How to Recognise When You Need an Emergency Call-Out

Not every fault in a home is equally urgent, but when something breaks, it's hard to judge in the moment how quickly you need to react. A few simple questions can help you decide.

The first question is whether the problem will get worse if it waits. A water leak, for example, almost always grows over time and can damage the floor, walls, or the flat below yours — situations like this count as emergencies.

The second question is whether the fault poses a safety risk. A short circuit, a burning smell from the distribution board, or an unstable installation aren't things to wait a week on, no matter how harmless they seem right now.

If neither applies — say, a wobbly shelf or a switch that occasionally doesn't work — those things can comfortably wait for a regular appointment. If you're unsure, it's best to call and briefly describe the problem; a phone assessment usually only takes a couple of minutes.