What Qualifies as a Plumbing Emergency and What Do You Do?

One of the most serious plumbing emergencies is a gas leak, which can pose significant safety risks, including fire hazards and health issues.

• Why It’s an Emergency:

  • Natural gas leaks can lead to explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • The smell of gas (often described as a “rotten egg” odor) is a clear warning sign.

• What to Do:

  • Evacuate the house immediately if you smell gas.

  • Call a professional plumber or your local gas utility company (e.g., ATCO) to inspect and repair the leak.

  • Avoid using electrical devices, open flames, or anything that could ignite the gas.

At Wiehler Mechanical, we offer emergency plumbing services to diagnose and repair gas leaks quickly and safely.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if undetected. A carbon monoxide alarm is your first line of defense.

• Why It’s an Emergency:

  • CO poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death in severe cases.

  • A cracked heat exchanger in your furnace is a common source of CO leaks.

• What to Do:

  • If your CO alarm goes off, evacuate the house immediately.

  • Call a professional plumber or HVAC technician to inspect your equipment and address the issue.

  • Ensure you have functioning CO detectors on every floor of your home, especially near bedrooms.

Regular maintenance of your furnace and other gas appliances can reduce the risk of CO leaks.

While gas leaks and CO alarms are critical, other plumbing emergencies include:

• Sewer Backups:

  • Wastewater backing up into your home is a health hazard and requires immediate attention.

  • Install water sensors in your basement to detect backups early.

• Catastrophic Water Leaks:

  • Burst pipes or major appliance failures can cause significant water damage.

  • Locate your water main shut-off valve and turn off the water supply immediately.

Not every plumbing issue requires immediate attention. For example:

• No Hot Water: While inconvenient, it’s not an emergency and can often wait a day or two for repair.

• Small Leaks: A drip from a faucet or relief valve is a problem but not an emergency.

Understanding the difference between an emergency and a non-urgent issue can help you prioritize and avoid unnecessary costs.

Being proactive can help you avoid many emergencies. Here are some tips:

• Install CO Detectors: Place carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home, especially near bedrooms.

• Regular Maintenance: Schedule annual inspections for your furnace, water heater, and gas appliances to prevent issues like cracked heat exchangers.

• Know Your Systems: Familiarize yourself with the location of your water main shut-off valve and gas shut-off valve.

At Wiehler Mechanical, we offer maintenance plans to keep your plumbing and HVAC systems in top condition and reduce the risk of emergencies.