Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is usually defined as any plumbing problem that poses an immediate risk to your home or safety that requires prompt attention from a professional plumber.
Common plumbing emergencies include:
- Burst or leaking pipes resulting in significant flooding
- Serious clogged drains or sewer backups
- Water heater leaks or burst tanks
- Gas leaks
- Overflowing toilets
- Frozen pipes
- Lack of water or main water line break
- Basement flooding or sump pump failure
Although we take all plumbing issues seriously and strive to fix any problem with a strong sense of urgency, Pipe Wrench will always prioritize plumbing emergencies over more minor plumbing service requests.
How quickly can an emergency plumber from Pipe Wrench arrive at my location in Knoxville?
You can expect our dedicated team of expert plumbing technicians to typically arrive at your home within 1-3 hours after your call for a plumbing emergency service. This time can vary depending on the severity of the plumbing problem, our service schedule availability, and your location.
Some plumbing problems such as burst pipes, ruptured water heaters, or sewer backup will take priority over other issues such as a leaky faucet or lukewarm water.
Our technicians are always busy servicing the greater Knoxville community, but we will always work to prioritize emergency service calls, when possible, particularly if you are a Peace of Mind maintenance plan member.
Pipe Wrench has several locations so we will always strive to arrive at your location ASAP, but some homes and businesses towards the edge of our service area may take longer.
Is it safe to turn off the main water valve myself during a plumbing emergency?
Yes! When waiting for a professional plumber to arrive, shutting off your house’s main water valve is highly recommended as a quick way to keep water damage from spreading and keeping your family safe during a plumbing emergency.
Your main water shut-off valve is usually located where the main water line enters your home, often on the side of your house, in the basement, utility room, or near your water meter in your yard or on the street.
After turning off the main water valve, you should also open faucets at the lowest point in your home to help drain the remaining water in the pipes and to relieve pressure.
How much does emergency plumbing service typically cost?
Costs for emergency plumbing services vary based on the nature of the problem, but our transparent pricing estimates ensure all areas across the greater Knoxville community receive fair and upfront pricing. Services after normal business hours or weekends will also incur an additional fee.
If budgets are tight, don’t worry as Pipe Wrench also provides flexible payment plans including 0% financing pending credit approval.
Can emergency plumbers fix water heater issues on the spot?
Yes, our experts are well-equipped to resolve most water heater issues immediately, restoring comfort to your home although some important factors include the severity of the problem, the type of water heater, and if additional parts are required for repair.
The knowledgeable plumbing technicians at Pipe Wrench can normally address minor leaks along with repairing or replacing components such as heating elements, gas lines and valves, or thermostats. However, more serious issues such as a ruptured/leaking tank or severely corroded components might require more extensive repairs or even replacement.
Are emergency plumbing services available during nights, weekends, and public holidays in Knoxville?
Absolutely. Our dedicated team of expert plumbing technicians at Pipe Wrench are always ready to respond—even during after-hours emergencies after normal business hours, nights, weekends and public holidays.
Pipe Wrench always provides upfront transparent pricing but services after normal business hours or weekends will also incur an additional fee.
What precautions do emergency plumbers take when servicing homes in Knoxville’s historic areas?
Our professional plumbers always exercise extreme caution, especially around treasured historic homes and neighborhoods in the greater Knoxville area, ensuring each repair preserves the character and integrity of your property.
Repairs in older homes often demand additional precautions due to the potential presence of hazardous materials like lead and asbestos, as well as aging plumbing systems and unique construction features that may be more fragile.