24/7 Emergency Plumber in New Brunswick, NJ
Water is moving right now, so read the first two steps, then call. This page is the same checklist we give people on the phone while a truck is already rolling.
First six minutes: what to do
- 01
Shut the water off
Turn the main valve clockwise until it stops. It is usually in the basement or crawlspace near the street-side wall, or in a utility closet. For one fixture, use the small oval valve behind the toilet or under the sink.
- 02
Kill power to the wet area
If water is near outlets, a panel, or a water heater, switch off that circuit at the breaker. Do not stand in standing water to reach the panel. If you cannot reach it dry, leave and call the utility.
- 03
Open the lowest faucets
Once the main is off, open a basement or outdoor faucet to drain pressure out of the lines. That stops the pipe from pushing more water into the house while you wait.
- 04
Stop using every drain
With a sewer backup, every flush and every load of laundry adds to what is coming up. Stop water use in the whole building until the line is cleared.
- 05
Photograph everything
Before you mop, take photos and a short video. Insurance adjusters ask for them, and it costs you thirty seconds.
- 06
Call us
Call (732) 360-6016. Tell us what is leaking, whether the main is off, and where you are. You get a real person, then a licensed plumber headed your way.
By emergency type
Burst or frozen pipe
What you are seeing
- Water spraying, or a ceiling stain spreading while you watch
- No water at a fixture during a freeze
- Banging in the walls when a faucet opens
Do this now
- Shut the main and drain the lines.
- Move furniture and electronics out of the room.
- Do not thaw a pipe with an open flame. A hair dryer or heat lamp only.
Sewer backup
What you are seeing
- Water rising in the lowest tub or floor drain
- Toilets gurgling when the washer drains
- Sewer smell in the basement
Do this now
- Stop all water use in the building.
- Keep people and pets out of contact with the water.
- Do not pour drain chemicals down a backed-up line. It makes the cleanout dangerous.
Water heater failure
What you are seeing
- Water pooling around the base of the tank
- Relief valve discharging steam or hot water
- Rumbling followed by a sudden leak
Do this now
- Shut the cold supply valve on top of the heater.
- Turn the gas control to OFF, or trip the water heater breaker.
- Keep clear of the discharge pipe. That water is scalding.
No water at all
What you are seeing
- Every fixture dry with no warning
- Neighbors still have water
- Meter spinning with all fixtures closed
Do this now
- Check that the main valve was not bumped closed.
- Check for a frozen section in an unheated wall or crawlspace.
- If the meter is spinning, there is a leak on your side. Call us.
What happens when you call
A real person picks up and walks you through shutting the water off.
We give you an honest arrival window, not a twelve-hour block.
Price is quoted and approved before any work starts, nights included.
Emergency plumbing FAQ
- Is On Tap Plumbing available 24/7 for emergencies?
- Yes. We answer emergency calls around the clock Monday through Friday and on weekends, and a licensed plumber is dispatched from New Brunswick.
- What should I do first during a burst pipe?
- Shut off the water at the main valve, open the lowest faucet in the house to drain pressure, cut power to any wet area at the breaker, then call an emergency plumber.
- How fast can an emergency plumber get here?
- In New Brunswick and the surrounding Middlesex County towns we are typically on site within the hour for true emergencies. We tell you the honest arrival window when you call.
- Do you charge more for after-hours plumbing?
- We quote the price before any work starts, nights and weekends included. You approve the number first, and there is no surprise added at the end.
- Is a sewer backup an emergency?
- Yes. Sewage in the house is a health hazard and it keeps rising as long as water is used. Stop all water use in the building and call immediately.
Other services
Plumbing emergency right now?
We show up when we say we will. Call and talk to a real person.