When a plumbing emergency strikes, you need to act quickly to prevent as much damage as possible. You may not have the luxury of being able to assess dozens of different plumbers or get multiple estimates. However, you may not want to hire the first plumber that comes up in your search results, either. 

Here are some tips on how to choose an emergency plumber:

• Check their profile or website to make sure they have a plumbing license and insurance. This will offer you protection in case they cause damage. If you don’t see their licensing information on their profile, visit your state’s contracting board to search for their business. You can also ask the plumber to send you their licensing information so you can verify it.

• Look at their reviews and, if possible, search or filter reviews for keywords like “emergency” and “response times” to see how satisfied previous customers were in similar situations.

• Call a few plumbers and ask about fees. Find out if they charge hourly or flat rates for jobs like drain clogs. This should give you an idea of reasonable pricing.

• Ask about timeframes. If you have gushing water, it’s worth it to choose the plumber with the fastest response time, even if they cost a bit more.

This answer was reviewed and verified by Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member, Allison McCarthy of Zoom Drain Houston.

If you have water leaking inside your house that you cannot easily fix on your own, you may have an emergency. Typically, professionals will consider following scenarios as plumbing emergencies:

• Ceiling leaks

• Frozen or burst pipes

• Backup clogs in the main sewer line 

• Almost any plumbing leak you can’t fix on your own

Common issues such as whistling pipes, clogged sinks or toilets, running or hissing toilets or a lack of hot water are not typically considered plumbing emergencies.

If you’re experiencing a sudden leak, it’s a good idea to shut off your home’s water supply as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Then, hire a plumber ASAP. 

This answer was reviewed and verified by Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member, Allison McCarthy of Zoom Drain Houston.

Prices can vary from one region to another, but here’s a breakdown of national averages (according to Thumbtack data) to give you an idea of how much emergency plumbing services cost:

• The average hourly rate ranges from approximately $90 to $150.* At the low end, some emergency plumbers charge as little as $50 per hour. At the high end, some charge about $225 per hour.

• Most people pay an average of about $210 to $620* for emergency services. The cost can vary depending on the plumbing issue and the appliances that need repairs. 

Other factors like timing or the size of the job can affect the price. For example, emergency plumbers may charge a smaller flat fee for a quick and easy job like a clogged drain, or they may charge more for nighttime and holiday repairs. 

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

This can vary depending on the individual professional. In general, most emergency plumbers do work at night, on weekends and even during holidays. They know that when a plumbing emergency strikes, it needs attention immediately. Otherwise, it could end up potentially costing the homeowner thousands — or even tens of thousands — of dollars in water damage repairs.

Keep in mind that you’ll likely pay a premium for emergency repair services. The national average hourly rate ranges from approximately $90 to $150.*

Additionally, some repairs may not constitute an emergency. For example, an emergency plumber should definitely offer a speedy response to fix a broken water line that is flooding your basement. However, it’s unlikely that they’ll treat a minor issue, like a dripping faucet, as a true emergency.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

This answer was reviewed and verified by Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member, Allison McCarthy of Zoom Drain Houston.

In many cases, an emergency plumber should be able to arrive at your home within one hour. However, demand for emergency plumbing services can extend that timeframe. Here are some examples:

• Smaller professionals may not have enough on-call plumbers available to handle multiple emergencies at once.

• During unusual circumstances — for example, a sudden cold snap that causes widespread reports of frozen pipes within a community — emergency plumbers will have multiple calls to attend to and may not be able to get to everyone immediately.

Time is of the essence to prevent as much water damage as possible during a plumbing emergency. When you’re making the call, ask how quickly they can arrive. If the wait is too long, it may be worth calling around to see if anyone can offer a faster response, even if you have to pay a little more.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

This answer was reviewed and verified by Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member, Allison McCarthy of Zoom Drain Houston.