DEFINING A PLUMBING EMERGENCY

Learn When To Call A Sydney Emergency Plumber And How To Choose The Best Emergency Plumber Now.

It’s a story we see week in and week out – a plumbing emergency when you least expect it. We’ve seen a blocked toilet when you’re hosting Christmas Lunch and a burst flexible hose in the middle of the night!

When this happens, it’s tempting (and only natural) to pick up the phone, look on Google for a 24-hour Plumber Near You and call the first Sydney Emergency Plumber who answers.

Whilst you may get lucky and score a genuine plumber who fixes your issue and has your plumbing up and running in no time – you could also end up calling a plumber who will cause more harm than good or leave you with additional hassles and stress.

A true plumbing emergency is restoring water, preventing water damage, alleviating a blocked drain, and restoring a waste connection to protect public health, the safety of an individual or to prevent damage to property.

It is any owner’s responsibility to call an emergency plumber if they feel they are affected by any of the above.

In reality any plumbing problem can seem like an emergency and often you’ll find they always happen late at night or over the weekend when you least expect or prepare for them eg: a blocked toilet when your hosting christmas or a burst flexible hose in the middle of the night & you wake up to your furniture floating.

Although they may not be a true plumbing emergency it may feel like one and it’s tempting & only natural in the moment to pick up the phone, look on google for a 24 hour plumber and call the first Sydney emergency plumber who answers and says he will fix the problem, while you may get lucky & get a genuine plumber out who gets your household plumbing up & running in no time you could also end up calling a plumber who will cause more harm than good or leave you with additional hassles and stress.

It’s not uncommon to make an irrational decision as you feel the plumbing emergency may pose a risk to you and your home and you need a Sydney plumber who is available to help right away.

Defining what is a plumbing emergency and what can’t wait until the following day for attention is often hard under stressful times and you often need to make a quick decision about who to contact and what to do.

Generally, If it is an emergency that poses a risk to you and your home, you need a 24 hour Sydney plumber who is available & to attend site asap, generally a plumber will be able to gage the severity & diagnose the issue over the phone and if the problem can wait until normal business hours the Sydney emergency plumber will advise so you can avoid the emergency callout fee.. knowing when to call an emergency plumber and when to call a routine plumber is very important.

If You Do Have A True Sydney Plumbing Emergency On Your Hands (One That Poses A Risk To You And Your Home) You Need A 24 Hour Sydney Plumber Who Is Available To Get To You Fast!

A licensed plumber will be able to gauge the severity of your emergency and diagnose the issue over the phone, giving you tips until they arrive. They’ll also be able to tell you if the issue can wait until normal business hours so you can avoid the emergency callout fee. By the end of this article you will learn:

1. What qualifies as a ‘plumbing emergency’.

2. How to choose the best emergency plumber, closest to you.

3. What you’re looking to pay for a plumbing emergency.

4. The difference between a “routine plumber” and an “emergency plumber”.

5. 5 key questions to ask any plumber in an emergency that could save you time and money.

6. The benefit of doing your research first when choosing an emergency plumber.

So, let’s get into it.

DEFINITION OF A PLUMBING EMERGENCY

• A burst water service or serious water service leak that cannot be isolated
• Broken or blocked toilet systems
• A gas leak
• A serious roof leak
• Serious storm, fire, or impact damage
• Burst water pipes
• Flooding
• Broken hot water heater
• An overflowing sewer line

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A PLUMBING EMERGENCY?

A True Sydney Plumbing Emergency Can Look Like This:

• Water needs to be restored to the property.
• Measures need to take place to prevent water damage to the property.
• A blocked drain needs to be cleared.
• A waste connection needs to be restored to protect public health.

It is an owner’s responsibility to call an emergency plumber if they feel they are affected by any of the above points. So, knowing when to call an emergency plumber and when to call a routine plumber is very important.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROUTINE PLUMBERS AND SYDNEY EMERGENCY PLUMBERS?

Routine plumbers are available during normal business hours- Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm. Emergency plumbers, on the other hand, are on call 24 hours a day and will come to your property at any time, including public holidays and weekends. Both kinds of plumbers are qualified & equipped to perform both type of plumbing work,

When Deciding What Kind Of Plumber To Call, There Are A Few Questions You Can Ask Yourself.

1. Can the plumber issue be isolated or stopped so its not in use by myself
2. Is the plumbing essential to the health and wellbeing of my family?
3. Is there raw sewage overflowing that could pose harm to the wellbeing of my family and others
4. Is there a risk of flooding or water damage to your property?
5. Can you smell gas?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should call an emergency plumber as soon as possible. Ignoring a plumbing emergency is not only bad for your plumbing system, but it can also risk the health of your family. In particular, overflowing sewage or gas leaks can be dangerous for your health. They can also cause lasting damage to your property which can be prevented if you call an emergency plumber.

WHEN DO I NEED TO CALL AN EMERGENCY PLUMBER?

Sometimes it’s difficult to decide what is a plumbing emergency and what can’t wait until the next day during normal business hours, Often things go wrong in the middle of the night and fast decisions need to be made about what to do and if you need to contact a sydney emergency plumber.

HOW MUCH DOES AN AFTER HOURS PLUMBER COST?

If your emergency plumbing issue happens during normal working hours and you can wait for the plumber to fit you into his schedule that day OR the following morning. You should be able to avoid any call out altogether but for those situations that just can’t wait and you need a plumber now you’re likely going to have to pay what’s know as an after hours call out fee plus materials and the time spent on the job.

We are proud to let anyone who asks to know that we charge anywhere between $250-350+ GST for after hours emergency call-outs and the price ranges depending on the time and day. Any plumber who doesn’t charge an emergency call out fee should be a major concern as they are immediately being devious and slugging you that fee somewhere else.

WHAT TO DO IN PLUMBING EMERGENCY

Being attentive to your plumbing emergency is important, it’s wise to be selective about your choice of Sydney emergency plumber. By following these tips, you can ensure that the plumber you select is a trusted professional and not only will you receive a great service they will only do what is required without taking you for a ride.

Who Answers The Phone?

If you call an emergency plumber and receive an answering machine, we suggest you hang up. A reliable professional emergency plumbing service should greet you with a real person immediately no matter what day or time it is. Having a real person answer shows that the plumbing company cares about customer service and that they want to help you as well as gain an understanding of the task at hand with compassion and genuine advice – eg ask questions about the job- has it happened before, anything we need to know about the household plumbing etc, this shows they generally care & have your best interest at heart.

Does The Company Have The Proper Credentials And Protection?

You would like to think every Sydney emergency plumber who advertises their services online and in copy is reputable and trustworthy. There are some devious individuals who take advantage of 24/7 plumbing services. Knowing that homeowners are likely to make rational decisions whilst dealing with a plumbing issue like a burst pipe or overflowing drain, some plumbing, companies that are unlicensed and uninsured will often advertise throughout the night, on the weekend and during holiday periods.

I know it’s probably the last thing you’re thinking about when making that call when dealing with a plumbing emergency although we suggest you ask the plumbing service if they are licensed and insured before you let them come into your home. Without a license, there’s no guarantee that the company has the adequate skills to handle your plumbing emergency. With no insurance, you could find yourself having a) no warranty b) potential risk to other problems and c) paying for something twice – after a licensed plumber has to return and fix what the cheaper unlicensed plumber couldn’t.

How Quickly Will The Plumber Arrive?

They should arrive as soon as possible, most reputable plumbing companies know their days never go to plan as plumbing is generally freak of the moment & no one can predict it, most companies will have a plumber on stand by so when the time comes they can be dispatched.

We have spoken about this in other blog posts, when looking for a Sydney emergency plumber on google we suggest:

1. Scroll past the ads they are generally the devious plumbers who promise cheap price yet your bill is through the roof on completion
2. Go directly to the map- Google knows all, and they are kind enough to share the real locations of its plumbers and the locations the business is actually based. Plumbers actually based geographically near you will always be at the top of the results for this section, and better yet you get to see how their star ratings, and the number of credible reviews they have.

This way you know they are local & can get to you in a timely manner rather than waiting for them to arrive a few hours later.

Are Follow-up Services Available?

Some 24/7 emergency plumbers only advertise to do the immediate fix. When looking a for an Sydney emergency plumber look for a plumbing company that is known & will likely call you up within the future to touch base about your plumbing, just like anything everything requires servicing- you don’t go to the dentist once you go every few months to have a general check up as preventive maintenance to maintain your teeth & health.

Recommendations Are Invaluable

Like most households, you generally will have an emergency contact list on your fridge or within your phone of trusted tradies to call in a jam. If you don’t it’s wise you ask a recommendation from a family member or friends if they could suggest someone who is suitable and reliable for the job. By having a recommendation it’s reassurance that the Sydney emergency plumber will do a good job, charge fairly, respect your home and carry out the plumbing job correctly.

THESE ARE SOME COMMON PLUMBING ISSUES THAT OCCUR AROUND THE HOME

Burst Pipes

Having a burst pipe can cause some serious damage to your walls, flooring, furniture etc. There are a few things that can cause a burst rupture, these are – low-quality, faulty plumbing fixtures, age, or an accidental impact. If you have discovered a burst pipe we suggest to immediately isolate the water off at the mains as soon as possible and call your local Sydney emergency plumber – Proximity Plumbing.

No Hot Water

Having hot water is a necessity for any family household. The lack of hot water could be due to many things – check the power supply to your hot water system, Is there electricity or gas available in the rest of the house? It is a good idea to check these before you call your Sydney emergency plumber.

Water Leaks

Having an unknown location of a water leak is always daunting. Sometimes hot water tanks leak rusty water from age, pipes can burst causing a surprise leak within a wall cavity or tap washers fail and you’re unable to turn the tap. A small leak can become dd up, we suggest if you have access to them and you know where they are isolate the mains tap as soon as you can and contact your emergency plumber to avoid excessive water bills and any unnecessary damage to your home.

Gas Leaks

Leaking gas can cause harm to your health and wellbeing if left untouched. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, if you are able to and you know where to do so- turn off your gas at mains as soon as you detect a gas smell, then open all the doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate and call your emergency plumber – Proximity Plumbing for a gas fitter. Gas is extremely flammable and can cause asphyxiation in confined spaces. We urge you to not use any electrical equipment, lights, matches, lighters, or any type of naked flame when there is a possible gas leak.

Backed Up Toilet

Many things can cause a blocked toilet, excessive toilet paper, the use of disposing sanitary items down the drain, foreign items like children’s toys or syringes or something causing bigger issues like cracked pipework or tree roots within the line can cause this. We suggest getting in touch with an emergency plumber if you are unable to clear the blockage yourself.

HOW TO SAVE ON EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS PLUMBING

When an emergency plumbing problem is at hand, you often are not within the best mind frame to contact the correct plumber for the job.

Rather than be rationally calling the 1st plumbing company you can find at 2 a.m when dealing with an emergency plumbing issue – , prepare in advance by finding 24/7 plumbers in your local area and keeping their contact details handy- on the fridge or saved as a contact within your phone, A simple precaution like this can save you 00’s of dollars later, when a plumbing emergency arises.

Another way to avoid emergency plumbing costs is to get those plumbing problems taken care of before an emergency arises with preventive maintenance- eg: if your drains are partially blocked and the old boiling water or plunger don’t work, get in touch with your local plumber – Proximity Plumbing.

WHAT TO DO IN A TRUE PLUMBING EMERGENCY TO MAKE SURE YOU FIND THE BEST PLUMBER FOR YOUR JOB

Firstly, we’re big believers in preventative plumbing, so making sure you stay on top of your schedule of general plumbing maintenance will lower your risk for emergency plumbing situations considerably!

When faced with a true plumbing emergency there are some tips to follow to ensure you find the best, licensed and local emergency plumber for your job (and not get ripped off by a sub-par operator).

Here They Are:

1. Take Note Of Who Answers Your Call.

If you call an emergency plumber and receive an answering machine, we suggest you hang up. A reliable professional emergency plumbing service should greet you with a real person, immediately (no matter what day or time it is). Having a real person answer your call shows the company truly cares about customer service and is dedicated to helping you, with compassion and genuine advice.

They *should* try to gain an understanding of the issue and situation you’re in. For example, asking questions about the plumbing emergency (has it happened before, anything they need to know about the household plumbing, the flow of water, how long it’s been happening, etc) this shows they genuinely care and have your best interests at heart.

2. Check Up On Their Credentials And Protection.

You would like to think every Sydney emergency plumber who advertises their services online is licensed, reputable and trustworthy. Unfortunately, not so. There are some devious individuals who take advantage of customers who need an emergency plumber asap and will make a fast choice in choosing a plumber just to deal with ASAP.

We suggest you ask the plumbing service if they are licensed and insured before you let them come into your home. Without a license, there’s no guarantee that the company has the adequate skills to handle your plumbing emergency. With no insurance, you could find yourself having:

A. No warranty

B. Potential risk to other problems and

C. Paying for something twice – after a licensed plumber has to return and fix what the cheaper unlicensed plumber couldn’t.

Protect yourself and your investment by making sure you hire the right, licensed plumber for the job. Follow This link to check your preferred contractor https://www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/publicregister/#/publicregister/search/Trades

Service NSW offers this link which will tell you about current, expired, and cancelled licences under the name, licence number or ABN/ACN being searched. It is important to check the tradesperson engaged has a current licence to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications for the work you want to be done.

Furthermore, the link will provide information on whether Fair Trading has issued public warnings about the licensee, has finalised any disciplinary action against the licensee and whether the licence has been suspended or cancelled. So, it’s always a good idea to quickly spend five minutes before approving a quote from a local plumber near you.

When you phone a plumber to book them in, ask about the license and the license of any of the team who may be assisting or coming into your property. You want to make sure everyone working on your home is licensed and qualified!

3. Ask Them How Quickly They Can Arrive To Fix Your Emergency.

They should arrive as soon as possible or be very clear on exactly how long you will have to wait. Plumbing is unpredictable when an emergency arises and most plumbers know their day will never go exactly to plan, so many plumbing companies will have one of their teams on standby for emergencies.

The amount of time you’re waiting will largely depend on your ability to choose a truly local plumber. A plumber who is near you and will be able to get to you asap.

When looking for a Sydney emergency plumber on Google we suggest skipping the ads altogether and going directly to the results matched to your search based geographically. For more information, read our article here about How to Hack The Search Engines.

4. Ask The Plumbing Company If Follow-Up Services Are Available?

Some 24/7 emergency plumbers only advertise to do the immediate fix. When looking for a Sydney emergency plumber look for a plumbing company that is well known, has a good online presence, good ratings and will likely call you up within the future to touch base about your plumbing needs. Like most things in life, plumbing requires general maintenance – you don’t go to the dentist once, you go every few months to have a general check up!

5. Ask Them To Explain The Process When They Arrive At Your Home.

If the job is for a specific emergency issue (for example, a burst flexi pipe) there may be a plumber on the crew who is best suited to that issue. Have the representative you’re speaking with explain why that person is best suited to your emergency and have them tell you a little bit about that person (i.e.. are they also licensed, are they also able to attend ASAP, will they honour the payment rates you’ve already discussed).

Here’s where you can start to see the differences between amateurs and professionals so it’s a key question to ask!

IF YOU WERE TO ASK US ABOUT OUR PROCESS AT PROXIMITY PLUMBING, WE’D SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS

We will assess your plumbing emergency over the phone, as you talk with a real person! We will give you tips on how to turn off the water/clean-up/contain the damage until we arrive.

Thanks to our service scheduling software, our plumbers know exactly where they’re going and will arrive at your home on time (in one of our snazzy Proximity Plumbing vans). They will be in uniform and introduce themselves to you; telling you who they are and where they’re from courteously.

Our plumbers will always remove work boots or cover them to protect your home’s floors. Our plumbers will assess the plumbing issue, provide you with information, and a breakdown of the cost involved before they get started. You’ll have the chance to ask any questions.

The work will be completed with minimal impact to your home and with as much care as possible. The workspace will be clean and neat when we leave, and you’ll even have a lovely home candle to say Thank You for choosing us and to help make the home smell lovely once we leave.

Now that’s a simple breakdown of our process and when you hire a professional plumber they should have a process very similar to ours. If they can’t articulate that over the phone maybe it’s best to keep searching until you find one who can (or call us).

Look For Real Recommendations.

You may have a go-to list of trades that have been recommended by a friend or family member. These lists are golden! By having a recommendation it’s reassurance that the Sydney emergency plumber will do a good job, charge fairly, respect your home, and carry out the plumbing job correctly.

If you don’t have an emergency plumber on your list, you can quickly look at the Google reviews of the plumber you’re thinking of hiring for your emergency job. Looking at what others in your community have posted about the company or person could save you a headache or three.

How To Save On Emergency After Hours Plumbing.

When You’re In The Midst Of A Plumbing Emergency you often don’t stop and take five minutes to think clearly about the best ways to find a quality emergency plumber.

Prepare in advance by doing your research – have your emergency plumber’s details handy so in a tight moment, you can grab them quickly! A simple precaution like this can save you dollars later when a plumbing emergency arises.

Another way to avoid emergency plumbing costs is to get those plumbing problems taken care of before an emergency arises with preventive maintenance, e.g.: if your drains are partially blocked and the old boiling water or plunger don’t work, get in touch with your local plumber – Proximity Plumbing – we’re here to help.