When should you call an emergency plumber?

From time to time, we all need the skills of a plumber – whether that’s to help deal with a leak or blockage or to help upgrade bathroom and kitchen fittings. But when exactly should you call an emergency plumber? And what’s the difference between the two? Here’s what you need to know.

What counts as an emergency?

The first thing you might be wondering is what counts as an emergency when it comes to plumbing. Knowing this can help you determine when it’s necessary to make that call.

A burst pipe or overflowing tank – whether that’s from being frozen or accidentally damaged or due to general wear and tear – is a key reason to call an emergency plumber. As there could be water spraying or pouring out of the pipe or tank, time is of the essence.

If you’ve spotted it early enough, a frozen pipe may not have burst. But there’s still a danger of that happening and it’s likely to cause other plumbing issues. So, that’s reason enough to call out an emergency plumber.

Similarly, if your water pressure has dropped suddenly or you can’t seem to get water out of your taps, this can also be a good reason to call an emergency plumber – especially if you have vulnerable family members. If there’s no water coming out of any of your taps, it’s also worth contacting your water company to find out if there are any supply issues in your area.

An overflowing toilet or blocked drain is another good reason to call an emergency plumber. This often causes sewage to back up or seep into your home, so you really want it sorting out as soon as possible.

Why you’re best calling an emergency plumber when things go wrong

In these cases, there’s good reason to call an emergency plumber. If water is pouring out of a pipe, toilet, tank or other area of the home, then it will cause damage to ceilings and walls as well as carpets and other things. So, the quicker you get it sorted, the less damage there’ll be. In the case of toilets and blocked drains, getting it dealt with quickly limits the risks to your family’s health.

Of course, it’s not just your house to consider. If your home is semi-detached or a terrace or flat, you need to think about preventing damage to neighbouring homes too. This could save you an extra headache and the need to claim on your household insurance.

Finally, if you’re on a water meter, it’s worth getting water leaks sorted swiftly, so costs are limited. You can usually claim some money back from your utility company after a leak but they’re only likely to award this if you can prove you got the problem fixed promptly. 

What’s the difference between a plumber and an emergency plumber?

So, now you’ve got a clear idea of when and why to call an emergency plumber, you might be wondering what the difference is between a plumber and an emergency plumber.

Well, the first thing to realise is that much of the time it’s not a different type of plumber that you need to call. Most plumbers will deal with emergencies as part of their day-to-day job. The difference is how quickly they come out to you.

That said, some companies specialise purely in handling emergencies. Plumbers at these companies are available 24 hours a day, so they can be the best option for emergencies that happen during the night.

Either way, you can expect someone to attend to your leak or blockage within the hour unless you live in a rural area or the plumber is already busy dealing with another emergency.  

Apart from the priority level and speed of response, the other difference between a plumber and an emergency plumber is the cost. Paying for an emergency plumber usually incurs a callout fee on top of the normal hourly rate for repairs. This means you could pay between £100 and £250 for a blocked toilet and between £300 and £400 for water tank repairs.

Although this may seem expensive, not calling one out could cost a lot more if you’re left with a lot of damage and disruption. Knowing that you’re a priority and that your problem will be dealt with quickly also saves a lot of worry.