Within minutes a relatively minor plumbing problem can become an emergency. You don’t have several hours to wait. You’ll need an emergency plumber at your door as soon as possible.
Emergency plumbers are specialists in fast-response plumbing work. They know the tools and techniques to stem floods and alleviate the danger. They can protect you, your family, and your home with their background and expertise. But how do you choose an emergency plumber, and what steps should you consider when looking for a 24/7 plumber ready for your next urgent plumbing problem?
Our plumbers at Thunderbird Plumbing are here to help. Here’s our guide to choosing an emergency plumber.
Emergency Plumbing Repairs
Before we go into how to select a plumber, let’s showcase the types of plumbing issues that require an emergency response. If you’re experiencing the following plumbing problems, call an emergency plumber before further damage occurs.
Burst Pipes
Burst pipes are usually the result of water freezing and expanding the pipe beyond its capacity, causing cracks which eventually lead to a burst of water. Burst pipe emergencies usually occur in the wintertime but can be found year round as it may take time for you to notice the signs.
Clogged Garbage Disposals
When non-organic matter and oil clogs your garbage disposal, the result damages sinks and causes backups in pipes throughout the home. If your garbage disposal won’t turn on or is no longer working effectively, you may require an emergency plumber to analyze the equipment and test for clogs.
Sewer Back-Ups
Sewer backups are one of the most serious plumbing emergencies. Sewage can back up into your home through drains and faucets when there’s a clog in the main sewer line. Watch for warning signs such as a sewer odour coming from the drain, multiple clogged drains, and gurgling toilets. Then call your local emergency plumber to run a camera through the sewer line to prevent structural damage.
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
Before you face a plumbing emergency, make an action plan to protect your home. The following steps will help prevent further damage before your plumbers arrive:
Turn Off the Water Supply
The first step is to access the water supply and turn it off. Find the supply closest to the source of the emergency. For example, if you’re experiencing a running toilet, turn off the supply to the system. Your toilet’s water supply valve is usually found at the bottom left behind the toilet. Turn the valve clockwise until it can’t turn any further to shut off the water.
Clear the Area
Remove any furniture or appliances near the affected area of the home. Ensure the plumber has a clear path to the source of the plumbing emergency when they arrive.
Move Pets and Children to a Safe Space
To minimize the risk to your children and pets during the emergency, take them to a safe area inside or outside the home. Your plumber will inform you when it’s safe to let them return.
Soak Up Excess Water
If there’s a leak in the home, use the time before your plumber arrives to soak up as much water as possible. Proactively soaking up the water will help prevent mold growth and make the follow-up cleaning work easier and safer.
How to Find Quality Emergency Plumbers Near You
Search Online Locally
Your local Google Maps listings pinpoint the emergency plumbers within a short distance of your home. This can help you narrow your search immediately and ensure you only contact Victoria emergency service plumbers who can reach your property within minutes. Review their Google Maps listing carefully and check for operating hours. Then confirm they offer 24-hour emergency plumbing responses.
Discuss Pricing
Most emergency plumbing companies have a call-out charge for their service. They should be able to tell you their specific price for an emergency call-out. You may also ask them to provide a quote for the potential repair. However, it’s likely that until they arrive, they’ll be unable to pinpoint the problem and offer a firm figure for the repair cost.
Read Reviews
The plumber’s reviews showcase their response times and their quality of service. While speed is a top consideration in selecting an emergency plumber, choosing a company with poor reviews and negative feedback could lead to further plumbing problems in the coming months. Read the emergency plumbing company’s Google reviews and consider the specific feedback from previous customers.
Ask for Licensing and Insurance
Any company working on your property should have the requisite licensing and insurance to protect you from potential legal claims. Even in an emergency, you should take a few seconds to ask the plumber about their licensing and insurance coverage. Ensure they have insurance coverage for each team member working on your property.
Confirm the Arrival Time
Emergency plumbers should have years of experience handling urgent repairs and will know their schedule for the day. Before finalizing your choice of emergency plumber, confirm their arrival time. This will help provide peace of mind and help you hold the company accountable for delays.
Thunderbird Plumbing: Same-Day Emergency Services in Greater Victoria
