DKH

Plumbing emergencies are situations that pose immediate risks to your property, health, or safety and require prompt professional attention:

• Burst or severely leaking pipes causing active water damage
• Sewage backups creating unsanitary conditions
• No running water throughout your entire home
• Gas leaks or suspected gas line issues
• Overflowing toilets that can't be stopped with valve shutoff
• Major water heater leaks or complete failures
• Frozen pipes at risk of bursting
• Main water line breaks affecting water supply

If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies as an emergency, call us anyway. We can help assess the urgency and provide guidance over the phone.

Take these important steps while waiting for our emergency plumbers to arrive:

1. Shut off the water supply: Turn off the water at the fixture's shut-off valve. If necessary, shut off your home's main water valve (usually located near the water meter).
2. Turn off the water heater: If there's a major leak, turn off your water heater to prevent damage when the tank empties.
3. Minimize water damage: Use towels, buckets, and mops to contain water. Move valuable items away from the affected area.
4. Open drains and spigots: After shutting off the main water, open outdoor spigots and lower-level drains to relieve pressure and drain remaining water from pipes.
5. Document the damage: Take photos and videos for insurance purposes.
6. Ventilate the area: For sewage backups or gas leaks, open windows to improve ventilation.
7. Avoid using electrical devices: Stay away from electrical outlets or devices in areas with water damage.

Our emergency dispatchers can provide specific guidance for your situation while the technician is en route. Safety should always be your priority.

Emergency plumbing costs depend on several factors:

• Service call fee: Our emergency diagnostic fee is $89, which is waived if you proceed with the repairs.
• Time of service: Standard hours (7am-7pm, Monday-Friday) are $129/hour. After-hours, weekend, and holiday services are $169/hour.
• Nature of the emergency: Complexity and required parts affect the total cost. Many common emergencies are charged at transparent flat rates.
• Equipment needed: Specialized equipment like hydro jetting or video inspection may have additional fees.
• Accessibility: Difficult access points might require additional work.

We always provide a clear, written estimate before beginning any work, even in emergencies. We'll explain all costs and never pressure you into unnecessary repairs. We also offer various payment options and financing for larger emergency repairs to help manage unexpected expenses.

Many plumbing emergencies can be prevented with these proactive measures:

• Regular maintenance: Schedule annual plumbing inspections to catch issues before they become emergencies.
• Know your plumbing system: Locate your main water shut-off valve and ensure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to use it.
• Drain care: Avoid putting grease, coffee grounds, hair, and other clog-causing materials down drains. Use drain strainers.
• Toilet precautions: Only flush toilet paper and human waste. Avoid flushing wipes (even "flushable" ones), feminine products, paper towels, etc.
• Winter preparation: Insulate exposed pipes before cold weather arrives. During freezes, keep faucets dripping and cabinet doors open to prevent frozen pipes.
• Water pressure regulation: Install a pressure regulator if your home's water pressure exceeds 80 psi to prevent stress on pipes.
• Water heater maintenance: Flush your water heater annually and check the pressure relief valve.
• Monitor water bills: Unexpected increases can indicate hidden leaks.

We offer preventative maintenance programs that include regular inspections, priority emergency service, and discounts on repairs. Ask about our Home Shield Plumbing Protection Plan when we visit.

Insurance coverage for plumbing emergencies varies by policy and situation:

• Sudden and accidental damage: Most homeowners insurance covers water damage from sudden and accidental pipe bursts, but not from gradual leaks or maintenance issues.
• Sewer backup coverage: Standard policies often exclude sewer backups, but many insurers offer this as supplemental coverage.
• Flood insurance: Damage from external flooding requires separate flood insurance.
• Repair costs vs. damage costs: Insurance typically covers resulting property damage but not the actual plumbing repair itself.
• Home warranty coverage: If you have a home warranty, it may cover plumbing repairs but often has limitations for emergency service.

We recommend contacting your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage. Our technicians can help document the damage for claims, provide detailed invoices, and work directly with insurance companies when possible. We're also happy to explain the difference between covered sudden accidents and non-covered maintenance issues.