How to choose an emergency plumber near me?

Aug 08, 2023

How to find a trusted emergency plumber in your area

Emergencies can strike unexpectedly, and when it comes to plumbing issues, they often demand swift and efficient solutions. Whether it's a burst pipe flooding your home or a clogged toilet causing chaos, having access to a reliable emergency plumber can be a lifesaver. However, selecting the right plumber during a crisis requires careful consideration. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to choose the best emergency plumber near you, ensuring your plumbing problems are resolved promptly and professionally.


What is considered a plumbing emergency?


What constitutes a plumbing emergency may differ from person to person, but is generally categorised as a sudden and severe plumbing issue that requires immediate attention and intervention to prevent significant damage, safety hazards, or inconvenience.


These emergencies can occur at any time, often catching home or business owners off guard. Recognising and responding promptly to plumbing emergencies is crucial to minimise damage and ensure the safety and comfort of your home.


Remember that if you're ever unsure whether a situation qualifies as a plumbing emergency, it's always better to err on the side of caution and call for advice or seek professional assistance from Assett Plumbing. Timely intervention by a qualified emergency plumber can prevent further damage, reduce costs, and ensure the safety and functionality of your plumbing system and your home.


Here are some common examples of plumbing emergencies that we deal with on a daily basis:


Burst Pipes

A burst pipe can release a large volume of water into your home, leading to flooding, water damage, and potential mould growth. This is one of the most urgent plumbing emergencies that require immediate action.


Major Leaks

A sudden and substantial leak from a pipe, fixture, or appliance can result in significant water damage if not addressed quickly. Leaks in ceilings, walls, or floors can compromise the structural integrity of your home.


Sewage Backups

When sewage backs up into your home through drains or toilets, it poses a severe health hazard due to contamination. This situation requires immediate attention to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and disease.


Clogged Drains

While not always an emergency, a severely clogged drain can lead to backups and overflows, causing water damage and inconvenience. If multiple drains are clogged or wastewater is backing up, it may be considered an emergency.


Gas Leaks

Gas leaks can lead to fire, explosions, and health risks. If you smell gas (often resembling rotten eggs), evacuate your home immediately and call a professional plumber or your gas company.


Blocked or Overflowing Toilets

If a toilet is constantly running, overflowing and you are unable to stop this yourself, in extreme situations it can cause water damage and unsanitary conditions. This situation then requires immediate attention.

Learn how to stop a toilet from running

No Hot Water

A lack of hot water can be an emergency, especially during winter months. It can affect your ability to bathe, clean, and perform other essential tasks.


Frozen Pipes

In freezing temperatures, pipes can freeze and potentially burst. This can cause flooding and water damage when the pipes thaw. Taking action to thaw or prevent freezing is important.


Water Heater Issues

Malfunctions, leaks, or bursts in your water heater can lead to flooding and potential damage. If your water heater is behaving abnormally, it's important to address it promptly.


Sudden Drop in Water Pressure

A sudden and significant drop in water pressure may indicate a major leak or pipe issue that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage.


Leaking Boiler

A leaking boiler can lead to flooding and water damage. If you notice a puddle or signs of leakage around your boiler or attached pipework, it's important to address the issue promptly.


Backflow Prevention Failure

If the water supply in your home becomes contaminated due to a backflow prevention failure, it can pose health risks. This situation requires immediate attention to ensure the safety of your water supply.

Finding an emergency plumber near you


Start by researching local emergency plumbers in your area. You can use online search engines such as Google, local directories, and social media platforms to compile a list of potential candidates. Pay attention to their websites and online reviews to get an idea of their services, experience, and customer satisfaction levels.


Be sure to look for plumbers who specialise in emergency plumbing services and have positive feedback from past clients.


Verify Plumbing Credentials and Licensing

Once you have a list of potential plumbers, it's crucial to verify their credentials and licensing. Plumbing work requires specialised skills and knowledge, so make sure the plumber is a licensed gas safe engineer and has the correct training to deal with the plumbing issue you are facing. Check if they are insured as well, as this provides you with protection in case of any accidents or damages during the repair process.


24/7 Availability

The hallmark of a reliable emergency plumber is their availability around the clock. Plumbing emergencies don't adhere to a schedule, and you need a plumber who can respond promptly, day or night. When researching plumbers, inquire about their availability for emergency calls. A trustworthy plumber should be reachable at any hour and able to dispatch a team to your location swiftly.


Response Time

A plumbing emergency requires immediate attention to prevent further damage to your property. When calling potential plumbers, ask about their expected response time for emergency calls. A fast response time is indicative of their commitment to addressing your urgent issues promptly. If the plumber can't get to your location quickly to minimise the potential impact of the plumbing problem, then try another.


Experience and Expertise

Experience matters greatly in plumbing, especially during emergencies where quick decisions and accurate diagnoses are essential. Consider the plumber's years of experience in the field and their expertise in handling various plumbing issues. An experienced plumber is more likely to diagnose the problem accurately and provide effective solutions, reducing the likelihood of recurring issues.  A good plumbers may even offer emergency advice on the phone before heading to site to prevent serious damage whilst he's en route. 


Range of Services

While your immediate concern might be the current emergency, it's beneficial to choose a plumber who offers a comprehensive range of services. This ensures that if you encounter other plumbing issues in the future, you won't have to go through the process of finding a new plumber again. Look for plumbers who can handle a variety of plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance tasks.


Transparency and Communication

Clear communication is vital when dealing with a plumbing emergency. A reputable plumber should be able to explain the issue in understandable terms, outline the potential solutions, and provide an accurate estimate of the costs involved. Avoid plumbers who are vague about their services or unwilling to provide detailed information. Transparency in communication is a sign of a plumbers professionalism and integrity.


References and Recommendations

Don't hesitate to ask potential plumbers for references or recommendations from past clients. Speaking directly to previous customers can provide insights into the plumber's work quality, customer service, and overall satisfaction. You can also seek recommendations from friends, family, or neighbours who have dealt with plumbing emergencies in the past.


Price and Cost Estimates

While it's essential to address emergencies promptly, that doesn't mean you should overlook the financial aspect. Ask for detailed cost estimates from the plumbers you're considering. A reliable plumber should be upfront about their pricing structure and any potential additional costs that might arise during the repair process. Keep in mind that the lowest price isn't always the best indicator of quality.


Warranty and Guarantees

A trustworthy emergency plumber stands behind their work by offering warranties and guarantees on their services. Inquire about the plumber's warranty policy and what it covers. A warranty provides you with peace of mind, knowing that if the issue recurs or isn't resolved properly, the plumber will return to fix it without additional charges.

What do most plumbers charge per hour?


On average, plumbers in the UK charged anywhere from £50 to £150 per hour for standard plumbing services during regular business hours. Rates can be higher for emergency plumbing services, weekends, evenings, and holidays. Some plumbers might also have a callout charge or minimum service fee, which covers their travel time and initial assessment of the problem.


Assett Plumbing never charge a callout fee, and all work will be quoted for and agreed before plumbing works are undertaken, so there are never any nasty surprises or unexpected bills.


How much is a plumbing call out charge?


A plumbing call-out charge, also known as a service call fee or a dispatch fee, is a fee that plumbers may charge for coming to your location to assess a plumbing issue, diagnose the problem, and provide you with a quote for the necessary repairs or services. This fee typically covers the plumber's time, travel expenses, and initial assessment of the situation. Call-out charges can vary widely depending on factors such as location, the plumber's policies, and the time of day, as well as the size of the plumbing company.


Local plumbers tend to have to travel less to the customer site, and can therefore work out cheaper for the customer.


Assett Plumbing do not charge a call-out fee, so you can be rest-assured you won't get a large unexpected bill if no work needs to be done, or you decide not to go ahead with the plumbing work you have been quoted for.


How long should it take for an emergency plumber?


Most emergency plumbers aim to be on site for an emergency plumbing job within 90 mins or so, however Assett Plumbing as a trusted local plumber who operate near you, aim to be on site within 30 to 60 minutes, to avert the plumbing disaster as quickly as possible.

Trust Assett for local Emergency Plumbing


Choosing an emergency plumber near you wisely can ensure a fast response, a good price and getting your plumbing emergency fixed quickly and efficiently.


Assett Plumbing are a local trusted trader of fully qualified gas safe registered plumbing and heating engineers highly experienced in all aspects of water, heating and gas plumbing services, and on hand to deal with any local plumbing emergency.


Contact Assett Plumbing today on 01604 372395 for any plumbing emergency, or no-obligation quote for any plumbing work.

Call 01604 372395 for local Emergency Plumbing



Header Image by stefamerpik on Freepik

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