Plumbing 1 February 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Emergency Plumbing Services: What to Know Before You Call

Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time and can quickly escalate into major problems if not addressed promptly. In this guide, we’ll provide you with the information you need to know about emergency plumbing services and what to expect when you call for help.

What Are Emergency Plumbing Services?

Emergency plumbing services refer to the prompt response and repair of plumbing problems that pose an immediate threat to your home or business. These services are typically provided by plumbers who are available 24/7 to address emergencies as soon as they arise.

Types of Emergency Plumbing Issues

1. Burst pipes
2. Flooding
3. Gas leaks
4. Blocked toilets
5. Broken boilers and cylinders

What to Expect When You Call for Emergency Plumbing Services

1. Quick Response: You can expect a quick response from a plumbing professional when you call for emergency services.
2. Assessment of the Problem: The plumber will assess the problem and determine the best course of action to resolve it.
3. Explanation of the Solution: The plumber will explain the solution to the problem and provide a quote for the repair.
4. Prompt Repair: The plumber will perform the necessary repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How to Prepare for an Emergency Plumbing Situation

1. Locate the main water shut-off valve.
2. Know the emergency phone number for your local plumber.
3. Keep basic plumbing tools and supplies on hand.
4. Regularly inspect your plumbing system for potential problems.

What to Do Before We Arrive

The first five minutes matter more than anything that happens afterwards:

1. Turn the water off at the stopcock. Stopping the flow comes before everything else.
2. Turn off the electricity at the consumer unit if water is near wiring, sockets or downlights.
3. Open the downstairs taps to drain what is still sitting in the pipes.
4. Get buckets under it and move anything valuable out of the way.
5. Photograph the damage before you start clearing up — your insurer will ask.

For a suspected gas leak the procedure is different. Do not touch any electrical switches. Open the windows, turn the gas off at the meter if you can safely reach it, get everyone out, and ring the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Is It Actually an Emergency?

Worth being honest with yourself, because it affects what you pay. Water you cannot stop, a suspected gas leak, sewage inside the house, or no heat in freezing weather with a vulnerable person at home — those are emergencies.

A dripping tap, a running toilet or one slow drain is a nuisance. If it can be isolated and left until morning, book it as a normal appointment instead.

What to Have Ready When You Ring

• Where the water is coming from, and whether it is still running
• Whether you have managed to turn the stopcock off
• The make and model of the boiler, if it is a heating problem
• Any fault code showing on the boiler display
• Whether anyone in the house is vulnerable to the cold

Why the Damage Costs More Than the Plumbing

In nearly every emergency we attend, the plumbing repair is the small part of the bill. The expensive part is what the water touched on its way through: floorboards, ceilings, plaster, carpets and whatever was stored underneath.

That is why the first five minutes matter so much. Getting the water off and containing the flow does more to limit the eventual cost than anything an engineer can do after arriving. It is also why a fault you have been meaning to get looked at is worth booking now, while it is still just plumbing.

What It Costs

Emergency and repair work is charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, always billable, then £47.50 + VAT for each hour after. Materials are agreed with you before we fit or order them.

Call 01732 792 454. We cover Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding Kent villages — see our plumbing services.