If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency, whether it’s a burst pipe or a leaking faucet, the first thing you’ll want to do is turn off your water. You can either use the specific valve for that room, if you have access to it, or you can switch off the mains water for your whole property. 

Once you’ve done that, then it’s time to call an emergency plumber. 

Differences between a regular and an emergency 24/7 plumber

In general, the difference is in the name. Regular plumbers keep office hours that follow along with the normal work day. Their hours may cover an hour earlier or later in the workday but not usually too far into the night or over the weekend. 

A 24/7 emergency plumber is available at all hours and they can help with any unexpected issues that crop up outside of normal work hours. Their convenience comes with an extra cost though, which is why it’s best to use one only when you  have an emergency. 

Identifying your plumbing problem

Due to the extra cost, it’s good to know when you should call an emergency plumber and when you should wait for a regular plumber. 

Problems that require an emergency plumber

The list of issues that absolutely will need an emergency plumber is relatively short and can include. 

• Flooding in your home 
• Sewerage backup 
• A burst pipe 
• A gas leak 

If you are experiencing any of these, it’s best to call an emergency plumber as soon as possible. Burst pipes or a sewerage backup could wind up flooding your home, causing structural damage and creating a safety risk. Gas leaks are similarly dangerous and will require a plumber with a gasfitting licence. 

Problems that don’t require an emergency plumber

Some smaller plumbing problems may be identifiable before you need to shut off the water. These will generally not be emergencies and it will often be better to wait for a normal plumber. If in doubt, shut off the water to the problem area so that you don’t have to worry about it getting worse. 

With the water off, it can be easier to get in and locate the problem. Some issues that can wait for a plumber during normal hours include

• A blocked or clogged drain 
• Dripping faucets 
• Leaking pipes 
• Blocked toilet 

Costs for emergency plumbers vs regular plumbers

Emergency plumbers will always cost more than regular plumbers. If you’ve hired a plumber during business hours, you may be surprised by the price difference when hiring an emergency plumber. This is why it's best to use one only if it's truly an emergency. 

When you ask for a quote from an emergency plumber, you’ll usually receive a fixed quote based on the complexity of the job and the tools needed. 

Some costs you can expect to pay for an emergency plumber, as opposed to a regular plumber, include:

Burst pipe

• Regular plumber - $200 - $1,000
• Emergency plumber - $400 - $2,000

Dripping or broken faucet

• Regular plumber - $120 - $220
• Emergency plumber - $240 - 440

Leaking pipe

• Regular plumber - $140 - 220
• Emergency plumber - $280 - 440

Drain unblock

• Regular plumber - $120 - 220 
• Emergency plumber - $240 - 400

Toilet unblock

• Regular plumber - $80 - 160
• Emergency plumber - $190 - 320

In general, expect an emergency plumber to cost double what a regular plumbing service charges during business hours. 

How to find an emergency plumbing service

In an emergency, the last thing you want to do is draw out the process and waste time. But it’s important to hire the right plumber for the job. When you’re on the phone with an emergency plumbing service, some good questions to ask before hiring a plumber are:

• How long will it take for them to arrive
• Are they licensed and insured?
• The costs 
• What the typical solution is, this can give you an idea of what tools they will use which may increase the price

If your problem is a gas leak or anything to do with gas, make sure to ask that your plumber has a gas fitting license before going with their service. 

Normally, we would always recommend getting at least three quotes before you choose a service. But emergencies with your plumbing may require quick decisions. 

If shutting off the water stopped the issue then it’s worth taking some time to choose the right service so that you don’t wind up paying more than you needed to. 

Tips for reducing costs on emergency plumbing 

Some emergencies are unpredictable but others can be solved before they become urgent with the right maintenance. It’s always a good idea to frequently check your plumbing for any possible issues.

Check your regularly used faucets and fixtures for signs that need to be fixed or replaced.  

Sometimes an emergency plumber may be able to apply a patch rather than fixing the problem completely. This can hold off the problem so that you can get a plumber to fix it during regular hours and may cost you money if you don’t follow up with the regular plumber. It's important to know that these patches are temporary and should not be left long.