Plumbing Emergency? Let's Get It Under Control.
Burst pipe, major leak, sewer backup or overflowing fixture? Tell us what's happening and we'll help you determine the next step.
What's happening?
Pick the closest, add a number, and we will tell you whether it needs someone tonight.
What to do right now
Three things that limit damage in almost every plumbing emergency. None of them require tools or plumbing knowledge.
Stop and get out if any of these are true
You smell gas. Water is near an electrical panel, outlet or appliance. Sewage has backed up into living space. In those cases leave the area, do not touch switches, and call from outside.
- Shut off the water Start at the fixture. Most toilets and sinks have their own shutoff valve on the wall or under the basin, and it turns clockwise. If the leak is not at a fixture, or you cannot reach the valve, go to the main shutoff for the whole house.
- Move what water can ruin Lift boxes, rugs, electronics and anything on a basement floor. Water spreads further than it looks like it will, and most of the cost of a plumbing emergency is damage to belongings rather than the repair itself.
- Photograph everything before you clean up Take photos and a short video of the water, the source and anything damaged. If you end up filing an insurance claim, this is the evidence, and it cannot be recreated once the area is dry.
What we get called out for
Every one of these has a page explaining what causes it, what you can do before help arrives, and how to judge how urgent it really is.
Burst pipe repair
Split copper, failed galvanised joints and cold snap ruptures.
See the page
Frozen pipes
Safe thawing, and finding the split that shows up afterwards.
See the page
Water leak repair
Ceilings, walls, under floors and the leaks you cannot see.
See the page
Sewer backup
Sewage in tubs and floor drains, blocked and collapsed lines.
See the page
Main drain clog
When several fixtures back up at once rather than just one.
See the page
Water heater emergency
Leaking tanks, flooded garages and how to shut one off.
See the pageIs this actually an emergency?
If water is actively escaping and you cannot stop it, if sewage has entered living space, or if you have no water at all in freezing weather, that is an emergency and it should be dealt with tonight. Most other plumbing problems can safely wait until morning once the water to that fixture is off.
- Water you cannot shut off
- Sewage backing up into the house
- A burst or split pipe, even if it is currently frozen
- Water near electrical panels, outlets or appliances
- No water at all during freezing weather
- A gas smell anywhere near a water heater
- A single slow or clogged drain, with other drains working
- A toilet that runs constantly but is not overflowing
- A dripping tap or shower head
- Low water pressure at one fixture
- No hot water, in mild weather, with no leak
- A small drip you have contained in a bucket
Not every plumbing problem is an emergency
There is a reason so many plumbing adverts sound the same. Urgency sells. If every dripping tap is a crisis, every call turns into a call out, and every call out turns into a bigger invoice.
We think that is a bad trade. It gets you one job and costs you the customer. So this site is built the other way around. If the honest answer is that your problem can wait until morning, or that it is the city's responsibility rather than yours, or that it is something you can safely sort out in ten minutes without paying anyone, we would rather tell you that.
How an emergency call goes
Call
A person picks up and asks what you can see and hear. Not a form, and not a queue.
Explain the problem
We work out how urgent it is together, and you get the immediate steps to limit damage while you are still on the phone.
Diagnose
A plumber finds the actual cause on site rather than guessing at it from the symptom.
Approve the solution
You hear what the repair involves and what it costs, and nothing proceeds until you say so.
Repair
The work gets done, and you are told what caused it and how to keep it from happening again.
Why homeowners call us back
Stop the damage first
The first priority is protecting your home, not booking a job. Often the most useful thing we do in the first two minutes happens over the phone, before anyone gets in a truck.
Diagnose before we sell
An emergency is not a reason to push someone into work they do not need. We find out what is actually wrong, then recommend the repair that fits it. If the smaller repair is the right one, that is the one we recommend.
Clear pricing before work begins
You are already dealing with one unpleasant surprise. The invoice should not be the second one. You will understand and approve the price before any work starts.
Where we go
Ogden and the surrounding Weber and north Davis County communities. Each area page covers the plumbing problems that are actually common in that housing stock.
Questions people ask at 2am
How do I know if I should call tonight or wait until morning?
If water is escaping and you cannot stop it, if sewage has come into living space, or if you have no water at all in freezing weather, call tonight. If you have shut the water off to the affected fixture and nothing is getting worse, morning is usually fine.
Where is my main water shutoff?
In most Ogden homes it is where the supply line enters the house, commonly in the basement or crawlspace on the street facing wall, often near the water heater or meter. Turn it clockwise. If it is seized, do not force it, because an old gate valve can snap. Use the fixture valve instead and tell us when you call.
What should I do before the plumber arrives?
Shut off the water if you can do it safely, move belongings clear of the water, and photograph everything before you start cleaning up. If you smell gas or water has reached anything electrical, leave the area first and call from outside.
Can I still use the toilet if my sewer is backing up?
No. Every flush, shower and washing machine cycle adds to a blockage that already has nowhere to go, and it usually comes back up at the lowest fixture in the house. Stop using water entirely until the line is clear.
Do you charge more at night or at the weekend?
[PLACEHOLDER: PRICING POLICY] Needs the client to confirm the actual pricing structure, including any after hours difference and the diagnostic fee, before it is published.
Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing emergencies?
It depends on the cause. Sudden and accidental damage such as a pipe bursting is commonly covered, while gradual leaks and lack of maintenance commonly are not. Sewer backup is usually a separate add on rather than part of a standard policy. Photograph everything before you clean up, because that evidence cannot be recreated later.
Still not sure what you are looking at?
Describe what you can see and hear. We will tell you whether it needs someone tonight, and what to do in the meantime either way.
Emergency line: [PLACEHOLDER: PHONE]