s rarely urgent. This is often due to “water hammer” or air in the pipes.
Pro Tip: Take a note of the noise and monitor it. If things don’t improve, call a plumber to adjust or fix the system to quieten things down back to normal.
Wrapping It Up
Knowing how to react to a plumbing emergency can save you a lot of hassle and a ton of money. Regular maintenance should keep on top of most things, but when real emergencies happen, don’t put things off, call a plumber immediately and get the issue fixed. If you’re unsure whether something is an emergency or not, no stress, our team can help to diagnose any issues over the phone, to work out an appropriate response. We service Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Waikato & Northland, so get in touch any time you need us.
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