When it comes to home plumbing problems, sometimes it's difficult to tell which problems are actual emergency plumbing issues and which ones can wait until morning or the end of the weekend. As a homeowner, you may not really know when to make that call. The fact is that there are some general guidelines that you can consider to help you determine whether or not your plumbing problem warrants that emergency plumbing repair call or if it can wait. Here are a couple of the things you should think about to help you make that choice.

Are You Dealing With A Leak Or A Drain Backup?

The first thing you need to think about is whether you're dealing with a leaking pipe or a backed-up drain. Leaking pipes are usually more of an emergency situation than a backed-up drain unless it's the main drain that's backed up. If you're dealing with a leaking pipe, can you shut the water flow off? If you can turn off the flow of water to that area and stop the leak while you're waiting for the repairs, you probably don't need to make an emergency repair call. However, if you can't turn the water off, it's important to call for an emergency plumber's response. In terms of drain issues, if it's just one drain, you can probably wait for your plumber to come to you. However, if you're dealing with a backup in all the drains, that's a sign that the main drain is the problem. If so, you'll need to reach out to your local plumber right away.

Is The Plumbing Issue A Safety Risk?

You should also think about whether or not there's a safety risk with the issue in question. For example, if you're dealing with a water leak that could potentially cause an electrical short, that's more of an emergency situation than a single stopped-up drain. Consider the safety of the situation, including any risk of pathogen exposure, when you're trying to decide if you need to make an emergency call.

Are You Hearing Noises From Your Plumbing?

If you're hearing sounds from your plumbing system, that's typically not a cause for an emergency visit. However, if you're hearing excessively loud noises or anything that's leaving you significantly concerned, don't hesitate to reach out to your local plumber for more help.

These are some of the things that you should think about as you try to decide whether or not you need an emergency plumbing visit. Call your local plumber today for more help.