Emergency Plumber Lanzarote: When to Call | Leakbusters

Here at Leakbusters Lanzarote, our team of leak detection specialists shares their expertise.

Defining a True Plumbing Emergency

Not every plumbing problem requires an immediate callout. Understanding the difference between genuine emergencies and issues that can wait until business hours saves both money and stress.

Situations That Require Immediate Response

Uncontrollable water flow: When water is actively flooding your property and you cannot stop it by closing valves, every minute counts. Burst pipes, failed water heaters, or severed supply lines fall into this category.

Sewage backup: Raw sewage entering living spaces creates immediate health hazards. This includes toilet overflow that doesn't resolve after a single flush or drains backing up with waste water.

Complete loss of water: If your entire property has no water and neighbours have normal supply, you may have a critical main line failure that needs urgent attention — particularly if you notice water emerging elsewhere on your property.

Gas-related water issues: Water heaters that are leaking alongside unusual smells, or any plumbing work near gas lines, requires immediate professional attention for safety reasons.

Situations That Can Wait

Slow drains: Annoying but not dangerous. These can typically wait for a scheduled appointment.

Dripping taps: Unless the drip is substantial enough to cause flooding, this is a routine repair.

Running toilet: Yes, it wastes water and money, but if you can shut off the valve behind the toilet, it's no longer urgent.

Low water pressure: Unless accompanied by flooding elsewhere, this usually indicates a problem that needs investigation rather than emergency intervention.

Minor leaks you can contain: A leak that you can catch with a bucket or container isn't an emergency — it's an inconvenience that can be scheduled for prompt attention.

Immediate Steps Before Help Arrives

Know Your Stopcock Location

Every property has a main water shutoff valve. In Lanzarote properties, this is typically:

In a ground-level box near the boundary (street-side)

In the garage or utility room

Near the water meter

Find yours now, before an emergency. Test that it actually closes (some seize after years of non-use). If it's stiff, call a plumber during normal hours to service or replace it.

Stop the Source

Once you've located the emergency:

For burst pipes: Close the main stopcock immediately. Open all taps to drain remaining water from the system.

For toilet overflow: Remove the cistern lid and manually close the fill valve or lift the float arm to stop inflow.

For water heater failure: Close both the cold water supply valve to the heater AND the main stopcock if the heater valve won't hold.

For washing machine or dishwasher floods: Locate the individual appliance valves (usually visible behind or beside the unit) and close them.

Damage Control

While waiting for help:

Move valuables and electronics away from water

Lay towels or absorbent materials to limit spread

If water is near electrical outlets, turn off power at the consumer unit

Take photographs for insurance purposes

Open windows to aid drying if water has spread significantly

What Not to Do

Don't attempt repairs involving gas lines

Don't use electrical appliances in flooded areas

Don't ignore the problem hoping it resolves — water damage escalates rapidly

Don't delay calling because of the hour — legitimate emergency services exist for genuine emergencies

Emergency Response on Lanzarote

Realistic Response Times

Lanzarote's geography affects emergency response:

Arrecife and surrounding areas: 20-40 minutes typical response

Puerto del Carmen and Tías: 25-45 minutes

Costa Teguise: 25-45 minutes

Playa Blanca and Yaiza: 40-60 minutes due to distance

Northern municipalities (Haría, Teguise): 45-70 minutes

These are estimates for genuinely available emergency services. Weekends and holidays may extend times.

What Emergency Calls Actually Cost

Emergency plumbing callouts carry premium rates. Expect:

Callout fee: €60-100 (covers the plumber arriving, regardless of repair complexity)

Evening/night premium: Additional 30-50% on labour rates

Weekend/holiday premium: Additional 50-100% on labour rates

Materials: Charged separately, often at premium prices for emergency stock

A straightforward burst pipe repair that might cost €120 during normal hours could reach €200-250 as an emergency callout.

This isn't exploitation — emergency services require standby availability, vehicle maintenance for rapid response, and stock held specifically for urgent situations.

Questions to Ask When Calling

When contacting an emergency service:

"What's your estimated arrival time?"

"What's the callout fee?"

"What are your hourly rates for evening/weekend work?"

"Can you give an estimate for this type of repair?"

"Are you insured for emergency work?"

Reputable services answer these questions directly. Evasive answers suggest moving to the next option.

Avoiding Future Emergencies

Preventive Maintenance

Most plumbing emergencies are preventable:

Annual inspections: Have a plumber check accessible pipework, water heater condition, and valve function yearly.

Hose replacements: Washing machine and dishwasher hoses should be replaced every 5 years. These are a leading cause of domestic flooding.

Stopcock testing: Exercise your main valve quarterly to ensure it operates freely.

Water heater maintenance: Flush sediment annually and replace anodes according to manufacturer schedules.

Know Your System

Document your plumbing layout:

Main stopcock location and operation

Individual shut-off valves for toilets, sinks, appliances

Water heater isolation valves

Pool pump and filter valves (if applicable)

Irrigation system controls

This knowledge transforms potential emergencies into manageable situations.

Holiday Property Considerations

If your Lanzarote property sits empty for periods:

Close the main stopcock when away for more than a week

Consider installing a leak detection system that alerts remotely

Arrange for regular property checks by a trusted contact

Insulate any exposed pipework (yes, even in Lanzarote — pipes in unheated spaces can freeze during cold winter nights)

The Bigger Picture

Genuine plumbing emergencies require prompt professional response. But understanding the difference between urgent and merely inconvenient situations helps you respond appropriately, control damage effectively, and avoid unnecessary premium callout costs.

When true emergencies occur, knowing your property's water controls and having a reliable emergency contact makes all the difference. Take time now — before any crisis — to locate stopcocks, test valves, and identify trustworthy emergency services.