Emergency Plumber in Wilson, NC

Wilson in brief

The City of Wilson handles nearly everything that flows into and out of a house here. Water Resources treats water at the Wiggins Mill and Toisnot plants and sends wastewater to the Hominy Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Natural gas comes from Wilson Energy, the city's own system, with more than 400 miles of main and over 13,000 services. About 29% of homes in the 27893 ZIP heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters and furnaces are common.

The city owns the service line from the water main to the property line or meter pit; the customer owns the part on private property. About 46% of Wilson's homes were built before 1980, and older neighborhoods like the Old Wilson and West Nash Street historic districts often have aging pipe and valves.

What to do now

1. Smell gas? Get everyone out without touching switches, then call 911 or Wilson Energy from outside.
2. Close the main. The house valve is usually where the line enters; the meter pit valve is the backup.
3. Cut the power to an electric water heater or any wet outlets, from a dry spot.
4. Drain the lines by opening a faucet at the lowest point in the house.
5. Check with a neighbor. If their water is out too, call City of Wilson Water Resources rather than a plumber.
6. Photograph the damage before you start moving things.

Symptoms and likely causes

Cost factors

• Time and day of the call
• Older pipe that needs more than a patch
• Access through crawl spaces or finished walls
• Code work on a replacement: the city lists water heaters installed in a garage without being raised 18 inches among its most common code violations, so a garage heater replacement may need a stand

Larger repairs need a permit from the city's Development Services Inspections Department at City Hall. Ask about after-hours rates when you're connected; no arrival time is promised.