What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing problems never pick a convenient time. Knowing whether yours is a true emergency helps you decide between calling now and booking tomorrow.

Call right away for these

• A burst or split pipe, or water spraying from a line.
• Water you can't stop, even after closing the nearest valve.
• Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain.
• No water anywhere in the house.
• Water leaking near electrical outlets, panels or appliances.
• Suspected gas leak: leave the house first and call the gas company from outside. See how to tell if you have a gas leak.
• A leaking water heater tank. See what to do when your water heater is leaking.

Usually safe to wait for a regular appointment

• One slow drain (while the others work normally).
• A running toilet. Here's how to fix a running toilet.
• A dripping faucet.
• A small, steady leak you can catch in a bucket after closing the fixture's shut-off valve.
• Low water pressure at one fixture.

What to do while you wait

1. Shut off the water at the fixture's valve, or at the main shut-off for the whole house.
2. If hot water is involved, turn off the water heater's power or gas.
3. Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
4. Take photos of the damage for your insurance company.

If you don't know where your main shut-off is, find it before you need it: how to find your main water shut-off valve.

Plumbing emergency in Greer or the Upstate? call us at 864-365-8900 — we answer 24/7. Our emergency plumbing service runs 24/7, nights, weekends and holidays included.