The two-question test
Before you call anyone at 2 a.m., ask yourself two things:
- Can I stop the water (or the hazard) right now? If a valve stops it, the urgency drops a lot.
- Can the household manage until morning without this fixture or system? One broken toilet in a house with two is an inconvenience. The only toilet, no heat in January, or no water at all is different.
If the answer to either question is no, it's an emergency.
Call immediately
| Situation | Why it can't wait |
|---|---|
| Burst or split pipe | Hundreds of gallons an hour can flow from a broken supply line |
| Water near electrical fixtures or the panel | Shock and fire risk |
| Sewage backing up into the house | Health hazard; spreads quickly |
| Gas smell | Leave first, call the utility from outside, then a plumber |
| No heat in freezing weather | Pipes in exterior walls can freeze within hours |
| Water heater leaking from the tank | A failing tank can let go all at once |
| Sump pump failure during a storm | Basement can flood in under an hour |
| No water anywhere in the house | Could be a frozen or broken service line |
Usually safe to wait for daytime
- A dripping faucet or shower head
- A toilet that runs or a slow fill (close the valve behind it)
- One slow drain when the others work
- Low pressure at a single fixture
- A water heater that's lukewarm but still working
- Noisy pipes with no visible leak
- Planned work, like replacing an old water heater before it fails
These are still worth fixing soon. A running toilet can waste a lot of water over a month, and a lukewarm water heater is often an early warning.
Gray areas
A small leak under a sink. Close the valves under the sink. If they hold, it can wait. If the valves are seized or leak themselves, close the main and call.
A slow leak from a ceiling. Turn off the main, then check whether the drip stops. If it stops, it's a supply leak and can often wait until morning with the water off. If it keeps dripping, it may be a drain line or a roof leak.
No hot water. Not an emergency on its own, unless water is pooling around the heater, you smell gas, or the relief valve is discharging.
Boiler banging or relief valve dripping. Not an emergency if you still have heat and the drip is small, but book a visit. A relief valve discharging steadily means pressure is too high.
What to do in any emergency
- Shut off the main water valve. See our guide on shutting off the water main.
- Turn off the water heater (gas to "pilot," electric at the breaker).
- Keep people and pets away from water near outlets.
- Take photos for insurance.
- Call a licensed plumber and ask for the trip fee before they dispatch.
For a real emergency in Clifton or the neighboring towns, see our emergency plumber service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
A leak from the tank itself is, because a corroded tank can fail suddenly. A drip from a fitting or the relief valve is urgent but different: shut the cold-water valve on top of the heater and call. See water heater repair.
Is no hot water an emergency?
Usually not, unless there is water leaking around the heater, a gas smell, or the relief valve is discharging. Otherwise, it can wait for a daytime visit.
Is a clogged toilet an emergency?
Only if it's the only toilet in the house or it's overflowing and the shut-off valve behind it won't close. Otherwise, close the valve and book a daytime visit.
What if I can't find my main water shut-off?
In most Clifton homes it's on the front basement wall where the water line comes in, beside the meter. If you can't find or turn it, call a plumber right away and say so. Our shut-off guide explains where to look.
Should I call a plumber or the water company for no water?
Check with neighbors first. If they have no water too, call the water company (in Clifton, the Passaic Valley Water Commission). If only your home is affected, the problem is likely your service line, meter area or a frozen pipe, so call a plumber.
Does an emergency plumber cost more at night?
After-hours service usually costs more because of overnight labor and immediate response. A good plumber tells you the trip fee before dispatching. See our Clifton cost guide.
What should I do if I smell gas near my water heater?
Leave the house, then call the gas utility or 911 from outside. Don't use switches or phones near the smell. After the utility makes it safe, a licensed plumber can repair the gas connection or appliance.
Keep reading
- Previous guide: How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost in Clifton, NJ?
- Next guide: How to Shut Off Your Water Main in a Clifton Home
- Need it fixed? See our emergency plumber service in Clifton.