Top 6 Signs You Need to Call an Emergency Plumber Immediately

Are you dealing with an annoying pipe that won’t stop leaking or constant bathroom blockages? Sometimes, you might be unsure whether or not to call an emergency plumber.

You might want to do the job yourself, but bringing in a professional who knows what they’re doing is always better in the long run. This blog will be your ultimate guide: should you pick up the phone, or can the plumbing job be DIY’d?

Often, plumbing emergencies happen without warning, and there are only a few ways to know for sure if it’s worth calling out a tradesperson. Let’s look at the signs!

When To Call an Emergency Plumber?

Plumbing problems can be scary if you don’t know the cause. What are some things to pay attention to?

1. You Notice Constant Water Leaks

Are your pipes or faucets leaking? It doesn’t matter how small–a leak can lose you a lot of water, hike up your water costs, and damage your home exterior over time. Rust and mould can also accumulate. What are some of the annoying potential causes of leaks?

Faulty pressure or temperature relief valve (PTRV)

With any DIY job, it can be dangerous, especially when you’re working with heat. Exposure to hot water at 70 Celsius can lead to a burn, but it also generates a lot of pressure, causing more damage if it builds up.

Most hot water systems include special valves that can reduce this safety risk. The valve, responsible for reducing the amount of pressure and heat in your water heater, can stress and lead to parts of your system wearing out.

A leaking hot water tank

Not every leak starts with the valve–it can be the tank! If water is leaking from the bottom, your tank could be old, worn out, have loose fittings, or have a damaged drain valve, which is supposed to drain water from your hot water system.

An emergency plumber can quickly dismantle large parts, so you won’t need to DIY it.

2. You’re Worried About Sewage Backups

Sewage backups are unpleasant and hazardous to any property. They happen when sewage from the main line flows back into your home through drains, sinks, or toilets. In any case, this requires immediate attention as it’s a major health risk when exposed to raw sewage. What are some clear warning signs to look out for?

• You can hear gurgling sounds in your plumbing system
• Drainage is slow for multiple plumbing fixtures such as sinks or bathtubs
• You notice that water is backing up in your shower when you flush the toilet
• Bad smells are coming from your drains

What should you do while you wait for emergency plumbers? Don’t use showers, sinks, or toilets to prevent extra sewage from backing up. Also, make sure to keep pets and family members away from contamination, which contains harmful bacteria and pathogens! Once a plumber arrives, they can handle any sewage backup safely.

3. You’re Frustrated With Persistent Clogs and Overflowing

The last thing you want to deal with is a stubborn clog in your toilet, especially if you need to use it! In addition to being frustrating, persistent blockages can be a health hazard and damage your property.

Although smaller blockages can be fixed yourself, persistent, ongoing drainage issues can become more serious, even more so if it’s your toilet. Contaminated water can spill onto your floors, and this unsanitary environment can be a detrimental health hazard for you and your household.

How does this happen? Blockages throughout the plumbing system and problems with the float valve or sewer line. Other blockages include:

• Bathroom drains, which can become blocked by hair and soap scum over time.
• Kitchen drains can be blocked by cooking grease or tiny pieces of leftover food.

When left unchecked, gunk gets stuck in pipes, making them reduce or entirely stop the flow of water.

What can you do in the meantime if your toilet is overflowing? Stop the water flow by turning off the water valve behind the toilet, preventing further spillage or damage. For drain clogs, a good DIY tip is to use a mix of baking soda and vinegar; this fizzling action can release stubborn drain clogs, but if it doesn’t work, contact an emergency plumber to help you determine the cause.

4. You See Burst Pipes and High Water Pressure

Sometimes, it is caused by ground movement, incorrect installation, unprotected pipes, misuse, age, or damage, which can result in a burst pipe. This is one of the most common plumbing issues, and it’s not fun! Releasing litres of water within minutes can lead to mould growth and structural damage to your property. So, what do you need to look out for before calling a professional plumber?

• Do you have any wet spots on walls, floors, or ceilings?
• Has there been a sudden drop in water pressure?
• Do you have unexplained water puddles throughout your home?
• Are you noticing a significant difference in your quarterly water bill?

What about low water pressure? It can come on suddenly or slowly get worse, making it difficult to shower, wash dishes, or rinse basically anything. If this is the case, it’s helpful to check your water meter, wait a few hours without using water, and keep an eye on water meter changes. Pressure slowly lowering can indicate mineral or sediment build-up in the pipes, aerators, or showerheads.

What can you do immediately if you notice any of this? Protect your belongings by shifting them away from water spillage areas, locate and turn off the main water valve, and call a plumber for assistance. A plumber can assist with a replacement, repair, or recommend a water filtration system. After all, you don’t want to end up with severe water damage, which costs a fortune to remedy!

Need an emergency plumber in Craigieburn, Greenvale, Lalor, Reservoir, Ascot Vale or Eltham? Our experts are ready to assist 24/7 with fast, reliable service.

5. Your Hot Water Isn’t Working

When in the middle of winter in Melbourne, you want nothing more than a hot shower! If your hot water tank isn’t leaking, it can be a mystery why you don’t have hot water. What are some of the causes?

• Electric hot water tanks can have a failed heating component, a faulty thermostat, a tripped circuit breaker, or a faulty electrical switch
• Water can pool at the base of your shower or have low water pressure, so a plumber might need to fix the valve or warm water regulator
• Strange noises such as bubbling (this can mean your heater is overheating or high pressure), screeching or hissing from valves not opening properly, or popping from sediment build-up
• Anaerobic bacteria which can interact with the sulphur, magnesium and aluminium sacrificial anodes present in most hot water systems
• Mineral deposits clogging your pipes or low water pressure, which can wear out your plumbing
• There may be a faulty electrical or gas supply
• Gas hot water heaters can have issues with burners, ignition, or thermocouples

You want an emergency plumber to sift through all possible scenarios, such as replacing affected parts or a complete replacement.Need handy information if something unexpected happens? Check out how to stop a leak until the plumber arrives!

6. You Can Smell Gas

Do you smell gas in any part of your home? Act quickly for your own safety. LPG gas and natural gas are mixed with a scent, so this unpleasant smell might be a gas leak! What can a plumber do for you when there’s a suspected gas leak?

• They can do an initial safety inspection so there aren’t any other dangers present
• They can do pressure testing to confirm the leak in your gas service, such as installing separate isolation valves and special equipment
• They can repair or replace an accessible area of pipe, divert a new pipe around the damaged areas, or replace your regulator

Immediately call an emergency plumber to turn your gas off. While you wait for them to arrive, shut off all switches, appliances and open all windows and doors in your home. Gas leaking from pipes can trigger a gas explosion, even from a spark in a light bulb.

Ensure that everything in your home is off and the person you call out is trained and licensed to assess and detect leaks.

How do you know that your plumber of choice is licensed and experienced?

According to the Plumbing Regulations 2018–which commenced in November 2018 and replaced Plumbing Regulations 2008–these regulations cover:

• The scope of work for all classes of plumbing work and specialised plumbing services
• The qualifications and experience eligibility requirements for registration and licensing in each class of plumbing work
• Fees payable for registration and licensing applications, as well as the price of a compliance certificate
• Additional technical requirements with which work performed in specified classes of plumbing must comply, such as some variations from the requirements in the PCA
• To check if a plumber is licensed to do the job right, look up their name, ADR number,  or VBA practitioner’s number on the Practitioner Plumbing Search.

Are you dealing with leaky pipes, a slow drain, water stains, poor water pressure, or waste water? Solutions Plumbing can inspect your water pipe for underlying issues and support common plumbing emergencies.

Call a Qualified Plumber: Solutions Plumbing!

Have a plumbing emergency? With over 12 years of experience helping people like you, Solutions Plumbing is always passionate about professional, high-quality plumbing. 

Whether you need an urgent Gas Safety Certification, CCTV Inspections, Blockages, Drainage and Repairs, Gas Services, or Water Supply Services, our licensed and insured plumbers work without cutting corners. Recognised by the Victorian Building Authority, our experienced plumbers can find a hidden leak, prevent costly repairs, and organise a professional intervention. We offer reliable 24/7 Emergency Services and a quick response. Contact us today, and we’ll come to you!