Knowing the difference between a plumbing problem and a plumbing emergency isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience, it’s about safeguarding your home from potentially serious damage and saving money on repair costs.

So let’s clarify what differentiates a ‘plumbing emergency’ from a ‘standard plumbing problem that needs attention’ and take a look at the tell-tale signs of a true plumbing emergency, explain why immediate action is vital, and give you some advice on the steps to take before professional help arrives.

What Are Standard Plumbing Issues?

By definition, standard plumbing issues tend to require prompt, but not immediate attention. These are generally things that are inconvenient and should be fixed relatively quickly to prevent them from worsening, but they don’t pose an immediate threat to your property or health. Such as:

• Leaky Taps. Yes, they are annoying, and they waste water, but they are unlikely to flood your home or cause any real damage in the short term.
• Slow Draining Sinks Or Bathtubs. Slow drainage generally indicates a partial blockage, which should be addressed before it becomes a full blockage, but it is not an emergency plumbing issue.
• Running Toilets. Water is being wasted, but as long as the toilet is still functioning, this is not an immediate plumbing risk (unless it overflows).
• Minor Drips From Pipes. A consistent drip is problematic, but it is unlikely to cause a problem overnight and has likely been an ongoing issue (place a bucket under it and call your plumber for a standard appointment).
• Water Heater Issues. No hot water! Although this one is super annoying, it really isn’t an emergency unless there are additional complications present, such as flooding, electricity or gas exposure.
• Low Water Pressure In One Fixture. Most likely related to a minor clog or an aerator issue, this is a plumbing priority, but it is not an emergency.

What Are Plumbing Emergencies?

A Plumbing Emergency is something that requires immediate action. These are situations that pose an immediate risk to your property, health, or safety and delaying action could lead to extensive water damage, structural issues, health hazards, or even fire/explosion risks. The core characteristics of a plumbing emergency are:

• Water Supply Problems. This one covers either uncontrolled water flow or a lack of water. So we are talking about water escaping from pipes or fixtures in large volumes, or the complete loss of water (which can indicate a burst pipe or wider municipal issue).
• Property Damage. The issue is causing significant damage to your property including walls, floors, ceilings, or foundations.
• Health Or Safety Risks. The issue presents a possible injury risk (this tends to involve sewage, gas, and/or electrical hazards).

Top 4 Plumbing Emergencies That Demand Immediate Attention

Understanding these scenarios is your first line of defence against everyday plumbing disasters.

1. Burst Pipes

A sudden, uncontrolled gush or spray of water from a pipe, often accompanied by a loud banging or hissing sound is a sign your pipe might have burst! However sometimes the sign can be a little more subtle and include water seeping through walls and ceilings, or even water pooling on floors.

Why Is A Burst Pipe An Emergency? A burst pipe can release hundreds of litres of water per hour, leading to rapid and extensive water damage to your property’s structure, flooring, furniture, and electrical systems. This amount of moisture can also lead to hazardous levels of mould growth within 48 hours.

Immediate Action For A Burst Pipe:

• Shut Off The Water Mains Immediately. Knowing where your mains water shut-off valve is is important for this one – it’s usually near your water meter or where the main water line enters your house.
• Turn Off Your Electricity. If the water is leaking near electrical outlets or appliances, you need to get the electricity turned off as soon as possible to prevent the chance of electrocution.
• Collect Escaping Water. Where it is safe to do so, prevent as much additional damage as you can by trying to contain the water with buckets or towels.
• Call An Emergency Plumber Immediately. Do not attempt to repair the burst pipe yourself unless you are a qualified professional, this is a job for a plumber.

2. No Water!

If you turn on the tap and absolutely nothing comes out or the pressure is extremely low across all fixtures. Something is definitely up with your water supply. This may be a community-wide issue, or it may be isolated to your property.

Why Is No Water An Emergency? A complete loss of water can indicate a major issue with your main water supply lines. There could be a burst pipe underground or another unseen issue that requires immediate attention, as this impacts hygiene and sanitation (call a plumber now). If the problem is more widespread in the community, this will indicate there is an issue with the municipal supply, which will need to be dealt with by your local council (no need to call a plumber on this one).

Immediate Action For No Water Supply:

• Check With Your Neighbours. See if they also have no water. If they do, it’s likely a municipal issue – contact your local council (Christchurch City Council in this case) for updates.
• Call An Emergency Plumber. If only your property is affected, it is likely to be a significant private water line issue – call a plumber now.

3. Overflowing Toilet

A pretty obvious one – if your toilet bowl water level rises dangerously high after flushing and begins to spill over onto the floor – you are likely going to need to call a plumber!

Why Is An Overflowing Toilet An Emergency? An overflowing toilet can quickly flood your bathroom with unsanitary water, leading to water damage to flooring and the surrounding areas, plus raw sewage poses a significant health risk due to exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious illnesses.

Immediate Action For Overflowing Toilets:

• Shut Off The Water. Immediately lift the tank lid and push the appropriate device (flapper/fill valve/ballcock) back down to stop water from entering the bowl.
• Turn Off The Shut-Off Valve. At the base of the toilet, you will find a small tap, turn this clockwise to stop the water supply to the toilet.
• Isolate The Area. Keep pets and children away from the contaminated area.
• Assess The Situation. If the overflow was due to a simple one-off clog you can attempt to clear it with a plunger, however, if plunging doesn’t work, or if this has happened more than once or twice, this indicates a deeper blockage in your main drainage line which turns it into an emergency plumbing issue – especially if you don’t have any other functioning toilets in the house.
• Call An Emergency Plumber. This is definitely not a DIY job. You need professional equipment to safely clear the blockage and sanitise the area. You may also need to call your local council if the issue is infrastructure-related.

4. Water Heater Issues (Leaking Or Gas Smell)

There are two main problems with your water heating system that constitute an emergency, a significant leak or the smell of gas (if you have a gas water heating system). If water is leaking from or actively pooling around your hot water cylinder or there is a distinct smell of gas near your gas hot water system these are major red flags.

Why Hot Water Issues Are An Emergency? A leaking hot water cylinder can cause significant water damage to the surrounding area, but it can also indicate a tank failure (which can result in the tank bursting if not attended to). And, as we all know, a gas leak is extremely dangerous because natural gas is highly flammable and can lead to explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Immediate Action For Hot Water System Issues:

• For A Leak: Turn off the water supply to the water heater and turn off the power supply (for electric heaters) or gas supply (for gas heaters). Call an emergency plumber immediately.
• For A Gas Smell: Do NOT turn any lights or electrical appliances on or off – even a small spark can trigger an explosion. Immediately evacuate everyone from the house. Call your gas provider from a safe distance outside.

What To Do While Waiting For Your Emergency Plumber

Once you’ve identified the emergency and taken the initial steps (like shutting off water or gas), it is important to clear the area as best as possible. This might include things like moving furniture, rugs, and anything valuable away from the affected plumbing and water to prevent further damage.

You will also want to continue to use buckets and towels to control any ongoing leaks or flooding to minimise the spread of the water. And you might want to take photos of the issue and what it looked like before you cleaned up the site to document the damage for insurance purposes and also so you can show your plumber when they arrive. It also pays to make sure the plumber will have clear and easy access to the affected area, and your main water/gas shut-off, including removing pets and belongings that may get in the way of the fix.

5 Tips For Preventing Future Plumbing Emergencies

While some emergencies are unavoidable, there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of encountering a plumbing emergency. These are:

1. Know Where Your Shut-Off Valves Are. Being able to turn off the water or gas quickly can mean the difference between a small clean-up operation and a big one!
2. Mind Your Drains. Avoid pouring fat/grease, coffee grounds, hair, or harsh chemicals down your drains, consider using drain covers to catch excess hair and food particles.
3. Inspect Appliances. Regularly inspect hoses and connections for washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators for signs of wear, leaks, or bulges.
4. Address Small Leaks Promptly. A dripping tap or a minor pipe leak might seem insignificant at the time but it can worsen rapidly leading to greater damage and increased water bills.
5. Professional Plumbing Inspections. Consider having a professional plumber conduct a thorough inspection of your plumbing system every few years. This can help to identify any potential issues like deteriorating pipes, corroded fittings, or root intrusions etc., catching these issues before they turn into emergency plumbing situations.

Understanding what constitutes a plumbing emergency is going to save you money and protect your home against further damage. Always have a trusted local emergency plumber’s number on hand and take immediate action if you are experiencing any of the above emergency plumbing issues. Contact Whitehead Plumbing for plumbing problems in Christchurch.