The first five minutes matter more than the repair
In a plumbing emergency the damage is a function of time. A supply line that lets go behind a wall puts out a remarkable volume of water per minute, and the difference between finding the shutoff in two minutes and twenty is frequently the difference between a repair and a claim.
So the first thing we do on an emergency call is not dispatch, it is talk you through stopping the water. Where your main shutoff is likely to be, how to isolate a single fixture, and how to kill power to a water heater safely. Then we get someone moving.
We prioritise genuine emergencies: burst pipes, no water at all, sewage backing up into the house, gas smells near appliances, and water heaters actively leaking. Those go ahead of routine work seven days a week.
Central Connecticut winters bring a specific version of this. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawlspaces and vacation homes on the shoreline freeze, and they typically burst on the thaw rather than the freeze, which is why the calls cluster on the first warm day after a cold snap.
At a glance
- Shutoff guidance on the callWe talk you through stopping the water before we arrive.
- Emergencies prioritisedBurst pipes, no water and sewage backups go ahead of routine work.
- All four tradesA flooded basement often involves electrical too. One call covers it.
- Price before repairEven in an emergency, you approve the number first.
What counts as an emergency
If it is on this list, call rather than waiting for morning.
Burst or leaking pipe
Shut the main off first, then call. Every minute of running water adds meaningfully to the damage.
Sewage backing up
A health hazard and usually a main line blockage. Stop using water in the house entirely until it is cleared.
No water at all
Could be a main line failure, a well pump or a frozen supply. All of them need attention today.
Water heater leaking
A tank that has failed will empty its full contents. Shut off water and power to it, then call.
Gas smell near an appliance
Leave the house, call the gas company and the fire department first, then us.
Frozen pipes
If a pipe has frozen but not burst yet, there is still time. Do not use an open flame to thaw it, call.
We triage on the phone
What is happening, where the water is coming from, and whether anyone is in danger. We are honest about our arrival time rather than optimistic.
Shutoff guidance
We talk you to the main shutoff or the isolation valve for that fixture. This is the single most valuable part of the call.
Stabilise on arrival
Stop the water, make the area safe, and assess what has been affected, including electrical, which we handle in-house.
Repair and document
A written price for the repair, the work done, and photographs of everything relevant if there is an insurance claim to make.
Emergency work we handle
Plumbing first, and the electrical side too when water has reached it.
Water emergencies
- Burst and leaking supply lines
- Frozen pipe thawing and repair
- Failed shutoff and isolation valves
- Water heater tank failures
- Well pump and pressure tank faults
- Main water line breaks
Drain emergencies
- Sewage backups into the house
- Main line blockages and root intrusion
- Overflowing toilets and fixtures
- Basement floor drain backups
- Sump pump failures during storms
- Camera inspection to find the cause
Related work
- Water damage assessment
- Electrical safety checks where water has reached circuits
- Temporary repairs to stop damage overnight
- Documentation and photographs for claims
- Permanent repair scheduled promptly
- Advice on preventing a repeat
Emergency pricing, stated plainly
Emergency calls outside normal hours carry a premium, and we tell you what it is on the phone before dispatching anyone. Nobody should find that out on the invoice.
The repair itself is priced the same way as any other job: flat, in writing, approved by you before work starts. An emergency is not a licence to charge differently for the same pipe.
Sometimes the right answer at two in the morning is a temporary repair that stops the damage, with the permanent fix done properly in daylight at normal rates. We will tell you when that is the cheaper path.
What moves the price
- Time of dayAfter-hours and holiday calls carry a premium, quoted before we dispatch.
- Access to the failureA pipe in an open basement is a different job from one inside a finished wall.
- Extent of the damageWhat the water reached affects both the repair and whether other trades are needed.
- Temporary or permanentStabilising now and repairing properly in daylight is often the cheaper route.
Emergency plumbing questions
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually where the supply enters the house, in a basement, crawlspace or utility area, often near the water meter on the street-facing wall. Find it now, while nothing is wrong, and make sure it turns. We will walk you to it on the phone if you have not.
My pipe is frozen but has not burst. What should I do?
Open the faucet it feeds so water can move as it thaws, and apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or heating pad working back from the faucet. Never use an open flame. If you cannot reach the frozen section, call before it splits.
Should I turn off my water heater?
If it is leaking, yes, shut off the cold supply to it and cut its power or gas. A failed tank will empty its entire contents, and on a gas unit continuing to fire an empty tank causes further damage.
Sewage is backing up. Can I use water elsewhere in the house?
No. Stop using water entirely, every flush and every load of laundry adds to what has nowhere to go. That usually indicates a main line blockage, and it needs clearing before normal use resumes.
How fast can you get here?
Genuine emergencies are triaged ahead of everything else, seven days a week. Response depends on where you are and how many other emergencies are live, and we will give you an honest window on the phone.
Will my insurance cover this?
Often, for sudden and accidental damage. We photograph everything and provide written documentation of what failed and what we did, which is what adjusters ask for.
On the job
Real crews, real Connecticut houses, no stock photography.
Need help today?
Whether it's an emergency repair or you're planning your next home upgrade, our friendly team is ready to help.
Call 860-245-1986Book plumbing service online
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