As a homeowner, you may encounter a plumbing emergency at some point. It’s important to understand what a plumbing emergency is, and when it’s necessary to call in a professional plumber. To help you distinguish between an emergency and a non-emergency situation, we’ve put together this guide on common plumbing issues and their associated urgency level. Read on to learn when you should call an emergency plumber like Windy City Rooter.
Water Heater Emergencies
A water heater issue is usually considered a plumbing emergency when the water heater is leaking uncontrollably. Depending on the season and the homeowner’s needs, no hot water at all could also be considered an emergency. Other minor issues such as rusty or discolored water can be addressed the following day since they are not considered urgent.
Drain Cleaning Emergencies
If your drains are completely clogged and water is backing up into your house, this requires immediate attention from a professional plumber as it can cause extensive damage if left unchecked for too long. If the clog is localized to one sink or toilet, then this can generally wait until normal business hours unless there are other issues that require further attention by a professional plumber.
Sewer Line Repair Emergencies
If your entire house has no draining water at all then this could indicate that there’s an issue with the main sewer line. This requires immediate attention from an emergency plumber since raw sewage could leak into your home if left unchecked for too long. If you notice a sewage smell, this may not require immediate action since it doesn’t pose any threat of serious damage.
Grease Trap Emergencies
Grease traps become blocked over time due to excessive amounts of grease being poured down the sink drain which leads to backups in the kitchen sink, bathtub, and shower drains. Backups need immediate attention from an emergency plumber since continued use of these fixtures could eventually lead to major flooding within your home if left unchecked for too long.
Bottom Line
Knowing when to call an emergency plumber versus waiting until regular business hours will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. This guide provides information on some common plumbing problems so that you know when it’s time to call in a professional right away or if it can wait until regular business hours. If you ever have any questions or doubts about whether or not something constitutes a plumbing emergency then it’s best to err on the side of caution and contact an experienced professional right away so that they can inspect your system thoroughly and address any potential problems before they get out of hand. Make sure to call Windy City Rooter for all of your plumbing emergencies, and don’t forget to check out our Google reviews!
