What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency? A Guide for Collin County, TX Homeowners
- Fred Media
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Plumbing problems come in all shapes and sizes. While some issues can wait until normal business hours, others demand immediate attention. Knowing the difference between a minor inconvenience and a true emergency can save your home from costly damage and give you peace of mind.
At Landry Plumbing, we often get calls from Collin County, TX homeowners asking, "Is this a real emergency?" In this guide, we'll walk you through what counts as a plumbing emergency, how to respond, and when you should call a professional right away.
What Makes a Plumbing Problem an Emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any issue that poses an immediate risk to your health, safety, property, or daily life. This can include situations where water damage, flooding, sewage exposure, or lack of access to clean water or functioning plumbing could escalate quickly if not addressed.
Common Plumbing Emergencies
Here are the most frequent plumbing emergencies we respond to in Collin County and surrounding areas:
Burst Pipes
A burst pipe can release gallons of water into your home in minutes, damaging walls, floors, furniture, and even your home’s foundation. This is especially common during winter when freezing temperatures cause pipes to expand and crack.
What to do:
Shut off your main water valve immediately
Call a plumber
Start removing water to limit damage
Sewer Line Backups
If sewage starts backing up into your sinks, toilets, or bathtub, you’re dealing with a serious health hazard. Sewer backups expose you to harmful bacteria and require immediate professional cleanup.
Signs include:
Multiple drains clogged at once
Foul smells coming from drains
Gurgling toilets
No Hot Water (Sudden Loss)
While a lack of hot water can sometimes wait, a sudden and total loss—especially in cold weather or homes with infants, elderly, or medical needs—can qualify as an emergency.
Causes:
Failed water heater
Gas or electrical issues
Sediment buildup or leaks
Overflowing Toilets
One overflowing toilet is manageable. Multiple overflowing toilets likely signal a deeper problem in the main drain or sewer line. If the overflow includes sewage, it’s an immediate health risk.
Quick action steps:
Turn off the toilet’s water valve
Avoid using any plumbing fixtures
Call a plumber to inspect the line
Major Water Leaks
Whether it’s a leaking water heater, a split supply line, or a broken appliance hose, major leaks can cause extensive water damage in a short amount of time. You may hear dripping behind walls or find pools of water under cabinets.
Signs it’s urgent:
Water pooling where it shouldn’t be
Warped flooring or peeling paint
Unexplained spike in your water bill
Frozen Pipes
Though rare in North Texas, hard freezes do happen. Frozen pipes can burst when thawing begins, releasing water inside walls or ceilings.
What to do:
Shut off your water supply
Apply gentle heat to frozen sections (not open flame)
Contact a plumber to inspect and repair
Gas Leaks (from Water Heaters or Appliances)
If you smell rotten eggs or hear hissing near your gas water heater or other appliance, evacuate immediately. A gas leak is extremely dangerous and should be reported to the gas company and a licensed plumber.
Gray-Area Plumbing Issues: Emergency or Not?
Some plumbing problems aren’t black and white. These issues may not be emergencies yet but can escalate if ignored:
Slow drains (can indicate a bigger clog or pipe damage)
Water heater leaking from the base
Constantly running toilet (can waste hundreds of gallons per day)
Low water pressure throughout the home
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as a plumbing emergency, it’s better to call and ask. Our team at Landry Plumbing is happy to talk through symptoms and help you decide.
Preventing Plumbing Emergencies
Not every emergency can be avoided, but regular maintenance makes a big difference. We recommend:
Scheduling annual plumbing inspections
Insulating pipes during cold snaps
Clearing slow drains before they clog completely
Replacing old hoses and water heaters before failure
Why Quick Action Matters
Delaying a response to a true plumbing emergency can lead to:
Structural damage to your home
Mold and mildew growth
Health risks from contaminated water
Skyrocketing repair costs
The faster you shut off the water and call a professional, the less damage you'll face.
Landry Plumbing: Emergency Service You Can Count On
If you’re facing a plumbing emergency in Collin County, TX or nearby communities, Landry Plumbing is here to assist! We respond quickly, diagnose accurately, and fix the problem right the first time.
Don’t wait for things to get worse. Whether it’s midnight or midday, we’re just a phone call away.
Call Landry Plumbing now for fast, expert emergency plumbing service.
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