You should call an emergency plumber when water is escaping and you cannot control it, when wastewater is backing up into the property, or when a plumbing fault is putting people, electrics or the building at risk. Problems that are inconvenient but contained, such as a slow drip into a bowl, can usually wait for a planned visit.
The difficulty is that plumbing problems rarely arrive with a label. Looking at what is happening, rather than guessing the cause, usually makes the decision clearer.
Signs a Plumbing Problem Needs Urgent Help
Some situations are worth treating as urgent straight away:
- Water that keeps escaping even after you have tried to turn off the stopcock, or a stopcock you cannot find or turn
- Water reaching sockets, light fittings or appliances
- Wastewater coming back up through a sink, bath, shower or toilet
- Water coming through a ceiling or spreading across a floor
- The only toilet in the property being unusable
These situations can cause damage quickly or create a safety risk, so it is better to act early than to wait and see whether they settle down.
A sudden loss of water can also feel urgent, although it may be caused by work on the public supply rather than your own plumbing. Asking a neighbour whether they are affected can help.
Problems That Can Usually Wait
A dripping tap, a toilet that keeps running but can be isolated, or a basin that drains slowly while everything else works normally are rarely emergencies. They are still worth having repaired, as small faults can get worse, but they do not usually need someone out of hours.
If a minor problem changes, for example a drip becomes a steady flow or a damp patch starts spreading, it is sensible to look at it again.
Why the Circumstances Matter
The same fault can be more urgent in one property than another. A leak above a kitchen ceiling, a home with young children or older relatives, a holiday let with guests arriving, or a flat where water may reach a neighbour can all change how quickly help is needed.
Symptoms also do not confirm the cause. A water stain does not prove a pipe is leaking, and weak flow does not automatically mean there is a problem with the mains. A plumber can assess what is actually happening once they are on site.
Before You Pick Up the Phone
If it is safe to do so, turn off the water at the stopcock and keep clear of any electrics near the water. Make a note of where the problem is and what you have seen, as this helps whoever you call understand the situation. Our page on getting an emergency plumber in Poole explains the kinds of urgent problems we deal with.
If you are unsure whether a plumbing problem in your home needs urgent attention, a plumber can talk through what you are seeing and explain the sensible next step.