What’s the Difference Between Emergency and Normal Pipe Repairs?
While normal pipe repairs for smaller plumbing issues are not time-sensitive, plumbing emergencies are urgent, potentially unsanitary issues that require quick attention. For example, if after a night of winter freezing temperatures you suddenly realize you have no water pressure in your home, the cold may have burst a water pipe outside your house, which is an emergency plumbing repair. Alternatively, if wastewater suddenly backs up into your sink, shower, or bathtub, it can be a sign of a sewer line backup that needs to be addressed immediately.
Table of Contents
Why Might a Plumber Use a Temporary Fix Before a Full Repair?
When dealing with a plumbing emergency, especially one that occurs during off-hours, your plumber may suggest a temporary fix to help contain the situation until they can return with a complete solution.
What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?
Plumbing emergencies can occur at any time, day or night. A plumbing issue is considered an emergency if there’s a significant potential for damage due to gushing water, and potential health risks are involved, such as sewage backup or no access to running water.
Examples of situations that may need emergency plumbing repairs include:
- Burst pipes inside or outside of your home
- Extreme clogs that can’t be fixed with a plunger
- Gas leak in the home, which can pose a significant safety and health hazard
- Major water leak that can cause damage to your house or apartment
- No water pressure or running water
- Overflowing toilet
- Sewer backups push wastewater up your drains and into the sink or shower.
- Water heater failure
- Water stains on the ceiling
If not taken care of right away, urgent plumbing issues can put you and your home at risk for several safety and health issues, such as:
- Contaminated sewer water can lead to infections, respiratory issues, skin irritations, and digestive problems if it’s accidentally consumed.
- Electrical problems can occur in conjunction with water leaks, including power loss and electrical shocks.
- Gas leaks are not only a safety issue, but can negatively affect your health, causing breathing problems, headaches, and heart issues.
- Lack of access to clean, running water is considered a significant health concern.
- Persistent water leaks can lead to structural damage to your home.
- Slips and falls are more common when water leaks or overflowing toilets cause wet floors.
- Water leaks and burst pipes can cause mold and mildew to grow, which are toxic to your health, especially for those with allergies, asthma, breathing issues, or weakened immune systems.
The following are considered non-emergencies and would require normal plumbing repairs:
- Clogged toilet
- Dripping faucet
- Minor cracks in pipes or fixtures
- Slow drains
- Very small leaks
How Are Emergency Pipe Repairs Made?
Depending on the time of day your emergency plumbing repair situation occurs and what it entails, your plumber may first provide a temporary fix to the issue, which then buys more time for implementing a permanent solution.
Some ways in which a plumber may provide a temporary repair include:
- Epoxy putty is used to patch small leaks.
- Self-adhesive pipe wraps that can temporarily fix small pipe cracks.
- Silicone tape or wraps for an interim leak fix.
- Pipe repair clamps with a rubber gasket that temporarily stops leaks.
- Plumbers sometimes use pipe repair kits for a short-term fix, which typically includes epoxy putty, wrap, and resin.
If your plumbing contractor provides a temporary fix for your plumbing emergency, they will work with you to schedule a day and time for a permanent repair as soon as possible.
Some methods plumbers use for permanent plumbing repairs include:
- Epoxy resin techniques
- Fiberglass resin tape
- Pipe relining
- Pipe replacement
- Sectional pipe replacement
- Welded or soldered repairs
It’s essential to note that not all pipe repairs require a plumber to dig on your property to gain access to the pipes. There are several techniques plumbers can use for what’s called trenchless pipe repair, such as:
- Cured-in-place pipe: A liner is placed within an old pipe and inflated to fill all the space, essentially creating a new pipe.
- Pipe bursting: A New pipe is placed inside the old pipe, and it “bursts” the old one apart.
- Pipe coating: Epoxy resin is applied to the inside of a pipe to seal any cracks and prevent leaks.
- Slip lining: Narrower new pipe placed inside an old pipe, and the space between them is sealed.
Are DIY Pipe Repairs Safe to Use Until a Pro Arrives?
When faced with needing plumbing services, you may be tempted to try to fix it yourself. DIY techniques can provide a stopgap until your professional plumber arrives. However, they should be used with caution as DIY repairs can sometimes make things worse.
Some of the potential risks associated with DIY plumbing repairs include:
- Code violations that could cause issues if you ever want to sell your home.
- Costs associated with DIY repairs — including both time and money — can end up being way more than you anticipated.
- Gas line repairs should only be touched by a professional plumber.
- Incorrect fixes can end up causing more damage to your pipes and increase your water bill.
- Increased water damage, which can lead to mold, mildew, and structural issues.
- Misdiagnosis of the real plumbing problem.
- Potential injury, such as shocks or burns, from hot water or electricity.
- Worsened damage that now requires more extreme and costly repairs.
That being said, there are some things you should do immediately if you encounter an emergency plumbing situation, such as:
- If you leak, try to contain it using a bucket or towels.
- Open windows and doors, if needed, to help dry out water-sogged areas.
- Remove any standing water using a wet/dry vacuum or mop.
- Protect furniture and rugs as much as possible by moving or covering them.
- Shut off the main water supply to your home.
- Shutdown your home’s electricity if water damage is near appliances or outlets.
- Take a few photos and notes of the damage you see, which can be helpful for the plumber as soon as they arrive.
- Turn off your water heater.
How Do You Know Which Type of Repair Your Plumbing Problem Needs?
The best way to determine whether or not your plumbing issue is urgent or can wait for a standard appointment is to take an assessment of the problem by asking yourself:
Are there signs of water damage or stains on the ceiling? Then it’s an emergency.
- Do I have absolutely no running water? It’s an urgent issue.
- Do I not have any hot water? Another emergency problem.
- Do I suspect I may have a gas leak? Without a doubt, an emergency.
- Is my toilet overflowing, or can I fix the clog with a plunger? An overflowing toilet is an emergency if you can’t fix it with a plunger.
- Is the pipe leaking due to a small crack or has it completely burst? Burst pipes are most certainly an emergency.
- Is water slowing when coming down the drain, or instead is it coming back up into the sink, shower, or bathtub? If wastewater is coming back up a drain, you need emergency plumbing repair.
When Should You Call a Licensed Plumber Instead of Attempting a Temporary Fix?
You should always call a licensed plumber for any plumbing issues that can’t be easily fixed with a plunger or a bit of chemical drain cleaner.
Temporary fixes are precisely that—they don’t last forever. Any DIY short-term fixes you might use will not solve the problem permanently, and may even exacerbate the issue by masking the underlying problem. This can result in more costly repairs than if you had called a plumber initially.
To help prevent emergency pipe issues, be proactive by scheduling regular preventative drain cleaning services at least once a year. These services enable a professional plumber to thoroughly inspect your plumbing, helping to identify potential issues that may arise in the future.
Start Receiving Quotes on Emergency Plumbing Repair
Whether you need emergency plumbing repair or professional drain cleaning services, American Home Quotes is here to help. Easily find the best plumbers in your local area through our quote platform. All companies included in our database are fully vetted and licensed, making it quick and easy to find a plumber.
If you need any type of home repair and improvement services, including plumbing, roofing, HVAC, mold restoration, and more, call American Home Quotes at 1-877-792-5461 today.