10 Signs You Need to Call a Plumber Now

Call today

1. A spike in your water bill with no obvious cause. Often a slab leak or hidden supply line. Wastes thousands of gallons per month.
2. Slow drain in multiple fixtures. Indicates a main line clog or partial blockage, not a single P-trap problem.
3. Sewer smell inside the house. A dried trap or a broken vent. Methane is flammable.
4. Discolored water from hot only. Anode rod gone, tank rusting from the inside.
5. Visible water stains on a ceiling below a bathroom. Active leak you may not hear.
6. Toilets gurgling when a sink drains. Main line restriction.
7. Sewage backing up into the lowest drain in the house. Stop using water immediately and call.
8. No hot water at all + pilot won't light. Thermocouple or gas issue — don't keep trying to relight.
9. Cracked or wet supply line at any shutoff valve. Replace the valve before it lets go.
10. A pipe that froze. Even if it hasn't burst, it might have micro-cracks. Have it inspected.

What a fair plumbing service call costs

• Diagnostic / service call: $75–$200 (often credited toward the repair)
• Toilet rebuild / replacement: $250–$650
• Garbage disposal swap: $250–$450
• Main line snake / camera: $300–$700
• Hydro-jetting: $450–$900
• Slab leak detection: $300–$650

How to keep small problems small

• Replace washing machine hoses every 5–7 years (steel braided).
• Know where your main shutoff is and test it once a year.
• Install a $40 water leak alarm under each sink and the water heater.
• Replace plastic supply lines under bathroom sinks with braided steel.