Key Takeaways
- Water you can't stop, sewage coming up, no water at all and the smell of gas are true emergencies.
- Know where your main shut-off valve is before you need it.
- If you smell gas, leave first and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
- A slow drip or one slow drain can usually wait for a scheduled visit.
What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any problem that is causing damage right now, or is about to, or that makes the house unsafe or unlivable. Water spreading across a floor is damaging your home every minute. So is sewage coming up through a drain. A house with no water, or with a gas smell, isn't safe to stay in as is.
Anything else, like a dripping faucet, a running toilet or one slow sink, is a problem worth fixing soon, but not one worth an after-hours call. Knowing the difference saves you money and stress.
Signs of a Plumbing Emergency That Require Immediate Repair
1. Water you can't stop
A burst pipe, a split supply hose behind the washing machine, or a failed fitting can release several gallons a minute. If the water won't stop at a fixture's own shut-off valve, it's an emergency. Shut the main valve and call a plumber. Our emergency plumbing repair team is on call 24/7.
2. Sewage backing up
Sewage coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet means the main sewer line is blocked. Waste water is a health hazard and damages floors and drywall quickly. Stop using all water in the house and call for sewer and drain service.
3. No water at all
If every fixture is dry, check with neighbors and your water utility first. If it's only your house, a frozen line, a failed main valve or a major leak may be the cause, and all of those need fast attention.
4. The smell of gas
Natural gas has an added rotten-egg odor so you'll notice a leak. If you smell it, it's an emergency, but the first call isn't to a plumber. It's to 911 or your gas utility, from outside.
If you smell gas, don't flip switches, use the phone inside or light anything. Get everyone out, then call from a safe distance. Once the utility has made it safe, our gas line repair team can fix the leak.
5. A water heater leaking from the tank
Water pooling under a tank usually means the tank has rusted through, and it will only get worse. Shut off the cold water supply on top of the heater and the gas or power, then call for water heater repair or replacement.
6. A sump pump that stops during a storm
If the sump pit is filling and the pump isn't running in heavy rain, the basement can flood within hours. Check the breaker and the float, and if that doesn't work, call for sump pump service.
7. Frozen pipes
No water from one fixture on a very cold day often means a frozen pipe, and frozen pipes can burst as they thaw. Our guide on what to do when your pipes freeze walks through it.
What to Do in the First Five Minutes
- Stop the water. Close the fixture's shut-off valve, or the main valve where the water line enters the house. It's usually in the basement or a utility closet.
- Turn off the water heater if you've shut the main, so it doesn't run without water.
- Cut power to wet areas at the breaker if water is near outlets or appliances.
- Move valuables and soak up what you can to limit damage.
- Call a 24/7 plumber. In Rockville and Montgomery County, that's (240) 428-8681.
- Take photos for your insurance company before cleanup.
Find your main shut-off today, show everyone in the house where it is, and make sure it actually turns. Old gate valves often seize. We can replace them with a quarter-turn valve during any visit.
Problems That Can Usually Wait
| Problem | Emergency? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping faucet | No | Schedule a repair. See our faucet guide |
| Running toilet | No | Close the toilet's shut-off and schedule |
| One slow drain | No | Try a plunger, then schedule drain cleaning |
| Several drains backing up | Yes | Stop using water and call |
| Water spreading | Yes | Shut the main valve and call |
| Gas smell | Yes | Leave, call 911 or the utility |
How to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies
Most emergencies give a warning first. A drip under a sink, a slow drain that keeps coming back, a water heater past ten years old, or a rising water bill are all early signs. Catch them early and the fix is smaller. Our guide to spotting leaks early and a periodic plumbing inspection go a long way.
If you're in Rockville, North Bethesda or anywhere in Montgomery County, our 24/7 plumbers are a phone call away.
