A plumbing problem qualifies as an emergency when water cannot be controlled, sewage is coming into the home, there is a gas smell near an appliance, or the home has no water or no usable toilet. If you can shut it off and work around it for a day, it usually is not an emergency.
Four Clear Emergencies
- Water spraying, pouring, or coming through a ceiling that you cannot stop
- Sewage rising in a tub, toilet, or floor drain
- A gas odor near a water heater, boiler, or stove
- No water at all, especially during freezing weather
For gas, the first call is 911 or your gas utility from outside the home, not a plumber.
Situations That Depend on Your Home
Some problems become emergencies because of who lives there or how the building is set up. A broken toilet is urgent when it is the only one. No hot water is more serious with a newborn or an elderly family member at home. A small leak is urgent if it is dripping onto wiring or into a neighbor’s apartment, which is a real concern in the stacked co-op buildings found across Jackson Heights.
Things That Can Wait
A dripping faucet, a slow bathroom sink, or a toilet that runs now and then are worth fixing soon. Close the fixture’s valve if needed and plan a repair.
Before You Call
Stop the water if you can. Note where the water is coming from and when it started. In a co-op or rental building, contact your super, since shared pipes and risers may be involved. If the whole block has no water, call 311 to ask about city work.
In a true emergency, a plumber stepping in early keeps damage to a minimum. You can reach JPR Plumbing at (833) 603-1840. For problems that are not urgent, booking ahead for a routine fix is usually the better choice.