Imagine waking up and jumping into your shower only to find that the hot water is freezing cold! This time of year especially water pipes are liable to freeze and burst. And unless you’re training for a cold water swim, you probably don’t want to be rinsing off soap suds with near-freezing water.
There are many plumbing issues that require emergency plumbing repair. The question is, how much does calling your local plumber in these situations cost?
Although one can hardly put a price on being able to take a hot steamy shower in cold winter months, we’re going to take a look at how much an emergency plumbing repair might cost.
Hourly vs Flat Rate
Most plumbing companies who offer 24-hour emergency plumbing repair charge a flat rate just to come and take a look at the problem. This can range from $100 to $300 depending on the day and time of hour the call is made.
If the call is made on Christmas Eve at 3 AM in the morning, you can expect the rates to be on the higher side. Additionally, if the job takes longer than an hour, hourly rates will accrue. You can expect additional hourly rates of $70 to $400 per hour depending on the job.
Additional Costs
On top of flat and hourly rates are the costs of parts or special equipment. For example, if you have a tree root growing in your sewer pipe, the plumber you call might need to get special equipment, like a big auger, to remove it. This could cost extra.
Most Expensive by Job
Easy emergency plumbing fixes are things like clogged drains, toilets, sump pump issues, and most leaks. These repairs can be done fairly quickly and without any special equipment. These fixes can range from $100 to $300 in costs (unless you need a sump pump replaced, which can cost quite a bit more).
More difficult jobs with issues dealing with the water main, water heater, sewer drain line, burst pipes, etc., will cost a bit more. You can expect these jobs to start around $200 to $1,000 plus.
When to Call Emergency Plumber
Sometimes you can unclog a drain or toilet yourself with proper DIY steps. However, when there are bigger issues at hand it’s best to call a trained plumber to take a look. If you have major leaks, frozen pipes, bad orders, low water pressure, or no water at all, definitely give your local plumber a call.
Emergency Plumbing Repair
There’s never a good time to have to call a plumber for an emergency plumbing repair. However, knowing you have options just in case a situation arises will give you peace of mind.
Tampa Bay Plumbers have been responding to 24/7 emergency plumbing calls for some time now, with over 40,000 residents serviced. Put our number in your contacts so when a plumbing emergency does happen, we can be there for you.
