Quick answer: A plumbing emergency is any problem that can flood your home, cut off your water, release gas, or push sewage back into your house. If you see water you cannot stop, smell gas, or have a sewage backup, shut off what you safely can and call an emergency plumber right away.
Key takeaways
- Burst pipes, gas smells and sewage backups should never wait.
- Shutting off the main water valve is the most helpful thing you can do before help arrives.
- Never use chemical drain cleaners during a backup.
- Take photos of the damage before you clean up. They help with insurance.
- A slow drain or a dripping faucet is usually not an emergency, but it should still be fixed soon.
Plumbing problems rarely pick a good time. A pipe can burst on a holiday, and a toilet can overflow late at night. When it happens, it is hard to know if you should call right now or wait for the morning. This guide gives you simple answers so you can act fast and stay calm.
How do you know if it is a real plumbing emergency?
Ask yourself one question. Is this problem causing damage, danger or a health risk right now? If the answer is yes, treat it as an emergency. If the problem is small and not getting worse, you can usually book a normal visit.
| Call right away | Can wait for a normal visit |
| Burst or leaking pipe you cannot stop | Slow drain in one sink |
| Smell of gas or rotten eggs | Dripping faucet |
| Sewage coming up from floor drains or toilets | Running toilet that still flushes |
| No water at all in the whole house | Low water pressure in one fixture |
| Water heater leaking heavily | Water heater that is slow to heat |
| Basement flooding or sump pump failure | Minor stain on a ceiling that is not growing |
Not sure which side your problem falls on? Call us and describe what you see. Our team will help you decide. You can also read more about the work we do on our residential plumbing page.
What should you do before the plumber arrives?
The goal is to limit the damage and keep everyone safe. Here is what to do for the most common emergencies.
If a pipe has burst or is leaking badly
Find your main water shutoff valve and turn it off. It is often near the water meter, in the basement, or where the water line enters your home. Then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the water left in the pipes. Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the wet area.
If you smell gas
Do not turn on lights, use switches, or light anything. Walk everyone outside right away. Once you are safe, call your gas company or emergency services from outside, then contact our emergency gas line services team. Do not go back inside until you are told it is safe.
If sewage is backing up
Stop using sinks, showers, toilets and the washing machine. Every drop of water you send down the drain can add to the backup. Keep children and pets away from the area. A plumber can find the cause using a camera inspection and clear the blockage with drain cleaning.
If water is near electrical outlets or your panel
Stay away from the wet area. Only turn off the power if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. If you cannot, leave it alone and call for help right away.
If your water heater is leaking
Turn off the water supply to the heater and shut off its power or gas. Then call a plumber. Our water heater team can repair or replace it.
What should you avoid doing during a plumbing emergency?
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up drain. They can harm pipes and are unsafe for the person who has to fix the problem.
- Do not ignore a small leak that keeps getting bigger.
- Do not try to cut or repair a gas line yourself.
- Do not use electrical items near standing water.
- Do not wait to call because it is late at night or a holiday.
What happens when you call Twin Plumbing Solutions?
When you call, a real person answers and asks a few simple questions about what is happening. We tell you what to do right away to stay safe, then we send a licensed plumber. We give you a clear arrival time instead of a vague guess.
Our plumber finds the real cause first. Then you get a clear price before we start work. After that, we complete the repair with materials made to last. You can learn more about how we work on our about us page.
Emergency plumbing for homes and businesses
Homes and businesses face different problems. A home may deal with a burst pipe or a failed sump pump. A restaurant or office may face a backed-up main line or a broken fixture that stops daily work. Our commercial plumbing team helps business owners and property managers keep their buildings running.
Where do we provide emergency plumbing?
Laurel is our home base, and we help homeowners and businesses across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. If you need an emergency plumber near you, check our service areas page. Many people also call us from Anne Arundel County, Towson, Rockville and Bethesda.
Need an emergency plumber now?
Do not wait for a small problem to turn into a big one. Call Twin Plumbing Solutions at (301) 920-6922 and a licensed plumber will help you right away. You can also contact us online and tell us what is going on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any problem that can cause flooding, gas danger, sewage backup or a total loss of water. If the problem is getting worse by the minute, call an emergency plumber right away. You can see the services we offer on our services page.
Is a clogged toilet an emergency?
It depends. If the toilet is overflowing and you cannot stop it, treat it as an emergency. Turn the water valve behind the toilet clockwise to stop the flow. If it is just slow or blocked with no overflow, our drain cleaning service can fix it at a normal visit.
Can I call an emergency plumber near me at night or on a weekend?
Yes. Our emergency line is staffed around the clock, because problems do not follow office hours. Call us any time, and you can find your area on our service areas page.
What should I do if I smell gas in my home?
Leave the house right away and do not touch any switches or flames. Call your gas company or emergency services from outside. After that, contact our emergency gas services team for safe inspection and repair.
Do you handle emergency plumbing for businesses too?
Yes. We help restaurants, offices, shops and property managers with urgent repairs and backups. Learn more on our commercial plumbing page.
How can I stop a burst pipe until the plumber arrives?
Turn off your main water valve right away, then open a low faucet to drain the pipes. Move belongings away from the water. Then call us or use our contact page, and we will guide you.
Will a plumbing emergency be covered by my insurance?
Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the damage, so ask your insurance company. Take clear photos before cleanup and keep your repair paperwork. If you need help paying for a larger repair, take a look at our financing.