Is this a plumbing emergency? A 60-second checklist
Updated Sep 6, 2026
Use this checklist first
Not every plumbing problem needs a call at 2 a.m. This quick checklist helps you decide whether to call now or book the next available window.
Call us now, any hour
- Active leak you cannot stop with the shutoff valve.
- No water at all to the house.
- Sewage backing up into a sink, tub, or drain inside the home.
- A toilet that overflows and will not stop running or filling.
- You smell gas near a water heater, furnace, or gas line.
Any of these is an emergency. Shut off water at the main or fixture if you can do so safely, then call dispatch. We answer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Book the next available window
- A drain that is slow but still draining.
- A dripping faucet or a toilet that runs occasionally.
- A problem that has been happening gradually for days or weeks.
- A fixture install, like a new bidet or faucet, with no active leak.
These are real problems worth fixing, but they will not get worse in the next few hours the way an active leak will. Booking a daytime window (7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday) means you pay the standard $89 diagnostic fee instead of the $149 after-hours fee.
Special case: gas
If you smell gas, leave the area, call 911 or SoCalGas first, and only call us after the gas company has confirmed it is safe. Harborline does not perform gas line work. Once the situation is safe, we can help with any water-side work that is needed, such as capping a line.
When in doubt, call
If you are not sure which category your problem falls into, call dispatch and describe what you see and hear. We would rather talk you through a five-minute check over the phone than have you guess wrong in either direction. If it turns out to be minor, there is no charge for the call itself, only for a dispatched visit.
Every home is a little different, and older Westside houses in particular can surprise you. Trust your gut: standing water, a rising smell, or a sound that will not stop are all good reasons to pick up the phone rather than wait until morning.
Need a hand? Harborline dispatch is 24/7 at (310) 555-0148.