Remember that cold snap back in February? The one where it felt like the whole Tri-State forgot how to be warm?<\/p>\n
Greater Cincinnati Water Works was answering dozens of leaks and main breaks at once. Inside people\u2019s homes, it was the same story on a smaller scale. A pipe in an outside wall freezes, splits, thaws out around 2 a.m., and suddenly there\u2019s water coming through the kitchen ceiling.<\/p>\n
When that happens, nobody\u2019s thinking clearly. You\u2019re standing in a puddle in your socks, wondering if this is a \u201ccall someone right now\u201d problem or a \u201cdeal with it in the morning\u201d problem.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what this post is for. We\u2019ll walk you through what actually counts as a plumbing emergency, what to do in the first few minutes, and when it\u2019s time to call for emergency plumbing services in Cincinnati, OH.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the simple version. It\u2019s an emergency if waiting even a few hours could damage your home, make someone sick, or put someone in danger.<\/p>\n
That usually means one of four things:<\/p>\n
Everything else is probably annoying, but it isn\u2019t urgent. And that\u2019s okay. We\u2019d rather you call us at a normal hour and save some money than panic over a dripping faucet at midnight.<\/p>\n
Not sure which bucket your problem falls into? Here\u2019s how we\u2019d sort the calls we get most.<\/p>\n
| What\u2019s happening<\/b><\/td>\n | Emergency?<\/b><\/td>\n | What to do right now<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n| Burst or frozen pipe spraying water<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Shut off the main water valve, then call a plumber<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Water heater leaking from the bottom of the tank<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Turn off the water and the power or gas to the heater, then call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Sewage coming up a floor drain or tub<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Stop using water, call MSD, then call a plumber<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Smell of gas or a hissing sound near a gas line<\/td>\n | Yes, and leave the house<\/td>\n | Get everyone out, then call Duke Energy or 911 from outside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Only toilet in the house overflowing or clogged<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Turn off the valve behind the toilet, then call<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | No water anywhere in the house<\/td>\n | Maybe<\/td>\n | Check with neighbors. If it\u2019s the whole street, call GCWW. If it\u2019s just you, call a plumber<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | No hot water<\/td>\n | Usually not<\/td>\n | Check the pilot or breaker, then book a visit for the next day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Slow drain in one sink or tub<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n | Skip the chemical cleaner and book a regular visit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Dripping faucet or running toilet<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n | Wipe it, ignore it tonight, call during business hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | What to Do in the First Five Minutes<\/h2>\nWhen water\u2019s going everywhere, your brain wants to do ten things at once. Here\u2019s the order that actually helps:<\/p>\n
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