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  When Is Plumbing an Emergency? A Guide from Robins Plumbing, Inc. 

 At Robins Plumbing, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona, we understand that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times. Knowing when to call a plumber in an emergency is essential. It can save you from costly repairs and potential damage to your home. That’s why we found it important to outline the key signs of a plumbing emergency. This information will help you determine whether to call us right away or wait until normal business hours.  We’ll also have a couple of pro tips for you at the end. These tips will help you alleviate your emergency situation so you can wait for normal business hours.   

What Constitutes a Plumbing Emergency? 

A plumbing emergency is typically characterized by situations that pose an immediate threat to your property or require urgent attention to prevent further damage. Here are some common scenarios that qualify as plumbing emergencies: 

1. Burst Pipe – If you notice water gushing from a burst pipe, this is a critical emergency. A burst pipe can lead to significant water damage, mold growth, and flooding. If this occurs, turn off your main water supply immediately and call a Robin for your plumbing emergency.
2. Severe Leaks – While minor leaks can often wait for a scheduled repair, severe leaks that result in puddles or dripping water can indicate a serious problem. If water is pooling in your home or basement, don’t wait. Call a Robin for immediate diagnostics before the situation becomes worse.  You don’t know if the water pooling is sewage or water. It’s often better to err on the side of immediate response rather than waiting for it to be convenient.
3. Sewage Backup – A sewage backup is not only unpleasant but also poses serious health risks. If you experience foul odors, gurgling toilets, or multiple drains backing up, this is a plumbing emergency. Call Robins Plumbing right away to address the issue and prevent contamination and the sewage problem getting worse.
4. No Water Supply – If your home suddenly has no running water, it can disrupt your daily routines and indicate a significant plumbing issue. Whether it’s due to a broken water main or a severe leak, no water is often considered an emergency. This is because without running water hygiene and drains like toilets cannot be used.
5. Overflowing Toilets – A toilet that overflows can lead to water damage and sanitation issues. If your toilet is overflowing we recommend calling a Robin to avoid further issues.  An overflowing toilet can create a category 3 water damage to your flooring, baseboards and walls. Your first instinct may be to plunge your toilet. But plunging your toilet can lead to a broken seal at the base of your toilet. If the seal breaks you’ll find that you have sewer water coming from the bowl of the toilet as well as the bottom of the toilet. Best practice, don’t use the toilet until a professional can evaluate the situation. If you see other drains like the tub or shower starting to fill with water or hear gurgling it’s time to call the pros at Robins Plumbing.
6. Water Heater Failure – If your water heater fails and you are left without hot water, especially during colder months, it can be an emergency. Additionally, leaking water heaters can cause damage to your home, necessitating immediate attention. While not having hot water may not seem like an immediate concern for many of us in the Phoenix area, homes with babies and children should consider calling for emergency plumbing service. A plumbing professional will evaluate the situation and keep hygienic conditions for the kiddos in our homes.
7. Gas Leaks – If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak (often described as a sulfur or rotten egg smell), evacuate your home immediately and call a professional. This is a severe emergency that requires urgent attention.  This is one of those situations no one should take lightly! A gas leak could mean illness, property damage or even death.  If you suspect a gas leak don’t hesitate to call for emergency plumbing services. We also recommend you even call the gas company. The gas company will do an emergency shut down of the gas lines to your home or business. 

Pro Tips to Avoid Emergency Plumbing   

1. Know How to Shut off Your Water – Knowing how to shut off your water in the case of a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe is crucial to protecting your home and valuables from damage.  Ensure that your shut-off valve is accessible and that it works.  Teach your family how to use this valve in case of emergency or those that may house sit for you.  
2. Know How to Shut off the Water to your Water Heater – You should prioritize a leaking water heater as an emergency plumbing issue but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how to stop the immediate flooding.  There should be an emergency shut-off valve for your water heater. The shut-off valve isolates your water heater so you can shut off the water to your water heater and not to your entire home.  It’s important to check this shut-off valve at least once a year to make sure that it works. 
3. Shutting off the water to your softener – Water softeners are often the cause of emergency plumbing problems, a burst water softener can mean big damage.  Depending on your softener style the ability to shut it down in case of emergency may vary.  It’s important to know how to shut down your softener in the case of a plumbing emergency. That way you don’t need to shut off the water to your entire home. 
4. Sewage stoppages – Know Where Your Cleanouts Are = Thank Me Later – When your home is experiencing an emergency plumbing stoppage and you have sewage water everywhere, absolutely call us for an emergency response but here’s a great tip on how to save your home from filling with sewage water everywhere….If you have sewer cleanouts (by plumbing code you should) remove the cleanout cap and run.  I say run because once that cleanout plug is removed that sewage is going to start coming up in your yard but believe me it’s better to have it in your yard than your living room.  

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

If you’ve found that you’re having a plumbing emergency and in need of a 24-hour plumber in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing. We will provide you with prompt and expert care!  Contact our team today! In addition to our slab leak repairs, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!