Leak or breakdown: when is it a real emergency?
Not every drip is an emergency. How to recognise genuine urgency, limit the damage and avoid overpaying.
A real emergency is: a burst water pipe, water coming through the ceiling, a home without water, a gas smell (close the main tap, open windows, go outside and call the Dutch national gas number 0800-9009) or sewage flowing into the home. In those cases every minute counts and the emergency surcharge is worth the money.
Many jobs that feel like emergencies in the evening can safely wait until morning: a dripping tap, a slow drain, a cistern that keeps running or a boiler that fails in summer. Waiting until the next working day saves the 150-200% surcharge and gives you time to compare prices.
During a leak, limit the damage yourself first: close the main water valve (at the water meter), switch off electricity near the water, catch the water and take photos for your insurer. That often turns the job from an emergency into a regular appointment.
If you do call an emergency plumber, watch out for rogue outfits advertising at the top of search results: no Chamber of Commerce number on the site, no rate quoted on the phone, and demanding cash payment are red flags. Always ask for the hourly rate, call-out costs and surcharge upfront; a reliable company quotes them without hesitation.