Any plumbing problem can feel like an emergency – leaks or mishaps seem to happen at the least convenient times.
It’s tempting to call in the first plumber you can find on Google- but this can cause more trouble than it solves.
Understanding what is, and isn’t an emergency, as well as having the details of a trusted local emergency plumber on hand can save you stress and cash.
What is considered a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is a situation where people or property are in danger. If you are completely without water and have no access to any, that is an obvious emergency, or if you have a leak that you cannot isolate.
Common plumbing emergencies
- Burst water pipes that cannot be isolated
- Severe leak that cannot be isolated or contained
- A gas leak
- A roof leak that cannot be contained
- Severe storm damage
- Severe fire damage
- Flooding
- Broken heating or hot water where there are vulnerable occupants
At O'Brien Maroochydore, we respond immediately to plumbing emergencies.
You can expect us to deal with things like a flood caused by a blocked drain, or cases where water needs to be restored to a property, as quickly as we can.
How to know if you need an emergency plumber
It can be tricky to know for sure if you need an emergency plumber. Here are a few things to ask yourself before you decide:
- Can I isolate the problem? For example, if a tap is leaking, can you stop water flow and use an alternative until a routine visit can happen?
- Are there members of my family who will be put in danger because of the plumbing problem? Think about those who may be especially vulnerable to cold, or who need access to hot water.
- Is there a risk to public health? Any flow of raw sewage is an emergency.
- Is there a risk of water damage to my home or business?
- Can I smell gas?
Any of these situations will need the kind of emergency response a trustworthy local plumber can provide.
How can I tell if a plumber is trustworthy
It’s hard to make a decision about this sort of thing, especially in an emergency situation. It’s worth having a mental checklist to help you when you make that call.
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Is the phone answered by a real person?
Any reputable emergency plumbing service will have a real person at the end of their emergency line. They will talk you through the next steps, find out all the info and let you know what to expect. If you call us here at O'Brien you’ll find we’re friendly, caring and will do our best to put you at ease.
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Are they a member of a recognised body or association?
Any quality plumber will be happy to tell you about their accreditation and memberships. At O'Brien Maroochydore, for example, we’re members of the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland.
It’s essential to be sure the plumber is licensed and insured before they carry out any work in your home. Whilst this can be hard to think about in an emergency situation, it’s essential to check, otherwise, you could find yourself in a worse situation than you started with.
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How long will you have to wait?
A reputable emergency plumber should be able to respond almost immediately. If they are offering an emergency service, they will have a team on call who can respond as quickly as possible to your emergency.
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Does the plumber offer aftercare?
In an emergency situation, the plumber will fix the immediate problem – so they’ll stop the leak, minimise water damage etc. It’s important to know that they’ll come back to solve the problem in more sociable hours if necessary. Avoid a plumber who only offers a quick fix service.
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Do you have any personal recommendations you can call first?
There’s nothing like a personal recommendation for that extra peace of mind and it’s worth keeping a note of any companies that your neighbours or friends have used so you know who to call in an emergency.
What should I do whilst waiting for an emergency plumber to arrive?
There are various things you can do whilst you’re waiting for the emergency plumber to arrive.
- Safety is the top priority. If there is any danger to you or others, leave the area
- If possible, stem the leak with rags and place buckets to minimise damage
- Ensure your property is easy to find – turn on outside lights or watch at the entry for signs of their arrival if it’s safe to do so.
- Rescue any precious items, or move to higher floors if safe to do so
- Make sure pets are safe
Get in touch
At O'Brien Maroochydore, we offer a dedicated and responsive 24-hour emergency team.
With over thirty years of experience in the business, we understand how stressful a plumbing emergency can be, and we’ll offer sound advice, reliable solutions and the peace of mind that comes from using a quality qualified team.
The quickest way to get in touch is by phone on (07) 5493 7330 at any time.
