Nothing screams panic like a plumbing emergency, especially during the holidays. When you have a full house and spring a leak, a toilet overflows or a water heater explodes, it is time to call a 24-hour plumber. Like most home service companies, plumbing companies operate during normal business hours but will offer 24/7 emergency services that are a tier above their typical pricing structure. While more expensive, sometimes you just have to call for help.
But when is it time to call a 24-hour plumber? There are times that a plumbing mishap may be able to wait until the next business day. Deciphering between a plumbing emergency and a regular service call can be tricky. Luckily, we’re here to help you understand what is and isn’t a plumbing emergency.
A burst pipe due to frozen or old piping can lead to extreme flooding. While you can locate the main water valve to the kitchen or bathroom outputs, attempting to turn off the main water valve to your home may be harder than you think. Depending on where the burst pipe is located, you should call a professional 24-hour plumber before there extensive water damage to your flooring, walls, or foundation occurs.
Raw sewage is a health and safety hazard and should not be overlooked. This is absolutely a situation where you’d need to call for emergency plumbing services. Do not attempt to rectify this on your own. The bacteria and toxic aerosols emitted are dangerous and you should vacate the property after contacting your local plumber.
Are you not getting any hot water in your home? Well, it may mean that your water heater is having an issue. Sure, the pilot light could have gone out, but it also could mean that something is terribly wrong with your water heater. Do not attempt to light the pilot light on your water heater on your own. If your water heater has surpassed its lifespan and needs to be replaced, don’t take the chance of it bursting and flooding your entire utility room, or worse, your living room or kitchen. Call a licensed plumber immediately!
While this may seem like a non-emergency, it could be a sign of a larger problem. One clogged drain or a single overflowing toilet may be able to wait until the next business day, but if you notice that multiple drains are having issues and more than one toilet is overflowing, you should contact a 24-hour plumber and ask for help.
Emergency plumbers are a godsend when disaster strikes. Sure, it may cost a little more, but 24-hour plumbers are there to prevent larger catastrophes from happening. Extensive water damage can cost a fortune, so paying your local home service company may mean the difference between hundreds vs. thousands of dollars.
If you’ve never fixed your plumbing before, the holidays aren’t the time to start. Keep your local emergency plumber’s number handy. But as we said earlier, it could be wise to schedule a plumbing inspection ahead of time. At Elmer’s Air Conditioning and Plumbing, we provide high-quality emergency plumbing service and repairs in the San Antonio, TX, area. To request service, schedule online or call 210-570-1717 today.
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