
Signs You Have a Plumbing Emergency
You want your home and family to be safe rather than sorry. A plumbing situation can cause property damage and even health problems if you delay. Waiting is never worth it.
A plumbing emergency is when:
- Pipes are frozen.
- Sewage is backed up.
- There’s no water.
- You have flooding or risk of flooding.
Signs you may have (or you’re about to have) a plumbing emergency include:
- Clogs: Slow-to-no draining that doesn’t respond to using a plunger needs attention sooner, rather than later.
- Frozen pipes: We didn’t think that was much of an issue until February 2021. We also didn’t realize until then how many Texans think a blowtorch is a logical fix for a frozen pipe (it isn’t). Call Staggs Plumbing and we’ll tell you what to do until we can get there because a lot depends on which pipes are frozen, the material(s) from which they are made, and where they are located.
- Gas: Never ignore a gas odor, no matter where it comes from. If you smell gas around your plumbing appliances (toilet, shower/bath, dishwasher, laundry, etc.), call the gas company. If you know where the turnoff valve is located, turn off the gas. Then, call Staggs Plumbing.
- Gurgling: This is a red flag that an emergency is on its way, so don’t wait. When in use, if you hear gurgling from the toilet, shower/bath, dishwasher, or laundry area, your plumbing system is about to back up. If you hear gurgling and you aren’t using these appliances, that’s the emergency.
- Running water: If you can hear running water when everything is off, you likely have a leak. You might see wet/damp spots on the floor, walls, or ceiling. When a water leak is actively damaging your home, call before it becomes a structural danger.
- Sewage smells: This is more dangerous than most people know. If you smell sewage, it’s already an emergency, so call right away.
If you’re planning a kitchen or bath renovation this year in Lucas, call (972) 833-8660 or contact us today for a quote.
Don’t Risk Damaging Your House – And Your Health
Septic plumbing problems can send airborne bacteria throughout your home. Mold spores from plumbing leaks can threaten health and can be especially problematic for infants, the elderly, or family members with chronic illnesses.
Wastewater can carry:
- Bacteria, viruses, parasites, hazardous pathogens that can cause:
- Abdominal cramps
- Bacillary dysentery
- Cholera
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Gastroenteritis
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Typhoid/paratyphoid
- Fungi that can cause skin, eye, and respiratory infections
Plumbing pipes run under your floors, above your ceilings, behind your walls … just one “little leak” can cause a huge amount of property damage if it isn’t caught in time. Water damage can occur behind walls or underneath carpets.

Signs of a Plumbing Leak
You can’t fix what you don’t know about, so always watch for signs you have a plumbing leak:
- Hearing running water/gurgling
- Higher monthly water bills
- Lawn overgrowth/unusual greening
- Mold/mildew
- Odors
- Peeling wallpaper
- Wall cracks
- Water pressure drops; difficult to get a steady flow of water in the shower or sink
- Water stains on ceiling/wall
- Wet/damp floors
If you suspect you have any kind of plumbing leak, seek help before it becomes an emergency.
If you think it’s an emergency, it likely is. Call (972) 833-8660 or contact Staggs Plumbing.
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Everyone was very professional and did their best to accommodate any requests we had. They can in to fix a leaky kitchen sink and ended up helping us with 2 faucets, our tub, and a toilet handle. April and Nick were awesome!
Aurora B.
