Have you ever been on a plumber’s website and noticed that they offer traditional services like garbage disposal repairs and leak detection but then have a separate category for emergency services? You may be wondering why there’s a difference since the former may also need immediate care, and if there is a distinction, what is considered a plumbing emergency?
At Champion Plumbing, our almost ten-year-old plumbing company in Norman, OK, offers all of these services and more. Therefore, we understand and will break down the distinction below.
What Is the Difference Between Emergency Plumbing Services and Scheduled Ones in Norman?
Before delving into the criteria for plumbing emergencies, let’s take a look at what makes an emergency service different from a traditional one and why you need to know the difference.
As you may have guessed, scheduled plumbing services are ones that clients receive during regular company hours, typically five to six days a week, from morning to evening. During this time, you can reach out, and the qualified team either dispatches a professional plumber immediately or schedules you for their next available time slot later that afternoon or in the following days. This especially depends on the type of problem you may have and how long it can wait.
However, you don’t always notice symptoms between when the experts clock in and out. Issues arise in the middle of the night, on weekends, or over holidays. If you insist on immediate remediation, off-the-clock services are considered emergency ones. Unfortunately, because these times are inconvenient, these services cost more, so knowing when to call and when the issue can wait is crucial.
When Does Each Type of Plumbing Service Become Critical in Norman, OK?
Below, we’ll explain when minor inconveniences and abnormalities turn into signs of a plumbing emergency so you can determine the right time to make that call.
Water Leaks and the Stains That Follow
Norman houses the Storm Prediction Center, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and other weather agencies in Oklahoma’s National Weather Center, which is well known. It tells you when to batten down the hatches for heavy rain that would otherwise cause water damage if it entered your home. However, not all moisture issues originate from the outdoor elements since your pipes can leak.
Water supply lines and sewer lines run throughout your home, behind walls, within ceilings, under floorboards, and beneath concrete slabs. If you notice any signs that one or more have a crack leaking water, such as water stains, drips, or a musty smell, call for emergency plumbing services.
The water quickly absorbs into, warps, and decays your home’s wooden structure. It also causes dry rot, cracks in your home’s foundation, fungal growth that is toxic to Norman residents, and many other alarming concerns.
However, not all leaks are problematic since drips from faucets and showerheads and leaky fixture handles do not cause damages of this magnitude. So, although waiting too long to fix a drip can leave you paying higher water bills in the long run, you can wait until the next business day to reach out.
Sewer System Blockages
Another answer to “What is considered a plumbing emergency?” is sewer system blockages. At some point, you’ve probably flushed your toilet and noticed the water rising as the wastewater refuses to drain but fresh water continues to flow from the tank. While DIY plunging usually takes care of this, sometimes the buildup of non-flushable products like baby wipes and diapers creates a clog that needs extra TLC.
You can also try snaking and safe, eco-friendly drain cleaners. If this doesn’t help and the water is overflowing onto your floors, this is an emergency. The gray water is a health hazard to pets and humans, so your drains need immediate clearing with a long drain auger or hydro-jetting with pressurized water to push the products into the main for disposal. Your Norman home will also need sanitizing.
However, if your only issue is slow drainage, such as in your shower, bathtub, washing machine, or sink basin, meaning the water takes a while to disappear but eventually does, this is not an emergency. You can try similar at-home clearing techniques that you would use on your toilet, but if nothing works, schedule drain-clearing services during business hours.
Hot Water Tank Breakages
When identifying plumbing emergencies in Norman, you must separate convenience from necessity. For instance, your hot water tank warms water before it enters your fixtures or water appliances, but if it fails to do so, you’ll be left taking freezing showers and testing your teeth’s sensitivity while brushing or drinking water from the tap.
If it’s the summer and you can stand the cold or can heat the water some other way, like on a stovetop, opt for waiting. However, hypothermia occurs during the winter due to the cold water mixing with the chilly environment, which is especially true for children and the elderly. It may also be difficult to keep heating water if you have a lot of housemates.
So, what else is considered a plumbing emergency? No matter how mild or severe, gas leaks are always considered an emergency. A gas leak is not something most plumbers handle, but if you find a qualified team that underwent additional training to receive a gas certification and license, contact them.
A rotting egg or sulfur smell, alongside hissing sounds from escaping gas, are all signs of a natural gas leak. While these symptoms may sound like minor inconveniences, prolonged exposure can lead to dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, and even death. There’s always a risk of house explosions, too. Understanding urgent plumbing situations means calling for expert help and evacuating the premises if you suspect a gas leak.
The Champs of All Services!
Our husband-wife team offers the intimacy and personal touch of a small business while also providing expertise, equipment, and credentials that rival larger companies. So, whether you need scheduled gas or emergency plumbing services or simply want to know what is considered a plumbing emergency, call 405-725-1534 in Norman, OK!
