By Brantley & Sons Plumbers LLC · Published · 7 min read
Plumbing Problems That Are True Emergencies
If you are searching for an emergency plumber in Brighton, CO, you are probably already dealing with one of these:
- A burst or actively leaking pipe with water spreading through walls, ceilings, or floors
- Sewage backing up into a tub, shower, toilet, or floor drain
- A gas smell anywhere in the home
- A leaking or failed water heater tank
- A sump pump failure while water is entering the basement
- No water at all, or no hot water during cold weather
- An overflowing toilet that will not stop
Problems That Can Usually Wait
These are worth fixing, but generally do not need after-hours service:
- A single slow drain with no other symptoms
- A dripping faucet or a running toilet
- Low water pressure at one fixture
- Minor fixture replacement or upgrades
If you are unsure which group your problem falls into, call. A dispatcher can help you decide, and our how to choose a plumber in Brighton, CO guide covers what to look for in a plumber for non-urgent work.
What To Do In The First Five Minutes
- Stop the source. For a pipe leak, shut off the main water valve. It is usually where the water line enters the house, near the meter or water heater.
- Protect people first. Keep children and pets away from standing water, especially if it is near outlets or appliances.
- Turn off power if water is near electrical items, but only if you can reach the breaker without stepping through water.
- Call your emergency plumber. Give your address and describe what is happening.
- Move valuables and start documenting. Take photos for insurance before cleanup begins.
Burst Or Leaking Pipes
Shutting off the main valve is the single most useful step, because it stops water damage from growing. Then open a low faucet to drain remaining water from the lines and relieve pressure. Do not attempt to seal a burst pipe permanently yourself. If the leak is hidden behind a wall or under a slab, our leak detection service pinpoints it without unnecessary demolition. If a line has failed more than once, ask about repiping.
Sewage Backups
A sewage backup is both a plumbing and a health issue. Stop using water in the house, including toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines, because everything you run goes into the same blocked line. Keep people and pets out of affected areas. Avoid pouring chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up line; they rarely fix a main-line problem and can be hazardous for whoever works on it next. A camera inspection finds whether the cause is roots, a collapsed section, or grease. See our drain cleaning and hydro jetting and sewer line repair pages.
Gas Smell
If you smell gas, leave the building immediately and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Do not turn lights or appliances on or off, do not use open flames, and do not try to find the source yourself. Once the area has been cleared for repairs, we can help with the plumbing side, including gas line repair and leak detection.
No Hot Water Or A Leaking Water Heater
If the water heater tank is leaking, shut off the cold water supply valve to the unit and turn off its power or gas. A tank that leaks from the body, rather than a fitting, generally cannot be repaired and needs replacement. No hot water with no leak is often a failed element, thermostat, pilot, or thermocouple. See our water heater repair and installation page for repair versus replacement.
Frozen Pipes In Winter
Freeze-thaw winters are hard on exposed pipes. If a pipe is frozen but not yet burst, open the faucet slightly and warm the area gently with a hair dryer or by raising the room temperature. Never use an open flame. If you already see water, shut off the main and call an emergency plumber. Frozen and burst lines are one of the most common winter calls in the Brighton area.
What Not To Do
- Do not use chemical drain cleaners during a sewage backup.
- Do not wade through standing water if power is on nearby.
- Do not ignore a gas smell or try to locate the leak yourself.
- Do not keep running appliances that drain into a blocked line.
- Do not wait overnight on an active leak.
What To Tell The Dispatcher
When you call (720) 664-0815, have this ready: your address, what is happening and where, how long it has been going on, whether the main water is off, and any smell of gas. Tell them if there is standing water near electrical equipment. That information lets us send the right crew and equipment the first time.
We cover Brighton and nearby cities, and dispatch runs 24 hours a day, every day. See our emergency plumbing page for what emergency dispatch involves, or our service areas page for coverage.
Need help now? Visit our 24/7 plumbers in Brighton homepage or call (720) 664-0815.