Key takeaway: A plumbing problem is an emergency when water or sewage is coming out and you cannot stop it, when you have no water or no way to use a toilet, or when you smell gas. A slow drip, one slow drain or a running toilet can usually wait for a regular appointment.
Call now or can it wait?
| Problem | Call now? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Water spraying or pouring from a pipe | Yes | Damage spreads by the minute |
| Sewage coming up a drain or toilet | Yes | Health risk and the house cannot use water |
| Water heater tank leaking | Yes | Tank failure can flood the room |
| No water in the whole house (no utility outage) | Yes | No toilets, cooking or washing |
| Frozen pipes during a freeze | Yes | They can split as they thaw |
| Gas smell | Yes, but leave first and call 911 and the gas utility | Fire and explosion risk |
| Toilet overflowing and it is the only one | Yes | No working toilet |
| Slow drip under a sink you can catch | Can wait | Shut the fixture valve and book a visit |
| One slow drain | Can wait | Use another sink or tub until a visit |
| Running toilet | Can wait | Close its supply valve to stop wasted water |
| No hot water, no leak | Usually can wait a few hours | Check the breaker or pilot first |
Emergency or not? The quick chart
Use this chart to decide in seconds whether to call now, book same day or wait for a regular visit.
- Call now
Water you cannot stop
Burst pipes, a leaking tank or a broken line. Shut off the main valve and call. - Call now
Sewage coming up inside
Stop all water use and call. Sewage is a health risk. - Same day
No hot water or your only toilet is clogged
No flood risk, but book a same-day visit. - Can wait
A dripping faucet or one slow drain
Book a regular visit. It is usually cheaper.
What to do while you wait for a plumber
- Stop the water at the fixture valve or the main valve
- Keep people and pets away from sewage and from water near outlets
- Move belongings out of the wet area
- Take photos for insurance
Is an after-hours call worth the cost?
Night and weekend calls usually cost more. Pay it when waiting would cause more damage than the extra fee: running water, sewage, no water or a freeze. If you can stop the problem with a valve and it is not getting worse, a regular-hours visit is usually the better value. How pricing works: emergency plumber cost in Augusta.
Emergencies by room
The same problem can be more or less urgent depending on where it happens. Use this table as a guide.
| Room | Call now | Can usually wait |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Water pouring from under the sink or the dishwasher line | A slow drain or a dripping faucet |
| Bathroom | A toilet that will not stop overflowing, or sewage in the tub | A running toilet or a slow sink |
| Laundry | A burst washer hose or a floor drain backing up | A slow drain after a load |
| Water heater closet or attic | Water pooling under the tank | No hot water with no leak (book same day) |
| Yard | Water bubbling up or a soaked patch near the line | A dripping outdoor faucet |
What not to do while you wait
- Do not use electrical outlets or appliances standing in water
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up drain; they can burn the plumber and damage pipes
- Do not try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame
- Do not keep flushing a toilet to test whether it is fixed
- Do not walk through sewage without boots and gloves
If you are still unsure, call and describe what you see. The dispatcher can tell you whether it needs a plumber tonight or can wait for a regular visit.
Emergency plumbing services
Each emergency has its own page with first steps and how the repair works: burst pipes, sewer backups, water heater leaks, overflowing toilets and all emergency services.
