Water’s pouring our from under your sink? Or maybe the hot water’s gone cold,? Can smell Gas? Either way, you’re standing there wondering the same thing: is this actually an emergency, or can it wait?
It is a fair question. Nobody wants to pay after hours call out rates for something that could’ve waited until Monday. But nobody wants a small leak to turn into a flooded kitchen either. Here’s how to tell the difference, and who to call when it really is a plumbing/gasfitting emergency.
Not every plumbing problem is urgent. But some things genuinely can’t wait, because the longer you leave them, the worse (and more expensive) they get.
Burst pipes. This is the classic emergency, and for good reason. A burst pipe can dump hundreds of litres of water into your home in a short space of time, causing damage to floors, walls, and ceilings that costs far more to fix than the plumbing job itself. If you’ve got water spraying, pooling, or coming through a wall or ceiling, that’s an emergency. Shut off your water at the mains if you can, then call us straight away.
No hot water. This one surprises people. It doesn’t look dramatic like a burst pipe, but no hot water is classed as an emergency, especially if you’ve got young kids, elderly family members, or anyone with health needs in the house. Going without hot water isn’t just uncomfortable, it can affect hygiene and wellbeing. If your hot water’s gone and a quick check (like the power supply or pilot light) hasn’t fixed it, get a plumber out.
Gas leaks. Any smell of gas, hissing sounds near a gas appliance, or a gas appliance that’s not working properly needs urgent attention. Gas is not something to wait on or try to sort yourself. Get everyone out of the house, don’t use light switches or open flames, and call us immediately.
Blocked or overflowing toilets and drains. A blocked toilet that keeps overflowing, or sewage backing up into your home, is both an emergency and a health hazard. This needs sorting fast.
Flooding from any source. Whether it’s a burst pipe, an overflowing appliance, or a failed hot water cylinder, if water is actively flooding your home, that’s urgent.
Some things are annoying but not emergencies. A dripping tap, a slow-draining sink, or a toilet that runs a bit longer than it should are all worth getting looked at, but they’re not going to cause damage overnight. These are jobs you can book in during normal hours.
Our own normal hours of work at Matthews Plumbing & Gasfitting are 7:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 7:30am to 4:00pm on Fridays.
We get why people want to have a go first. But plumbing and gasfitting problems have a habit of getting worse, not better, when someone without the right tools or training gets stuck in. A poorly sealed pipe joint can turn a small drip into a much bigger leak. A DIY gas fix isn’t just risky, it’s illegal without the right licence. And time spent troubleshooting is often time water is still doing damage.
If you’re ever unsure whether something is serious, the safest move is to call and ask. It costs nothing to find out, and it could save you a much bigger repair bill down the track.
If you’re in West Auckland, the North Shore, or the CBD and you’ve got a burst pipe, no hot water, a gas smell, or any other plumbing issue that can’t wait, call Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting. We’re licensed plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers, and we’d rather you call us early than deal with the damage later.
Don’t wait until it’s worse. If in doubt, give us a call.
