When to Call a 24 Hour Emergency Plumber in Denver

Pipes can’t tell time. They don’t know how to read a calendar. So when your pipes freeze, the toilet overflows, or the water heater starts leaking, you may need a professional right away. After Hours Plumbing & Drainage Services serves residential and commercial properties in the Denver, Colorado area.

But before you call, let’s start with what is—and is not—a plumbing emergency.

What Is a Plumbing Emergency?

• A kitchen faucet is spraying water and you cannot find the shutoff valve, or the valve is stuck or broken.
• A water heater is actively leaking onto the floor.
• No water is coming from any faucet, and a utility outage or account shutoff does not explain it.
• A toilet is overflowing, or a blockage leaves you without a usable toilet.
• Sewage is backing up into the house.
• A sump pump has failed while water is entering the basement.
• A suspected gas leak.
• Service line issues causing loss of water or an active leak.
• Frozen pipes with little or no water flow, visible damage, or signs of a leak.

A plumbing emergency threatens the safety, sanitation, or condition of your home or business and cannot safely wait until the next business day. Emergencies can happen at any time, including weekends, holidays, and outside regular business hours.

If you suspect a natural gas or propane leak, leave the property immediately. Do not operate switches, appliances, or phones inside, and do not use flames. From a safe location, call 911 or your gas utility’s emergency line. Do not re-enter until authorities say it is safe.

What Can Usually Wait?

• A slowly dripping faucet with no significant leak or damage.
• One slow drain without a backup.
• A toilet that runs but remains usable and does not overflow.
• A utility shutoff for nonpayment, which must be resolved with the utility.

Drain odors should not automatically be dismissed. Persistent sewer smells, multiple slow drains, or wastewater backing up deserve prompt professional attention. If an odor might be a fuel gas leak, follow the emergency steps above.

How to Help Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

Seasonal maintenance of your pipes, appliances, and fixtures can reduce the risk of an after-hours plumbing problem. Avoid these common habits that can cause blockages or damage:

• Flush only toilet paper and human waste. Even wipes labeled “flushable” can contribute to clogs. Menstrual products and cat litter should stay out of the toilet.
• Never pour grease down drains. It may go down as liquid, but it can harden as it cools and block the pipes.
• Protect vulnerable pipes in freezing weather. Insulate exposed pipes and ask your plumber which faucets, if any, should drip during a freeze. Disconnect outdoor hoses and winterize outdoor fixtures appropriately.
• Schedule a sewer inspection when needed. Your plumber or sewer inspection service can assess recurring backups and look for root intrusion or damaged lines.
• Know the age and condition of your pipes. Corrosion and buildup can make older pipes more vulnerable. Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners or boiling water as a universal fix. Follow product instructions and ask a plumber about a safe solution for your pipe material and fixture.

What to Do While You Wait for the Plumber

If the situation is safe to approach, a few steps can help limit damage while you wait:

• Shut off the water supply to the leaking fixture—or the main supply—if you know how and can reach it safely.
• Do not touch or unplug electrical appliances near standing water. Only shut off power if you can do so from a dry, safe location.
• Keep pets and children away from the affected area.
• For a clean-water leak, use towels to help contain water only if the area is safe. Avoid contact with sewage or contaminated water.
• Stop using affected fixtures if sewage is backing up.
• Document property damage with photos when it is safe.

You can also ask your homeowners insurance provider whether water service line coverage is available and what it covers. Coverage varies by policy.

Need an Emergency Plumber in Denver?

At After Hours Plumbing & Drainage Services, we won’t judge you when your child’s favorite toy ends up in the toilet or the dishwasher throws a foam party because the wrong soap went in. We are committed to solving your after-hours plumbing emergency quickly and professionally.

If your issue cannot wait, contact our emergency plumbing team. We can explain what to expect, including applicable after-hours service fees, before scheduling your visit.