What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency? (And What Is Not)
24 May 2026 · Plumbers On Duty
Quick answer
A plumbing emergency is anything that is causing damage right now, about to cause damage, or stopping you from using your home safely.
- Real emergencies: burst pipe, burst geyser, sewage backing up into the house, no water at all
- Urgent but not emergencies: slow leak, blocked toilet (if you have another), no hot water (if you have cold)
- Not emergencies: dripping tap, slow drain, running toilet
If you are unsure, the test is simple: is water damaging anything right now? If yes — emergency. If no — book a normal-hours plumber and save 50% on the call-out fee.
True plumbing emergencies
1. Burst pipe
Symptoms: water spraying inside a wall, ceiling, or under the floor.
Do this first:
- Turn off the main water valve at the meter
- Switch off the geyser at the DB board
- Open the lowest cold tap to drain remaining pressure
- Call an emergency plumber
2. Burst or leaking geyser
Symptoms: ceiling staining, water dripping from the ceiling under the geyser, or water pouring from the geyser body itself.
A standard 150L geyser holds enough water to destroy a ceiling and ruin floors. Switch off the cold-water inlet to the geyser (the valve directly above it) and switch off the geyser at the DB. Then call.
3. Sewage backing up into the house
Symptoms: sewage coming out of shower drains, bath drains, or the lowest toilet.
Stop using all water immediately — every flush makes it worse. Call a plumber, and if the manhole in the road is overflowing, call the municipality too.
4. No water at all (and the neighbours have it)
If your neighbours have water and you do not, there is a problem on your side — usually a burst supply line. Switch off the geyser at the DB so the element does not burn out, and call.
5. Gas leak (gas geyser homes)
Smell of gas, hissing sound. Open windows, turn off the gas at the bottle, do not switch lights on or off, leave the house, and call from outside.
Urgent but can wait until morning
- Slow leak you can catch in a bucket
- One blocked toilet when you have another
- No hot water when you have cold (unless the geyser is leaking)
- Tap that will not fully turn off
Not emergencies
- Dripping tap
- Running toilet
- Slow drain
- Cosmetic issues (loose chrome, scratched basin)
Calling these out as emergencies will cost you R900+ instead of R450.
What an emergency plumber costs
- After-hours call-out (5pm–8am): R900–R1,800
- Weekend / public holiday: R1,200–R2,500
- Repair work on top: charged at hourly rates (R350–R650/hr)
Find an emergency plumber
Many plumbers on Plumbers On Duty offer 24/7 emergency service. Look for the Emergency available badge on listings.