Some plumbing problems can wait until Monday. Others get worse by the minute. Knowing the difference helps you protect your home and avoid a middle-of-the-night call you didn't need to make.
Call right away for these
Water you can't stop. A burst pipe, a failed supply line or water coming through a ceiling. Shut off the main and call.
A frozen or burst pipe in winter. A frozen line can split and flood once it thaws, so it needs attention before that happens.
A leaking water heater. Water pooling around the base usually means the tank is failing and won't get better.
Sewage backing up. Waste coming up in a tub, shower or basement floor drain is a health risk and needs fast attention.
No water at all. Losing all water can mean a major leak, a frozen service line or, on a well, a failed pump.
A sump pump that has stopped during heavy rain. A basement can take on water quickly in a spring storm.
If you smell gas
Don't treat this as a plumbing call first. Leave the house right away, don't flip switches or use anything that could spark, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Once the utility says it's safe, we can repair gas lines and gas water heater connections. Our gas line service page has more.
These can usually wait for a scheduled visit
A slow drain that still drains, as long as nothing is backing up
A dripping faucet
A toilet that runs but isn't overflowing
Lukewarm water, or hot water that runs out sooner than it used to
A small, steady drip under a sink you can catch with a bucket and shut off at the stop valve
Not sure which list you're on? Text a photo to (317) 731-3028. Texts are answered 24/7, and we'll tell you whether it can wait.
What to do while help is on the way
Shut off the water. Use the stop valve at the fixture if there is one, or the main shutoff. In most Central Indiana homes the main is in the basement or crawlspace where the line comes through the wall, or in a utility closet in slab homes.
Turn off the water heater if it's leaking. For electric, switch off the breaker. For gas, turn the control to the off or pilot setting. Then close the cold water valve on top of the tank.
Stop using drains if sewage is backing up. That includes toilets, the washer and the dishwasher.
Keep safe around water. Stay out of standing water near outlets or appliances.
Take photos of the damage for insurance, then move what you can out of the way.
Why Indiana weather causes so many emergency calls
Our winters swing between freezing nights and mild days, which is hard on pipes in outside walls, crawlspaces and unheated garages. Hose bibs are a common freeze point when a hose is left attached. When temperatures drop into single digits, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a faucet drip.
If a pipe does freeze, open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or space heater kept at a safe distance. Never use an open flame. If you can't find the frozen spot, or the pipe has split, call us.
Spring brings heavy rain and high groundwater, which is when sump pumps in basements across Carmel, Fishers and Westfield work hardest. A battery backup keeps the pump running if the power goes out during a storm.
When to call us
For anything on the call-right-away list, call (317) 731-3028 instead of texting so we can talk you through shutting things off while we're on the way. Our emergency plumbing page explains how we handle urgent calls, and our sump pump service covers repairs and battery backups.
FAQ
Is no hot water an emergency?
It's urgent, especially in winter or with small kids at home, but it's rarely dangerous. If the tank is leaking, treat it as an emergency and shut off the water and power or gas to the heater.
Should I call my insurance company or a plumber first?
Stop the water first, then call a plumber to stop the source. Call your insurance company after that, with photos of the damage.
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement or crawlspace near the front wall. In slab homes, check a utility closet or near the water heater. It's worth finding before you need it.
Can a frozen pipe wait until morning?
Only if it hasn't split and you can keep the area warm. Open the faucet, warm the space and call first thing. If you see water or hear it running, shut off the main and call right away.
Can you fix it the same day?
Most calls are handled the same day or the next, and many emergency repairs are finished on the first visit. Your plumber gives you options and a price before work starts.
Water where it shouldn't be? Call (317) 731-3028 now, or visit our emergency plumber page.
