Emergency Plumbing Services in Hammond, IN

Reichelt Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency plumbing in Hammond, IN for burst pipes, sewer backups, overflowing toilets, failed sump pumps, and leaking water heaters. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, our team is BBB A+ rated, has served Northwest Indiana since 1986, and is reviewed on Google Reviews and HomeAdvisor. The first minutes of an emergency usually come down to two things: knowing where to shut the water off and knowing who owns the problem. Hammond Water Works says the house shut-off valve is usually on the water service pipeline immediately after it enters the basement wall, and underground service lines to individual buildings belong to the property owner. Call (219) 322-4906 at any hour, and we will help you stop the damage, find the cause, and confirm a flat-rate price before repair work begins. Qualifying work is backed by an 18-month guarantee.

Water where it should not be? Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 for 24/7 emergency plumbing in Hammond.

What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency in Hammond

A plumbing problem becomes an emergency when water is escaping or backing up faster than you can manage, when part of the property has lost safe water use, or when the failure can damage the building if it waits until the next business day. This table shows what usually qualifies and what to do first.

He was professional, explained everything very well and did an awesome job.

“I needed the sewer rodded in my front yard because it was backed up. Within an hour, Sam showed up. He was professional, explained everything very well and did an awesome job. We've had this problem in the past and Sam was basically cleaning up what they left behind (A huge ball of roots). This was the first time we weren't left with an uneasy feeling about whether the job was really done right or not. We will definitely be using them for future plumbing services.”

- Rocio C.

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When you are unsure, call (219) 322-4906 and describe what you see. We will tell you whether the situation needs an immediate response or can wait for a scheduled visit. Our post on plumbing emergencies that should not wait lists more examples.

What to Do While You Wait for a Plumber

These steps come from public guidance and standard plumbing practice. They are meant to limit damage until a licensed plumber arrives, not to replace the repair.

1. Stay out of standing water that is near outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel. Ready.gov’s flood safety guidance says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water, and to turn off the electricity only if it is safe to do so.
2. Shut off the water at the main valve. Our guide shows how to shut off the main water valve.
3. If drains are backing up, stop running water in sinks, tubs, showers, and appliances so no more water enters the line.
4. Move belongings, rugs, and boxes out of the wet area when it is safe to do so.
5. Photograph or video the damage before temporary repairs, and keep your receipts. The Indiana Department of Insurance gives this advice for insurance claims.
6. Call (219) 322-4906 and tell us what you see, where the water is coming from, and whether you were able to shut it off.

Gas is the exception. If you smell gas, go outside and call 911 first. NIPSCO’s gas safety gives those steps and then directs customers to the utility’s emergency number. A plumber is not the first call for a gas odor.

Who Handles What: Plumber, Water Works, Sanitary District, or NIPSCO

Hammond emergencies often involve more than one organization. This table shows who is responsible for what, based on what each one states publicly, so you know who to call first.

A camera inspection settles the question when a sewer backup could be on either side of the connection. If the private sewer is clear, we will tell you so you can contact the District with that information.

Emergency Plumbing Problems We Solve in Hammond

Each emergency has a different first step and a different repair. This is how we handle the most common ones in Hammond.

Burst Pipes and Water Line Leaks

Shut off the main, then call. We trace the failed section, repair or replace it, and check the nearby pipe for the same weakness. When the break is in the underground line serving your building, our Hammond water line service repairs or replaces the line. Pipes that fail more than once may be near the end of their service life, and whole-house repiping can be the lasting answer.

Sewer Backups and Main Drain Blockages

Fixtures that gurgle, sewage odors, and water rising in a basement floor drain point to the sewer or the main drain. We clear the blockage with professional equipment, then run a camera to see what caused it, whether roots, an offset joint, grease, or a damaged section. See our Hammond sewer line service for repair options and our Hammond drain cleaning service for the clearing methods.

The camera also shows whether the problem sits on the private side, which tells you whether the Sanitary District needs to be involved. Our Hammond sewer camera inspections explain the process, and our post on whether a camera inspection is worth it covers when to schedule one before approving repair work.

Overflowing Toilets and Failed Fixtures

Close the shutoff valve at the wall and stop flushing. A toilet that overflows once may have a simple clog, while one that repeats, or one that overflows when other fixtures drain, usually has a deeper restriction. We clear the line, check the toilet and its connections, and replace failed supply lines or shutoff valves. Our Hammond plumbing fixtures cover repairs and installations.

Water Heater Leaks and Failures

Shut off the cold-water supply to the heater and turn off its power or gas, then call. A leak from a fitting, valve, or drain valve can often be repaired, while a leak from the tank itself usually means the heater needs replacement. We repair, replace, and install tank and tankless heaters, and our Hammond water heater service has the details.

Sump Pump Failures and Basement Flooding

A sump pump that fails during heavy rain leaves the basement exposed. Keep out of the water when it is near outlets or appliances, and call. We repair and replace sump pumps and install battery backup sump pumps that keep the pit working through a power outage. Our post on what to do when a sump pump stops working covers the first checks.

Frozen and Burst Pipes in Cold Weather

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor advises using the master shut-off valve to cut the water flow to the building immediately when pipes freeze, and calling a licensed plumber. It also says never to thaw a pipe with a torch or any other open flame. A split pipe can leak quietly until the temperature rises, as our post on why burst pipes show up after a thaw explains. We locate the split, repair it, and check the lines nearby.

Hidden Leaks Behind Walls and Floors

Stains that spread, a musty smell, or a water meter that moves when nothing is running can point to a hidden leak. Our leak detection service locates the source so that we open as little of the wall or floor as the repair requires.

Hammond Storms, Combined Sewers, and Emergency Calls

Heavy rain is behind many Hammond emergencies, and the record shows how quickly conditions change. The September 17, 2023 rain event brought over four inches of rain in about seven hours, with over two inches in a single hour, and the City reported basement backups in over 500 homes in North and Central Hammond. Nearly 40% of those homes had a backup in the past. In August 2025, CBS Chicago reported that the Hammond Sanitary District’s system is designed to handle 68 million gallons when it rains, while 160 million gallons came through during one Monday night’s storm, the most in five years. At least 200 homes across Hammond had flooding the next day.

Hammond’s sewer design explains part of this. A combined sewer carries stormwater and household sewage in the same pipe, so heavy rain can overload it, and the lowest drain in a home shows the problem first. The EPA’s summary of the Sanitary District’s consent decree describes three combined sewer overflow points in the Hammond system and a schedule of work to eliminate their use.

Two steps on the private side help after a storm. The Sanitary District’s flood-proofing guide recommends disconnecting downspouts and foundation sump pumps from the private sewer, and it describes an automatic backwater valve that closes as soon as water begins to back up. The District also runs a Basement Backup Protection Program that reimburses homeowners for installing a backflow prevention device through a licensed plumber permitted to work in the City of Hammond. After an emergency, we check the private sewer, the sump discharge, and the valve options so the next storm is less likely to repeat it.

Emergency Plumbing for Homes and Businesses in Hammond

Homes and businesses face the same failures, but the impact differs. In a home, an emergency interrupts bathrooms, kitchens, hot water, drainage, or basement protection. In a business, it can affect customers, employees, and sanitation standards at once. Reichelt Plumbing responds to both.

Our Hammond commercial plumbing team handles restroom outages, drain backups, and leaks that affect occupied areas. Our Hammond residential plumbing team handles burst lines, sump trouble, sewer backups, and water heater failures at home. Both get the same approach: stabilize the problem first, find the cause, and explain the repair before work begins.

Our Emergency Response Process in Hammond

1. Call (219) 322-4906 at any hour and describe what you see, where the water is coming from, and whether you have shut it off.
2. A licensed technician assesses the immediate risk to water flow, drainage, and the condition of the property.
3. We help stop or isolate the active problem, such as closing a valve or controlling the source of the leak.
4. We inspect the affected plumbing for the actual cause of the failure, not only the visible symptom.
5. We check nearby plumbing for related damage or hidden issues.
6. We explain the findings and confirm a written flat-rate price before repair work begins.
7. We complete the repair, or stabilize the system for next-step work when parts, permits, or access require it.
8. We test the repaired area, review what happened and what to watch afterward, and cover qualifying work with our 18-month guarantee.

Tools and Diagnostics That Support Faster Emergency Repairs

Fast arrival matters, but so does having the right tools and the experience to read what they show. A technician may use a drain camera to inspect the sewer or main drain, pressure checks to find a failing water line, and leak detection equipment when the source is hidden.

In some emergencies, the visible leak is only the end result of a deeper problem. A backup may trace to a main line blockage, and repeated overflows may trace to a restriction further down the drain. The real cause is what makes a repair last, so we diagnose before we repair. Our post on how leak detection prevents future plumbing problems explains the approach.

Common Emergency Plumbing Problems in Hammond

Fall adds its own trigger. Our post on why falling leaves clog outdoor drains explains how leaves settle over area drains, downspout extensions, and window wells and compact into a dense wet mat once rain arrives.

After the Emergency: Keeping It From Happening Again

Once the water is under control, a few steps reduce the chance of a repeat.

• Test the sump pump and its battery backup before the next heavy rain.
• Ask for a camera inspection of the private sewer after any backup, so the cause is known.
• Find the main shutoff and make sure it turns; our post on finding your shut-off valves before you need them explains why.
• Disconnect downspouts, as the Sanitary District’s guide recommends, and keep area drains and window wells clear of leaves.
• Check the age of the water heater; our guide shows how to tell the age of your water heater.

If a fire caused the plumbing damage, our fire restoration team handles the rebuild, and our guide explains whether plumbing needs replacing after a house fire.

Permits and Licensing for Emergency Repairs in Hammond

Emergency work still follows the city’s rules. The City of Hammond’s Building Division states that a State of Indiana plumbing license is required to perform any plumbing work in the city, and that any contractor working within the city limits must be registered with the city. Which permits apply depends on the work, and the Division bases plumbing permit fees on the number of fixtures, the water service, the sewer tap, and any public right-of-way openings. It posts a plumbing permit application on its site. We coordinate the permits and inspections a repair requires, and you can verify any plumber’s state license with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

Why Hammond Property Owners Call Reichelt Plumbing for Emergencies

Hammond Emergency Plumbing Facts Worth Knowing

• Shutoff: Hammond Water Works says the house shut-off valve is usually on the water service pipeline immediately after it enters the basement wall.
• Water service: underground water services to individual buildings are owned and maintained by the property owner, not by the City of Hammond.
• Main breaks: Hammond Water Works considers all main breaks an emergency situation.
• Storms: the September 17, 2023 rain event brought over four inches of rain in about seven hours and basement backups in over 500 homes in North and Central Hammond.
• Sewers: the Sanitary District maintains about 400 miles of sewer pipe, and the private sewer is the owner’s responsibility.
• Gas: NIPSCO owns gas lines up to and including the meter; for a gas odor, go outside and call 911.
• Frozen pipes: the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor says to use the master shut-off valve and never thaw a pipe with an open flame.
• Licensing: a State of Indiana plumbing license is required for any plumbing work in the city, and contractors must be registered with the city.

Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Plumbing in Hammond, IN

What counts as a plumbing emergency in Hammond?

A plumbing problem is an emergency when water is escaping or backing up faster than you can manage, when part of the property has lost safe water use, or when the failure threatens the building. Burst pipes, sewer backups, overflowing toilets, leaking water heaters, sump pumps that fail during heavy rain, and frozen pipes usually qualify. Slow drains, dripping faucets, and running toilets can wait for a scheduled visit.

Is a leaking pipe an emergency, or can it wait?

It depends on how much water is escaping. A pipe that is spraying or running, or one leaking into a ceiling or wall, should be treated as an emergency: shut off the water at the main valve and call. A slow drip can usually wait for a scheduled visit, but water follows framing and pipes and can spread behind finished surfaces, so a small leak should not be left for long. Our guide to finding a water leak fast shows how to check.

What should I do first when a pipe bursts?

Shut off the water at the main valve, stay away from standing water near outlets and appliances, and call a licensed plumber. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor advises using the master shut-off valve to cut the water flow to the building immediately. Our post on dealing with plumbing emergencies lists the first steps in order.

Where is the main water shutoff in a Hammond home?

Hammond Water Works says the house shut-off valve is usually located on your water service pipeline immediately after it enters the basement wall. Homes with a different layout may have it elsewhere, so it helps to find it and test that it turns before you need it.

Is a sewer backup an emergency, and what should I do first?

Yes, in most cases. Wastewater coming up through a floor drain, tub, or toilet means the line is blocked or overloaded, and it can spread across a basement quickly. Stop using water in the house, including the washing machine and dishwasher, keep people and pets out of the affected area, and call. Our post on the warning signs of a sewer backup explains what to watch for before one happens.

Why do Hammond basements back up during heavy rain?

A combined sewer carries stormwater and household sewage in the same pipe, so heavy rain can overload it, and the lowest drain in a home shows the problem first. The EPA’s summary of the Sanitary District’s consent decree describes three combined sewer overflow points in the Hammond system. During the September 17, 2023 storm, the City reported backups in over 500 homes in North and Central Hammond. Our post on why thunderstorms trigger sewer backups adds context.

What should I do if my basement is flooded?

Stay out of the water if it is near outlets, the electrical panel, or appliances. Ready.gov warns of the risk of electrocution, says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water, and advises turning off the electricity only if it is safe to do so. It also advises avoiding wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain debris. Call a plumber to stop the source, and see our guide to what to do about a flooded basement.

Should I call a plumber or the Hammond Sanitary District for a sewer backup?

Start by finding out where the blockage is. The Sanitary District’s guide says care and maintenance of the private sewer is the property owner’s responsibility, so a blockage there is a plumbing call. The District maintains the public sewer system, so if a camera shows that the private sewer is clear, the cause may be in the public system. Our technicians can run the camera and tell you which side the problem is on.

Who do I call for no water, low pressure, or a leak in the street?

Call Hammond Water Works first. Its FAQ says that all main breaks are considered an emergency situation, and that low pressure over the entire building could indicate a water meter problem, aging or undersized plumbing including the service line, or a significant leak on the service line. If the cause turns out to be on your side, such as the service line or the plumbing inside, those are the owner’s to repair and we can help.

Who is responsible for the water line from the street to my house?

Hammond Water Works states that underground water services to individual buildings are not owned by the City of Hammond but are owned and maintained by the property owner. Our guide to who owns the water line to your house explains the rule in plain terms.

What should I do about a water heater leak?

Shut off the cold-water supply to the heater, turn off its power or gas supply, and call. A leak from a fitting, valve, or drain valve can often be repaired, while a leak from the tank itself usually means the heater needs replacement. Our post on leaking water heaters explains the common sources.

What should I do if my toilet is overflowing?

Close the shutoff valve at the wall behind the toilet by turning it clockwise, and stop flushing. If the bowl keeps rising, the clog may be in the drain behind the toilet rather than in the toilet itself, and other fixtures may be affected. Our post on why a toilet overflows explains the common causes.

What should I do if my sump pump stops working during a storm?

Do not enter standing water to work on the pump, because Ready.gov advises against touching electrical equipment while standing in water, and call us. Once it is safe, check whether the power is out, since a battery backup keeps the pump running through an outage. Our post on why a backup sump pump may not activate explains the common reasons a backup fails.

What should I do if my pipes freeze?

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor advises using the master shut-off valve to cut the water flow to the building immediately and calling a licensed plumber. It says never to thaw a pipe with a torch or any other open flame, and to turn the water back on very slowly after a pipe is thawed, watching for leaks. Our post on whether a homeowner can repair frozen pipes covers the options.

What should I do if I smell gas?

Go outside and call 911. NIPSCO’s gas safety page gives those steps for a suspected gas leak, carbon monoxide symptoms, or another gas emergency, and then directs customers to the utility’s emergency number. A plumber is not the first call for a gas odor. NIPSCO owns the gas lines up to and including the meter, and the customer owns the lines from the meter to the appliances.

Do you provide emergency plumbing for businesses in Hammond?

Yes. We respond to residential and commercial properties, including restroom outages, drain backups, and leaks that affect occupied areas. An emergency can affect customers, employees, and daily operations at once, so we focus on restoring safe use of the building as quickly as the repair allows.

Is emergency plumbing available at night, on weekends, and on holidays?

Yes. Emergency calls to Reichelt Plumbing are answered 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Call (219) 322-4906 and describe what you see.

What information should I have ready when I call?

Know where the water is coming from, whether it is still flowing, whether you have shut off the main valve, and which fixtures still work. Photos can help. Our post on what your plumber needs from you in the first 60 seconds covers it in more detail.

Will emergency service only stop the problem temporarily?

Our goal is to find the actual cause and complete a dependable repair whenever possible. When parts, permits, or access mean the work has to happen in stages, we stabilize the system first and explain the next step before we leave.

Should I take photos before repairs, and what about insurance?

Yes, photos help. The Indiana Department of Insurance advises taking photographs or video of the damage before making temporary repairs, keeping all receipts, and not making permanent repairs before the insurance company’s inspection. What a policy covers is between you and your insurer, so call your agent or claims line as soon as you can. When an insurer needs to inspect first, we can stabilize the system and schedule the permanent repair afterward.

What causes sewer backups in Hammond besides heavy rain?

Tree roots entering joints, grease buildup, flushed wipes, and damaged sections of the private sewer are common causes. The Sanitary District’s guide advises keeping the private sewer clear of tree roots, grease, and debris, repairing broken segments, and having it inspected regularly. Our post on tree roots in sewer lines explains how roots get in.

Does a backwater valve stop basement backups?

The Sanitary District’s guide describes an automatic backwater valve as a device that closes as soon as water begins to back up in the sewer, and the City of Hammond has described a backflow preventer as a device that will in almost all instances prevent a basement backup. The valve needs regular checks for debris, and whether one fits depends on the home’s plumbing. We can inspect the private sewer and install the valve, and the District’s Basement Backup Protection Program reimburses eligible homeowners for the installation. Check the District’s page for current terms.

Which areas near Hammond do you cover for emergency calls?

We answer emergency calls across Northwest Indiana and South Cook County, including Munster, Highland, Griffith, Gary, Hobart, Schererville, Dyer, Crown Point, Lansing, and Calumet City. Our Hammond coverage includes ZIP codes 46320, 46323, 46324, and 46327.

How is emergency plumbing priced?

We quote a flat-rate price based on the work needed, the materials, and access, and we confirm it before repair work begins. Current offers on qualifying service are listed on our plumbing coupons page.

How do I request emergency plumbing service in Hammond?

Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 at any hour. For a problem that can wait for a scheduled visit, send an online service request. Qualifying work carries an 18-month guarantee.

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