It's 11 PM on a Tuesday. You just discovered water dripping from a pipe under your sink, or your toilet won't stop running, or your basement drain is backing up. You're standing there wondering: Do I call an emergency plumber right now and pay premium rates? Or can this wait until morning when regular service is cheaper?
As someone who's taken thousands of emergency calls over 25 years, I can tell you this: Most people wait too long on real emergencies and panic-call for things that could wait. Here's how to make the right decision for your specific situation.
Call Emergency Service Immediately For These
These situations will get worse—sometimes dramatically worse—if you wait. Call now, even if it's 3 AM:
Active Water Damage Happening Right Now
If water is actively flowing where it shouldn't be—burst pipe, overflowing toilet, water heater leaking—call immediately. Every minute water runs is more damage to floors, walls, belongings, and foundation.
Even if you've shut off the water supply, call us. We need to fix the problem so you can have water again, and we can assess damage and prevent mold issues.
Gas Smell Near Plumbing or Water Heater
Gas leaks are genuinely dangerous. Get out of the house first, then call the gas company AND us from outside. We need to inspect and repair any gas-related plumbing issues after the immediate danger is addressed.
Sewage Backing Up Into Your House
If sewage is coming up through drains, toilets, or floor drains, call immediately. Sewage contains bacteria and pathogens that make your home unsafe. Plus, it'll keep backing up every time anyone uses water until the blockage is cleared.
No Water At All (Entire House)
If your whole house suddenly has no water, that could indicate a major line break, frozen pipes, or other serious problems. This needs immediate diagnosis.
Water Heater Making Loud Banging/Hissing Sounds
Unusual loud noises from a water heater—especially combined with leaking or steam—can indicate dangerous pressure or temperature buildup. Turn off the power/gas and call immediately.
Can Probably Wait Until Morning (But Schedule ASAP)
These problems need attention, but waiting a few hours until regular business hours won't cause additional damage:
Slow Drips or Small Leaks You've Contained
If a pipe is dripping but you've put a bucket under it and shut off the water supply to that fixture, that can wait until morning. The key is that you've stopped active water damage.
Exception: If it's getting worse quickly or you can't stop the water, call now.
No Hot Water
If you have no hot water but everything else is working normally—no leaks, no gas smell, no strange sounds—this can wait for regular hours. It's usually a heating element or pilot light issue.
Cold showers aren't fun, but they're not dangerous. Schedule service first thing in the morning.
Single Clogged Drain (Not Backing Up)
If one sink or tub is draining slowly but not backing up, and no other drains are affected, that can wait. Just don't use that fixture until it's fixed.
Running Toilet
A toilet that won't stop running wastes water and is annoying, but it's not an emergency. You can turn off the water supply valve at the base of the toilet and wait for morning.
Exception: If it's overflowing, that's an emergency—call now.
Low Water Pressure (Developed Gradually)
If your water pressure has been decreasing over days or weeks, that needs diagnosis but isn't urgent. Schedule regular service.
The "Can I Stop The Damage?" Test
If you're still unsure, ask yourself these questions:
Can I shut off the water and completely stop the problem?
If yes, and you can function until morning without that water source, it can probably wait. If no—water keeps flowing despite your efforts—call now.
Is the problem getting worse by the minute?
If the leak is spreading, the backup is rising, or the situation is actively deteriorating, don't wait.
Is it affecting your ability to live in your home safely?
No working toilets, sewage backup, or major water damage all make your home unsafe or uninhabitable. These need immediate attention.
Is there any chance this is dangerous (gas, contamination, electrical)?
If there's even a possibility of danger—gas smell, sewage backup, water near electrical—err on the side of caution and call immediately.
What to Expect When You Call Emergency Service
We'll Ask Questions First
When you call, we'll ask about what's happening, where the problem is, and whether you've been able to shut off water or contain the damage. This helps us know what tools and materials to bring and whether we need to come immediately or if there's a temporary solution that buys you until morning.
Emergency Rates Are Higher
Yes, emergency service costs more than regular service. That's because we're leaving our families at odd hours, and we need to be available 24/7. But if it's a real emergency, the cost is almost always less than the damage that would happen if you waited.
We'll Give You a Realistic Timeline
We'll tell you honestly how soon we can be there. In Birmingham, we typically arrive within 60-90 minutes for true emergencies. If we're currently on another emergency call, we'll let you know and help you decide whether to wait for us or call someone else.
When In Doubt, Call Us
We can help you determine if your situation needs immediate attention or can wait. There's no charge for the call, and we'd rather help you make the right decision than have you deal with unnecessary damage.
Call (659) 233-6566 Anytime