Two of the most startling words in homeownership are “plumbing emergency,” but many homeowners may define those words differently. For example, a broken water heater that doesn’t generate hot water or a dishwasher that doesn’t operate might be an emergency for some people. For others, it is only an emergency if something such as a toilet, pipe, or appliance is actively leaking (or gushing) water all over the place.
In reality, either situation could be a true emergency (not having hot water or functional toilets in a company like a restaurant certainly would be an emergency if it shut you down). Let’s explore the determining factors of a plumbing emergency.
Matters That Can’t Wait
A common definition of an emergency is a situation that cannot wait, and there are multiple scenarios where plumbing issues cannot stay. One of the biggest would be a burst pipe or broken appliance flooding your house, particularly if you cannot shut off the main water. Water can do immense damage quickly, so a constant leak is a significant problem. Similarly, an overflowing toilet you can’t stop from flowing could be considered a plumbing emergency.
Issues That Might Be Able to Wait Normally
Other plumbing issues may not be emergencies under some circumstances but are under others. If you have a toilet that is backed up but it’s not overflowing, it may be gross, but it’s not causing a dangerous or unsanitary situation. That is, unless it’s the only toilet in the house. A home must have a functioning bathroom, so this is an emergency, whereas a home with other bathrooms could wait to have a plumber come out.
Plumbing Emergencies That Trigger Health Implications
Correspondingly, any issue with severe health implications could be considered an emergency. For example,
- If you need to turn the main shutoff, leaving your home with no water at all, then it can’t wait.
- Additionally, a backed-up sewer line that triggers slow drains could remain, but if sewage is backing up into your home, the situation is unhygienic and cannot wait.
Gas Problems
A gas leak is a plumbing emergency since the gas lines are considered part of the plumbing in many areas. If you ever smell gas, you must call the gas company immediately, and they will find the leak source. After that, contacting B&D Plumbing, which repairs gas lines, is a top priority.
Get in Touch With B&D Today!
Dealing with any plumbing concerns that require a professional to step in? Struggling with an absolute plumbing emergency that can’t wait? Let B&D Plumbing know. B&D Plumbing Inc. services the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. Get in touch with us by calling (301) 595-1141 or follow us on social media including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. As a small, family-owned business, we understand how important your home is—and we offer exceptional service that matches!
