There's usually only one reason why you're looking for an emergency plumber—disaster has struck and you need it taken care of yesterday.
Take a deep breath (open a window first if this is a sewage-related disaster) and try not to panic. We know how aggravating and worrisome plumbing emergencies can be, and while there's no convenient time for them to happen, they really seem to come along at the worst possible moments.
Help is on the way! This handy guide will cover the first steps you should take, why you need an emergency plumber, and how to find the best one.
But, if you just want to skip straight to the part where you get a plumber at your door as soon as humanly possible, pick up the phone and call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Salem, OR at 503-343-4685, any time of the day or night, including holidays and weekends. (Spoiler alert: we're Salem's best choice for emergency plumbing professionals!)
We're very experienced with serving homes in Salem and nearby areas such as Keizer, Rickreall, Silverton, Stayton, Sublimity, Turner, and Dallas, and we're confident we can get your disaster under control quickly and efficiently with minimal hassle for you.
What Should I Do First in a Plumbing Emergency?
There's a few steps you can take right now to hopefully stop the damage from spreading any further than it already has. Let's get to it.
Turn off the water at the main valve—they usually turn clockwise to shut off. If it's a toilet-related emergency, just shut off the valve at the back or bottom of the toilet commode.
Shut down your hot water heater (after turning off the main valve) to avoid overheating. If you have a gas heater, you must shut off the gas first.
If there's a smaller leak that you can see and access, do your best to block it. Plumbers' tape is helpful, but even wrapping a towel around the leak or putting a bucket underneath is better than nothing.
What Can an Emergency Plumber Do For Me?
You may be wondering if it's worth it to hire an emergency plumber. After all, what can they really do in the dead of the night, or the middle of a holiday weekend? It turns out, there's actually a lot they can do to help.
While your plumber might not be able to complete the repair right away in severe plumbing emergencies, they can at least get your plumbing system to a condition where it can't cause any more damage and will remain stable until the repair is fully complete.
That might not sound like much, but letting water—or worse, raw sewage—run unchecked can cause catastrophic damage to your property, and that includes your personal items as well as the structure of the building. The longer the situation goes on without being halted by a professional, the more costly and time-consuming the damage will be to fix, and it can even be a danger to the health of your family.
For common plumbing emergencies, it is possible that they will be able to get the plumbing repairs resolved on the spot so you can breathe a sigh of relief. Your plumbing technician can save your time, your money, your valuable and sentimental belongings, and most importantly, your peace of mind.
Emergency plumbing services include fixing issues such as:
Burst pipes
Water leaks
Leaky toilets
Broken water heater
Overflowing toilets
No water pressure
Sewer backups
What Do I Look For When Hiring an Emergency Plumber?
Before you get on the phone and start calling companies, there's a few things you need to keep in mind. Even though you may be in a hurry to deal with an urgent plumbing disaster, make sure the following questions are answered to your satisfaction before you seal the deal.
Do They Charge Overtime Fees?
Emergencies almost always fall into the "overtime" category by their very nature, and we all know that overtime can add up quickly and cause a nasty shock when you get the bill. That's why it's best to use a service like Mr. Rooter that charges an upfront, flat rate cost with no overtime fees, so you know what to expect from the start and there's no unpleasant surprises.
Are They Licensed and Insured?
You'll want to make sure your plumbing technician is licensed so you know their experience comes with a high level of education and the knowledge to adhere to building codes and other legal restrictions. It's equally important to make sure they are fully insured with liability and workers' compensation so, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you won't be on the hook to cover costs. All Mr. Rooter plumbers are licensed and insured.
Are the Workmanship and Parts Guaranteed?
When you're inviting someone to tinker around with your biggest and most valuable possession—your home—you need to know that they'll do a good job, and if they don't, they'll fix it at no cost to you. Mr. Rooter stands behind our workmanship and parts with the Neighborly Done Right Promise: if it's not done right, we'll make it right.
Rely on Mr. Rooter for Emergency Plumbing Repairs!
There's nothing worse than a plumbing disaster—except for a plumbing disaster that happens outside business hours. It can be frustrating and scary when you don't know what to do and feel like there's no one available to help. Fortunately, our expert plumbing technicians can be at your door any time to tackle emergency repairs with quality workmanship and knowledgeable customer service.
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Salem, OR straight away at 503-343-4685 to make an appointment—we're here for you whenever you need us.