What is a Plumbing Emergency?

Not every plumbing problem needs a 2 a.m. phone call. Some do. The difference usually comes down to one question: is it causing damage or a hazard right now, and will it be worse by morning?

A Simple Test

Ask yourself three things. Is water or sewage moving into places it should not be? Is there a gas smell or a health hazard? Will waiting a few hours cost you a lot more? One yes means treat it as an emergency. All no means you can shut things off and book a normal appointment.

True Emergencies

Burst or fast-leaking pipe

Water through a ceiling, a spraying supply line, or a meter that spins with everything off. Shut off the main at the meter box near the street or the valve where the line enters the house. Our guide on shutting off water in an emergency shows how, and signs of a burst pipe in a wall covers leaks you cannot see.

Sewage backing up

If wastewater is coming up through a tub, shower or floor drain, stop using water in the house. Several fixtures backing up together points at the main sewer line, often tree roots in an older clay or cast iron lateral. Check for a capped cleanout pipe in the yard near the house and look at whether it is full. Tell the plumber what you see. See why drains back up in Lawrenceville homes.

Gas smell

Leave the house, leave the door open if you can do so safely, do not flip switches, and call from outside. Natural gas in Lawrenceville city limits comes from the City of Lawrenceville, so the gas utility is a separate call. A plumber handles gas piping inside the house, such as a gas line leak, after the utility has made it safe.

No water at all

Check with a neighbor. If the whole street is dry, it is a utility issue and Gwinnett County Water Resources is the number to call. If only your house is dry, it could be a broken service line, a frozen pipe or a closed valve.

Overflowing toilet that will not stop

Close the valve behind the toilet. If it does not stop, or the water is dirty, treat it as a sewage problem.

Leaking water heater

Water from the tank itself means the heater is failing. Shut off the cold valve on top, cut power or gas, and see what to do when a water heater leaks.

Problems That Can Usually Wait

• One slow drain. Plunge it, and book a visit. See how to unclog a drain.
• A dripping faucet. Put a bowl under it and schedule a fix.
• A running toilet. Close the valve behind it until it is repaired.
• Low pressure at one tap, which is usually an aerator or cartridge.
• No hot water in warm weather, unless the heater is leaking.

Before You Call

Have the address, what you have already shut off, and whether anyone has been exposed to sewage or gas. The phone line is answered 24/7 at (770) 285-5619, and we connect you with an independent local plumber. Ask for the price before any work starts, and ask for the plumber's Georgia license number so you can check it with the state licensing board. If it is a plumbing emergency, say so at the start of the call.

FAQ: Plumbing Emergencies