Plumbing Emergency! 5 Signs You Need to Call a Plumber ASAP

Plumbing Emergency! 5 Signs You Need to Call a Plumber ASAP

Every homeowner deals with plumbing issues. The best practice is to address minor plumbing problems before they turn into major ones.

At the high end, major plumbing jobs cost upwards of $800. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however, as water damage can result in expensive home repairs. While certain plumbing issues cannot be detected, many problems have clear signs and symptoms.

Find out when to call a plumber by exploring five obvious signs that you need professional help as soon as possible.

5 Signs You Need to Call a Plumber ASAP

1. Backflow

Backflow is a plumbing issue that requires immediate attention. This occurs when there is a change in flow direction and water moves back towards the drain. If you ignore this issue, it could result in an overflowing sink.

A backflow issue has the potential to create significant water damage to carpets and flooring. Even worse, the problem could stem from a sewer, in which the water smells bad.

2. Weak Water Pressure

The next sign of a plumbing issue is decreasing water pressure. The easiest place to recognize diminished water pressure in the shower.

Often, the solution lies in removing gunk and debris from the faucet’s aerator. However, many DIY plumbers end up damaging the pipes during the repair. This is a job to leave to a professional plumber.

3. Clogged Drain

Most homeowners have experienced a clogged drain. First, the issue presents itself as delayed draining.

Root causes vary depending on the drain but usually involve hairballs and insoluble foods. Homeowners then turn to a commercial drain cleaning solution to solve the problem.

However, results are often temporary and inadequate. A professional plumber will safely dive into the issue and eliminate the root cause of the clogged drain.

when-to-call-a-plumber

A woman calling a plumber while catching water leaking from the ceiling.

4. Running Water

When the house is quiet, do you ever hear the sound of running water? If so, it is time to call a plumber and make an appointment.

For starters, running water may signal that there is a leak in the pipes. Any leak has the potential to cause catastrophic water damage if left unresolved.

It could also be a worn out flapper in the toilet, among many other possibilities. At a minimum, it is wise to address running water quickly so that you can save hundreds on the water bill.

5. Gurgling

This is a noise commonly heard from the sink, toilet, or even dishwasher. A lack of sufficient air causes the gurgling.

In most cases, the root cause is a pipe blockage or compromised drain. For this symptom, it is imperative to turn off the water supply and contact a professional immediately. This is a serious symptom and can lead to water backing up into the house.

Do You Need to Call a Plumber?

Plumbing issues start with seemingly insignificant signs and symptoms. However, signs such as gurgling or backflow have the potential to cause catastrophic water damage.

Instead of risking costly repairs, your best bet is hiring a professional. If you need to call a plumber, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Comments (26)

  1. Jhia Dennette De los Santos
    May 30, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    I definitely agree. You really need to call an expert in plumbing services especially in case of emergency situations such as what it mentions above and when the problem is beyond your limits or you’ll just put yourself into more trouble ahead. Furthermore, you need to immediately call a plumber when leaks, clogs, pipes, or main backups are the problem. Always seek an expert so that the problem does not get worse.

    • admin
      Jul 29, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks for your input, Jhia! With plumbing issues, I agree it’s best to let the pros handle it.

  2. Wade Joel
    Sep 26, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    Our water pressure recently went down and one of our roommates suggested to clean it ourselves. I’m glad I read that this can seriously damage our pipes. Fun fact, I visited my mom’s last week and I noticed a weird sound coming out of the bathroom sink, so now that I know that this may be a pipe blockage I’ll make sure that she calls a plumber as well. Thank you!

    • admin
      Oct 23, 2019 at 6:04 pm

      Hi Wade, glad to hear you were able to act quickly after reading our article. We appreciate your feedback!

  3. Lloyd Bronson
    Nov 18, 2019 at 11:32 am

    I’m thankful that your article brings to light that if one hears running water when none is being used, it is immensely important to contact a plumber, as this can denote the presence of leaks. I’ll be sure to get into contact with a plumbing service provider after doing some research. It has come to my attention that the water seems to run for some time after it is turned off, and I do not want to waste water.

    • admin
      Nov 21, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      We are glad the article was helpful. Thanks for your comment, Lloyd!

  4. Lyla Peterson
    Jan 10, 2020 at 10:47 am

    I didn’t realize that gurgling noises are caused by a lack of sufficient air. The sink in my master bathroom has been making strange gurgling sounds this week and drains more slowly than usual. It may be a good idea for me to have it looked at by a professional plumber.

    • admin
      Jan 14, 2020 at 3:44 pm

      Strange gurgling noises are never good! A professional plumber in your area should be able to identify the source of the issue. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Lyla. Good luck!

  5. Victoria Addington
    Mar 05, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    Like what you said, clogged drains have been the issue of most homeowners and I guess I’m one of them. I think this happened because I sometimes throw small food particles in the sink. With that, I shall then call a plumbing repair service to fix it for me.

    • admin
      Mar 23, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Victoria! Yes, even small food particles can build up over time. Always take precautions when rinsing your dishes in the sink so that you prevent unnecessary buildup.

  6. Liz Hudson
    Mar 19, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Thanks for pointing out that commercial drain cleaners typically only produce temporary results or are ineffective. My master bathroom shower has been draining so slowly this week that I end up standing in several inches of water by the time I’m done cleaning myself. I will contact a local plumber so that I can get this effectively taken care of.

    • admin
      Jun 04, 2020 at 9:26 am

      We are glad you found the article helpful. Thanks for your comment, Liz!

  7. Zachary Tomlinson
    Mar 31, 2020 at 8:20 am

    Thanks for helping me learn when a plumber’s help is needed! I plan to move to my uncle’s old home next week and I wanted to learn more about what needs repairing in a home as a first-time homeowner. The idea of hearing a gurgling sound despite that’s coming from the sink or a toilet is indeed very concerning. I should save this article and get back to it if ever I need plumbing help.

    • admin
      Jun 04, 2020 at 9:46 am

      Thanks for reading, Zachary. We are glad you found the article helpful. Bookmarking it for future reference is a great idea! 🙂

  8. Taylor Hansen
    Apr 06, 2020 at 10:48 am

    Thanks for mentioning calling a plumber when there are big clogs in a drain that causes delayed draining. Last night I noticed that my kitchen sink was having a hard time draining the water when I was washing out some pans. Since I don’t want to ruin the pipes more, I’ll have to call a plumber who can come and fix the pipes to our kitchen sink tomorrow.

    • admin
      Jun 04, 2020 at 9:49 am

      Thanks for reading, Taylor. It’s a good idea to get professional help instead of trying commercial drain cleaners.

  9. Levi Armstrong
    Apr 23, 2020 at 1:27 pm

    I noticed that the toilet in my bathroom often makes a gurgling sound whenever I flush it, and it has been bothering me for some time now. I’m glad that you mentioned that gurgling sounds may be a sign that you have a compromised drain or pipe blockage in your home. I’ll make sure to contact a plumbing contractor soon to check the plumbing in my apartment. Thanks for this!

  10. Hazel Owens
    Jun 19, 2020 at 4:37 am

    It’s interesting that decreasing water pressure in the shower is a sign of a plumbing issue. My husband and I have been noticing the water pressure in our bathroom has been very weak the last few days and today, I hear gurgling coming from our sink. I must hire an emergency professional plumber soon to check my pipes and drains to avoid catastrophic water damage.

  11. joe
    Sep 01, 2020 at 7:55 pm

    Thanks for sharing such a great article related to professional plumbers. keep posting. please visit our website.

  12. ZipDrains
    Sep 18, 2020 at 3:42 am

    Thank you for helping us by providing the information that you had.
    Your efforts saved us time and helped us learn more. We appreciate the detail you give to us.

  13. Ellie Davis
    Dec 10, 2020 at 3:30 pm

    I was not aware that clogged drains will be a sign that you need to call a plumber to inspect your home. We have been struggling with our kitchen sink lately, and we are looking for advice about what to do. I’m gonna start looking for a plumber to inspect our house.

  14. Olivia Smart
    Apr 18, 2022 at 11:16 am

    Thank you for explaining that a professional plumber can get to the root of the problem for clogged drains. We’ve noticed that our kitchen sink drain is clogged and nothing that we do has helped. I’ll be sure to call our plumber today so that he can help us with getting this solved quickly.

  15. Shammy Peterson
    Jun 18, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Thanks for pointing out the need to call a plumber immediately when you are experiencing a clogged drain because repairing the issue on your own could damage the pipes. With this in mind, I will be sure to hire an emergency plumber that is near our place. Since this morning, our kitchen sink has been clogged, and the smell of the stagnant water has been making us feel sick. https://www.hillplumbingandair.com/

  16. Eli Richardson
    May 18, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    It’s helpful to know that gurgling sounds coming from our sink or toilet should be addressed by a professional immediately. A few hours ago, my sister called and said that she heard a weird sound coming from her kitchen sink, so I’ll call her right now before it’s too late. Thanks for the information on preventing water from backing up into our house. https://1stclassplumber.com/services/plumbing-services-md/

  17. Victoria Addington
    Jun 29, 2023 at 4:03 pm

    I appreciate that you pointed out that running water is a symptom of a pipe leak. Any leak, as you indicated, has the potential to result in severe water damage if left unattended. To prevent additional damage, it would make sense to contact a specialist right away. To let them know to call an emergency plumber for such situations, I’ll be sure to share this information with my family and friends. I appreciate you sharing!

    https://www.100percentplumber.com/peoria

  18. Victoria Addington
    Jan 17, 2024 at 1:54 pm

    I appreciate you bringing up the fact that it is best to contact a professional to clear a clogged drain. They can securely investigate the problem and get rid of the clogged drain’s underlying cause, as you mentioned. I will be sure to share this with my friends and family so they can keep it in mind, since it can guarantee a total resolution of the situation. In addition, I’ll look into licensed plumbers who can assist us in the event of need. Thanks for sharing!

    https://www.bjcrowleyplumbing.com.au/our-plumbing-services

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