Emergency plumbers can be a lifesaver, but they can also be a bit expensive so it is important not to call them unless you really need them. But how do you know when that is?
A plumbing emergency is something that needs to be fixed immediately or it will cause damage to your home, or possibly unreasonably inconvenience you. A burst pipe, for example, is an emergency, as is a broken shower. Your water heater not working as well as it should, however, is not an emergency.
Even a genuine emergency is not always a reason to call an emergency plumber. If the problem happens within normal working hours, see if your regular plumber can make the time to come and fix it, as they will often be cheaper than calling a dedicated emergency plumber.
However, there will be times when you have no choice but to ring the emergency plumber. If a pipe bursts or your toilet overflows in the middle of the night, you won’t be able to get anyone else out to look at it. The same rule often applies on weekends and holidays. Before you ring for an emergency specialist, just see if you have any other options available.