A pipe bursts in a basement wall, a toilet floods the bathroom floor or sewage starts rising through a floor drain, and suddenly the only thing that matters is how fast you can reach a professional. If you are searching for an emergency plumber in Salt Lake City, you probably also want to know what you can do in the meantime, because the first few minutes often decide how much damage the water does.
This guide covers the steps that limit damage before help arrives, what counts as a genuine plumbing emergency and what information to give when you call Towers Plumbing.
What counts as a plumbing emergency
Not every plumbing problem needs a middle-of-the-night call. A dripping faucet or a slow drain can wait for a scheduled visit. An emergency is a situation where water or sewage is actively causing damage, or where the loss of a plumbing service creates a safety or health problem.
- A burst, split or disconnected pipe releasing water
- A sewage backup into tubs, showers or floor drains
- A fixture that keeps overflowing after you close its shutoff valve
- A water heater leaking heavily from the tank
- A frozen pipe that has split, or one that is frozen and at risk of splitting
- No water at all to the home, when the neighbors have water
When you are not sure, call and describe what you see. The person on the phone can tell you whether it can wait.
The first five minutes
Speed matters, but so does order. Work through these steps.
- Shut off the water. Find the main shutoff valve, usually where the supply line enters the house, in a basement, a utility room or a garage. Turn it fully closed. If the leak is at a single fixture, use the smaller valve beneath or behind it.
- Protect the electrical system. If water is near outlets, appliances or the breaker panel, stay out of the area. Turn off power only if you can reach the breaker without standing in water.
- Drain the line. Once the main is closed, open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to relieve water that remains in the pipes.
- Stop using drains if sewage is involved. Do not flush, run the dishwasher or use the washing machine. Every gallon you send down adds to the backup.
- Move valuables and take photos. Lift belongings out of the wet area and take pictures for your records before you clean up.
Ready to talk to someone? Call Towers Plumbing at (801) 266-3529 and describe what is happening. The site lists 24/7 emergency service. Towers Plumbing is a licensed and insured, family owned company, and its team is glad to answer questions before you schedule.
What to tell the dispatcher
A short, specific description gets the right help to your door. Be ready to say where the water is coming from, whether the shutoff stopped it, whether the water is clean or contaminated, and whether the home is a house, a rental or a business. Mention anything that could affect access, such as a locked gate or a pet.
If you rent, tell the owner or property manager as soon as you can. They will need to know when the problem began, and your photos help.
Emergency plumber in Salt Lake City: why winter is different
Cold weather brings its own emergencies. Pipes in unheated spaces such as crawlspaces, exterior walls, garages and outdoor hose bibs can freeze when temperatures drop. Water expands as it turns to ice, and the pressure can split a pipe or burst a fitting. The damage often appears only after the ice thaws, when water starts flowing through the crack.
If you suspect a frozen pipe, close the main shutoff before it thaws, open the faucet it serves and warm the pipe gently with moving air. Never use an open flame. If you see a split or the pipe is not accessible, call a plumber. Ready.gov has useful guidance on preparing for winter weather at home.
When the emergency is underground
Some of the most disruptive problems are out of sight. A main water line that has failed may show up as a sudden loss of pressure, a wet spot in the yard or a surge on the water meter. A collapsed or blocked sewer line shows up as backups in the lowest drains. Towers Plumbing offers main water line repair and sewer line repair, and a camera inspection can show what is happening underground before anyone starts digging.
After the emergency is under control
Once the plumber has stopped the problem and made the repair, ask what caused it, whether other parts of the system are at risk and what to watch for. Then deal with moisture. Wet drywall, insulation and carpet should be dried quickly, because lingering dampness invites mold. If water has reached a large area or sewage was involved, a professional restoration company may be the safer choice.
Call Towers Plumbing for emergency help in Salt Lake City
When water is moving where it should not be, do not wait for it to become a bigger problem. Call Towers Plumbing at (801) 266-3529, and keep the main shutoff location in mind. You can also read about local service on the Salt Lake City page.