Not every plumbing problem is an emergency, but some absolutely are, and waiting even a few hours can turn a manageable repair into thousands of dollars in water damage. Here are seven situations where Durham Region homeowners should pick up the phone immediately.
1. Water is actively spraying or flooding
A burst pipe, a failed water heater or a supply line that has let go can put hundreds of litres of water into your home in minutes. Shut off your main water valve right away. It is usually in the basement where the supply line enters the house. Then call. While you wait, move valuables off the floor and use towels to slow the spread.
2. Sewage is backing up into your home
If wastewater is coming up through basement drains, a tub or a toilet, the main drain or sewer lateral is blocked or has failed. This is a health hazard. Stop using water in the home, keep children and pets away from the affected area, and call right away. The longer it sits, the worse the cleanup. Our drain cleaning and rooter service clears the blockage and a camera inspection shows whether the line itself needs repair.
3. Your sump pump has failed during a storm
If the pump stops while it is raining hard, a basement can flood within hours. This matters most in homes with high groundwater, where sump pumps run often. If you have a battery backup, listen for it cycling. If you do not, call now and read our guide on when to replace a sump pump once the storm passes.
4. You smell gas near a water heater or plumbing connection
Leave the house immediately, do not operate light switches or appliances, and call your gas utility's emergency line first. Once the supply is secured, call a plumber to inspect and repair the connection.
5. A pipe has frozen and you cannot thaw it safely
A frozen pipe that has not burst yet is still an emergency in waiting. Never use an open flame on it. A licensed plumber can thaw the line safely and check for hidden splits. If it has already burst, shut off the water and call. Our frozen pipe guide covers prevention.
6. Your only toilet is completely blocked
In a single-bathroom home, a toilet that a plunger cannot clear needs same-day service. Our trucks carry augers and replacement parts so most blockages are resolved on the first visit.
7. There is water near your electrical panel
Water and electricity together can be lethal. Do not touch the water or anything plugged in nearby. If it is safe to reach the panel from a dry position, shut off the power. Otherwise leave it alone and call both a plumber and an electrician.
What is not an emergency
A slow drain, a dripping tap, a toilet that runs or a water heater that is making noise but still working can usually wait for a scheduled visit during office hours, which also keeps the cost predictable. If you are not sure, call anyway. The operator will help you decide.
How Hayes Plumbing handles emergencies
A live operator answers (905) 576-3043 around the clock because customers facing an emergency do not want to leave a message. We dispatch from 448 Ritson Rd. South in Oshawa to homes and businesses across Durham Region, from Pickering to Newcastle and north to Port Perry and Uxbridge. See our emergency plumbing service page for what to expect on the call.