What to Do When You Have a Plumbing Emergency at Home

An urgent plumbing problem generally means an affair that puts property, safety, or health at risk—right now. Think of it as involving something that has gone completely out of control and is threatening to turn a (wet) moving day into an episode of your worst nightmare. It’s the kind of plumbing situation that requires you to call not just a plumber, but an emergency services unit and to consider wearing a hard hat and steel-toed boots when they arrive.

The cost of a visit from an emergency plumber can vary quite a bit because of several factors, including your location, the time of service, and the nature of your plumbing problem. In most cases, you can expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $350 for a basic emergency service visit. A number of factors can pull you up and over that base level, including necessary parts and unexpected repairs that require more plumbing expertise than what stands behind the average service call.

A plumbing emergency requires you to stay composed. Your first task is to find and shut off the main water supply, if it is the source of your problem and if it is safe for you to do so. Evaluate the predicament to comprehend the seriousness and determine if you can handle the matter on a temporary basis, utilizing methods like buckets for leaks or plungers for small clogs. Steer clear of using plumbing fixtures and appliances that rely on the affected plumbing. Timely contact with a professional plumber is essential in an emergency. When you call, give them as much detail as you can about the plumbing crisis so that they have a good grasp of the situation and are prepared to address the problem when they arrive. If it is safe and you are able to, you can attempt temporary repairs, such as sealing leaks with waterproof tape, while you wait for assistance. Safety must always come first; if major repairs are necessary, don't attempt them yourself, as this can aggravate the situation.

Pricing for emergency plumbing services from Roto Rooter can vary by: - Location: Different areas may have different service costs. - Time: Night and weekend services may be priced higher. - Nature of the Problem: Some plumbing issues are simply more expensive to fix. Your best bet for getting a straight answer about what a service might cost is to call the local branch of Roto Rooter and ask.

Indeed, an absence of running water is considered an urgent matter. It can upset everyday tasks like cooking, washing, and taking care of one's appearance. Beyond that, it may show that there are serious plumbing problems at hand—things like a big leak, a heavy blockage, or a burst pipe. If any of those may be the cause, it's super important to get a professional on the line straight away.

If you have only one toilet in your home and it won't flush, you might consider it an emergency. After all, attending to this problem posthaste can stave off complications that would make the situation even less pleasant. And unclogging a toilet tends to be an easy enough fix that most people can do without calling in a professional. The primary tool for the job is the standard plunger, which works well on most toilet clogs; however, a toilet auger might be necessary if the plunger fails.

When your water isn't working, the first step is to check with your local water utility company to see if there's an outage affecting a number of homes like yours. If they say everything's fine on their end, the next logical step is to call a licensed plumber. Your problem is probably plumbing-related, and if you need to, you can get the utilities involved again to help troubleshoot.

In the absence of water, you can use wet wipes or a damp cloth with some soap to wash. You might also use a no-rinse body wash or dry shampoo to keep your hair and skin clean and fresh. If these options don't work for you, you could always try to find a gym or a friend's place to crash for a quick shower.

If there is no water, first ascertain from your neighbors if they are having the same problem. This will indicate whether the water service to your area has been interrupted. If your neighbors are not having any trouble with their water supply, check every faucet and connection in your home for leaks or blockages. Ensure that all valves, including the main water valve, are open. If the house has been without water for more than a couple of hours, call your water utility provider. If all else fails, consult a plumber.

If you find yourself in a plumbing emergency without any water, reach out to your local water utility company or supplier. These professionals can help troubleshoot the problem and get you back to normal operation. If the plumbing problem is within the confines of your home—like a burst pipe, for example—that's where a licensed plumber comes in. They can get the situation under control and resolve your emergency.