Free tool
Is It a Plumbing Emergency?
South Carolina Plumbing built this checker to help you decide whether to call a plumber right now, call later today, or wait for regular hours. Tick everything that's happening, and you'll get safety steps for each one.
Your result
Tick what's happening
Your result and safety steps appear here as soon as you tick a box.
Connects you with a participating independent plumber, when one is available in your area.
How to use this checker
Tick every situation that applies. The result shows the most urgent one, along with safety steps for each item you ticked. It's general guidance, not a diagnosis. If you're unsure, or anyone's safety is at risk, treat it as urgent.
Find your main water shutoff now
The single most useful thing you can do before an emergency is know where your main shutoff is. It's usually where the water line enters the house: in a crawl space, garage, utility closet, or near the water heater. There's also a valve in the meter box near the street. Our guide to what to do when a pipe bursts walks through it, and emergency plumbing repair covers what a plumber does when they arrive.
Questions
Plumbing emergency questions
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Water you can't stop, sewage backing up, a leaking water heater tank, water near electricity, or no water in the house when there's no utility outage. A gas smell is an emergency for your gas utility or 911 first.
Is an emergency plumber more expensive?
Usually. HomeAdvisor's 2026 data lists after-hours surcharges of $100 to $300 or more on top of normal rates. If you can safely stop the water and wait for regular hours, you'll often pay less.
Should I call a plumber or the gas company if I smell gas?
The gas company first. Leave the house, call your gas utility or 911 from outside, and wait until they say it's safe. A plumber can repair gas appliances or lines afterward.
Connect With a Plumbing Professional
Call and we will try to connect you with a participating independent plumber who serves your area.