Plumbing Emergency? Find an Emergency Plumber Fast
Don't delay when it comes to finding an emergency plumber. The sooner the plumbing is fixed, the better.
Trying to find an emergency plumber can be a headache but fortunately you're in the right place. In a few taps, you can see a list of plumbing companies near you waiting for your call.
What counts as emergency plumbing?
You'll need an emergency plumber when:
- There's no water in your home
- Your property is at risk of flooding
- A pipe has burst or is close to bursting
- Sewage water is backing up into your home
- The water coming out of the taps is dirty
- You can smell gas (for this one, the emergency plumber must be Gas Safe registered)
No water in your house
No running water from any of the taps around your house is a definite emergency. However, before you call out an emergency plumber, there could be a simple fix.
Every home has a stopcock. The stopcock allows water from your supplier to run through the pipes in your house. But to do this, it must be open. If it's closed then your house will have no water. To allow water to run into your home, you'll need to turn the stopcock anti-clockwise.
If you still have no water, ask your neighbours because there could be an issue in the area. If your house is the only one with no water then it's time to call an emergency plumber.
Risk of flooding
Any chance of your property flooding then you should call out an emergency plumber. The main cause of flooding would be a burst pipe. Pipes are most likely to burst if they're old or have frozen. Flooding can also be caused by problems with drains, taps and toilets.
If your property is at risk of flooding then shut off the water supply to your house.
Burst pipe
A burst pipe can lead to flooding but what can cause a pipe to burst?
Most pipes burst when they're frozen or under great pressure. During periods of cold weather, there's a chance that certain pipes can freeze. This causes the water in the pipe to expand which can then lead to the pipe bursting.
A frozen pipe can also cause a blockage which can increase the water pressure. In fact, any type of blockage, whether it's in a pipe, toilet or drain can lead to high water pressure. And this is bad news because putting the pipes under too much pressure can lead to cracks and in the worst case, a burst pipe.
So, at the first sign of a blockage, contact a plumber.
Sewer line backup
Water is sent to your home through mains water lines. It then leaves through the sewer line.
What you don't want is for the sewer line to get blocked and push that dirty water back into your home. When this does happen it's known as sewer line backup.
You will have to go without using the sinks, baths, showers and toilets around your home until the blockage has been cleared.
Dirty water from taps
Water from our taps should be clear and drinkable. So seeing murky water running from the tap can be alarming.
Murky tap water is commonly caused by rust, sediment or a build-up of minerals. The water can appear brown or yellow but any colour that isn't crystal clear should set alarm bells ringing. Fortunately, while we don't recommend drinking this water, it isn't a health risk.
It's commonly caused by either the mains water supply or the plumbing around your home. If it's the mains water supply then the issue could lie with your water supplier. So it's important to find out whether the pipes in your home are the problem.
To do this, run the kitchen tap for 20 minutes to flush out everything that shouldn't be in the water supply. If the water is still murky then it's time to see if your neighbours are having the same problem. The issue will be with your water supplier if they are.
If yours is the only house with the problem then it's time to call out a plumber. They'll be able to replace any pipework that's causing the issue.
In the long run, it can be worth fitting a water filter or water softener if you live in a hard water area.
Note: If your cold water is clear but hot water is brown then it's likely to be an issue with your boiler. In that case, you'll need a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Gas leak
As long as the emergency plumber is Gas Safe registered they can work on gas appliances too. Make sure you check this before they begin work by asking to see their Gas Safe ID card.
If you smell gas then you should open up all the doors and windows and leave the property. You should then call the Gas Emergency Services on:
- 0800 111 999 (England)
- 0800 002 001 (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Gas leaks can be very serious. Not only could it cause an explosion but harmful gases like carbon monoxide can prove lethal.
The most likely causes of a gas leak will either be your boiler or stove. If they've only been fitted recently then the gas leak could be down to poor installation – one of the many reasons why it isn't always best to hire the cheapest installer.
When calling a plumber can wait
Not every plumbing job is an emergency. Which means you don't have to get a plumber round to fix the issue right away.
The installation of new appliances is one job that can wait. Unless it has broken and is causing an issue. A dripping tap can also wait but don't wait too long as you're paying for all of that water.
How soon could a plumber be at my house?
Call an emergency plumber now and they could be at your door within the hour. However, this completely depends on where you live, the time of day (or night) and which company you contact.
Emergency plumber costs
Emergency plumber costs will vary based on the work involved, time of day and where you live.
Most emergency plumbers will have a callout charge and then an hourly rate on top of that. The average callout charge is around £75 then you'll be paying about £60 per hour. In London, hourly rates can be as much as £100.
You'll also need to pay for any replacement parts on top. This could include new pipes, radiators, toilets or sinks.
| Replacement part | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Radiator | £100 – £150 |
| Pipes | £500 – £1,000 (per 20 metres of pipework) |
| Toilet | £50 – £250 |
| Sink | £30 – £175 |
How to find an emergency plumber
Need an emergency plumber then don't wait another minute to find one.
You can get a list of plumbers in your area right here on Boiler Guide. Simply head to our directory, find where you live and you'll see a list of plumbers local to you. Tap on the phone number to give one a call. It couldn't be easier.