It is the classic homeowner dilemma. It is 8:00 PM on a Friday, or noon on a Sunday. Something in your house is leaking, making a noise, or not flushing.

You reach for the phone, but then you hesitate. You know that calling a plumber "After Hours" comes with a painful price tag.

In 2026, the gap between Standard Rates (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) and Emergency Rates (Nights, Weekends, Holidays) is wider than ever.

Standard Rate: $120–$180 per hour (plus parts).
Emergency Rate: $250–$400 per hour (or a flat "Emergency Dispatch Fee" of $300 just to show up).

So, is your problem a true emergency, or can it wait 36 hours? Here is the honest checklist to help you decide—and potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

The "Main Shutoff" Hack: How to Save $500 Instantly

Before you panic, ask yourself one question: "Can I stop the water?"

Every home has a Main Water Shutoff Valve. It is usually in the basement, the garage, or a box near the street.

If you can turn this valve and the water stops: You usually do not have an emergency. You have an inconvenience. You can live without water for 12 hours overnight or use bottled water until Monday morning.
If the valve is broken or the water won't stop: CALL NOW. Uncontrolled water causes thousands of dollars in structural damage per hour. The $400 emergency fee is cheap compared to replacing your subfloor.

WHEN TO CALL NOW (True Emergencies)

Pay the premium. These situations are dangerous to your health or your home's structure.

Sewage Backup: If black, smelly water is coming up out of your drains, shower, or toilet, stop using all water immediately. This is a biohazard. You cannot wait.
Gas Smell: If you smell rotten eggs near your water heater or stove. Step 1: Leave the house. Step 2: Call the gas utility. Step 3: Call a plumber.
Burst Pipe (Winter): If a pipe has frozen and burst, and you cannot isolate it, you risk flooding the whole house.
No Water (Total Outage): If you have zero running water, this is a sanitation issue. Most codes consider a home uninhabitable without running water.
Water Heater Leaking (Uncontrollable): If the tank has ruptured and is flooding the utility room, and the shutoff valve on top of the heater doesn't work.

WHEN TO WAIT (The "Monday Morning" List)

Save your money. These are annoying, but they will not destroy your house over the weekend.

Clogged Toilet (If you have a second one): If you have two bathrooms and one toilet is clogged, just put a "Do Not Use" sign on the door and use the other one until Monday. You just saved $300.
No Hot Water: Unless it is freezing outside or you have a medical condition, a cold shower won't hurt you. Wait for standard business hours.
Slow Drains: If the sink is draining slowly but not overflowing, it can wait.
Dripping Faucet: The "drip-drip-drip" is annoying, but it costs pennies in wasted water compared to the cost of an emergency plumber. Put a bucket under it or tie a string around the spout to guide the water down silently.
Garbage Disposal Jam: If it hums but won't spin, just unplug it. Don't use that side of the sink. It can wait.

Conclusion: Know Your Valves

The difference between a $150 repair and a $600 emergency often comes down to knowing which valve to turn. Go find your main shutoff valve today. Test it. If it works, you have the power to turn a weekend disaster into a scheduled Monday appointment.

Not sure if it’s an emergency? Call our 24/7 Triage Line. We will tell you honestly if you need us now or if it can wait.

Sources & Pricing Data

To compare current emergency plumbing costs and definitions, refer to these industry guides:

Angi (Angie's List): How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost? (2025-2026 Data)
The Spruce: What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?
HomeGuide: Average Plumber Cost Per Hour (Standard vs. Emergency)